HO HO HO!!!

GAH!  The amount of excitement I have right now about Christmas is almost ridiculous.  I can’t wait for the kiddos to come downstairs and see all their goodies!!!  I feel so blessed and thankful to be able to give my children a nice Christmas.  Feeling so blessed makes me explicitly more sensitive to those who cannot give their children the Christmas that they would like to.

I wish I could take care of everyone…..but since I can’t, I have been trying to focus on doing what I can where I can.  This year I organized the Giving Tree here at work again.  We were able to collect gifts for almost everyone who is living in our local shelter.  It is beautiful to witness how EXCITED people get to bring in the gifts they have purchased for others.  Customers and employees alike brought in neatly wrapped gifts to help these displaced families.  I was so proud and excited to help the man who runs the shelter load everything into his truck today.  It was really special.  I was proud of Lily because she willingly gave up her Princess bike so one of the little girls at the shelter could have it.  That almost brought a tear to my eye.  I SO want to instill the spirit of giving to my kids.  All I hope is that it makes some people smile.   LOOK at all these gifts:

I have recently befriended an elderly lady who resides at one of our local graduated care facilities.  She is a customer at the bank and I have gone to her home to help her a few times now.  Of course, in sitting with her and talking to her, I have gotten attached.  Attached like she is tearing at my heart strings and she doesn’t even know it.  Yesterday when I was at her place she was telling me that her family is in Maryland for Christmas.  She is going to be all alone.   I asked her if the nursing home was doing anything special for Christmas and she said no.  I darn near cried right there.  I mean, how many Christmases does this lady have left?  The thought of her being alone, and nothing special happening was too much to bear.  I wanted to invite her to Christmas at my house, but she can hardly walk.  If she fell, I would feel awful!  So, I talked to Jason and he agreed that on Christmas Day, the 4 of us could go to her place after the kids open their gifts.  I thought I could take her a basket with cookies and some of my Grandma’s homemade pimiento cheese.  I am going to get her some slippers too.   I am so happy Jason agreed to this….it means a lot to me.  I know it will mean a lot to my friend, too.

In other news, Lily had her Christmas Program this week.  OMG.  For real—SHE REFUSED the Holly Jolly—COMPLETELY!!  Look—I have photo documentation:

This is her....pretending to be invisible:

....Looking like she might go ahead and leave now:

ON NO SHE DIDN'T!!!!.......actually, yes, she did.  Right off the stage, and sat down next to her teacher.  For REALZ.

I kind of had to crack up at that.  Twas hilarious.  I was VERY shy at her age, so even though it was a little disappointing, she just is who she is.

Lastly, I am SO SO SO excited about the gift I made for my Grandma for Christmas.  She is hard to buy for because she wants nothing.  Hence, I wanted to do something special.  I wrote her a poem, and I collected pictures of all of my cousins, my sister, myself, and our kiddos.  Then, I decoupaged the whole thing onto an art canvas and got it framed.  I am really proud of how it turned out.  I really hope she likes it!! 

On a side note, I am kind of addicted to decoupaging now.  It is SO fun!!!!!  I can't wait to do some more.


I hope you all have a beautiful Christmas!  Spread as much cheer as you can muster!!

:)



Winter Wonderland

I admit, I LOVE the snow.  I love the bright white blanket it makes over everything.  I love how it makes winter a much less brown-grey season.  I love the peaceful quiet in the air after it falls.  Snow is lovely and this weekend we got our first snow of the season.  It was the perfect snow too.  Not terribly cold tempuratures so it was lots of fun to get out into!!  The very best part was how much fun the kids had.  Lily is almost five now and this is the VERY first year where she truly loves the snow.  She wanted to be outside in it all weekend.  It was SO fun to watch!!!  She literally delighted in the snow and that makes it even more beautiful.

Check it out...

 In equally as fun news....Aidan had his second swim meet this past weekend as well.  He did SO great!!  Got a first place in backstroke, second in freestyle and third in breaststroke.  He was so proud.  Watch out, Michael Phelps!! :)

 Here he is taking the lead in his backstroke!!

