Babbling About Baking

****photo by Plutor****

I love baking! There are few things I enjoy more actually. Especially during this time of year. Now that we have a range (Merry Christmas from my Daddy) I cannot wait to dive into my holiday baking!

I am thinking about doing some sort of pie to take to the grandparents house for Thanksgiving. I haven't completely decided on that yet. Then of course I need to bake Tristen a cake for his party on Saturday, that won't be too hard. I will be working my new range hard on Sunday though, as that is when Dan, the kids, and I will be having our Thanksgiving feast! Then I'll be moving on to the Christmas baking. I try to do it all December long and then pp things in the freezer.

Here are some recipes I am very interested in trying. They came from Recipezaar, which is one of my favorite websites!

Turtle Thumbprints

Super Peanut Butter Filled Brownies

Chocolate Dipped Krispies Peanut Butter Balls

Chocolate Snowflake Cookies (Chocolate Crinkles / Crackles)

And of course I'll be making peanut butter blossoms, pictured above, they are a family favorite!

What are your favorite holiday baked goods? I'd love to hear wait you traditionally bake and get some new recipes if y'all would like to share.

Wow!

***photo by StarMama***

My last post generated more email than I ever dreamed! Seems many people share my holiday woes about juggling families. But, due to some of the email I got, I feel the need to clarify.

I was not bashing any part of my family. Sure I'm bummed my side of the family has let me down yet again, but those who know me will realize this is just a common occurrence with them. And I truly love my in laws! My mother and father in law are the type of people I wish my actual parents were. I do love spending time with them. My gripe is about the complicated mess and stress this time of year brings on. Someone inevitably ends up with hurt feelings, and that stresses me out. That is my complaint.

Thanks for all the emails and comments! It's nice to know it's not just me.

I wish you all a wonderful holiday season!

Wednesday Whine - Holiday Woes

Karen over at Mommy, I'm Home has started a new feature called Wednesday Whine. She says we'll feel better if we get these things off our chests, and I bet she's right. Click on over and check it out.

My whine is holiday related. Why do they have to be some complicated?
We invited my family for Thanksgiving. My grandparents forgot about it, my mom and step dad just plain blew me off, and my dad will be working. Great!
So, we find out the in laws are available, they live 4 hours away but are coming to mil parents which is 30 miles from here. So, we figure we can invite everyone here. It was very important to me that we celebrate Thanksgiving in our new home, the first non rental we've ever had, the place we never foresee moving away from. After living without a cook stove for 4 months I am eager to cook up a storm! Anyway, DH tells me that no matter what we will do our Thanksgiving meal here together on Thursday, even if it's just the four of us. That is until we are told his brother and sister in law are coming for the holiday as well, so we are all to be at the grandparents house on Thursday.
Looking back, I realize that he told me not to worry, we'll have a great day even if no one else comes here in an effort to keep me from being upset that my family had blown us off. When his family gets figured into the equation everything changes.
Now, please don't read this as me bashing my DH or in laws, because that is not my intent. I'm just really aggravated! My issues is with him promising me one thing, then changing his mind. He says no matter what he does, someone will be mad. If he insists we go there for Thanksgiving, I'll be upset, but if he lets us do it here he gets mad parents and grandparents. I do understand his dilemma. But, I feel that my feelings have been disregarded. When put in a position like this, my DH always tends to hurt me rather than someone else. It seems my feelings don't matter as much to him as those of others. Sometimes I just want to jump up and down and scream "What about me?!" But every time I think that way or worse yet, share those feelings I decide that my mindset is selfish. But if we are all supposed to put the feelings of others first, then why did this seem to be a never ending cycle?
So, it looks like we will go to the grandparents for Thanksgiving. I am looking forward to spending time with my in laws and DH can't wait to spend some time with his brother. He says we can fix our own feast over the weekend, but I think I'm too disheartened to even bother.

