It's So Much More Than Just Baking Christmas Cookies...

It's going back to memories of my childhood. I can remember sitting closely by my Mom and Nana as they would endlessly turn page after page of cookbooks deciding on which Christmas cookies were going to be made. Once the planning had taken place, I remember seeing the ingredients piled up in the pantry and cookie tins waiting to be filled. Afternoons coming home from school seeing all the cookies cooling on the racks or as I went to bed, listening to the timer go off as Mom was finishing the last batch. I grew up tasting and knowing that there was a whole lot of love in every single cookie.

I learned that even though you can always have your favorites like Chocolate Crinkles, Snickerdoodles and Buckeyes, it's really important to try out at least a couple new recipes. I also learned to always add a little variety to your cookie list because it just wouldn't be right if you ended up with everything being chocolate.

Baking cookies began within days after Thanksgiving and now I do the same. I pull out the recipes of cookies that have been made year after year. I set aside several days that will be my baking days and as I mix, stir, and drop dough by the spoonfuls onto cookie sheets, I think of Christmases past and what will be in store this year.

I would like to think that Christmas baking means the same thing for my children. I suppose this is just one another area when I am just down right sentimental. I want them to remember the familiar smells and knowing exactly how a cookie is going to taste even though it's been a year since they had it last. I hope they know that every cookie has been made with love. And lots of it.

The Tradition Continues...

The day after Thanksgiving means one thing in our family... going to Fulton Farms to cut down the Christmas tree. 

I think what I look forward to and love the most about this day is that I know how it will be. We will bundle up (even though some years it's been warm enough to not even have a coat), have lunch on the way, listen to Christmas music on the radio and see who can guess the singer first, and once we pull into Fulton Farms, the adventure for the perfect tree begins.

Every year the children take turns picking the tree and this year it was Sam's turn. I knew that we wouldn't leave that farm without making sure that we had scoped out the entire farm to find the tree he was looking for. I honestly think that we covered more ground this year than ever before. 

The last section we went to was where Sam found the tree. Big and tall - just like he was looking for.

Jessica was working so she wasn't able to go with us. I missed having her there because she always has a way of making it an eventful time. I know she didn't miss walking all over the farm though. 

Each year, the children receive Christmas ornaments from us and my parents. This is a tradition that began when my sister and I were little and one that I love carrying on with my children. The ornaments are usually something that signifies something special about that year or one that represents something they love. The timing couldn't have been better because when we arrived home, the package with this year's ornaments had come. 

Sam with his General Chamberlain, his favorite Civil War hero...

Jessica's ornament definitely represents something she loves... cupcakes. A girl after my own heart I tell ya!

Ben (and his hat hair), along with a Navy sailor since Ben has aspirations to be a Navy Seal one day.

My parents have even continued giving my husband and I an ornament each year. The one we received this year is definitely one of my favorites. I'm telling you Mom, you need to go into business (hint, hint!).

Now it's time for to turn on the Christmas music, sip hot chocolate and sit by the lights of the tree. I love this time of year.

PEACE...

I have been working on a few projects over the last couple of weeks and have anxiously been waiting to show you. All of these projects have been very simple and fun. Not only are they festive decorations for your own home, but would make a perfect gift for someone special. I am coming up with all kinds of ideas for letter stencils and burlap! My inspiration for these PEACE plaques came from this project at Shanty2Chic.

You will need...

candlesticks (# depends on the word you are using but you already knew that)

wooden discs (same # of candlesticks)

finials (one for each candlestick)

1x4 piece of wood (these were cut into 5 1/2 inch pieces because of the size of the stencil)

letter stencils 

burlap

ribbon

upholstery tacks

paint

spray paint 

wood glue

spray adhesive

*I found all my supplies (except the candlesticks which came from Michaels') at Hobby Lobby.

The next thing you will need to do is glue the candlestick to the disc. Make sure you use a clamp to hold it together so it doesn't slip around as it dries. Next, glue the wood block to the candlestick. My husband and son then drilled the finial to the block. You could glue this but we found that drilling it together was going to hold better. When you are finished, it will look like this...

Now, grab the spray paint and paint away. Once you have that done and they are drying,  you can start your letters. Measure out a piece of burlap that will be a little smaller than the wood blocks. Then, start stenciling...

