random thoughts amongst busyness...if that makes sense

I just wanted to stop by and say good morning (good afternoon by now!). :) We wrapped presents last night and when we went to bed, we still had lots and lots and lots to wrap.  AND Ella Claire and I are headed out in a bit to do more shopping which means more wrapping.....AH! OH I just love Christmas! I really do, I just wish that I was a bit more organized and could enjoy more of it instead of rushing around like crazy right here at the end. Maybe next year?  I sure am glad though, that I waited to put the wrapped presents under our tree because, little miss priss can't seem to keep her hands off of them! I'm praying that they make it a few more days. I'm sorry family and friends if your gifts look half unwrapped when you get them! :)
So, like I said we wrapped last night and I wanted to share some random thing that I was just in love with!

Do you see the lines on the inside of this wrapping paper? How cool! You might already know about this, IDK, but I was thrilled to be able to cut a straight line while wrapping our gifts! Just a simple little thing that makes all the difference!  I got this wrapping paper at Hobby Lobby.  Here is a picture of me cutting right between the lines. See, you can do that too. The lines help you measure the exact amount of paper you will need to wrap that box! Love it!

Anyway, while we wrapped Ella Claire ate peas off of her table like a big girl...

...and Gus was right there behind her praying she dropped a few!

She loves peas as much as she loves Cheerios, and I love that!

Telling Gus "No! you can not eat my dinner!"

She wanted to help us wrap gifts too!

But, instead decided to play in the kitchen island aka my wrapping station! :)

Ok, I must go. We are on a mission. I am off to about a million stores and I need just one item from each store...don't ya just love that? Especially when shopping with a car seat rider???? Ok, here I go..... READY. SET. GO!!!!!

deck the halls

Hi friends! Can you believe Christmas is just a few days away? In just a few days family will be arriving in town and we will officially be kicking off the Christmas holidays. This morning we had our children's Christmas program at church and I LOVE to see them all dressed up and sing so loud. All of them were absolutely precious. I couldn't help but think that in just a few years Ella Claire will be up there singing too. I don't want to wish any time away, but I can't wait to hear her sing songs about Jesus. There just aren't many things sweeter.
We had another jam packed weekend (that included shopping with all the other last minute shoppers!!), but I spent Friday night catching up on something I should have done weeks ago.....

......making address labels and addressing Christmas cards. Why do I always procrastinate? Why does it sneak up on me every year? Next year I will do better. But this year, our cards are being sent the week of Christmas. ;)

Anyway, without further adieu...our tree!

Notice, we still have lots of wrapping to do. I have designated tomorrow night, gift wrapping night at the Stephens!

and a few other Christmas decorations we put out this year....

This little tree is in my kitchen and has kitchen ornaments on it. 

Our stockings finally arrived. I have live tree branches and clippings to put on my mantle, but haven't really had the time to arrange it. With Christmas just a few days a way, I don't think they will make it on there. I have accepted that my mantle is only half way decorated, and I'm moving on! :) Also, Jeremy and I have always had stocking holders, but they are really heavy and I was so afraid EC would pull them down on her head. So, I'm sure this is the first year of many that our stockings will hang by a nail. :)

Ella Claire's tree in her room, that she LOVES!

Somehow, I forgot to take a picture of my nativity that I love! My grandmother gave it to me and it is something I will add to in the coming years; right now, we only have Joseph, Mary and Jesus. 

Tonight, after church we took a few pictures by the tree. 

We love getting kisses from Ella Claire...

She doesn't always feel the same....

She made up for that hair pulling by the look in her eyes in this picture. I forgive her. :)

Before bed,  these two chased each other around the house.

Well, I'm off to bed to get some rest. It's been a busy weekend, with no sign of slowing down. But, over the next few days during all the hustle and bustle, do slow down and hug those around you that mean so much, thank God for them, and steal a kiss; even if you get your hair pulled in the process! Merry Christmas friends!

breakfast with Courtney and Sharon

Last week, I mentioned that Steph, my mom and I attended a cookie/sweet treat swap. It was the second annual and we had a blast! This year the theme was "Breakfast with Courtney and Sharon" and we were instructed to come in our pj's and slippers. Have you ever left your home wearing your pj's and slippers? It feels funny! But, we were all definitely comfy and cozy.  Before the actual treat swap, we were served the most delicious breakfast that included individual mugs filled with breakfast casserole, southern living style. So yummy!

