Warning: Trying new things for Christmas!!!

Ok, reading all of my favorite blogs the past couple of weeks, has got me in the mood to try something for the first time.  I am going to try some candy making!!!!!  I mean how hard can it be???  I know I had a disaster with sugar cookie Christmas shapes last Sunday, but that doesn't mean my candy will become a disaster too.  I think I might even have the older boys help me.  The younger girls can help me mix.

Now that my hubby has finally made it back home from tropical paradise, I have definely gotten in the Christmas spirit.  We had a wonderful Sunday together.  We went to church and the kids were sooo well behaved (Thank God), then we went to our favorite Mexician restuarant (one kid NOT so well behaved), then my hubby, older son, older daughter, & I did some Christmas shopping, for in laws & animials (the other two stayed with their Nanny).  And last but not least, my hubby, two boys, & I went to see "The Blind Side."  Talk about an uplifting story.  It was a wonderful movie & better yet, it really hit one of my sons.  He even made a comment and said, "I can suceed at anything mom, if I put my heart into & if I know my family is behind me every step of the way."  I told him yes, he could and he has already succeeded at being a wonderful son and I am very proud of him.  Man, I love moments like these!!!

Back on to candy making.  After work today, I am going to stop at the store for some supplies I am out of, come home and make dinner.  After dinner is cleaned up, I will start making candy.  I think I am going to make my moms favorite, which is, "buckeyes."  Next, I am going to make some type of prezel candy that my bud from Taulman Tales, had made.  They looked so yummy.  I hope you don't mind Nicole that I am copying you???
Hopefully I will remember to take some pics tonight to share with my whole 2 readers, out there.  LOL.  I have some other candy receipes, that I am going to try throughout the week.  We shall see how it all turns out.  I would love to make some sugar free cookies & candy for my mom & the lady acroos the street, but I am not sure about the time, I have left to do it all. 

Well, good Monday to everyone.  I am off to work today.  Ughhh, I am usually off Monday's, but we are at year end there, which means stress & more work for me.

Lauri

Christmas Memories

Over at Home Sanctuary-Company Girls
http://www.homesanctuary.typepad.com/rachelanne/
Rachel Anne has asked us to post about our Christmas activities or favorite Christmas memory. 

Normally for us, we do the same things every year.  Christmas tree & decorations are put up the day after Thanksgiving.  My husband & I always go shopping together, for everyone.  We go to our kids Christmas programs for their Religious Ed. classes.  And we wrap the gifts together.  My husband is very big about having gifts under the tree.  When he was little, he said there was always gifts under the tree, whether they were his & his sister, from their mom or whether they were going to be given to someone else.  He loved the shiney paper & pretty bows.  We also always go riding around to look at Christmas lights, with beautiful Christmas music playing.  Ususally one or all four of our kids will fall asleep.  Then my hubby & I can enjoy the beautiful & peaceful scenery together. 

Usually 2 weeks before Christmas, we have a get together with my mothers side of the family.  I just love that we continue to see each other (aunts, uncles, & cousins) every Christmas.  We have family that come in from OH., so this is usually the only time of the year we see them.  Thank goodness, there is Facebook now.  I see my out of town family all the time, thanks to Facebook :) 

When the big day, finally gets here, that is when all the fun begins.
On Christmas Eve, my hubby & I will usually do some last minute shopping, while our kids spend some time with their nanny & pawpaw.  Then later in the evening, we go to Christmas Eve Mass with my mother.  My kids have Christmas with their dad & his family after Mass and my hubby & I go home & get things ready for Santa to deliver.  My kids get home pretty late, so they go right to bed, with their new pj's.  We give all the kids new pj's every Christmas Eve.  This is a tradition that I took over from my mom.  She got me, my sister, & brother, new pj's every year.  She continued that tradition with my kids & nephew.  My hubby & I took it over about 5 yrs ago.

