Why are we so busy?

I marvel at people who say they are not busy. I just don't understand how to not be busy. I think, well, we could stay home more, and eat at home more, but then we don't get to spend the relationship time that we are seeking with the people we are spending time with. I know busy-ness is hard on the kids, but isn't it good for them to learn about behaving while we are out and having friends and getting along with other children too? I feel like this is a big "questionable" need/want in our lives, and am not sure what to do about it. Maybe I just feel so tired after all the Christmas stuff. I know it is weird that we have so much Christmas, but how else would we fit it all in? We had my immediate family on the 22nd, Gabe's immediate and extended family on the 25th, my extended maternal side on the 26th, and my extended paternal side on the 29th. I do feel like we were really busy, but that is pretty spread out too; over a whole week. Maybe it was harder this year because of our various illnesses that took all of us out at one point or another over the past two weeks. I don't know. What I do know tonight is that I am exhausted, and yet when I look over everything we've done, I don't have the first clue about what we should cut out. Another area I should pray about! Any suggestions? What do you do? What priorities do you set for your families?

She's so funny

Lately, Melia has really been playing "Which hand is it in?" and wanting us to guess the hand. Tonight, she wanted me to guess, and I guessed the left one, but nothing was in it. So I guessed the right one, and nothing was in it... I laughed and said "nothing is in your hands!" And she looks at her hands and says

"It's a buh-ger!"

(Booger, Melia style)

Christmas Joy

These are some random pictures from the past month... Enjoy!

Another Meliaism

Grandma Debbie gave the girls pooping reindeer and sheep in their stockings. Last night Melia and I opened hers and loaded it up. (these are the little critters that poop jelly beans, to catch you up) She giggled and giggled that she could make her reindeer poop.

When we were done, I told her to put it up high so Kiera couldn't get it because she would probably want to eat the poop. Melia looked at me quizzically and said, "But momma, Kiera doesn't eat her poop!"

Just along for the ride...

So I was wrong. Or was I right? I really don't know. Friday, all day long, found me down for the count, which really messed me up. My mind is a few days behind the rest of me... I was on track Thursday, but since Friday I can't catch up! It can't be Christmas Eve, it can't!

I guess this would be a good time to stop, smell the dead Christmas tree and warm banana bread, and just say I'm along for the ride. 'Cause I sure ain't drivin'...

Have a very Merry CHRISTmas everyone!

If you're in the valley and free, our church is having a casual Christmas Eve service tonight that I get to take part in. 7 pm at Valley Community Church, Ohme Gardens Road. We would love to see you there!

Almost Done...

I finally got to leave the house today-- thank goodness my friend called yesterday and discussed this "bug's" symptoms, and I determined that Kiera must be done and Melia is really close, so I ventured out. (Further explanation: Kiera has been fine since Sunday night's episode... Melia on the other hand has thrown up twice more; once Monday night and once Wednesday. All while acting completely normal in between. This thing is so unpredictable)

Anyway, I am happy to report we were out for 5 (!) hours today, the three of us, and we all survived, plus we got quite a bit done. Note: 5 Hours consisted of the following- Dropped off empty ink cartridges at Walgreens-do lunch with Grandma D-go to Shopko for stocking stuffers and Melia's main gift- go to Rite Aid for coupon deals- Mail package for Gabe- Pick up Walgreens coupon deals and ink. I can't believe it took us that long. Other than parking and traffic were a pain... If you are interested in hearing about my good deals, leave a comment because I don't want to bore you if you don't want to be bored...

Tonight I get to go to a... lady's night...not sure what to call it but she is having some ladies over from church that she doesn't know very well, and we all get to know each other. It is going to be the highlight of my week for sure! I am very excited to get out-- the best part was she asked Gabe to babysit so he couldn't say no to me! (Is that bad...???) Plus I just love our church and everyone there, so we are going to have so much fun!

I hope you all are having an illness-free week leading up to Christmas!!!

Dinner Review

Italian Cream Cheese Chicken and Pasta

Rating: Very good. I would make this if I was having company-
it was quick and easy, rich and creamy, and filling. I did use whole wheat
pasta and neufatel cheese, so that helped it be a little more healthy... :-)

Dinner Prep

So, I had the girls on the floor and table coloring while I was making dinner. Melia said she was done, and I had a ways to go, so I suggested she draw a picture of Ziva (our doberman). I listed off her body parts, circle for head, circle for body, then legs and a tail. Melia pipes up "And boobies, cause Ziva has boobies."

Well, she does.

Tuesday Night Dinner

This is what I am making for dinner. Doesn't that look delish?!!!

http://tammysrecipes.com/italian_cream_cheese_chicken_pasta
I will update you later as to how I did.

New lesson for everyone

So, last night I spent a little time in the ER with Kiera. She ended up having a "nursemaid's elbow" clinically known as a radial head subluxation. Gabe was picking her up by her hands, which we do all the time, but one hand slipped. Her right elbow popped, and she then favored it all day, not using it unless she forgot, then causing it to hurt. Apparently this is extremely common in younger children, but for some reason, pediatricians don't warn parents about it. Hmmm.

The REALLY weird thing was that while we were in the ER, she threw up on me, twice. Then again when we got home. Then Melia woke up at 2am because she threw up, and then again approximately 45 minutes later. But this morning they are both completely back to normal; eating, drinking, fighting, running, playing, whining, the works :-)

I am not sure how much more of this I can take. I think I am mentally prepared for what will come next, and suddenly they do a u-turn. So, now I am heading to work, even though I was completely ready for a day on the couch watching movies and changing buckets. (Am I in denial? did I really want a sick day? with no responsibility? again --- hmmm...)

Here's the M and K in their pretty Christmas dresses!

Up and running!

Hello all! Aren't you glad to hear from me again? We still haven't figured out what is going on with our website, but so many of you comment that you are needing your baby picture fix, and you crave the encouragement that you somehow get from my spiritual walk stories (just kidding!) that I decided this would probably be easier.

Glad to see you too!

Love D