Here is a picture of the entire group, all snug in our pj's.

This is Courtney and her mom, Mrs. Sharon.  Courtney and I have been friends since pre-K! She has a little baby on the way; due in June. Can't wait! They are also the most wonderful hostesses!!! They threw a shower for Ella Claire before she was born and went WAY out! They seriously know how to throw a party.

Erica and her mom, Mrs. Polly(one of the sweetest ladies I know!). Erica and I grew up as next door neighbors and our birthdays are 2 months apart. So, we have basically been friends since the very beginning of our lives. We don't get to see each other very often now because of busy schedules, but I know we will be friends for life.

Keegan, such a sweet friend and extremely talented photographer!!! I met Keegan through Erica and we keep in touch through her photography business and at Courtney's partys! :)  Only certain people can pull off onesie pj's. Keegan and her 2 sweet sisters and momma were all wearing them and looked adorable! That's just not fair! ;)

Steph, mom and me in our pj's!!

All the goodies I left with! This basket was filled with, chocolate duet cookies, fudge, peanut butter fudge, tennessee haystacks, coconut shortbread cookies, oreo bites, french silk pie, peanut brittle, chocolate pound cake, peppermint candy cane cookies, peanut butter cookies, and peanut butter morsel cookies.

I know that my Christmas decor has been up for over a week and still hasn't made it's appearance here. I plan on coming back shortly and showing a few pictures of our tree and other little Christmas things. Of course, after showing this beautiful tree in Mrs. Sharon's house, ours hardly looks decorated! But, we still love it anyway!

Happy weekend before Christmas! Hope you have all of your shopping finished, it's crazy out there!

the reason for the season

Good afternoon! Wow! Is it cold or what?!? This seems like the perfect weather to stay inside by the fire where it's warm, and not so cold..... and not so windy.... and not so cold! ;) And that, is exactly what we (we as in Ella Claire, Madelaine, Ashton and myself) have been doing today. Today, I'm trying to get back to my normal schedule, whatever normal is. My normal seems to be not so normal, as my schedule seems to be constantly changing. :) But, I'm okay with that. I mentioned that Ashton is with us today. He actually has been staying with my parents again since last Thursday. His mommy could use your prayers. She is recovering from her second surgery (the first surgery was a few weeks ago, when I was keeping Ashton), as she is battling with cancer. My mom and dad will have him another week or so, or as long as it takes for his mom to feel good enough to care for herself and her sweet boy.

Well, I certainly did not intend to start this post with so much information (and sad information at that), but I felt in my heart the need to share. I know there are other situations being faced right now; some just like Ashton's, and that's just another reason to be reminded of the reason for the season.

I hope you know that JESUS is the reason for the season! Without Him, we have no hope, we have nothing, we are nothing. Ella Claire is just a tiny mite, but I am teaching her now about my Jesus and how much he loves her. My parents bought her this adorable little people manger scene last Christmas, and I have been waiting patiently all year to pull it out and teach her the Christmas story. (Don't look too closely at the angel, Gus made a BIG mistake and chewed one of her wings off!)

I have no idea how much of what I say she is absorbing, but I bet it's more than I think!

I hope my mentioning of Ashton and his mom doesn't leave you feeling sad, and thinking about all the horrible things in this life, but instead rejoice! Rejoice that we do have hope, that there is more to this life than current circumstances, that even when we are facing our impossible current circumstances there is someone greater that understands exactly what we are facing! Over two thousand years ago, a tiny babe was born. He was born in poverty and lived among the lowly. He knows what it feels like to suffer and hurt. But that's not all, He died and conquered the grave, and through that, He promises eternal life for those who believe in Him! I definitely want Ella Claire to grasp that and I want her to grasp it as soon as she can.