We also started decorating for Christmas around here.  It's a happy time.  I love the holidays.

Lily and I had a "sleep over" the other night.  That means, I slept up in her bedroom with her and Aidan got to sleep down in our bedroom with Jason.  We do sleepovers probably once a week.  This time, Lily decided to put on lip stick before bed.  .......

:)



Sigh of Relief!!

I survived my preparation and serving of the Thanksgiving meal!  Hurray!  Not only that, but, I rather excelled at the whole thing.  The menu was fantastic, everyone LOVED it.  Made me so happy!!  I was so happy that it made me forget to take pictures.  OOps.  Even had the table all set, real cloth napkins, serving platters full of pretty food.  Not one picture.  Guess I am not as great a multi-tasker as I thought.  However, I must share that next time YOU need to cook a big meal you MUST try these recipes:

Walnut Sage-Gruyere Gratin: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/claire-robinson/walnut-sage-gratin-recipe/index.html

Mapple Roasted Sweet Potatoes: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/claire-robinson/maple-roasted-sweet-potatoes-recipe/index.html  These are TO DIE FOR.  I actually used sweet onions instead of shallots. I had to make extra onions because Misti and I could not stop eating them.  Go heave on the onions or shallots.  They are carmelized in maple syrup and they taste like heaven.  This recipe is MAGIC.

Pumpking Sage Gravy:  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/pumpkin-gravy-recipe/index.html  (I used turkey bacon in this and only 3 pieces, don't use a pound and a half--I think that is a typo)


These are 3 of the recipes that I used and I believe they will be staples in my life as they are divine.

Here are a couple cute pictures for ya.  Lily has been sneaking down to our room at night.  She knows she is supposed to stay in her own bed BUT....she ends up in Percy's bed instead:

Poor displaced boy......

So thankful that I only have 3 hours of work today and then can CHILL.  Going to decorate for Christmas and go look at some cabinets.....might be adding a little pantry in our kitchen.  Stay tuned!

Just a few more hours of work....

Gotta make it to 3pm today and then....OFF!!!  Yay!  I am working Friday and Saturday, but ne reason to dwell on that right now, right?  Ready to get to grocery shopping and cooking!!  :) 

THANKFUL FOR:

• The will to get up extra early to get my workout in.  I hate leaving my bed, but I feel so much better afterwards
• Short work days
• Crisp air.  Feeling "wintery" today, and I love it.
• Starbucks Holiday beverages.  Might just have to indulge in one today!

:)

Monday November 22, 2010

Ahhh, here beginst he Holidays!  How fun!

Today, I am Thankful for:

• The short, short work week (who isn't?)
• Leftover turkey meatloaf........yum.

:)

Sunday is the best day

I love Sundays.  Some may look at Sunday as the "end" of the weekend.  To me, it is just the most relaxing day of the week.  You kick back, you cook food, you watch football, you go for a stroll.  You relish the day.  That's Sunday to me.  Perfection!

In order to make sure Sunday turns out to be the relaxing day it should be, one must make sure they take the appropriate steps on Saturday to make it happen.  For instance, yesterday I got all the cleaning done, laundry done and folded, grocery shopping done, etc. etc.  The best part of yesterday was nailing down exactly what I am cooking for Thanksgiving.  My sister has to work A LOT around Thanksgiving, so the meal is on me this year and I want it to be special and DELICIOUS!!  I am hoping this menu does not disappoint:

• Deep Fried Turkey Breast
• My grandma's yummy dressing
• Sage-Gruyere potato gratin
• Maple roasted sweet potatoes
• Sauteed green beans with garlic chips and mint
• Roasted zucchini and squash
• Blueberry Pie
• Apple Cherry Pie
• Chocolate Pecan Pie

It'll be FAR too much for the 8 of us, especially since half of us are aged 7 and under.  I don't care though, I want to make a special meal.  It'll be nice.

So today, I woke up super thankful for:

• My clean home.  I love this home so much, especially when it's all clean!!
• Jason Hamilton.  Waking up all wrapped up in his arms is heaven to me. 

Have a peaceful Sunday!!!