Wow, this turned into a long ramble! Sorry about that! Anyway, how do y'all handle the holidays? Does it bring major stress and unrest to your house? Any suggestions on how to make this situation better? I'd love to hear what you have to say.

CFBA Book Tour - The Death and Life of Gabriel Phillips

Until I read this book, I had no idea that Stephen Baldwin is an author as well as an actor. Very interesting!

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Death and Life of Gabriel Phillips
FaithWords (November 5, 2008)
by
Stephen Baldwin
&
Mark Tabb

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

STEPHEN BALDWIN - actor, family man, born-again Christian - makes his home in upstate New York with his wife and two young daughters.

Equally adept at drama and comedy, Baldwin has appeared in over 60 films and been featured on such top-rated television shows as Fear Factor and Celebrity Mole. He has his own production company that is developing projects for television and the big screen. These days, however, his role as director, co-producer and host of Livin' It - a cutting-edge skate video is bringing out his white hot passion for evangelism.

Writer and communicator Mark Tabb calls himself an “internationally unknown author.” Although his books have been published around the world, he is best known for his collaborative works. His 2008 release, “Mistaken Identity”, written with the Van Ryn and Cerak families, hit number one on the New York Times bestseller list for two weeks, and remained on the list for over two months. He and actor Stephen Baldwin teamed up on their 2005 New York Times bestseller, “The Unusual Suspect,” and with their first work of fiction, “The Death and Life of Gabriel Phillips,”


ABOUT THE BOOK

Even years of experience haven't prepared Officer Andy Myers for this case---

When Officer Andy Myers met Loraine Phillips, he had no interest in her son. And he certainly never dreamed he'd respond to a call, finding that same boy in a pool of blood. Even more alarming was the father standing watch over his son's body. Myers had never seen a man respond to death-particularly the death of a child-in such a way. When the father is charged with murder and sentenced to death, he chooses not to fight but embrace it as God's will. Myers becomes consumed with curiosity for these strange beliefs. What follows is the story of the bond these two men share as they come to terms with the tragedy and the difficult choices each one must make.


If you would like to read the first chapter of The Death and Life of Gabriel Phillips, go HERE

*STRONG LANGUAGE*

CFBA Blog Tour - White Christmas Pie

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
White Christmas Pie
Barbour Publishing, Inc (September 1, 2008)
by
Wanda E. Brunstetter


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Fascinated by the Amish people during the years of visiting her husband's family in Pennsylvania, WANDA E. BRUNSTETTER combined her interest with her writing and now has eleven novels about the Amish in print, along with numerous other stories and ministry booklets. She lives in Washington State, where her husband is a pastor, but takes every opportunity to visit Amish settlements throughout the states.

This year Wanda also publishedA Sister's Hope


ABOUT THE BOOK

Step into Amish country for this bittersweet holiday romance. Here you'll meet Will Henderson, a young man tortured by his past, and Karen Yoder, a young woman looking for answers. Add a desperate father searching for his son, and you have all the ingredients for a first-class romance that will inspire and enthrall.

Abandoned by his father, Will Henderson was raised by an Amish couple. Now he's about to marry Karen Yoder but is having second thoughts. Can Will overcome the bitterness of his past in order to secure his future? Karen cannot break through the barrier her fiance has suddenly constructed around his heart. When she seeks the advice of an old boyfriend, Will begins to see green. Has he already lost his chance for happiness?

When an accident threatens Will's life, the strength of blood ties is tested. Will a recipe for White Christmas pie contain the ingredients for a happily-ever-after?

If you would like to read the first chapter of White Christmas Pie, go HERE

Watch the book trailer:

The Eagles Assisted Living Tour

This is what Glenn Frey called it anyway. And the Dallas concert last night was amazing, even from our nosebleed seats! I actually wept, but only when Joe Walsh played guitar. Those of you who are fans will know this means I wept a lot. He played "Walk Away" and I shook from what I'm guessing was adrenaline overload. They were all fantastic! I wasn't sure who to keep my eye on! Anyway, I wanted to share pics and I'll post the full day's details later.

