ANTICIPATION OF A BRAND NEW YEAR !

Yes...I am looking forward to the brand New Year!!! It is always my joy to feel like I am starting anew..with no mistakes! One of our New Years Traditions is to have Pork and Sauerkraut. I grew up thinking that EVERYONE had that...Oh well...I was shocked I suppose. I have a beautiful boneless Pork Roast that will cook in the oven for about 8 hours or so...surrounded by sauerkraut and Keilbasse....Corys parents will bring the Mashed Potatoes...I think I am going to serve carrots with this...it might make the sauerkraut not so tart. Usually a can of beer in the sauerkraut takes care of that, but since I am not going to go to the liquor store anytime soon, I will probably substitute apple juice as my Mom suggested. We will also have rolls and butter...and I will buy a package of hot dogs in case the kids can't handle the sauerkraut. Cory does not like it either...but he takes one strand and burys it in his mashed potatoes...what a good sport!! We are also having an Italian guest for New Years...she is bringing lentils which is in their New Years Tradition...something sweet, a piece of fruit, and lentils. I think that they all stand for something, I will have to ask. Afterwards we will have Strawberry Daquiris...YUM...I have been craving Margaritas...but this will have to do. What kind of New Years Meal or Traditions do you have?
I just went to my OB appt. the other day. I have gained 9lbs so far...Pretty much it is all belly right now. In 3 weeks I am scheduled to have my 4D Ultra Sound...Hip Hip Hooray!!! So far so good. I had my glucose tolerance test the other day...I suppose they will call me if I have anything to worry about. Elijah is very busy I can tell. If it is any indication of how things will be when he arrives...Cory and I will get no sleep.
When New Years comes along...I am fond of New Years Resolutions. I have not made an entire list or anything like that...but I like to be in the habit of continnually bettering myself..New Years or Not. One of the things that Cory and I have decided to do is to Read thru the Bible in one year. We were both given a couples study Bible when we were married, and I have a "womens" study Bible. We have not used them much, I tend to lean more towards my Thompson Chain Reference. Anyways...I was looking thru the Study Bibles and found a reading plan for reading thru in one year. We would both like to have devotional time as a couple, but don't seem to have the time to do that and have family worship , and our own personal devotions...soooooo I thought this would be perfect...because we would be reading the same passages everyday at our own convenience and then we can discuss them when we get the chance! I am really excited about it. Our Pastor is also doing some sessions on Worship/ Family Devotions. Cory has been doing a series of Family worship about Obedience. Each night he has been reading a story of someone who has been obedient or disobedient...and telling the consequences or blessings. We all have been really enjoying it...it is good for the kids to know that Mom and Dad need to obey too. Corys focus right now is on the 19th psalm...not in its entirety, but the verses about Gods laws. We have been trying to get the kids to learn 19B...we just started that one yesterday...I figure perhaps if we work on one or two Psalms for two weeks that it will help them to memorize it. JJ and Keith also gave us a subscription to the family devotion magazine called Pockets...it is really cute, and is geared toward kids. Thanks guys we love that one! At any rate, I am hoping to be able to have my own devotions doing some general reading of both Old and New Testaments, and to have this special time with Cory...Pray for us that we can do this.
The flu season is upon us...many have been sick...I thought that maybe some of you would be interested in my Moms Blog...Jemit. Mom is an RN and has made some posts about the flu and other stuff in general....how to prevent it, and how to treat it. Mom has said she likes to educate people about things like that...so don't be afraid to ask her a question if need be...or just peek and see what her blog had to say. She is full of good wisdom--and I am always calling to pick her brain :)

Hope everyone is having a fabulous last 2006...I hope that God gives many blessings to you and yours in the year 2007!

