I read this good reminder on my friend, Connie's, blog:
If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.
If I work at the soup kitchens, carol in the nursing homes, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.
If I trim the tree with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.
Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can't.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.
--Author Unknown
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Jelly Belly -- Two Weeks
Baby Jelly Belly is weighing in at 6 lbs. 9 oz. at the two week mark. She is eating and sleeping well (most nights) and that is about all you can ask of a newborn.
She doesn't seem to mind "tummy time". We all continue to marvel at how tiny she is. Below is a picture from her photo shoot with Os. We call it, "Just Barely Bigger Than Papa's Slipper".
I took a couple of pictures of Baby Jelly Belly this afternoon and our little peanut flipped herself from front to back. Our pedeatrictrian said little babies sometimes manage that acrobatic feat until their tummies get bigger. Here she is making her move.
The boys are still doing well during the adjustment. They get her pacifier or offer me advice about why she might be crying. Moose and BiggiE have been bickering among themselves more, but I'm thankful they don't seem to associate their frustration with the baby. BiggiE has yet to be photographed with her -- maybe he has his father's aversion to posed pictures. Below is Moose being a lovin' big brother.
She doesn't seem to mind "tummy time". We all continue to marvel at how tiny she is. Below is a picture from her photo shoot with Os. We call it, "Just Barely Bigger Than Papa's Slipper".
I took a couple of pictures of Baby Jelly Belly this afternoon and our little peanut flipped herself from front to back. Our pedeatrictrian said little babies sometimes manage that acrobatic feat until their tummies get bigger. Here she is making her move.
The boys are still doing well during the adjustment. They get her pacifier or offer me advice about why she might be crying. Moose and BiggiE have been bickering among themselves more, but I'm thankful they don't seem to associate their frustration with the baby. BiggiE has yet to be photographed with her -- maybe he has his father's aversion to posed pictures. Below is Moose being a lovin' big brother.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Jelly Belly -- One Week
Our little girl is already one week old! My mom was here for the week and, unfortunately, had the stomach bug that has been going around almost the whole time. I tried to encourage her that I was still able to get more naps than I would have if she had not been here.
Moose is loving being the big brother again. The jury is still out for BiggiE. He is very sweet to his sister, but not interested in holding her yet.
I can't believe how tiny Jelly Belly is. I have long digits, but this is still a itty bitty foot.
I love watching Os with his daughter. A couple of times he has gotten choked up just being with her.
Moose is loving being the big brother again. The jury is still out for BiggiE. He is very sweet to his sister, but not interested in holding her yet.
I can't believe how tiny Jelly Belly is. I have long digits, but this is still a itty bitty foot.
I love watching Os with his daughter. A couple of times he has gotten choked up just being with her.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Baby Jelly Belly is Here!
Baby Jelly Belly was born Friday, December 5th at 7:00 AM. She weighed in at 6 lb. 8 oz. (2 lbs. less than her brothers!) and 19 inches long.
My water broke at 12:10 AM. We headed to the birthing center at 3:45 AM. And our little baby joined us by 7 AM. Now that's my kind of labor.
Her name is the French spelling of Christmas. If you need a hint, there is a carol "The First ______" and it is spelled with an -elle. Her middle name is my first name (a family name) and also the name of Isaac's wife in the Old Testament.
Now for a few pics:
Here we are moments after the birth. I transitioned so fast I never made it into the tub.
Taking a snooze at the birthing center.
Meeting her big brothers for the first time.
Os, Moose and BiggiE made Jelly Belly a birthday cake today to celebrate. (Look at all the pink in this picture. It is stretching me already! And "Princess" -- yikes. I am trying to be brave.)
My water broke at 12:10 AM. We headed to the birthing center at 3:45 AM. And our little baby joined us by 7 AM. Now that's my kind of labor.
Her name is the French spelling of Christmas. If you need a hint, there is a carol "The First ______" and it is spelled with an -elle. Her middle name is my first name (a family name) and also the name of Isaac's wife in the Old Testament.
Now for a few pics:
Here we are moments after the birth. I transitioned so fast I never made it into the tub.
Taking a snooze at the birthing center.
Meeting her big brothers for the first time.
Os, Moose and BiggiE made Jelly Belly a birthday cake today to celebrate. (Look at all the pink in this picture. It is stretching me already! And "Princess" -- yikes. I am trying to be brave.)
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Baby Come Out
I have tried to be coy about the actual due date of our little girl since both boys were eight days late. For those of you who are wondering, the doctor and ultrasound calculated date has come and gone. The first of December was the official day and it passed without much ado, except for the celebrating of Os's dad's birthday which he will not have to share with a granddaughter.
I am actually feeling quite serene. It is nice knowing the baby will be born some time in December. There is no more wondering if we will have a Thanksgiving baby, etc. I have hung my hat on December 9th. If that day passes (8 days -- like her brothers) without the arrival of this little one I won't be answering the phone.
