Our Christmas, my reflections

I will have to say, “I had the best Christmas ever!” I believe what helped was leaving out ‘expectations of how things needed to be or go” Just “do what you can and that is it” if you can get it done, great and if not, oh well. it was awesome IMO. Hubby and I did what we could and left it at that. we went with the flow and had fun with each other and the kids. It was so great! Actually he got the kids (the family) a video “Shrek the Halls” (i didnt know Shrek had a Christmas video) and it had the same kind of theme. There were expectation of how Shrek wanted the holidays to go and well, you have to see it.  During the movie I said, ” That is it, that’s what so many in my family do and I have done it too.” Except this year, I just was so glad to be with hubby and the kids. 

 

I even got a shower before bed (you know how tough it is the geta shower as a mom) and i had a silent cry of HUGE happiness of my day and where I am in my life. HUGE blessings all around. I was bummed we could do a thing  for our kids for Christmas and admit my in-laws gave us money in our bank acct to help out. My SIL and bro sent gifts for the kids too. SO it was neat to see God provide in such creative ways!

 

I think it was something small like the stockings. We didn’t have any nor could afford any but I had all the material and resources rto make them. A friend came over to help because it’s hard to cut, pin, and sew with two little ones running around plus my sewing machine isn’t working so she lent me hers. So the fact that God showed me that it is all provided and I just had to do a little work was a huge lesson and blessing for me. It’s not about the stockings it’s about seeing how God provides and my friend that came over is a single missionary in her later years and I can’t imagine what that would be like being away from kids and grandkids. She said she had so much fun helping me and to me she was a huge help! Another missionary family had invited her over for Christmas day and i thought that was so cool. She didn’t know what she was going to do for Christmas alone. Again it was all prepared in advance for her. PTL.

 

So it didn’t matter that we almost had not gifts, we had/have a greater Gift. I pray that all/most realized it this Christmas as economic times are tight. We can’t rely on money or ourselves. (thank God, literally). I was so glad to do things new and not have a “must-Have” checklist. it was ok to just sit and hug the hubby and kids. I guess it helped too that hubby cooked our Chirstmas dinner!  

 

I hope you all have a safe and relaxing New Year!!

Merry Christmas, Happy Birthday Jesus!

Tis the season to remember that God gave us all a GIFT – given freely to Accept, your choice for eternal salvation. I pray you accept this very important GIFT. (Rom. 10:9)

My family and I wish you a Merry Christmas.

Win a Wii

http://www.milehighmamas.com/2008/12/14/enter-to-win-mile-high-mamas-wii-and-wii-fit-giveaway/

Two new cookie favorites!

Lydia Displaying our Butter cookies

We got two new FREE PDF eBooks: http://www.homeschoolfreebie.wholesomechildhood.com/?p=232

We discover these two from:
Homeway Press
PO Box 187
Canmer, KY 42722
mail@chirotoons.com
Copyright 2005, Homeway Press 

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Old Fashioned Butterscotch Cookies
1/2 cup of butter, melted
1 egg
3/4 cup of brown sugar
1 tablespoon of milk
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups of flour
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of baking powder
Melt butter and add brown sugar; dissolve well. Add egg and vanilla. Beat well. Add
milk, flour, salt, and baking powder. Mix and drop by teaspoons-full onto a greased
cookie sheet one inch apart. Bake 8 minutes or until light brown at 375F.

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Christmas Butter Cookies
1 cup of butter
1 cup of sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon of milk
1 teaspoon of vanilla
2 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1/4 teaspoon of salt
Cream butter, gradually add sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, milk and
vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually add to creamed mixture. Chill
for ease in handling. Roll out dough to 1/8″ thickness on lightly floured surface. Cut with
floured cookie cutters into desired shapes. Bake on a cookie sheet in preheated 350 F
oven 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool. Makes 4-5
dozen.

Convenient and Saved Money!

I do have this to share… I got ALL our Christmas cards done!  How did I do it? I use VistaPrint or try this link VistaPrint  – I designed a postcard to their specs – I got a list of our family, friends, supporters and made an excel list – I uploaded the postcard file, the postal address list.

The 100 postcards will be printed FREE Full color, full bleed (to the edge) and mailing side is grayscale with our text

Then All we pay is postage and mailing service fee…. ONLY $45 for it all!!!  And I did it all from Guatemala. Everyone on the list is in the states, so it’s GREAT!

Ok it is not cheap but it’s a GREAT deal for us!!!!!! Woo HOO!!!!! Sorry I guess I am so excited and HAD to share. I know it’s not ‘personal’ but it’s better than nothing for sure!

Have a super day!
*HUGS*
Jackie