Christmas morning, we get the kids up pretty early to open gifts.  My hubby's dad & stepmom are always there to watch the kids open too.  I just love watching the excitment in their eyes.  I will never grow tired of seeing that. 
After gifts, my parents, sister & her family, come over to have Christmas brunch.  This is another tradition, that I took over for my mom.  Later we open gifts together.  
My kids leave with their dad again, to his fathers side of the family Christmas.  My hubby & I stay home with my family.  Later in the evening when my kids come back home, we go to my mother in laws for Christmas.

Having a blended family, it gets very tiresome for our kids, going from place to place.  However, we think we have found a happy medium for everyone, for now.  This year, the only thing I want to do differently is maybe trying to have Christmas with my hubby's mom, sister & her family, on Christmas Eve, before Mass.  The reason for this, is so his mother doesn't have to wait until 7:00 or 8:00 pm to spend Christmas with us.  We shall see.  She usually  gets offended, if you try to change things.  :)

Christmas is not over for us on Christmas day.  We have another get together with my father in laws side of the family, the Sat. after Christmas.  This is a second day of fun, food, & family togetherness.  Santa comes to visit all the kids this day, as well.  I love to see the wonder in all the kids eyes, especially the younger ones.  The older kids play along, just not to give any secrets away.  I am so glad we have "good sports" when it comes to Santa.  The adults play a game, for our gift exchange.  It is more like gift stealing then exchanging, but it is fun.  There is usually always one gift that everyone wants & we are always stealing from each other.  LOL.  Good times!!!

This year has been a little difficult for me.  My husband has been out of town working since the weekend before Thanksgiving.  We had to put the tree up & decorate it before he left.  The kids & I had to put up the rest of the decorations around the house.  It was not the same without him here, to help us.  It has also been so hard for me to be in the Christmas spirit, with him gone.  I am just use to him doing everything with me & kids.  He will be home tomorrow, so hopefully my spirits will be lifted up, if they haven't been buried to far yet.

Well, this is definely long winded.  But, it is hard to write something small when it comes to Christmas.  Christmas for us is a very special time & it hold many traditions.  I just hope my kids will continue our traditions, when they are grown & raising their own families. 
And most importantly, I hope my kids will always remember the real reason of Christmas.  For Our Lord, Jesus Christ.  I also pray they will always say Merry Christmas to everyone they see & NOT Happy Holiday or Seasons Greetings.

Merry CHRIST-mas & Happy New Year.

Lauri

Daybook Update

Ok, a lot of things have turned out differently, since my Monday daybook entry.  At least 2 of the things I published are not going to happen.  1st, my husband is now coming home Sat. instead of Fri.  Apparently something broke in the tank, he was fixing and they are suppose to have the part tomorrow.  He will have to fix it, get all of his equipment & tools ready to be shipped back home, and pack his clothes.  All of this has to be done by Sat. @ 10:00 am.  I hope he gets this done in time.  Kind of worried about it.

Second, we have to postpone my daughters b-day party for Sat. night.  The reason for this is because my husband won't be home until 9:30 pm, from his flight.  Also, because we have several family members & friends that can't make it (Christmas parties).  I really did not want to break this news to my daughter, so I spoke with the parents of all the girls that were going to sleepover and we decided to still do the sleepover.  When I told her, she was getting ready to cry.  I asked her to let me finish.  When I told her about her getting to have the sleepover on Sat. & the b-day party will be in a couple of weeks, she got the biggest smile across her face.  She hugged me & said I was "the bestest mommy in the world."  Just knowing she thinks that, makes me the happiest mommy in the world. :)

The one thing I do feel bad about, is my husband will be on a flight from Virgin Islands, pretty much all day.  He has to come home at 9:30 pm, to at least 7 (I'm sure screaming) girls.  But, I just couldn't take the hurt look in my daughters eyes, if she wouldn't be able to have her friends spend the night.  She wants the b-day party, but she wants her sleepover more then anything.  My husband was very understanding.  After all it is for his "prescious girl." 

Well, I will try to give an update on the sleepover Sun.  Hopefully I won't have disappointing news about my hubby, like him not coming home Sat.  Please say a little prayer for him, that everything works out for him tomorrow & he has a safe flight, back home to us, on SAT.