11\20\10

Good Morning!  Or should I say BEAUTIFUL morning.  Crisp, sunny, and peaceful.

Today, I am thankful for:

1.) Peace in my heart

2.) Foodnetwork.  Thanks to them, I am going to cook an awesome Thanksgiving dinner for Misti, Matt, Addie, Gracie, Jason, Aidan, Lily, and MYSELF! 

:)

Enjoy your Saturday!

Me oh my.....

My heavens, where does the time go?  Last time I updated this thing was on November 8th?  Can we say, SLACKER??  I am not really a slacker, it's just that most mornings before work I am working out, and then I go to work and can't update there and then I come home and I am never on the computer after work.  Poor blog falls to the wayside.  The upside is that a lot of life happens between blogs so I always have something to say, right?  :)

It's been pretty low key around here.  Last week was Jason's birthday though.  He turned the big 3-5.  Youngster.  I didn't know what to get him for his birthday.  He always loves clothes and shoes, boots etc.  but, that's kind of boring.  He can get clothes anytime, right?  So, I got to thinking...what does my husband love MOST in this world?  You must know that what popped in my head was "bom chicka bow wow!!".  Yeah, it IS that simple around here!! 

For Jason's birthday I went shopping.  FOR ME.  For something pretty and special, and not the ordinary.  I was successful.  I set up our bedroom like a spa with candles and calming music and I wore my pretty thing, and I was a jazzy masseuse!  It was a lot of fun, and I think it was the perfect gift for Jason.  He loved it.   He deserves all the relaxation and pampering I can give him as he really works his butt off.  Was a great evening!

This week has been rather regular.  No celebrations or anything.  Tuesday started off a little bit hectic though.  Every once in a while Lily "opts out" of being cooperative in the morning.  She just plain decides that doing what she is supposed to do is not working for her.  Tuesday was one of those magical days.  She gets all ready for school, breakfast eaten, coat on, and our neighbor comes over to get her to walk to the bus.  In an instant Lily decides that she is not riding the bus today and that I am going to drive her to school.  Ummmm, what?  If I drive her to school, I am late for work so unless there is a catastrophe of some sort, we need to follow our regular programming.  I tell her that her plan does not work for me and that she best be marching her little butt to the bus stop right now.  Then I proceed to exit the house out the back door, get in my car, and head down the driveway.  As I am nearing the end if the driveway I hear Lily scream "MAMA!".  Kid had not left the front sidewalk.  She was still standing in front of the house.  Guess what I hear coming down the street??  Yes, the damned bus.  I had a moment of clarity.  I realized this is a battle I cannot let her win.  I can't let her think she can always manipulate her world.   In this clarity and strength I get out of the car and grab her hand.  We proceed to run as fast as we can to the bus stop.  Me, in my high heels and work clothes, her crying and in shock because I was making her do this.  By dammit, we made it to the bus.  She was not pleased with me.  The bus driver on the other hand was giggling.  I explained to him that "we had a little attitude this morning".  He just laughed and told me it was okay. 

My neighbor was waiting in her car after the bus left and she said to me: "Noelle, be thankful.  That was probably the worst part of your day, and it has already passed."  She was right.  That was the perfect thing to tell me in that moment.  It also had a more significant impact as the day went on.

Later that day I got a text from my boss who was out of the office.  She asked me to check the news because she thought one of her daughter's teachers had been in an accident and that her son was killed.  I got online and found the story.  I was saddened to find out that it was true.  Nicole Dorwin, a local mom and teacher, was driving her two boys to school on Tuesday and was hit by a drunk driver.  Yes, at 7 am, she was hit by a drunk driver.  The morning hours are when you tend to feel safest on the road.  People getting their kids to school, people headed to Starbucks or work.  Drunk drivers??  Not so much.  Nicole's car was hit and her 9 year old son was killed.  Her 5 year old is ok.  Now she is waking up every morning without one of her babies.  One moment, a moment that was absolutely beyond her control, changed her life forever.  I cannot begin to fathom the anguish.  It has brought me to tears several times this week.  Mothers are like sisters in that way.  We are all connected in our love for our children.

