Friday, November 20, 2009

In need of therapy

I know you're thinkin' this title is about me...
but it's not.
{Although, it wouldn't be a bad idea, I'm sure.  And by therapy, I'm not talkin' heart surgery with a psychologist.  Noooo,  I'm talking body massages, facials, mani's, pedi's.  THAT kind.}

Remember the 'day' my lil' gal was having?
Try telling a lil' girl who eats, sleeps and breaths dance
NOT to jump on her bum foot the second it starts feeling a lil' better.
Turns out, she had/has a tendon that {somehow}
popped out of place near her ankle.
Due to the swelling {and continued use},
it was not going back where it should.
No wonder poor baby girl was hurtin'.

Here she is getting therapy at our chiropractor's office.
{Love it there.}

Please excuse the bad cell pic.
The mom-purse really isn't the safest place for the Nikon.



I'm going to follow Gracie's lead and kick my feet up too.
Ha!  Who am I kidding?
With 2 gals under tow and chores up to my eye-balls,
I'm pushing away from the computer to start my Thanksgiving relay.

When Gracie starts singing...
"Go start the laundry...."
to the tune of
"Go tell it on the mountain"...
Well, you know it's time.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Dear Santa...





 

 

Nator:   I think I have it figured out.
Mama:  What?
Nator:   I think I know who Santa is.
Mama:  Really?
Gracie:  Who?
Nator:   I think it's Mommy and Daddy buying the presents.
Gracie:  No, it's not!!
{Mama just smiles.  Gracie looks at Mama.}
Gracie:  Tell me the truth!  Is it really you?!
Mama:  What do you think? {we say that a lot}
Gracie:  I think it's Santa.
Mama:  Just like we've always told you...
Santa has a secret identity that will one day be revealed to you.
Nator:  I think it's you and dad.
{Mama smiles}
Nator:  But when will we know?
Mama:  You'll figure it out.
Nator:  But how old will we be?!
{Mama smiles}

I mean...
look at this expression.
I couldn't dare say anything different!



I'm not ready to unravel all of the mystery of Santa just yet.
I mean, why wouldn't I want to wake up with Gracie at 4 a.m
{like I did last year} due to the excitement?

{There's no pause OR snooze button on these gals.}

They continue writing their letters...
just. in. case.
I mean, it's not like they're asking for much.
{Note sarcasm}

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Vacationing is a Sport {The Dozen #12}





1. If you could master one sport, what would it be?
Vacationing.  Wait.  What?!  It's not a sport? ;)  The fact that you usually end up exhausted at the end should count for something, right?

I'm not great at any sport.  {Any}  I enjoy watching a good baseball game {good, wholesome, all-American}, but it's not as feminine as ice skating, right?  I used to think ice-skating until I saw the footage of a competitor's head kissing the ice.  Not. Pretty.  Tennis?  Volleyball?  Golf?  I'm not sure.  I don't have that 'hand-eye' coordination.  Oh... and have I mentioned before that I'm not competitive?  This sort of thing breeds it, yes?

2. When you make a major purchase, do you go with your gut instinct, or do you do research to make an informed decision?
As I get older, I do more research... but my gut helps. {Hey, I just realized that it's good for something!  Other than a pillow for my girls.} ;)

3. There is an old kids' game that says you can find out what your movie star name would be by using your middle name as your first name and the name of the street you grew up on as your last. What is your movie star name?
"Lynn Summers"

4. Would you rather give up your favorite music or your favorite food?
Seriously?  As my girls would say, "That's a toughy!"  I think I already did that this year when I gave up my latte.  I would drink it as a meal sometimes, so I think that qualifies.  Please say yes.

{Oh, and thanks for keeping me accountable...
even if you didn't know it.}  ;)

5. There are two types of banana preferences. One is pristine yellow, almost to the point of being green; the other is spotty and more ripe. Which is your preference?
I'm a pristine girl all. the. way.

6. Your favorite tree is?

A decorated Christmas tree. 
{Well, obviously Mr. Blogger doesn't like my trees or he would let me upload them.  Maybe he's just testing my 'tech-saviness'.  I'll try again later.}
*Edit:  After many failed attempts, Mr. Blogger has changed his mind and is now granting me permission to post pictures. ;)



 


7. On a scale of 1-10, how tech savvy are you?
Did you read #6?  And did you mean as in the year 2009?  I've not really kept up with everything like I should.  I usually say that if it were not for my hubs, I would still be living in the days of hieroglyphics.  However, I'll give myself the benefit of the doubt and say a solid 5. ;)   {Hubs is a 15.}

8. Has H1N1 touched your family?

No.  {praying, crossing fingers, taking vit D, knocking on wood, spitting... do people really do that?}

9. Are you an analytical person, or do you just accept things the way they are without questioning or scrutinizing?

In times past, I was mostly analytical.  I think... No, wait.  Let me think about that.  Kidding.
I'm learning to accept things the way they are.  Sometimes, it's just life.  It is what it is. ;)

10. Is your personality more like that of a dog, cat, or Koala?

What's the personality of a Koala?   Ummm... Not sure.  Maybe a cat?  Ours likes to snuggle, but needs her personal space too.  However, I have been known to run to the door with the girls when daddy gets home. ;)

11. Do you keep in touch with friends you made years ago?

Sadly, not on a regular basis.  We seem to pick up where we left off when we do connect though.