Have a wonderful weekend.
Lauri

LAURI'S DAYBOOK

FOR TODAY:  MONDAY, DEC. 14, 2009

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW:  Beautiful sunny day.  Actually suppose to get into the 50's today.  Puts me in a wonderful mood.
I AM THINKING:  That I still have a lot to do to get ready for my daughters 8th b-day sleepover party.
I AM THANKFUL FOR:  My hubby finally coming home Friday.  He has been gone since Nov 21st.
I AM WEARING:  Workout pants & t-shirt.  Cleaning clothes.
I AM REMEMBERING:  When my soon to be 8yr old was just a tiny baby.  Seems so long ago.  Time goes by so quickly.
I AM GOING:  No where now.  Already went to the store and to breakfast with my sister.  It was so nice to get together with NO kids around.  Much needed adult time.
I AM CURRENTLY READING:  A new book by Thomas Kincaid and the next book in the Cedar Cove Series by Debbie McComber.
I AM HOPING:  That my hubby has a safe trip back home.
ON MY MIND:  All the stuff I need to do for Christmas.  And a friend of mine who is making her blog private now because of some "not so nice" people. 
NOTICING THAT:  I need to do some serious cleaning in my home today.  Yuck.
PONDERING THESE WORDS:  "Don't worry be happy."  Our priest played this song in his homily at chruch yesterday.  He tied it into his theme of everyone worrying too much & leaving things in God's hands.  "God is with you, to take care of our worries so, give them to him."  Very nice homily.  Really touched home, with me.
FROM THE KITCHEN:  Baked Spag & garlic bread.  Also going to make jello in fun Christmas shapes, for the kids.
AROUND THE HOUSE:  Lots of straighten up for b-day party & Christmas.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS:  Listening to Christmas music.  I have it on all day.  I just love it.
FROM MY PICTURE JOURNAL:  My beautiful daughter that will be turning 8 on Dec 28th. 

FOR MORE DAY BOOK ENTRIES, VISIT:  http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL MONDAY!!!

LAURI

Lauri's Daybook

FOR TODAY:  DECEMBER 7, 2009

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW:  A light snow has fell this morning, mostly on the grass & roof tops.  It is a dreay day now, since it has now turned into rain.

I AM THINKING:  Of everything I want to do for the Christmas.  I guess I better get moving.

I AM THANKFUL FOR:  My kids being healthy and happy.

I AM WEARING:  Sweat pants & sweatshirt, with my slippers.  Nice & cozy.

I AM REMEMBERING:  My good friends, who have lost their mother, this past week.

I AM GOING:  No where, except to pick my kids up from school.

I AM HOPING:  That my friends understand that their mother is in a better place now & she is no longer suffering from the pain, that was brought on by cancer.

ON  MY MIND:  My husband, who is working in Virgin Islands.  Hope he stays safe.  He will be home Dec, 18th.

FROM THE LEARNING ROOM:  Homework later with the kids and finishing up on the slideshow I am making for our 1st grade religion class.  They had to do a Christmas Service Project.

NOTICING THAT:  This holiday season is so much harder for my family & friends financially, but yet they are still happy.

FROM THE KITCHEN:  Not sure yet.  Need to think about what I want to make for dinner.

AROUND THE HOUSE:  Just laundry, laundry & more laundry.  Playing catch up on the computer with emails & other task, since I was on vacation.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS:  Playing with my kids in the snow.  Oh how I wish we would get a big snow, when we are off on Christmas holiday.

FROM MY PICTURE ALBUM:  This is how I felt after all the catching up I had to do when I got back from Virgin Islands.  But, it was sooo worth it.

    

FOR MORE DAYBOOKERS VISIT:  http://www.thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

HAVE A WONDERFUL REST OF THE DAY!!!!
LAURI

Lauri daybook Tuesday.

FOR TODAY:  NOV 10, 2009

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW:  It is a cloudy fall day.  Nothing like the beautiful 70 degree temps, we have had since Sat.  What a beautiful weekend we had.

I AM THINKING:  I need to have my hubby put up the Christmas lights on the house this weekend, since he leaves for the Islands next weekend, for his job.