HOLIDAY GREETINGS~~

Happy Holidays were had at the Valentines! Christmas was so festive! The kids had a ball doing their annual Christmas shopping at the dollar store. It is interesting to see what they think someone might like...I am still trying to figure out the stuffed animal dog toy that Esther picked out for me...later she said she didn't realize it was a dog toy...I told her that was okay...I still enjoyed her gift. Christmas Eve was spent going to Corys Fathers church for their Christmas Eve service~~Later we came home and made our cookies for Santa, put out our magic reindeer food, and then Cory read the Christmas Story and also The Night Before Christmas...our usual tradition:) It was truly amazing to see the kids scamper off to bed so quickly. Christmas morning came way too quickly for the parents of these children...when we finally got up, we lit our candles, put on our Christmas music, and took some photos. Every year I do a poster board sheet that says "My first Christmas" or "Merry Christmas 2006"...it is so fun to look over the years. I am very jealous of all of you with your digital cameras right now...here I am sitting on 4 or 5 rolls of film...just waiting to be developed...uhhhgg! Soon Enough.
This was one of my Christmas gifts from Cory. The Brethren by Beverly Lewis. This is the 3rd and final book in the series Annies People. I so enjoyed this book. I started it yesterday and finished it yesterday. I read so quickly, and find it so hard to put down a good book. Now I am feeling bad because I couldn't savor it....oh well...I suppose I will be off to the library to feed this hungry beast of mine!
These got sort of out of order...oh well. After we had Christmas at our home, we went to Corys parents to celebrate with them and Corys brother Cliff and his wife Chris. Mom put on quite a spread of Ham and Turkey and all the fixins...I would say the best was the shrimp cocktail however...We LOVE shrimp!!!

Another thing that I am glad to be so thankful for...is that ...many of you know that Cory and I have been trying to be very savvy with our money. Cory saved all of his money from the side jobs that he has been doing, and we were able to pay for our Christmas that way. The kids got some toys, but more importantly some new shoes, coats, and clothes!!! Cory and I actually went to K-mart looking for some pants for Esther, and they were having HUGE sales...60% off of things...We got each of the girls a coat and gloves...A couple of outfits for Isaac...etc... anyways...we spent somewhere around $60 and SAVED $70....we were so excited!!! It will be such a blessing going into the new year right on track...if not a little ahead!!! Hooray for us!!!

I hope that your Christmas was very Merry, and that you were able to spend it with those you care about!

UPDATES !!!

Okay...so I went to the Chiropractor yesterday...which I did not really want to do in the first place. The Chiropractor happens to be one of Corys buddies from highschool...and well, I met him before we were done with college...and lets just say he is REALLY different now..(in a good way)...and also the thought of one of his pals touching me...aaack! He was extremely proffessional, and I was impressed :) I told him my symptoms and he said he thought that he knew what was going on and he would fix it...so he had me lay on the table...I was really scared and nervous and he said "oh you're not so bad"...and then proceeded to put my pelvis back into the proper place...with a big hop on top of me and a very loud popping sound and a big groan and gasp from me...along with lots of movement from my pelvis...and I turned and said to him that I thought it was a lot of movement for "not being so bad"--he said "Oh, you were really bad--and I said Why didnt you tell me? He said I dont know maybe because you were really scared? I laughed--smart man! I have been doing much better...just icing my back every hour!
My new cousin Harrison William Stockwell was born on the 21st of December! Congratulations Jeremy and Christy! See pictures on Jeremys Blog!
My sister in law Amy is now overdue. Please pray for her as she anticipates delivery!

HELP...I'VE FALLEN...AND I CAN'T GET UP!!!

Do you remember this saying? Well, everytime I am pregnant it always comes back to me. When I was prego with Isaac I got stuck in the bathtub on all fours TRYING to get out, I finally had to get Cory to (ahem) "hoist" me out...embarrassing! Well, I have had similar experiences with each child...this one is no different...well sort of different. I am having such bad sciatic pain that I can barely walk, stand, or sit. (Excuse me...where does that leave me?) Anyways...after we came home from a friends house yesterday night...I thought to myself (like I always do when I have this pain) I should get in the tub.--instant relief...until I try to get out!!!! AHHHHHH...I am stuck in the tub...I really thought I would never get out...Cory had no idea what to do, and at one point was standing in the tub to try and lift me out...that did NOT work...that HURT! Eventually...I was able to stand up. That night in bed I had to go to the bathroom --but I could not get out of bed...so I woke Cory up to watch me struggle and cry...needless to say, I will be visiting the Chiropractor at some point today (I hope!)--Corys Dad has been so good to go get Isaac from school, and bring him there as well--let's just hope I don't get "stuck" anywhere else...he would not be so happy to have to "hoist" me anywhere!