Oh and here they are performing two of my favorite songs from last night! These aren't our videos, but you'll see what it was like. Enjoy!

Holiday Bazaar - Simply Raevyn & Peculiar Parchment

In my quest to find awesome handcrafted items this holiday season, I've been doing a lot of Etsy shop surfing. I have found three shops that I really like, all ran by the same talented lady. You seriously need to check out:

Simply Raevyn - Handcrafted Jewelry
This shop is currently running a buy 1 get 1 free sale!
Plus, she's giving away a $25 gift certificate! Go check it out!

***Purple Butterfly Drop Earrings by Raevyn77***

Simply Raevyn - Unique Hand Beaded Jewelry
This shop is running a buy 1 get 1 free sale as well, plus giving away a $25 gift certificate! Go browse the shop!

***Black and White Brick Stitch Earrings by SimplyRaevyn***

Peculiar Parchment - Cards for All Occassions
There is a sale here as well! "November Sale! November 6-30th at midnight (est)Buy 2 Get 1 at 50% off! Buy any two items in this shop, and get the third of equal or lesser value for 50% off."
And a $10 gift certificate giveaway too! I love the vintage cards!

***Vintage Belated Birthday Card by PeculiarParchment***

These three shops are great! I am so glad I found them while browsing the other day! Go say howdy! You'll be glad you did!

Hurry! Enter This Great Giveaway!

No, not here but over at Memoirs of a Southern Domestic Goddess. She has the most adorable Etsy shop called Chicks In The Sticks Designs. Isn't that a great name? Anyway, she is giving away $20 towards anything in her shop, a really great prize! But you've got to hurry! I mean it! Go right now! She is picking the winner on Thursday! That's tomorrow, so click over to her blog right this minute!

Then click on over to her shop and check out her designs. I am planning to give as many hand crafted gifts as possible this year, and I found several great gift possibilities there. Go browse around, you'll be glad you did!

Tag, I'm It!

I've been tagged, twice! First was by Erin over at JANE4girls $800 Annual Budget For A Family of 4, then by Jenn at The Coupon Coup. Thanks ladies!

These are the rules for tagging...
1) Link back to the person who tagged you and share the rules on your blog
2) Share 7 facts about yourself
3) Tag seven people and list their links in your post
4) Tell those 7 people by commenting on their blog!

So, here a 7 random Nessa facts:

1. I am blessed to be a stay at home wife and mommy. Tristen will be 12 in 9 short days and Ashley just turned 9 last month. I've been married to my high school sweetheart, Dan forever - okay it'll be 13 years in May. We are refurbishing a house that's been in my family since it was built almost 90 years ago. We moved to this new town four months ago, and are really enjoying the slower pace of small town life. That's us in a nutshell.

2. I've been crazy about Dan since I was in the third grade. Seriously. It just took him a lot longer to notice me, lol.

3. I grew up with my in laws. My sister in law Tammy is one of the dearest friends I've ever had. We were in school together from kindergarten. The fact that we get to be sisters is just awesome!

4. I adore reading. It pretty much doesn't matter what it is, I'll read it. I've always been this way. I've apparently passed it along, as Ashley can frequently be found hiding under her covers with a book.

**photo by austinevan**

5. I love to cook! Trying new recipes is one of my favorite things! I like watching the Food Network, reading cookbooks, and searching the internet for yummy new things to try!

**photo by BPheonix**

6. Every weekday morning after the kids go to school, I walk across the street for coffee with Lenore and her mother Marge. They are two of my favorite people, and I look forward to our morning coffee. It is often the highlight of my day!

** photo by Lachlan Hardy**

7. I love country music, especially the country legends, like Willie, Johnny Cash, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty etc. Dan laughs but I find Merle Haggard's voice incredibly soothing. Just listening to him makes me calm and happy!

**photo by thetripwirenyc**

Now on to tag others! Some of these are new (to me) blogs I've found via Entrecard that I'm really enjoying.