12. You are checking out at a grocery store. In the express lane, there are more people than the regular lanes, but of course, their load is less than those in the regular lanes. Which lane do you choose (assuming you qualify for the express lane) and why?

{Judging by this question... and wanting to know the 'why', I would guess you're an analytical person, Linda.  Ha!}  I always pick the wrong lane in cases like this, so... I normally go to the 'self-check' lane.  ;)


Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Season of Giving

"It is possible to give without loving,
but it is impossible to love without giving."
-Richard Braunstein



This year for Christmas, the girls were excited to make
Samaritan's Purse their project.
It's not our goal to boast about our small contribution, but rather
to encourage any who may desire to join the cause.
It's not too late!

It was so great to see and hear the girls pick out items for a child in need...
and resist the temptation to ask for items themselves.
{Well, at least not whine when the response was no.
I mean, Christmas is around the corner.}

If you donate online, you can track your box.
Very cool.


I could watch the excitement of this video over and over...



Our girls have chosen to give to girls their age.
Here's a portion of an "All About Me" page they included in their boxes.



Gracie's picks: A doll attached to a blankie, colors and color book, slinky, paddle ball, Christmas socks, pencils and a notebook.



Nator's picks: A teddy bear, colors and color book, slinky, paddle ball, Christmas socks, pencils and a notebook.

I love that Nator's hero is Jesus
{and that she's proud of Him}.





What special cause is close to your family's heart this giving season?

Sunday, November 15, 2009

That's how we {Roll}



 

Did you notice anything different about this recipe book?
Sadly, it's proof that the electric stove and I had a poor relationship.
Tip:  Plastic melts on a hot stove-top.

I'm joining Linda for the last week of Fall Into Flavor.
So.... I thought I'd share one of my absolute favorite
thunder thigh recipes that can compliment any recipe!



Don't let the above picture spook you.
I really can cook when I follow a recipe set my mind to it.

Of course, I can only eat these once a year.
{Mostly due to my inability to stop at just one.}
Otherwise... Well, Bob and Jillian would make me workout
until I was a human slushy.

This bread recipe {a staple at many meals for years} was one that my mother-in-law first shared with me.
She baked this bread for us to take during communion at our wedding.

Electric bread-maker sham-maker!
It's soooo easy to make and the yummiest bread EVER.
Seriously.

Easy Delicious Rolls

1/2 c. oil
1/2 c. sugar
1/4. c. non-fat dry milk
2 eggs
1 tsp. salt
1 c. lukewarm water with 1 pkg. yeast
About 4 c. flour

 There's no need to knead!  ;)
Simply mix oil, sugar, dry milk, eggs, and salt together.  Add water mixed with yeast.  Add about 4 cups flour {when it is the right consistency}.   Let it stand overnight.  Roll out on floured board till about 1/4 in. thick.  Cut {like a pizza} and roll up like crescent rolls.  Let rise 4 hours.  Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes. 

If you try them,
let me know whatcha think.

Christmas music is being played {non-stop} in our house these days.
Do you know why?



We are putting up the decorations.
More on that soon...

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Guess Who's Home



 

 
{created by Gracie}

Friday, November 13, 2009

Lil' Fingerprints



While DK has been out of town, we  
have been working on laundry, vacuuming, organizing neglected piles, decorating for Christmas did a lil' fingerprint art...

 

and baked cookies.

Of course, mama had to get in on the action too.
I'm not talking about just eatin' the cookies, ya'll.

Yes, I know this thumbprint book says it's for 3 to 6 yr olds, but still.
Who could resist making a cute lil' frog, princess, cowboy or
page of flowers out of thumbprints?!

I always knew I had a black thumb.
Now I have a picture to prove it.
I'm sure Gracie and Nator will outgrow theirs. ;)

 

The best part is seeing how their attention to detail has improved...
and especially having their unique lil' fingerprints to
treasure for years to come.

"For You created my inmost being;
You knit me together...
I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Your works are wonderful.
...I was woven together..."
Psalm 139