Christmas Spirit!

My sweet bloggy friend Susanne over at "Living to Tell the Story" tagged me for this meme/award combo. Thank you Susanne :)

5 Things I Love About Christmas

1. Christmas Tree - There is something magical about the tree when it's lit up, especially at night. I absolutely love turning all the lights off and leaving just the tree with it's pretty wrapped presents underneath and allowing it to illuminate the whole living room. It's not the first time that I've been caught laying underneath the tree, just staring up into the twinkling lights.

2. Christmas Baking - The hours spent in the kitchen on Christmas Eve are my favorite. It brings back so many wonderful memories from my childhood. After breakfast on Christmas Eve, the family members would start arriving at my dad's house and the kitchen would be buzzing with moms and grandmas cooking up amazing meals and yummy treats. The whole day was a mixture of excitement, last minute gift wrapping and the scent of delicious meals wafting throughout the house.

3. Christmas Snow - One of the things I miss the most from Idaho are the wonderful holiday snow storms, standing in the kitchen with a cup of hot coffee in my hand and looking out the window as the snow falls and Christmas music plays in the background.

4. Christmas Movies - Sitting down in front of the tv with my husband and children, cuddled in blankets and with bowls of popcorn on our laps while sipping on hot cocoa. The old movies, the new ones, anything Christmas, especially the ones on the Hallmark Channel and Lifetime. Love it.

5. Christmas Mail - Is there anything better than getting beautiful cards from friends and family? The whole month of December I literally wait in anticipation for the mailman to come, then run to the mailbox as fast as I can. I love displaying the cards near the Christmas Tree and knowing that somewhere near or far, another friend or family member is thinking of us.

I'm passing this Spirit of Christmas Award/Meme Combo to the following wonderful ladies who have made blogging such a joy to me.

Mari - My Little Corner of the World
Amy - The Joy of my Heart
Eden - The Khaje Khronicles
Sarah - Another Bend in the Road
Cheri - Just Another Day in Paradise
Roberta Anne - Little House in the Desert
Sherry - The Journey Back
Renee - 2 Peas in a Pod
Tamy - 3 Sides of Crazy
Elizabeth - Turtle Cottage

Never Alone!

Have you ever just sat back and realized that you are not alone? EVER?

Yes I know that sometimes things happen and we feel like we are, just us alone against the whole world but I think it's due to the fact that we get so completely caught up in what is going around us at the time, the heartache or the grief, the sadness or the loneliness and we tend to forget that no matter where we are or what we're doing, we're not alone.....NEVER!

It's such a wonderful feeling because even here on the internet where there's millions and millions of webpages and blogs and people, you still manage to realize that you have a circle of friends, amazing friends, friends with no faces, just a voice on the phone or a line written on the computer screen. But they're the ones that are there for you when you're having a bad day, they're the ones that offer a kind word of support or advice, they're the ones that can say "I've been there, done that, and this is what worked for me".

Because in the middle of this craziness that we call life, there is the constant warmth and love from those we call friends. They don't need to be there in person, they don't need to be someone you've known your whole life or have met face to face.

So I want to thank you, all of you, all my readers and friends that I've made since I began this blogging journey back in 2006. A timid, shy, scared blogger, typing those first few words and wondering who would even care about my daily life, whether I fixed pasta or steak for dinner, who would want to know how to even make those dishes or who would care when someone in my family needed prayers. Boy was I wrong and I'm so glad that nowadays I can say that I'm blessed, not just for the family I have, for the wonderful husband and children, my parents and grandparents and siblings and nieces and nephews or the delicious meals that sustain us....but for YOU. You and You and You in the back and You in the corner, for those that have stuck by me from day one and for the new great readers I get to meet on a daily basis. Thank you for always being there and reminding me that I'm Never Alone.

This song is for all those I love, family and friends alike and yes that includes my blogging friends and readers.