Lenore @ Travels Through A Crazed Mind

Dana @ The Homesteading Housewife

Christine @ The Power of Housewife Word of Mouth

Lori @ Confessions of a Baltimore Housewife

Penny @ Not Just A Mama

Mari @ A Housewife's Journal

Okay, that's only 6, but it works!

CFBA Book Tour - One Holy Night

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
One Holy Night
Sheaf House (April 1, 2008)
by
J. M. Hochstetler

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


J. M. Hochstetler writes stories that always involve some element of the past and of finding home. Born in central Indiana, the daughter of Mennonite farmers, she graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Germanic languages. She was an editor with Abingdon Press for twelve years and has published three novels.

One Holy Night, a contemporary miracle story for all seasons, released in April 2008. Daughter of Liberty (2004) and Native Son (2005), books 1 and 2 of the American Patriot Series are set during the American Revolution. Book 3, Wind of the Spirit, is scheduled for release in March 2009. Hochstetler is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Christian Authors Network, Middle Tennessee Christian Writers, and Historical Novels Society.



ABOUT THE BOOK

In 1967 the military build-up in Viet Nam is undergoing a dramatic surge. The resulting explosion of anti-war sentiment tears the country apart, slicing through generations and shattering families. In the quiet bedroom community of Shepherdsville, Minnesota, the war comes home to Frank and Maggie McRae, whose only son, Mike, is serving as a grunt in Viet Nam.

Frank despises all Asians because of what he witnessed as a young soldier fighting the Japanese in the south Pacific during WWII. The news that his son has fallen in love with and married Thi Nhuong, a young Vietnamese woman, shocks him. To Frank all Asians are enemies of his country, his family, and himself. A Buddhist, Thi Nhuong represents everything he despises. So he cuts Mike out of his life despite the pleas of his wife, Maggie; daughter, Julie; and Julie s husband, Dan, the pastor of a growing congregation.

Maggie is fighting her own battle--against cancer. Convinced that God is going to heal her, Frank plays the part of a model Christian. Her death on Thanksgiving Day devastates him. Worse, as they arrive home from the gravesite, the family receives news of Mike s death in battle. Embittered, Frank stops attending church and cuts off family and friends.

By the time a very pregnant Thi Nhuong arrives on his doorstep on a stormy Christmas Eve, Frank is so filled with hate that he slams the door in her face, shutting her out in the bitter cold. Finally, overcome by guilt, he tries to go after her, but driving wind and snow force him back inside. With the storm rising to blizzard strength, he confronts the wrenching truth that what hate has driven him to do is as evil as what the Japanese did all those years earlier, and that he needs forgiveness as desperately as they did ...

Frank doesn't know that what God has in mind this night is a miracle. As on that holy night so many years ago, a baby will be born and laid in a manger--a baby who will bring forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing to a family that has suffered heart-wrenching loss.

If you would like to read the first chapter of One Holy Night, go HERE.

I found this book very hard to put down. The story is deeply moving. The author has a wonderful ability to bring the characters to life. You instantly like them and care about what is happening. I highly suggest this powerful book.

Thank You & Taco Potatoes

First, I'd like to say thank you for all the emails, comments, and concern. It's nice to know so many people care about me. :-) I am feeling much better! I still have a slight temp, although it seems to be just in the evenings and when I'm trying to sleep. I am still really fuzzy headed and tire out very easily. I hope that goes away soon! Anyway, thanks for all the well wishes!

My appetite is finally trying to come back and I've been craving baked potatoes. Tonight we had taco potatoes. They are frugal, filling, and quick! All you do is bake potatoes, then fill with taco seasoned ground beef and all the normal taco fixings. You just use the potato in place of a taco shell. They are really yummy!

Smooth

**I'm still running a fever and not feeling great, so this will be a brief post. I got this in an eamil from a friend and just had to share!**

Does it get any better than this? I love Cary Grant!