Once everything is good and dry, use the spray adhesive (on the back of the burlap) to attach them to the wood blocks. I then used upholstery tacks in each of the corners for a little extra decoration. I think little buttons would be fun too. I also added some ribbon around the candlestick. Be creative by using ribbon, jute, or fabric. You could also add little ornaments or jingle bells like Shanty2Chic.

And there you have your finished project...

Have a wonderful day!

Christmas Pictures & 2 Great Websites...

This was definitely a Christmas to remember. We are so blessed to have a Christmas that was filled with love, laughter, memories, traditions, family, and plenty of eating!

I thought I would share just a few snapshots from this Christmas thanks to a new website I found.... picnik.com. I also spent a little time (okay, it was a lot more than a little!) on scrapblog.com designing the header for my blog. I had so much fun!

See you in 2009!

Merry Christmas...

I just wanted to drop in and wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. I'm going to be taking a little break until the first of the year so that I can regroup, refocus, and make all of those New Year's resolutions that perhaps this year I will be able to attain. I hope that this has been a season marked with celebrating everything from traditions and family to worshipping and celebrating the birth of our King. I know that for me personally, this last month has been such a wonderful season of drawing close to Jesus. I have known His presence in such a tender and sweet way this Christmas season. I'm thankful that I have been able to let go of expectations and really finding a peace and calmness that I've needed and have been searching for.

This Christmas has been a special one in our family. Our traditions have been celebrated as well as bringing some new traditions in that I know will continue in the years to come. This year our focus has been on Jesus in a way that hasn't been there in previous years. I'm not sure if it's because the children are older now and they have deeper level of understanding, or if it's the fact that we have really been intentional and purposeful on celebrating our Lord and Savior. Whatever it is, I am thankful.

This Christmas I have learned what really matters. What matters is that I am surrounded by a loving family. A family where grace and love live and where we are each accepted for who we are.

I continue to learn that God has a plan and purpose for not only me personally but our family. We are doing a lot of praying and seeking Him these days. I trust, believe and know deep within that He will make His will known.

It's all so simple and really there is so much that is going on my head right now that I don't even feel like I am even touching the surface with the my thoughts as I sit and type these words. With the coming of Christmas and the end of the year, it also seems to be a time of reflection for me. Looking back and seeing what God has done and yet looking forward to the days to come knowing that He knows exactly what is ahead and has since the beginning of time. This past year has definitely been marked with huge opportunities for my faith to be stretched, hearing Him say to me, "Do you really trust me?", loving discipline, learning how to be quiet and still, and a deep desire to know God and love Him more with each day that He gives me.

So, as I look forward to this upcoming year, I am excited and anxiously awaiting all of what He has in store. I think the biggest lesson I've learned this last year is that the unexpected and unplanned always happens. Obviously it's taken me quite some time to learn this simple fact of life. The planner, organizer, and sometimes too rigid and inflexible character qualities have often gotten the best of me. Once again, God has been ever so patient, loving, and full of more grace than I really can comprehend. He simply doesn't give up on me. He knows and believes in who I can become through Him. I am growing in my trust with Him on that as well as learning to be spontaneous and flexible. This has allowed me to really enjoy the everyday moments instead of being so focused on the details. Who God is never changes and that truth has been instilled in me deeper than ever before. I have clung to His promises even when I was going through times of feeling like He was so distant and over and over again He showed up and proved His faithfulness and love to me.

Worshipping and celebrating the Savior's birth shouldn't come to an end once December 25th comes and goes. I want all of my days to be ones that are bowing before Him, acknowledging Him as Lord of my life, surrendering to His ways, and loving Him and pursuing Him whatever the cost. Just to know and love Jesus with every ounce of my being. And when the days of discouragement and uncertainity come, I want to choose what I know to be true and Who I know to be true.

So, to all my friends, I wish you a very Merry Christmas. I hope that you too, will be drawn to Jesus and that you will allow Him to make Himself known to you in the deepest places of your heart.

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

~ Isaiah 9:6

I've been asked to share the remaining activities that were inside our advent box for this year so here you go...

~ Make a gingerbread house

~ We talked about ways that our family could be the hands and feet of Jesus.

~ The children went Christmas shopping for one another.

~ We visited www.samaritanspurse.org and the children each choose a gift to give a child in need.

