Did you over spend?

Did you over spend this Christmas and forget what the true meaning is? There is a great youtube video starting with "A lack of.." It talks about how much money is spent at Christmas and what could happen if it was all put toward another cause. Pretty amazing stuff. We're trying hard to teach our kids the true meaning of Christmas and what "giving" is all about. This Thanksgiving we worked at a church to serve food for those in need. A lot of people there that were homeless due to the floods had some incredible stories to tell. Very eye-awakening! Way back when, we used to go WAY over board with gifts at Christmas to have the kids just play with one thing. It was really depressing. This year we were fortunate enough to be able to make some great family memories together! I think it was the best Christmas I've ever had. Usually I'm so stressed out. I did a LOT of baking this year and had so much fun. Just call me Martha! For once I didn't try to do a lot and decorate a certain way just for others. I did what I thought would give us a little Christmas cheer. I think I'm getting old because I really enjoy the smell of Christmas and old fashion decor in a home. What's wrong with me? Listening to Dave Ramsey is so motivating. A friend and I even took his 13 week course. He's a motivational Christian financial speaker and author. He's very conservative and makes you wake up to the silly things you waste your money on. And he believes in ZERO debt. You just follow his baby steps to get there. Really inspiring!

Christmas 08 update

Christmas 2008-

We made a lot of cookies. Why was I having such a hard time getting them to turn out this year? Was it the different oven? Was I being too impatient, or not paying that much attention to the recipe? They were either too done or not done enough! The gingerbread house we made turned out great! Raven kept going over to it and eating pieces off of it. Jeff asked what happened to one side of the roof! I even got to make ginger bread houses with the middle schoolers at Rykers school. That was fun, messy, and LOUD! I'm sure the teachers were glad it was the end of the day! The pictures of the ginger bread houses below we did NOT make. They were on display at the General store down the street from our store. It is a huge competition every year and some people really go all out!

Poor Raven missed her last day of school before break. It was just a 1/2 day but it was when they have their parties. She threw up after school the day before. She was a bit out of it. The on Christmas eve day Ryker got a bad headache and didn't feel well. He fell asleep on the couch at 6:00pm so it was just Paisley and I off to church! We had our oyster stew and potato soup with Grandma. The following picture is of Ryker and Raven that I just found from 2003!

Ryker would have been 6, the same age Raven is now, and Raven would have been 1 1/2, similar to Pais. The kids got a wii early for Christmas, they had to have it when Pais and I went to CA! So Ryker used all his Christmas money to buy Rockband 2. He also got a couple of games for the wii. Raven got hannah montana clothes, guitar, manicure gift certificate, fun black boots and other stuff I can't think of. Ryker wanted a spy car and got it but it won't go forward! Pais got a care bear, ducks for her bath, books, clothes, and a umbrella table with sand and water fun. (thinking of summer already) I got my yearly perfume bottle from victoria secrets, also a gift card from there, some books and photoshop elements which I haven't got yet so don't critique my pictures! Oh plus as my husband mentioned I also bought myself an early gift of a fun new expensive camera with fancy lens! Still trying to figure it all out! Jeff got a farmers almanac since he's obsessed with the weather. (isn't that a sign of old age?) and an 8ft inflatable herky the hawk! I think it was more for the kids and I!

The Saturday after Christmas we headed to his brother and sis in laws house. It is normally a 2 1/2 hr drive but took us 4 hours! Not even 1/2 way there we hit ice! We had heard we would hit it and it had been raining and we could see the temp drop from 35 to 25. We couldn't go much over 30 on the interstate. We were next to a semi watching it's rear trailer brakes just slide on the ice. Saw many fools flying by us to later see them in the ditch. I was praying all the way! And needed some drinks when I got there. (when are we moving to warm weather? soon!) My sis in law has a beautiful home decorated very cool. She has an orange wall in her hall bath! Then a few orange pieces to match. Very fun! Makes me want to decorate! Can't wait!

We had a couple of families over for New Year's eve and the kids all had a blast. Then it was a bowl game party on New Year's Day. We've been on vacation all week and sleeping in ! Don't want it to end.

Happy New Year to all! Did you all write your goals down? You're supposed to read them everyday and visualize them. Then write down 10 things you're grateful for. My kids and I talk about these things every night before bed. well ok not in the past few busy weeks so we need to get back on track again!

God Bless!

She's 2! Mama' s cookies r good!

Miss Paisley Joy Uyen's 2nd birthday was yesterday! We didn't have a "formal" birthday party for her. We sang to her and she opened her gifts. She wasn't interested in anything else once she opened up a little elmo! Aunt Judy sent her a gift box of dick and jane books that I had to read over and over to her today. Those are fun books to read. (said with sarcasm!) My little Happy Budha is growing up! She just loves to play with her brother and sister in the basement, climbing, running, drawing, you name it! She will show it to you and say, "I made dat!" She said the same thing about the ornaments on the tree the kids have made through the years. Then she said the same thing about the angels on the tree! I told her, "NO, honey, Momma bought that." Now she says, pointing at the angels, "Momma bot dat?" She mimicks all that you say. When you get out of the shower or go to the bathroom she'll say, "Naked butt!" nice! She is learning to jump now and likes to also jump on the couch yelling, "watch Momma, watch!" She is also learning to scream from her sister. She will let her know when she is upset with what she's doing. She has grown so much and is now wearing 2t's. She uses her left hand most of the time which makes her Dad happy since's he's also a lefty as well as Raven. She also likes to take a brush and hair bands and fix Momma's hair. I love it too!

Happy 2nd birthday baby! We love you SO MUCH! I'm so glad you still like to cuddle in Mom's arms! You are so sweet and have the most precious smile. I like to tell you to say "cheese" just so I can see your sweetness beaming from cheek to cheek! Most of the time you are "Momma's girl" but you were so sweet last night when Daddy held you and you instantly fell asleep, snoring in his arms!

Christmas programs

Raven's was one week, then the middle schools, Ryker's, was the next week. They go to a private Christian school so this time of year is extra special at their school!

Ryker suprised me by getting up on stage with the "choir". I didn't even know he was doing that! There are only 3 boys in it. He has a great voice. It was funny how the middle schoolers just aren't as animated as the elementary kids. Raven was so busy between doing hand motions, singing with her mouth as wide open as can be, and talking to her friends, I had a hard time getting a picture on stage!

Off to make more Christmas cookies!

Winter fun again this year!

We had a bad day last week where the roads were awful and there were a lot of accidents. Now it was raining this evening and then turned to ice on the roads. Here's what our local weather man says:
"All the precipitation will shift to snow for Tuesday morning and come to and end later in the afternoon. 5 to 7” are possible in the north, 3-5” in the central part of the state with 1-3” southeast. Tomorrow the main concern will focus on the snow and wind. Blowing snow throughout the day and into the night will reduce visibilities causing some travel difficulties."

The kids are praying that school gets cancelled or at the very least, they have a 2-hour delay. Then they can help me get the Christmas tree up! I'm so late! I used to have a ton of trees and all kinds of decorations up by Thanksgiving! Things change with 3 kids. I'm just tired. Next year will be different. It's much more fun decorating your own house then it is a temporary rental house anyway!