Who Are You?

This was a fun little quiz! I must say I was flabbergasted by my result! If you take it, come back and tell me who you are. Have fun!

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are a Marilyn!

You are a Marilyn -- "I am affectionate and skeptical."

Marilyns are responsible, trustworthy, and value loyalty to family, friends, groups, and causes. Their personalities range broadly from reserved and timid to outspoken and confrontative.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Be direct and clear


• * Listen to me carefully


• * Don't judge me for my anxiety


• * Work things through with me


• * Reassure me that everything is OK between us


• * Laugh and make jokes with me


• * Gently push me toward new experiences


• * Try not to overreact to my overreacting.

What I Like About Being a Marilyn

• * being committed and faithful to family and friends


• * being responsible and hardworking


• * being compassionate toward others


• * having intellect and wit


• * being a nonconformist


• * confronting danger bravely


• * being direct and assertive

What's Hard About Being a Marilyn

• * the constant push and pull involved in trying to make up my mind


• * procrastinating because of fear of failure; having little confidence in myself


• * fearing being abandoned or taken advantage of


• * exhausting myself by worrying and scanning for danger


• * wishing I had a rule book at work so I could do everything right


• * being too critical of myself when I haven't lived up to my expectations

Marilyns as Children Often

• * are friendly, likable, and dependable, and/or sarcastic, bossy, and stubborn


• * are anxious and hypervigilant; anticipate danger


• * form a team of "us against them" with a best friend or parent


• * look to groups or authorities to protect them and/or question authority and rebel


• * are neglected or abused, come from unpredictable or alcoholic families, and/or take on the fearfulness of an overly anxious parent

Marilyns as Parents

• * are often loving, nurturing, and have a strong sense of duty


• * are sometimes reluctant to give their children independence


• * worry more than most that their children will get hurt


• * sometimes have trouble saying no and setting boundaries

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

This Mama Is Sick

Yesterday around noon, I started getting chills and my stomach felt like it was full of lead. I had a 102.3 temperature. I took some Motrin and napped until the kids came home from school. I stayed up and tried to be coherent until Dan came home. The kids sat in our bedroom floor and did their homework while I lay down and supervised. After he came home, my night is somewhat a blur. I slept int hat weird, thick, fever induced sleep for awhile. My fever broke around 11 and I thought I'd be okay, but by 1:30 it was over 105! Yuck!

So today my tummy feels better, but my temp goes up every three hours, I guess when the medicine wears off. It's going to make today fun. I am going to try to get a few things done, then lay about the rest of the day. I hope I feel better soon.

Does your whole house fall apart when you feel unwell? It seems that I'm the only person capable of doing anything around here. Me asking for a bowl of soup last night was a major ordeal. It amuses me that if anyone else in this house was ill they'd have a cold wash cloth for their head, something cool to drink on the night stand, and be basically waited on hand and foot. I guess us Mamas are a rare breed. Thankfully, I have a wonderful friend who I know will come help me if I really need anything. It's nice to know someone cares.

Since this is turning into a long babbling post and I'm getting chilled, I think I'll sign off now. I'm going to curl up under the covers and watch To Sir With Love and try to feel better.

Y'all have a good day!

CFBA Book Tour - Out of Her Hands

This is a great book! It is very well written, has a well developed plot, and characters you care about. I stayed up until the wee hours finishing it, as I was so curious how things would work out. I found that I had much in common with Linda, the main character as I too pray about my children's future spouses and want the very best for them. It is a great story about life, motherhood, and remembering God is in control. I really enjoyed it and I'm sure you will too.

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Out Of Her Hands

Tyndale House Publishers (September 22, 2008)

by

Megan DiMaria


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I was born and raised in New York State and have since lived in Maine, Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas, New Jersey, and now I live in Colorado. My husband and I have three delightful, adult children and an old Jack Russell Terrier named
Belle who seems to find her way into my novels. My resume will tell you I graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh with a degree in Communications, and after graduation I worked as a radio and television reporter, freelance writer, editor and marketing professional.