THE HOLIDAY SEASON !

For those of you who know me well, you might know that I have always wanted Piano Lessons. They are fairly expensive...so...until I can afford them, I have been trying to teach myself. I have learned several measures of the Canon in D and have been working hard at "Deck the Hall" which I am proud to say I have finally mastered :) I love to tinker at the piano, and am happy for the help that Cory gives when I ask...the kids are showing interest in playing the piano as well. Isaac sat down and played the first part of Jingle Bells...I was impressed that he had an ear for it...he told me he knew how to play it because he watched where I put my fingers....that smarty! Anyways, the kids will most likely to be the first to get lessons, and perhaps I can learn from them :)
This morning I went out to get some stocking stuffers for Corys stocking. I don't have a whole lot to put in, but I guess something is better than nothing. I have so enjoyed everyones holiday decor pix, and wish that I had a digital camera so that I could post my own...we will get one before Elijah joins us...so it is to be in the rather near future I suppose! What sort of things do you put in your stockings? I put in toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, bandaids, a pack of gum, chapstick/lip gloss...you get the idea...pretty much things that you "need" but I give them to everyone as gifts...boring maybe, but the kids always love seeing what character are on their band-aids, and they seem to last until the next year :) I need some good men ideas...low cost.
This morning after I did some stocking stuffer shopping...I took the girls to McDonalds to play at the play land. I got myself a cup of coffee, and just enjoyed watching them have a good time...of course nobody was there, because it was breakfast time--in my opinion that seems to be the best time to come! We stayed for over two hours!!!! It has been really rainy and cold here the past few days, and the girls don't get out as much as they used to. It was really nice to just let them get a little exercise with out having to stand outside myself :) Plus--that cup of coffee was such a treat for me...extra cream...and sitting by myself...we will definately do this again:)

Hope everyone is having a great week! Please pray for my sister-in-law who is due any day now...along with my cousin who is awaiting her own baby at this moment!! This Christmas holiday is sure to be busy for them! Thanks to all who sent us Christmas Cards...I so enjoy receiving snail mail! It is a goal of mine to do Christmas Cards...but it wont be this year...this year was buying gifts and not waiting till the last minute!! I have to take baby steps you see :) I hope to update my blog before Christmas, but if I can't ---do have a joyous holiday!!!

THE SHARPIE STRIKES AGAIN......

Yes...the sharpie struck again! This time it was after church, and we were all napping...all but one of us apparently. Cory awakened to find green sharpie on the couch, on our coasters, on a holiday ceramic candle holder...a little on my cedar chest...I just want to stomp my feet and throw a tantrum. I guess I will have to hide them in a much better spot--DRAT!

Today Esther had preschool. I got the kids ready and took them both to school, and then I took Gayle on some errands. After this it was time to pick up Esther at school--we picked her up--came home ate lunch...and I was positively whipped!! I put a Disney video on for the girls (I know...bad Mommy!) and then I napped on the couch for about 2 hours...I was so out of it! When I woke up it was time to get Isaac from school--picked him up--came home and put Gayle down for a nap, and then I went back to sleep until Cory came home....Can you believe this? I pretty much slept the whole day--the really sad part is that I feel SOOOOO tired yet! It was such a disappointment to me--nothing was accomplished! I noticed today when I woke up that my belly looked like it grew a ton just overnight!! People actually commented on it at the school! I wonder if I/the baby seemed to have some sort of growth spurt and I just got wiped out? Whatever it was...I was totally useless today :(