So here is a new award I created for my readers.....Never Alone Award....pass it on to as many as you wish, I'm not going to tell you to pick 5 or 10 or whatever. You give it to those that you feel are deserving, those that stand out, those that never waivered in their friendship, those who have made a difference in your life.

If you wish, go ahead and pass on the song too, who says we can only hand out little cute buttons right?

Jim Brickman & Lady Antebellum - Never Alone (Version 2)

I think we're finally getting somewhere!

Jasmine slept good last night, she woke up twice I think and not even for very long, just to complain the first time that she was cold and the second time that she was hot.......yes my child is likes things to be even *snort*

She slept in until 9:30 am this morning, got up and took a shower and now she's playing computer games and feels a lot better. Her fever hasn't completely broken yet but it's not going above 101 and for that I'm being thankful....now the only thing bugging her is the cough, but I think that's the least of our problems. I can handle anything but a fever and especially when it's high enough to make them delirious. The funny thing is that during her delirious state she still manages to yell at her brother though he's nowhere near her LOL

Anyway, thank you all for the comments and the thoughts and prayers, she's amazed that so many ladies she doesn't know have been asking about her and praying for her, she sends her love :)

One thing I'm truly thankful for as well is being able to talk to my family at times like these, there's something about your child being sick that makes you want to run home to your mom and dad, climb back into your old bed and let THEM deal with the problems. Unfortunately if I tried to do that, I would have to hop a couple planes or swim across the ocean and really, by the time I got halfway the child would be all better and wondering why their mother was drowning somewhere in the ocean (Yes, I can't swim...what can I do?)

But it's great to pick up the phone or get on the computer and have my brothers talking to me and calming me down when my eye is twitching or I'm pulling my hair out. It's great LOL

But moving on from that......I finally finished "Redeeming Love", maybe I shouldn't say FINALLY it's not like it took me that long. You have to understand that this is a HUGE hardback book, 464 pages.......and it took me what? 3 days tops? I posted my review on my book blog, just click on the link above and it will take you right to the post.


Since I already have you clicking on links, I might as well have you click on this one for the Grandma Chiquinha's Orange Cake and go and check out the recipe. I made it yesterday, I think....wait I'm not sure, maybe it was the day before....I'm sorry all this non sleeping and sick kids thing has got me confused. Anyway, it's REALLY good, it's moist and orangy and oh sooo yummy. It's not exactly the one I used to make back in South Africa but it's good nonetheless.


For the past two days that Jasmine has been sick, Nicholas has had to keep himself entertained so this corner of the couch has become his personal property, he has his blanket and some of his toys and his video games. He misses his sister and asks about her constantly "what is she doing?", "is she still sleeping?" and "is Jasmine all better now?". He is dying for her to get better so they can play together again.

My trip to South Africa is moving along well and pretty soon I should have all our passports ready, now it's just the tickets left to buy and as soon as that is done, we'll start counting down the days. I'm beyond thrilled but then I don't think I need to say that again, I keep repeating it over and over.......sorry, I would tell you that it wouldn't happen again but chances are before I even close off this post I'll say it again LOL

I noticed that some of you had given me awards, I so appreciate them and I'm sorry I have been so slow in passing them, but I'm sure you understand how crazy things have been here.

Both Karen and Jeannene have passed on some wonderful awards to me and thank them both from the bottom of my heart, they're such amazing ladies and I'm glad to have met them through my blog.

I'm going to post all the awards and then I'm passing them on to every single person on my blogroll because obviously if you are on there it means I love your blogs and visit them often....you've all made an impact in my life, one way or another, some of you are inspiring, some make me laugh so hard, others continuously teach me how to be a better wife and mother but most of all, you're all there, if I'm having a bad day or a good day, you're there to leave words of encouragement or to celebrate with me and for that I am so thankful and so truly blessed.