I'm a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and am assistant director of Words For The Journey, Rocky Mountain Region.

But what's most important to know about me is that I am a follower of Jesus, wife, mother, friend, reader and writer.

Life’s a journey, enjoy the adventures!


ABOUT THE BOOK

In this second novel by Megan DiMaria, Linda Revere is back and continuing to struggle with the turmoil of contemporary life. Linda has been praying for her children's future spouses since they were very small. Confident that her prayers will be answered, Linda is not prepared for the young woman her son brings home. But Linda soon learns that while everything she once controlled is out of her hands, God is still in control. Megan uses her trademark humor while dealing with issues to which her readers will relate.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Out Of Her Hands, go HERE

"No sophomore slump for DiMaria! This novel (Out of Her Hands) is as engaging and meaningful as her first, Searching for Spice. Her realistic portrayal of the characters' lives should endear them to readers and help Christians to feel less alone in their daily trials."
~Romantic Times Magazine, 4 ½ stars TOP PICK!

“Life in Linda's world is messy...but filled with love, laughter, struggle and faith. Megan has created a most real heroine for us to love...and I adore her!”
~Deena Peterson, reviewer: A Peek at my Bookshelf

“Megan DiMaria crafts a novel so compelling, so real, you forget you're reading fiction.”
~Darcie Gudger, reviewer: TitleTrakk

"This is a great read for a quiet afternoon or in those times when you feel your own life spinning out of control and need the reality check of knowing you're not in it alone."
~Amazon reviewer

Holiday Bazaar

**photo "Christmas Angel" by azrainman**

Hey Moms, do you have an Etsy store or other type of store? Would you like some extra advertising this holiday season? I am looking to highlight some great Mom shops, especially those with handmade items. I plan to feature maybe 3 shops a week up until about two weeks before Christmas. So, if you'd like to be featured in my "Holiday Bazaar" just click the "email me" tab up at the top of my blog.

I am also making a "Holiday Wishlist" of things I've found on Etsy that I'd love to buy. So, if you've bought something you can't live without, please let me know.

Christmas Shopping - Save Time & Money

**photo "Christmas at the Mall" by Paul Keleher**

Can you believe it's November already? Time sure does fly! Something that has been on my mind a lot lately is finishing up my Christmas shopping. I am sure I'm not the only one who is nowhere near finished with this. I really need to get the rest of my shopping done, and I need to do it as frugally as possible. A great website I've found is helping me to do just that!

I do not enjoy the hustle and bustle of stores during this time of year. I try to shop from home as much as possible. That's why I was thrilled to discover Shop.com. You simply enter what you are looking for in their search bar and they hunt down the best deals for you. It's comparison shopping without all the work! You save time as well as money, which is great! Y'all know how much I love to get great deals, and this site makes doing so almost effortless.

Another great thing about using Shop.com is the coupons they offer you. Not only do they find great prices for you, but they give you a way to save even more! Who doesn't like to save money? I think it's great that they offer coupons, helping you get the most bang for your buck!

Plus, many of the stores offer free shipping through Shop.com! I love this because shipping cost is a big consideration when I'm shopping online. I like the convenience of shopping from home, but will actually go to the store rather than pay outrageous shipping charges. With the free shipping offers, you are truly getting a fantastic deal!

Through December 14th they have a sweepstakes going on as well. You can win some awesome prizes, including a flat screen TV and an iPod Touch! You don't want to miss this! Go check it out!

So, I'll be doing a lot of my holiday shopping at Shop.com this year. It allows me to find some of the best deals on the Internet very easily, avoid the hassle of shopping in stores, and saves me time and money. What could be better?

What A Weekend!

My dearest readers, I took your advice and decided to just stop stressing and go on our weekend getaway. We had a great time, and I thank all of you for encouraging to unwind and calm down!