Christmas is right around the corner!!! Cory and I are going to get some stocking stuffers for the kids on Saturday...that's right NO KIDS! Corys Mom is going to have a little Christmas party for them...food, crafts, whatever! It will be so nice for us to have a little alone time. I was telling Cory what I wanted to put in the stockings and told him that just for his information that he was in charge of my stocking...(not that I really care)...but I told him last year he didn't do anything! He said Oh yes I did...I said Oh no you didn't ! The only thing that was in my stocking last year was a foil wrapped Krisp Kringle chocolate bar...and I put it in MYSELF because I bought a 4 pack!! We had a good laugh over this. I remember the kids noticing last year that I didn't have anything in my stocking, and I said I must have been really bad--HA! It is funny...we have been honest about the fact that Santa is not real, and they believe that... but they love to pretend that he is...I suppose that makes it more fun.

Okay...at church on Sabbath I was talking to some of my girlfriends, and mentioned the fact that one of the ladies husbands was very good at inseminating cows, and I thought that was really neat. So I said --I have always wanted to artificially inseminate a cow (yep, I know all about the plastic glove )...they sort of looked at me strangely (and for good reason...it was a strange thing to say)...and I said something along the lines of "The things you would never have guessed about Wendy"...so I would like to know...what sort of things would I never have guessed about you? Just so you know, my roommate in college lived on a farm and she inseminated a cow once, and I always thought that was so cool! Also, at Geneva, I had some air time on the college radio station where I would call her and ask "the cow question of the week.." I miss my roommate and her cow banter :) So be sure to tell me something I never would have guessed about you!

A MUCH NEEDED REMINDER FOR MYSELF...

When I seem to have moments where I feel like I just can't win...and my children are on my last nerve...I like to read this poem that hangs in my Kitchen:

WET OATMEAL KISSES

"The baby is teething; the children are fighting. My husband just called and said to eat dinner without him, " Okay, one of these days you'll shout: "Why don't you grow up and act your age!" and they will, or "You guys get outside and find yourselves something to do...and don't slam the door." and they won't.

You'll straighten up their rooms neat and tidy...bumper stickers descarded...spreads tucked and smooth...toys displayed on the shelves...hangers in the closet...animals caged, and you'll say outloud: "Now I want it to stay that way. " And it will...you'll prepare a perfect dinner with a salad that hasn't been picked to death, and a cake with no finger traces in it and you'll say, " Now there's a meal for company," and you'll eat it alone.

You'll say " I want complete privacy on the phone, No dancing around, no pantomimes, no demolition crews. Silence! do ;you hear?" and you'll have it. No more plastic tablecloths stained with spaghetti, no more anxious nights under a vaporizer tent, no more dandelion bouquets, no more iron on patches, knotted shoe strings, tight boots.

Imagine, a lipstick with a point, no babysitter for New Years Eve, washing clothes only once a week, no P.T.A meetings, carpools, blaring radios, Christmas presents out of toothpicks and paste. No more wet oatmeal kisses. No more toothfairy, giggles in the dark, or knees to heal.

Only a voice crying, "Why don't you grow up? " and the silence echoing, "I did."

~Author Unknown~

ONLY 16 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS !!!

Only 16 days until Christmas Day!!! This afternoon the kids and I worked on making paper snowmen, snowflakes, and those jingle chains. They are very proud of all the fruits of their labor :) Each day the kids will take a chain off to countdown to the big day! Next, is Christmas tree hands !
Last night Gayle came into my bedroom covered in GREEN SHARPIE !!!! OH NO ! I can't seem to get it all the way off. She even stuck it in her ear...now what??? If that did not make matters worse...she drew all over the tv, and the walls, and the entertainment center...all I could do was cry. (and scrub). It came off of the screen, but not off the walls or entertainment center, or the other parts of the tv...she was very creative, and even drew on a piece of pizza that we had for supper. I might give those Mr. Clean Erasers a try...they seem to work on pen...but I don't know about indullible marker!

ROBERT DUNCAN.....I LOVE THIS GUY !