~ God has given each of us the free gift of salvation. We have done nothing to earn it, He has given it simply because He loves us. Each of you have found $10 inside the door today. With it, you now have the opportunity to bless someone else. Share God's love!

~ We spent time praying for people who were coming to our Christmas events at our church.

~ Put on your jammies, grab a blanket to stay warm and cozy because we are going for a ride to look at Christmas lights. Don't forget your mug of hot cocoa!

~ Jesus came to this earth as a tiny baby to save us from all our sins. He also came so that we would have a place to spend eternity... heaven. Write a letter to God thanking Him for all that He has done for you and what you are looking forward to in Heaven.

~ Think of a family that we can serve either with our time, offering encouragement, making a meal, or any other way of serving them.

~ And then a few more surprises that I can't share yet!

The Stockings Were Hung By The Chimney With Care...

One of the most special Christmas decorations we have is our stockings. I can have all the decorations placed about and if the stockings are not hung, then the decorating is not complete as far as everyone in my family is concerned. Jessica has told me over the years that her favorite part about Christmas is the stockings. I think because not only of the gifts that are stuffed inside, but because of the treasured keepsake these stockings are.

When my Mom was a little girl, Aunt Margie knitted a stocking for her and my uncle. I know that the first stockings were made for her own children, but with each niece or nephew that was born, a personalized stocking was made especially for them. Stockings were made for grandchildren and since Aunt Margie is now in her 80's, she is making them for great-grandchildren.  When my parents got married, Aunt Margie made a stocking for my Dad. Then when my sister and I were born, two more stockings were hung at Christmas. 

The story of the stockings certainly did end there. My husband received one after we were married and the gift that was given to each of my children when they were born was of course a stocking from Aunt Margie. When my sister Sarah and her husband come at Christmas, they will bring their stockings and they will be hung on the mantle along with our ours. 

I've seen all the stockings in the stores and magazines that perhaps might be a little more of my style or might coordinate more with the colors I decorate with. However, our mantle wouldn't be the same if there was anything other than these handmade stockings that have been hung year after year. And I suppose somehow, Christmas just wouldn't be the same either.

P.S. I also need the Nester to come to my house and decorate my mantle too:)

Our Week Of Celebrating Advent...

In this post, I shared that our family is doing an advent calendar. The activities or messages in each of these boxes was some way of giving a gift back to Jesus. Our week began with celebrating our family. As the children get older- 11, 12 and an almost 18 year - old daughter (who is in school, works, and most importantly, has a social life), it's often difficult for us to have time together as a family. My hope was that through some of these planned activities, we could be really intentional about celebrating the fact that we are family - that it was all part of God's perfect plan. I would like to think there is a smile on His face when we are truly delighting in one another.

Behind one door, the children found a note that said:

Tonight we are celebrating the gift of FAMILY. We are going to watch a movie - which will also include a trivia quiz of how well you know the movie, play cards and games. Pull out your sleeping bags because we are also going to sleep in front of the Christmas tree.

So, here we are. Jammies and all...

All I can say is that sometimes things don't go according to the plan. You've always got to leave room for the unexpected and the unplanned as was the case for this particular evening. Jessica got home late from work and was exhausted. Knowing that she had to wake up pretty early on Saturday morning, sleeping on the floor just wasn't sounding too appealing to her. If there is one thing that Steve and I have learned through the teenage years, it's that you pick your battles. So, Jessica snuggled into her bed, and the rest of us cozied up by the lights of the Christmas tree.

At about 2:30AM, Sam and I woke up at the same time... with the same stomach virus. At that point we were celebrating the fact that we now have more than one bathroom compared to our old house. Steve and Ben were the only ones who made it through that night in front of the tree. That's all I have to say about that.

What could have happened with all these unexpected events is that I could have completely flown off the handle with things not working out the way I had planned. I didn't though. I wanted my kids to see grace in action, flexibility, and understanding. The night didn't end without telling each of them how much I treasure them, love them, and thank God that He made us a family. It was a night that in spite of the circumstances, a memory was made and I know that we gave a gift to God by how we loved one another and enjoyed each other.

Here are a few of the other surprises that were tucked behind the doors from this week...

Following our evening of what was supposed to be sleeping in front of the tree, the kids woke up to find this note...

God has given us the gift of rest. When we take time to slow down and rest, we can focus on Him, worship Him, and enjoy being in His presence without distractions. Today you get to stay in your jammies all day long. You can do nothing at all, or you can do the things that you love. Whatever you do, worship Him!