Moose has written a song for baby Jelly Belly entitled, "Baby Come Out". He said he can't sing it now because it is for AFTER the baby is born. It sure seems to me that she could a little encouragement from those lyrics now.
Maybe hugs and kisses will work just as well.
I am actually feeling quite serene. It is nice knowing the baby will be born some time in December. There is no more wondering if we will have a Thanksgiving baby, etc. I have hung my hat on December 9th. If that day passes (8 days -- like her brothers) without the arrival of this little one I won't be answering the phone.
Moose has written a song for baby Jelly Belly entitled, "Baby Come Out". He said he can't sing it now because it is for AFTER the baby is born. It sure seems to me that she could a little encouragement from those lyrics now.
Maybe hugs and kisses will work just as well.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Our First Christmas Tree
In keeping with a holiday season of firsts, Os and I went with the boys to get our first Christmas tree. We have been married nearly nine years and have never had a tree because we have always been in Colorado for Christmas. Not only was it our first Christmas tree as a family, but it is the first fresh tree I have ever had in my life. Ahh... smell that fresh noble pine...
Friday, November 28, 2008
Pregnant Cookies
I grew up going to my grandma's house in Kansas every Thanksgiving. Since I've been married we have traveled to St. Louis to be with Tyler's family for every Thanksgiving. This is the first year we will not travel to be with family and I have been feeling a bit nostalgic.
As a kid, my cousins, my brother and I would help my grandma make her famous "Filled Cookies". This is the first year I have tried to make them myself and I had some good help from BiggiE and Moose.
I felt like we were making a tribute to the pioneer days with this old fashioned grinder we used to chop up the raisins.
Here's a peek at the finished product. I took this plate of cookies to bible study and my friend, Sally, said, "Look, you made pregnant cookies -- just like you."
In case you're interested in the recipe:
Grandma's Filled Cookies
2/3 cup margarine
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp.vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
4 tsp. milk
Allow margarine to soften to room temp. thenbeat until creamy. Add sugar vanilla and beaten egg-mix well. Add dry ingredients alternately with milk. Mix well then chill for at least three hours or overnight (tightly covered)
Filling-
1 and 1/2 lb. raisins chopped in the food chopper. I don't know if blender or food processor would work. I have an old food grinder that your Dad gave me.
to the ground raisins add about 2/3 cup of water, mix until it is smooth then add 2 tbs flour to 1/2 cup sugar whichmhave been stirred together. (if you don't stir them together first lumps will form which you may not be able to eliminate). Cook over medium heat until bubbly and thickened, stirring constantly, ( that is important as they burn easily. If you feel them beginning to stck even a little, reduce the heat.) Remove from heat and cool. when cool, roll out a third or so of the dough to thickness of a nickel. Cut out with cookie cutter, place a dozen or so on greased cookie sheet one inch apart. Put half of a teaspoon of filling on each cookie, place another cookie on top of each one, flatten a little so that the edges of the top and bottom cookies are even and press each cookie around the edges to seal so that the filling does not run out. Bake in a 350 degree oven for approx. 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Then chow down- wait a bit for the cookie to cool as the filling gets very hot.
As a kid, my cousins, my brother and I would help my grandma make her famous "Filled Cookies". This is the first year I have tried to make them myself and I had some good help from BiggiE and Moose.
I felt like we were making a tribute to the pioneer days with this old fashioned grinder we used to chop up the raisins.
Here's a peek at the finished product. I took this plate of cookies to bible study and my friend, Sally, said, "Look, you made pregnant cookies -- just like you."In case you're interested in the recipe:
Grandma's Filled Cookies
2/3 cup margarine
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp.vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
4 tsp. milk
Allow margarine to soften to room temp. thenbeat until creamy. Add sugar vanilla and beaten egg-mix well. Add dry ingredients alternately with milk. Mix well then chill for at least three hours or overnight (tightly covered)
Filling-
1 and 1/2 lb. raisins chopped in the food chopper. I don't know if blender or food processor would work. I have an old food grinder that your Dad gave me.
to the ground raisins add about 2/3 cup of water, mix until it is smooth then add 2 tbs flour to 1/2 cup sugar whichmhave been stirred together. (if you don't stir them together first lumps will form which you may not be able to eliminate). Cook over medium heat until bubbly and thickened, stirring constantly, ( that is important as they burn easily. If you feel them beginning to stck even a little, reduce the heat.) Remove from heat and cool. when cool, roll out a third or so of the dough to thickness of a nickel. Cut out with cookie cutter, place a dozen or so on greased cookie sheet one inch apart. Put half of a teaspoon of filling on each cookie, place another cookie on top of each one, flatten a little so that the edges of the top and bottom cookies are even and press each cookie around the edges to seal so that the filling does not run out. Bake in a 350 degree oven for approx. 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Then chow down- wait a bit for the cookie to cool as the filling gets very hot.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)