The story of Nicole's accident made me so very thankful for my hectic morning.  I am so blessed that my little girl can refuse to go to the bus stop, and she can get angry with me for making her run down there and then she can come home and shower me with her kisses, her love, and her giggles.  Life is so very precious.

My friend Jaclyn has been posting what she is Thankful for every day on her blog.  I want to do that to.  Starting now.....

Today, I am thankful for:

• The beauty of an ordinary day

• Being able to cuddle up in my son's bed with him and work on the puzzle in the back of his Highlights magazine. 

Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

Busy Weekend!!

We had such a busy weekend.  Whoooo-wheeeee!  :)  Aidan had his very first swim meet on Friday.  He swam SO well.  Got two 4th places and one second place!  We were so proud of him.  He was just so excited.  It was a bautiful thing to see.  Can't wait until he gets his ribbons at practice on Wednesday.  That will make his day! 
Here he is swimming his 25 backstroke(second place)!

Let's see, what else?  Oh, I changed up one of the walls in my living room.  I had the butterflies and mirrors on there, but mixed in these photos of the kids too.  I really like how it turned out.  For me, it is a VERY happy wall!

Had a gathering on Saturday.  Jason and I decided that the neighbors just need to get to know wach other better.  We took it upon ourselves to invite about 8 hoouses of neighbors over.  We only handed out the invites on Halloween, so we were not sure who would show.  Almost all of them did.  It was so much fun, people were lovely, we got to know people we had never met.  Everyone seemed really happy that we did it.  It was great.  I made white chicken chil and garlic crostini, pumpkin gooey butter cakes, had chips with homemade french onion dip, and some little cocktail weenies I doctored up.  Casual fall food.  Worked really well.  Good times...   THE FOOD:

Twas a lovely weekend for sure.  :)

HALLOWEEN IN PICTURES

...Well, okay, a few words too.  This was such a lovely Halloween.  The kids are at an age where they really love it, get less tired less quickly, and just make us laugh a lot.  We even took Addie, Lily and AIdan into the haunted house after the parade.  Girls were terrified.....but they got through it!  :)



Lily LOVES to do chores.  Raking in her costume.  Cracked me up!

The gang....

 My sweet pirate king....

 She has my hair......

This one is funny....see Gracie?  She is the one in the front on the ground!  She is hilarious.

 Serious trick or treat sprinting

 Tired legs.....time to hitch a ride

Social networking, Fall and PHOTOS!!

It's been over a week since I updated this puppy.  Hence, this might be a rambly entry because I have so many things to talk about!!  :)  Lucky for you, huh?  Haha

Social Networking.  I imagine there are "studies" out there that proclaim it is the absolute downfall of humanity and it that will certainly cause us cancer at some point.  My view on social networking is that it is quite amazing.  Before I discovered it, I wondered about people I had lost touch with over the years.  I hoped they were happy and healthy.  Those people whom I spent so much time with in my younger days and who I shared so many laughs with, and tears with-those people may have been out of sight, but never were they out of mind.  Life is such a winding journey that it leads everyone in so many different directions.  It is nearly impossible NOT to lose touch. Until now, until Social Networking.  Blogs, Facebook, twitter.  It allows us to seek out each other, reunite in some way.  Sure, it's not the same as actually hanging out with people face to face--but it is so much better than having no contact at all, right?

I am so thankful to social networking for allowing me to see my dearest friends' children, and share just a little bit in their joys, to email and chat and share stories again.  It's such an awesome (yes, awesome is still a staple in my vocabulary.  I realize I am stuck in the 90's) GIFT.  Dear friends, I am SO SO happy to be reconnected with you again!!

Fall is here.  It is breathtakingly beautiful this year.  Seriously.  I walk most days and have been taking so many pictures of the leaves.  The colors are spectacular.  Wisconsin may have harsh winters, but all 3 other seasons are so wonderful that it is worth it.  The spring is richly fertile, bright green and floral.  The summer is mild and pleasant.  Then-the fall is utter perfection.  It's a wonderful place to be. 
Here are some pictures of the colors, most of these are in "technicolor" mode, but I like what it does to the leaves!

It's nice being home.