Before I go, here is a picture I took of Ashton this weekend. He was hanging out at my house since my mom was also helping watch Ella Claire after my surgery when J went back to work. It was kinda like a zoo around here for a few days. My mom was keeping Madelaine since I normally do, she was also watching Ella Claire, and Ashton and there I was on medicine recovering from having my wisdom teeth removed. This made for some crazy moments, funny moments, but crazy moments! Anyway, here is Ashton.

I do have sofas and soft cushioned chairs, but he loves this bench. And he decided to take a nap on it. I was close by to make sure he didn't accidentally roll off. He never did, and he actually slept here for over an hour. :)

Okay, I gotta run. Lots of little people needing my attention. Have a wonderful day and stay warm!

update

I forgot to mention in my last post how I am doing post surgery! :) To my wonderful surprise, I have not really experienced any real pain. Maybe a little discomfort, but this hasn't been bad at all.

After the surgery Jeremy brought me home and tried to put me to bed. My mom was at our house watching Ashton, Ella Claire and Madelaine. The first thing I remember after the surgery was walking into our living room and insisting I sit on the sofa and talk to everyone instead of going to get in bed. That didn't last long. Soon, Jeremy talked me into going to bed and getting some rest. I basically slept all day. Jeremy took great care of me; waiting on me hand and foot! By the end of the day, the anesthesia was wearing off and I talked Jeremy into finally putting lights on the tree. That's right! Can you believe I felt that good?!? After he strung the lights we went through a few of our boxes of decorations and put enough ornaments on the tree to satisfy my need to look at a decorated tree while stuck inside the house. Today, I have been hanging out in my pj's just enjoying being at home and looking at a beautifully lit and decorated tree. :) I am still taking my pain medicine every 6 hours. I'm not quite ready to try going without it, and I have plenty left. This is my first time taking Lortab and I have to say it definitely does it's job! Like, I said, so far I can't say I have been in pain. Didn't really think I would be able to say that. So glad that I am!

So, this thing that I have been dreading all these years was nothing! If you need your wisdom teeth removed and are procrastinating, procrastinate no longer. You will be so glad you got it over with.

....and here's a sneak peek of our family pictures we took last week at Admoni Photography.

Coconut Shortbread Cookies

Earlier this week, my mom, sister Steph and I attended a sweet treat swap. What fun it was!! Today, Edie, at lifeingrace is hosting The Great Christmas Cookie Freeze 2010! So, I decided to add one of the recipes we used earlier in the week at the sweet treat swap. Take a look at Edie's cute blog and I'm sure you will find some yummy cookie recipes while you're visiting. Thanks for hosting Edie; such a great idea!!

Coconut Shortbread Cookies

yields: 4 dozen

3/4 cup butter, softened

1/3 cup sugar

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

2 1/2 cups sweetened flaked coconut, divided

1 (12-oz.) package semi sweet chocolate morsels

4 tsp. shortening

1. Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add sugar, beating well. Stir in vanilla.

2. Combine flour; baking powder, and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating well. Stir in 1 cup coconut. Cover and chill 1 hour.

3. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Roll dough to 1/8-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut dough with 2-inch round cutters, and place on lightly greased baking sheets.

4. Bake at 300 degrees for 18 to 20 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Let cool on baking sheets 5 minutes; transfer to wire racks, and cool completely (about 20 minutes).

5. Meanwhile, bake remaining 1 1/2 cups coconut at 350 degrees in a single layer in a shallow pan 5 to 6 minutes or until lightly toasted, stirring once halfway through.

6. Microwave chocolate morsels and shorteneing at HIGH 1 minute or until melted and smooth, stirring at 30-second intervals. Dip cookies halfway in chocolate mixture; sprinkle with toasted coconut. Place on wax paper-lined baking sheets. Chill 10 minutes.

Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures when we baked. Then, by the time I decided to do the virtual cookie exchange, there were only 2 cookies left! So, I don't have many pictures of the cookies. But, if you like coconut, I don't think you'll be disappointed if you try them! Happy baking everyone!!