Okay....Robert Duncan is my favorite artist in the whole wide world!!!! His paintings capture my childhood experiences. For all of you that might be interested...I found his website...and you can sign up to request a catalog...even view his prints. The originals were hahahahahoribbly expensive...but the prints are quite reasonable which is what I have. If you like country living--you will love his style! So here it is....http://www.robertduncanstudios.com Let me know what you think of his prints...I can't get enough of them....(on a side note...Hey Cory...I noticed that they are having specials for Christmas...*hint*hint* )

TOO BIG FOR HER BRITCHES.....

Esther is entirely too big for her britches....literally. Around Thanksgiving she fit into her pants and then one morning she woke up and could barely button them and some were flood pants....I am not kidding!!! AAAACCCKKK. I am hoping to get her some for Christmas. If any of you are looking to get rid of any size 7's --well...lets just say we will be pleased to take them off your hands :) I really am amazed how fast that happened!! Maybe it is meant to be though, since I have a family who can really use my 5's and 6's !!

DECKING THE HALLS....

After seeing so many pictures of everyones holiday decor...I finally did it...I put away all of my Halloween and Thanksgiving decor and moved furniture around...and yesterday we got the Christmas tubs out with all of our goodies. While Cory and the kids put the (gulp) artificial tree together~ I put around many of the nicknack items that I like so much. It was a pleasant evening, and the kids were so excited!! I pulled out Christmas projects that Isaac had made in preschool, and took time to remember them fondly...I just can't part with them :) Next, it was time to trim the tree...so Cory put on a little Harry Connick Jr. Christmas music and I took each ornament out of its tissue paper and gave each child a turn to put them on the tree. This worked out nicely, as each child seemed to have a few special ornaments with their photo or name engraved :) This year we opted for the multi colored lights--kid requested. My goal is to someday have this artificial tree in the kids playroom with all of their ornaments...and a real tree with beautiful sparkly ornaments, white lights and bows in the living room--(the adult pretty to look at tree)..and then a tall skinny tree in the kitchen decorated with gingerbread men, apples and gingham bows...and then...(oh yes, this is getting over the top)...I would like to have tiny little trees for each bedroom...you know like two feet or so tall...decorated how they want. I love the look of Christmas lights sparkling throughout the house :) These are my plans~~ I guess Cory might have something to say about it though.
Another thing I love at this time of year is Traditions. Each year we like to get Esther one of the Charming Tails like you see in the photo above. It is a little mouse that seems to always be accompanied by a little lady bug...she has quite a few...and they are so sweet! Aunt Mandy collected them first, and then I just got the idea from her. I love Robert Duncan prints...usually every year Cory gets me one...I dont think it will happen this year, because we will most likely be going in together to buy a camcorder...ours is on the fritz. Corys family has a funny tradition. Both he and his brother Cliff have a mouse ornament from when they grew up...with their names on it. The idea is to have yours the highest up on the tree come Christmas Morning. You might think that since moving out and on their own that it would have died off...but no...Cliffy is known to call his Mom and ask her to move his to the top and Corys to the bottom. Since we live closer, Cory will use that advantage to place it himself...it is an ongoing battle every year between the boys...it always brings a smile to my face! I asked Cory if he ever thought of getting our kids some ornaments so that they could make that tradition in our house and he said he has been thinking about that very thing...I don't think it will be this year...maybe next year :) I would love to hear some of your traditions that you have!!! Be aware that I might steal the idea however....perhaps my brother in law Keith can tell about his families "ugly ornament" contest...and perhaps elaborate! *hint*hint*
When the Christmas season hits, we are all hit with stories of people who are not as fortunate as we are. I have heard about a good many lately...click on the link named shotsnaps and you will find a young man with a family who has cancer in need of your prayers...also some thanksgiving...for the family who I mentioned before having such financial struggles...the husband has gotten a job offer and accepted, they were able to get medical insurance, and thanks to a few elves who responded to them with gifts~~ they were able to pay their gas bill before it was to be shut off, and had a little left over for groceries and a tank of gas! I hope that everyone is doing well, and is enjoying this holiday season!!!