On the way to Lubbock Friday night, Dan and I were amazed at the amount of highway patrol out pulling people over and the amount of traffic on the highway. I initially thought law enforcement was heavily patrolling because of Halloween parties, pranks, etc. Then I started noticing a trend - a lot of the cars pulled over, and those passing us, seemed to be decorated in burnt orange. Yes, I obviously live under a rock because we were 2 hours into a 4 hour road trip before I realized UT was playing Tech. I'm brilliant, I know. Anyway, we saw lots of over zealous football fans driving way too fast on the way.

**photo " The Football Gods Have Smiled Upon You " by Schlüsselbein2007**

At this point I must say I do not advise going to Lubbock the weekend the Raiders play the Horns. It's crowded and crazy. When I suggested we drive by the stadium during the game so I could get pics for my blog, I was answered with "are you nuts?' stares. The only time worse than this that I've personally witnessed is when the Aggies come to town. It's full on football craziness! WE watched the game on TV and all I can say is WOW! It was a great game! I love me some football!

Anyway, I have no great game pics to share, I'm sorry. I did get some the next day of the mega mess the tailgaters left and the poor folks on clean up duty. I also got some of Lubbock all spirited up for the red and black. I'll try to post those tomorrow.

We had a great time visiting the family. I got to spend some time with my niece and nephews, which I really enjoyed. I hate that we don't see them more often. They are all much younger than our kiddos and seem to change so much between visits. Miss Brooke had grown so much and looked so different! I love that cute little red head! Ethan is growing like a weed, is super smart, and seriously has the most awesome laugh I've ever heard. And Milo is walking! I knew this of course, but it was great to get to see him do it. He had changed the most out of the bunch - little ones grow so fast. He is just adorable, laid back, and I learned at breakfast the kid likes scrambled eggs, a lot! He ate about half of his Papa's breakfast! Anyway, I got to spend a good chunk of Saturday with Milo and Brooke and I savored every minute of it! I wish I'd seen more of Ethan, but he went with the guys. I love and miss those three so very much!

I also got to spend some girl time with two amazing women, Tammy my sister in law, and Sheralyn, my mom in law. Tammy and I took the two littlest ones to Target shopping and had a blast! Target clearance rocks! We both found some stocking stuffers and she found an adorable little purse for cheap! We had so much fun! We hardly ever get any girl time. Then I got to spend a lot of time with Mom,. We shopped, ate, laughed, talked, played cards, and generally just enjoyed each other. At breakfast Sunday the waitress said she saw our "mom hug" we shared in the parking lot and it made her think of her own mom in Arizona. She was kinda teary eyed about it, and it made me the same. Mom and I have not had the easiest of relationships, but now I love her so dearly. The fact that someone saw us together and read us as being actually mom and daughter was quite special and touching.

Unfortunately we didn't see much of Chris and Abby. Chris is busy working on his masters degree. Abby just seems to be a super busy gal. We love them and wish we could see them more often, but life happens. Maybe things will settle down when Chris graduates. Until then we just have to be content with very short visits.

The kids got their Christmas gifts from Nanny and Papa early. We have two new family members, David and Cameron, a pair of guinea pigs! The kids are so excited! I just hope they keep caring for the little fur balls after the new wears off. So far they are doing a great job. Time will tell I suppose. Tristen's is actually his birthday/Christmas gift, since his was bought first and had to get all the cage, supplies, etc. The literature we were given said the do great in pairs, so Ash got hers the next day. We couldn't say yes to one and no to the other, right? I think it's going to work out okay.

Ashley also had fun spending the birthday money Uncle Jason & Aunt Tammy gave her. She spent half at the Cracker Barrel store. Don't you just love that place? Note to anyone who cares, I could use some birthday money to spend there, lol. Anyway, she was thrilled because she bought two things for herself, something for her brother, and still has half her money left! This kid can really stretch her pennies. I'm so proud!

Anyway, thanks again to all who encouraged me to go! I had a wonderful time and came back recharged.