I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.....

Hey everyone! I haven't posted for a couple of days, but I have been busy with Christmas, and family. We had a great Christmas. We celebrated with my family on the 23rd. We didn't buy for each other, but had a yankee swap. We had some great food and a great time with my brothers! We then went to Peter's family and spent the 24th and 25th with them. My niece Jennifer came from OK and we finally got to meet her baby Todd. We draw names in Peter's family, and Jennifer had mine. She got me a homemade quilt that is gorgeous. btw....my camera has pretty much died, no pictures to post.

My m-i-l is staying with us for a couple of weeks. I love when she comes! We always have a blast, and she is always willing to help in any way.

The new year a couple of days away. I love the feeling of making a new start. I am going to sit down and review homeschool goals and things today. Jacob is still struggling to read. He is a whiz in every other subject, reading just eludes him. Does anyone have any suggestions? The thought is always in my mind that if he went to school, he would be reading. On the other hand if he still couldn't read,and he was attending school, would they take the time needed to help him. I don't know. This issue has weighed on my heart for a long time. Is it my fault he can't read......Could I have done something more........I don't know.

Chris graduates from West Virginia deputy sheriffs academy.....

Yesterday was a great day in our family, my brother Christopher graduated from the WV deputy sheriffs academy. We are so proud of him! We all went to the graduation ceremony then went back to the academy to watch them march formation and had refreshments. It was a great ceremony. The boys loved every minute of it. We all then went back to my parents house for lunch. Later that evening we all attented the christmas play at Chris and Heather's church. It was hilarious. My kids loved it! Jacob couldn't stop talking about it when we got home. Thank you Lord for the blessings of family and friends!

Today is a busy day of shopping getting ready for Christmas. My best friend Samantha and I have been reminding each other when we get stressed this year, that next Christmas may be different than this Christmas, we need to really slow down and enjoy this year. My kids will be year older, our country could be different, and our families could be different. Please take time to enjoy and cherish this next week and make some memories!

New Pictures Added at Bottom.....

I am adding some new pictures at the bottom of my blog.....Take a look!

Hellmann's Parmesan Crusted Chicken

This is my new favorite go-to recipe! I have made this at least twice a month for a couple of months now. I usually have the ingredients on hand, and this recipe is delicious!

1/2 cup mayo
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
4 chicken breasts
4 tsp. dry bread crumbs, preferable italian seasoned

Combine mayonnaise and cheese. Spread on chicken, then sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake at 425 for 20 minutes.

This is what is for dinner tonight. Yummy!!!!

Updates from our home.....

I haven't posted in a couple days, so I thought I would give you guys an update. My ankle is getting better. I don't have to walk on crutches now. I hated those things! I still have a limp, but I can handle that.

I am almost through with my Christmas shopping. I should have some packages arriving today. Christmas is finally becoming real to me. I am excited that this is Liberty's first Christmas and she is old enough to enjoy it. We had our holiday jubilee at our church yesterday. We had 3 preachers and a wonderful dinner. Every message preached yesterday was for me.

We have lost the cd for our church's cantata on Sunday. I ordered another one yesterday. Everyone pray that it gets here on time to practice before Sunday!

My Absolute Favorite Show

Guess What....

I've sprained my ankle. It happened last night about 4:30 p.m. I was going outside to close the back of our car, and I stepped out of our door and twisted my foot. Instant pain! Luckily Peter was already home from work. I had just went and picked him up because his truck had quit on him, then I got hurt. We finally decided I needed to go to the hospital. They x-rayed it, and said it was a severe sprain. Crutches and a splint for me. This morning has been pretty interesting with the kids, but it has been kinda fun figuring out new ways to do things. Caleb was worried about me last night, while they were waiting in the waiting room for me to be released, he asked Peter if I was going to be able to make him lunch tomorrow. I thought that was hilarious!

What is funny is that I just went rollerskating Saturday, and didn't get hurt. Go figure. Being in the hospital last night really made me thankful that I was only there for a short time! I started thinking about the people who are constantly in the hospital or have cancer, people who don't have any family anxiously awaiting for them, or the older ladies in a nursing home. After their full life of family, they sit in a nursing home hallway waiting for their family to come. Thank you Lord for my life now! Please help me to savor every moment!

Nothing much is going on here today. We did some school work, had lunch and ran some errands. I'm trying to get some Christmas baking done early. I learn lessons every Christmas about how to do things better and more efficient for the next year. By the time I get really good at Christmas, I'll have grandkids! Thanks for all the encouraging comments about my last post! I think it was just one of those days!

Day not starting out to good....

"And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret,...." I Samuel 1:6

I have been getting up early in the mornings this week to have my quiet time, and this verse seems to apply to me today. Hannah had a physical adversary provoking her, I have the devil. It seems like there are alot of things going on at the same time, and i am starting to fret. It is almost Christmas, and like everyone else we are in a money crunch. More like money famine. People are starting to lose their jobs here. Two guys who used to attend church with us lost their jobs on Tuesday. Not layed off, completely gone. As some of you know, Peter is employed at Toyota. We are not sure what his future will hold.

The holidays are starting to overwhelm me. I don't know why, but it happens every year. It's sad but I am starting to not like Christmas. It stresses me out! Family, presents, church things, baking, cooking, homeschooling, housework, a nine month old baby, LAUNDRY, and NO MONEY! There are my feelings in one sentence.

Now that I have written everything, I feel I can safely go on with my day.

Christmas is just around the corner.....

I'm going to shock you all and tell you that we do not put up a Christmas tree in our house for Christmas. We choose to focus on the Christ's birth. When we were in Missouri for Rachel and Aaron's wedding we noticed that her parents had a nativity scene with presents rather than a tree. We have since adopted this for our Christmas celebration. These are pictures of our nativity scene this year.

Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas trees. I have actually been known to beg my husband every year to get a tree. I usually help my parents decorate theirs, but this is how we celebrate Christmas in our house.

The 5:16 Club......

One of my new favorite hobbies in reading people's blogs. I love it! There are so many wonderful biblical women doing what God has put in their hearts! I found a new favorite "Like A Warm Cup of Coffee". I have joined her 5:16 a.m. club. In this club you get up at 5:16 a.m. and have your devotion time with God. I love the concept, accountability, and the warm cup of coffee in the mornings. Today was my first morning. I know that this will be a life-changing (in a spiritual way) thing and I am so excited! Check out the blog, and join me in the mornings! It is easier to do when you know someone else is doing it too!

Congratulations to my friend Beth who is pregnant with her first child! After 8 years of trying, God has answer her prayers! It makes me realize God never forgets, and loves us sooooo much!