How fun was it that it ended up snowing almost the whole day. As I was laying in bed because I was still sick, I could actually hear the boys laughing outside and just having a ball together. I know that God was smiling down on these boys of mine too.

Another day included this message:

Ephesians 6:2 says, "Honor your father and mother-which is the first commandment with a promise. Write a letter to Dad telling him what you love and respect most about him.

This reminder...

Behind another door was a note that encouraged them to do something thoughtful for someone today.

And finally, this:

The Bible is filled with promises from God. It is a gift to the Lord when we study His word. We grow closer to Him and it is a way for us to know that He is real. When we know His word and what the Bible says, we can also share it with others. Choose a Scripture to memorize and be ready to share it next week.

So, there are just a few highlights from our advent calendar this last week. I'll share again at the end of next week because I don't want to give away any surprises of what is behind the doors for this upcoming week. I hope that all of you are having a season filled with blessings. Knowing, celebrating and experiencing the reason we celebrate... Jesus.

A Gift To Jesus...

When the children were younger I would make an advent calendar for them. Each day was filled with some kind of project, reading a portion of Scripture, or a fun activity for us to do as a family. I didn't do this every year, and for some reason as the children got older, the advent calendar stopped all together. I think I just got overwhelmed, too busy, and didn't always plan ahead and prioritize things I really wanted to do as a family at Christmas. I do have some regrets, but I also know that there have been many special memories that have been made during this season of celebrating the Savior's birth. JESUS has always been our focus and the reason for celebrating.

This year, the advent calendar has made a place into our home again. My children are ages 17,12, and 11 and I know it's never too late to start something new. I just knew that I needed to be pretty creative in coming up with ideas to fill each day of the calendar.  I didn't want this to be just a way to count down the days until Christmas, but to have an impact and be significant in the hearts of us as a family. 

I began thinking about how at Christmas we are celebrating the gift God has given us through His son Jesus. What if, in our celebrating, we were to give a gift back to Him. 

I don't want to reveal what is hidden behind each door because my daughter often reads my blog and I don't want to spoil the surprises. However, what I can share is that when those little doors are opened each day, there is a way of giving something back to God. I'll keep you posted!

O' Christmas Tree & A Give Away...

Usually within a day or two after Thanksgiving our family heads to Fulton Farms to search out and cut down the perfect Christmas tree. This time of year is filled with many traditions. This is the 9th year that we have gone to Fulton Farms. It is a family owned business, and just so happens that the owner was one of my husband's high school teachers. It's fun to pull up every year and catch up with what's being going on in each others families over the last year. It just somehow wouldn't be the same getting our tree from anywhere else.

Finding our Christmas tree really is an adventure. This is a job that is taken very seriously- by all of us. Because of having five very different opinions as to what we each think the "perfect" tree is, Steve and I decided a few years ago that each of the children would take turns choosing the tree. Whosever turn it is, also gets to choose what dog (we have three) goes with us to the farm. This year, it's Jessica's turn to choose the tree...

And Lily got to come along. We don't know if she had more fun chasing the little mice around...

Or when she went on a full out sprint to take these guys down...

After going back and forth and up and down the rows many times, Jessica finds the tree...

What the boys love most about this whole adventure is being able to carry the saw and cut down the tree. When they were younger, they needed a lot of Dad's help. They aren't needing so much help anymore though...

Thanks for the added muscle Jessica! She's always there to lend a hand...

Loading up and heading home...

Another tradition that our family has is that the children are given a new Christmas ornament each year. This started back with my grandparents when I was young, and now my parents do the same with our children. Steve and I also pick out an ornament for each of the kids and I know that it is something they really look forward to. In choosing the ornament, we always try to find one that has some significance to that child for that particular year. This year, Jessica received these beautiful Vera Bradley (she works part-time at a gift shop that sells these) ornaments...

Sam began playing the trumpet this year, so this it what he received... 

And finally, Ben received this ornament because as far as he's concerned, he is Indiana Jones...

What are some of your favorite traditions for this time of year?

Also, today at The Secret Is In The Sauce, you can enter to win a TARGET GIFT CARD for $200!!! 

All you have to do is post your Christmas picture for this year and leave a comment on their blog to enter. Oh Happy Day!!!