Post Christmas Ponderings

This past Christmas season was especially poignant to me.  It was the last Christmas we will technically be a family of 5, as officially we will welcome our daughter-in-law in March.  It was the first Christmas in 19 years that all of my children didn’t wake up here. 

Hearts made sad this year by those family members that have chosen to be estranged yet we have been blessed by others that are close enough now to celebrate the birth of Christ with them.

I have realized twice now in 1 week I have heard about Mary “pondering these things in her heart” in regards to Jesus.  This is so true for me right now.  I want to remember every little thing & make sure my children know I love them & they will always have a place to call home. 

I find myself in moments of being extremely capable of starting that cry.  You know which one I’m talking about.  The “ugly” cry.  I understand these things are normal. 

This is the time we raise our children for right?  They are not meant to stay with their Mom’s & Dad’s forever.  We raise them with what they need to go out & spread their wings. 

This Mom might not feel ready for this but I know my oldest is.  He is ready to spread his wings.  He has already been practicing it & I am proud of what I have seen so far.  He needs this time on his own before he gets married in March.  

On to the next phase in his life.  I just hope he can be patient with this Mom who just loves him more than he will ever know.

Happy New Year!

Be Blessed & Live Healthy!!

Happy (Belated) Thanksgiving (and a few other things)

Here I am!!

I took a little time off from posting because we had some guests from out of town.  My DAD & MOM!!  It was wonderful to be able to visit with them & share Thanksgiving with them as well.  They stayed with my sister (the dog friendly house - they brought their 6 dogs!!!).  That is so close though that we still got our Grandma & Grandpa fix here too.

By the way Happy Thanksgiving!!!

My parents, younger sis & her fam & me & my fam :)

Thanksgiving started out for me with a 5K.  I had decided not to pay for races anymore since my hubby & I are trying really hard to make sure our money is going toward paying of debt, etc.  My friend wanted me to run & she blessed me with this 5K.  I had so much fun running with her & cheering her on.  She hadn't run in a little while so she was concerned she wouldn't make the whole race running.  She did & I am SO proud of her!!  We can do it if we just set our minds to it & get it done. 

The rest of the day was spent cooking, visiting & EATING!!  Oh my I love food.  If you didn't guess it already there were so many healthy choices & I just HAD to make some pies that I could eat too.

I have missed a couple days of workouts for some medical issues.  I have been having some stomach problems & had some testing done (can't get my sweat on when I can't eat or drink anything!) then my husband had surgery so no workout for me yet.  I am looking forward to getting back to my regularly scheduled program.  I miss it!!

I hope you and your family & friends had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Anyone out there start your Christmas decorating?

 Our tree is done & the rest of the house is getting there!  Now to finish & get all these boxes out of the way!

Be Blessed & Live Healthy!!

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Easter Fun

 

Our Easter tradition starts with church in the morning.  This year I got to sing with a GREAT choir (if I get a picture I will post it).  It was just amazing to see the congregation just get into "Alive Forever Amen" with us.



Miss E with her basket of cookies & coloring books

After church we come home & enjoy some egg & basket hunting.  They know full well who hides everything & they just LOVE the hunt.  My younger son (14yr) realizes while it may be a little "young" for him he loves the perks he gets for doing it.  We hide plastic eggs & I put "coupons" in them every year.  "Ice Cream night" (we only do ice cream on Sundays), "Dinner of Your Choice", "1 Week of NO Chores" (this is the popular one), etc. 

The annual hunt for the basket :)

This year though I did something different for the baskets.  Usually I have found little things to put in the baskets that they would enjoy & add a candy bar that is their favorite or jelly beans.  Stuff like that.  As so many of us are finding, finances are a bit tight lately.  This year I made everyone their favorite kind of cookie.  It was really nice to be able to do that for them AND be able to keep it a surprise!  I even ventured into making homemade "oreo" cookies.  My daughter & I are gluten free so I was able to do something for her as well.  I had all the ingredients but a couple & in all it cost me under $10 to do the whole thing including the eggs. 

We ended our day with a GREAT dinner at my sister's house.  My nephew turned 5 on Easter this year so we got to have yummy spaghetti dinner with some delicious cake for desert!  I couldn't imagine a more special end to a very special day!!

 

Prince Charming FOR SURE!!

Hope your Easter was filled with fun & blessings!!!

 

Be Blessed & Healthy!!