And with that my dear family and friends.......I'm off for the day. I am going to make the kids some lunch, then we're going to sit on the couch all cuddled up to read some books......once we've done that and they start watching their movie, I'll go do some housework and hopefully start in on my next book.

Nicholas Sparks "At First Sight". Can't wait.

Creative Blogger Award and other random stuff!!!

Just had to share this picture first, I LOVE it, it's one of my faves of my little ones :)

Have you ever had those weeks where you feel like no matter how hard you try, you're always behind on everything???

I'm going through one of those, I had an email from my sister Hayley this morning and she mentioned how sometimes it feels like I've forgotten about them.....it really struck me that I would ever let them believe that, it surely isn't on purpose and she knows how much I love them all and wish I could be near, but time does seem to just fly away from me.

I start the day with the best of intentions on getting everything done and by the time nighttime rolls around I climb into bed and realize that I have yet another bunch of things that will be rolled onto the next day.....probably with the same fate, never to be done. So I do apologize to all those I stay in touch with through email, especially my family, I don't EVER want them to think I forgot about them, God knows I love them to death......Sis, I love you and I'm sorry, I promise to try harder!!!

I've been getting bloggy awards for a few weeks and I truly appreciate them, it feels good to know that at least one person out there likes my blog or appreciates my recipes and what I do. I've always maintained that this blog was to stay in touch with family but I've made such wonderful friends along the way and if I touch at least one person's lives in some way, then it's worth it.

Annie, the wonderful dear Annie that we all know, and if you don't know her, you have NO idea what you're missing......gave me with the Creative Blogger Award. Thank you Annie, you know I love you!!!!

I'm supposed to award it to others, so let's see:


For those who bring unique and creative elements to their blogs. For those who incorporate art, music, creative writing, photo's, and other beautiful visual effects into their website. For those who put a unique spin on things and come up with new ideas. This award is for the artsy, the funky, the inventor, and even the rebel. This award is for those creative individuals who stand out from the crowd.

Here's my list of creative bloggers:


Barb. She's always saying she's not Martha, but I tend to disagree LOL She not only posts tons of wonderful photos on her blog but she shares recipes and always amazes us with her creativity, especially around Christmas....she's like our own beloved Elf working tirelessly to make gifts for family and friends.

Mari-nanci. I love visiting her blog and looking at all the beautiful photos she posts, she always seems to find the perfect one to represent whatever she's talking about that day. She has become one of those bloggy friends that you just love to catch up with, what an awesome lady :)

Kelli. Another one of my faves, if it's not a new mouth watering recipe that kelli is sharing, then it's pictures from her wonderful house, decorating, cooking, even a pioneer weekend, yes she went all out and lived without tv and modern day stuff, even posting pictures as she went along....loved it.

Jill. The first time I stumbled across Jill's blog, I stayed the rest of the day just reading her past entries and laughing until my sides hurt. Another creative wiz here, contests, photos, recipes you name it, you'll find it and she does it all while making you laugh your butt off.

Gail. Gail is another of my faves, she has a way with words that I just love. She shares photos, book reviews and did I say photos??? She talks about books, movies, cooking, family and crafting....love it.

Sherry. Sherry is a wonderful lady, another one that I visit every day. She's a homeschooling mom and always shares great reviews for homeschooling materials, recipes, ways to save money etc....she's so creative, I love it.

So there you go, I'm sure I could have come up with a ton more, but I guess these will do for now.

I have to run to the commissary this morning, did I tell you they have a Sushi Bar right in the entrance??? I mean a SUSHI BAR in the commissary......I'm amazed LOL

I'm leaving you with a quick look at my day....God Bless,


WHAT I'M COOKING:

For dinner I'm fixing Garlic and Beer Shrimp, a salad and some homemade waffle cut fries.



WHAT I'M WATCHING:

Montel Williams
General Hospital
Ghost Hunters



WHAT I'M DOING:

Post office
Commissary
Laundry
Pay bills
Sweep and Mop