I AM THANKFUL FOR:  Having a wonderful & supportive husband & family.

I AM WEARING:  Blue nylon pants & TX orange t-shirt.  My lazy clothes.  Getting ready to get dress for work.

I AM REMEMBERING:  How beautiful it was this past weekend & how we got to relax on Sat & Sun and enjoy the weather & each other.

I AM GOING:  To work at noon.  Only working a 1/2 a day today.  Needed some down time for myself.

I AM READING:  A new series from Thomas Kincaid.  Taking a break from the Cedar Cove series from Debbie McComber, for awhile.  Will continue them later.

I AM HOPING:  That my daughter truely does understand my reasons for taking her out of the 2nd cheer competition, that is coming up in 2 weeks.  Too much stress for a 7 yr. old to go through.

ON MY MIND:  My thoughts are with my daughters cheer coach, as she is upset with me.  :(

FROM THE LEARNING ROOM:  homework, homework, homework.  Why do they give our kids so much homework?  Ughhh.

NOTICING THAT:  Life is just going way too quickly & I don't like that.  I need to savor every moment I have day in & day out.

FROM THE KITCHEN:  Making something for dinner with the chicken that I thawed out.  Not sure yet.

AROUND THE HOUSE:  Lots of laundry. 

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS:  Sitting outside on a warm fall day, watching my kids play together.  Also throwing football with my kids & hubby.  Fun times.

FROM MY PICTURE ALBUM:  My middle child, after her competition this weekend.  They came in 4th place and she was happy about that, which in turn makes me happy.

FOR MORE DAYBOOK ENTRIES, VISIT:  http://www.thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

HAVE A BLESSED REST OF THE DAY & WEEK.

LAURI

FOR TODAY:  NOVEMBER 2ND 2009-from Lauri's Daybook.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW:  It's a cold 38 degrees outside & the leaves have fallen off of a lot of the tress.  We had lots of winds here over the weekend, now some trees are bear.  :(  Signs of winter everywhere you look.

I AM THINKING:  Of something fun for our family to do this weekend, since we only have 2 weekends left before my DH leaves to work in the Islands for 6 LONG weeks.

I AM THANKFUL FOR:  My DH job, even though it takes him away from us at times.  With all the layoffs around us, we have to take the good with the bad, concerning his job (the bad being his traveling).

I AM WEARING:  My pj pants, a long sleeve t-shirt & socks.  Hair is pulled up in a clip.

I AM REMEMBERING:  My babies, when they were smaller.  They are growing up way too fast and I want to hold on to them forever, while they are still a little young.  I wish time would stand still for awhile.

I AM GOING:  Take my girls to school.  Then I need to run to the store for just a few things.  After that, no where until it is time to pick the kids up from school.  Later, my daughter has cheer practice for 2 hours.

I AM READING:  Just still reading my same book, almost finished.  I have a new book from Thomas Kincaid, that I started, as well.  Also reading my favorite blogs every morning.

I AM HOPING:  To go walking tonight, after I drop my daughter off to her practice.  I do drop off & my friend, picks them up. 

ON MY MIND:  I am trying to think of ways to organize my life more & to have some time to myself, to work on my blog.  I want to use this as my journal, but I am having a hard time finding the time.  I use my mornings to read my favorite blogs & in prayer (which begins at 5:00 am). 

FROM THE LEARNING ROOM: All the kids homework & reading.

NOTICING THAT:  When the sun is out, like today, everyone seems happier.

PONDERING THESE WORDS:

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

FROM THE KITCHEN:  Made muffins for breakfast.  Chili is made, just need to cook the noddles.  Making a pumpkin pie.

AROUND THE HOUSE:  Laundry, straighting up around the house, and more laundry.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS:  Watching the kids play in the leaves.

FROM MY PICTURE JOURNAL:  My kids at a National Forest, we went to, last Sunday.  Spending some quality family time together.

FOR MORE DAYBOOKS VISIT:  http://www.thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Have a wonderful rest of the day!!!!

Lauri