See that beautiful lady to the left of this post?  Click on her picture, read her story, and take time to pray for a miracle for her.  Pray for peace and strength for her husband and daughters.  

She has been a wonderful encouragement to many, many women and I think you'll enjoy reading a lot of what she had to say before her stroke.

A New Year--A New Me??

Probably not, but it sounds good, doesn't it?  It's the theme for January everywhere I turn so I feel myself falling into the pressure to make lots of 'resolutions' to change.  

Personally I find myself wanting to make changes all year long, yet I have a very hard time breaking bad habits.  It drives me crazy.

Here is a list of things that I want to change....most I have wanted to "fix" for a while now.  If I actually accomplish any of them then I will be back to blog about it.  Don't hold your breath for it, though :)

*Lose weight.  Top of everyone's list, right?  Either that or just to "get in shape".  I've come to accept that I'll never be the fit and active person that I used to be.  I'm starting a 3 month weight loss challenge on Monday...my initial goal is to lose 20lbs.  If I do that in the 3 months then Ben and I are going to do something really special...not sure what, and I'm not making any plans yet.

*Get organized.  Yep, that one is least likely to happen. 

moving on...

*Get up before my kids each morning.  With my (still) sleep issues this isn't easy, but I'm working on it.

*Clean my kitchen every night before bed.  Sounds easy, doesn't it?

*Keep my van cleaned out.

*Keep my coupons under control.  Along with that one comes keeping my stockpile under control.

*Plan ahead for homeschool.  Again, sounds easy.

 *Date night once a month with Ben.  This one is my favorite.

These are just a few...a starting point, maybe?

Do you make resolutions?

Merry Christmas!!

Family Wall Red Christmas Card

Create modern Christmas cards at Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Homemade Marshmallows

This is something everyone should make....at least once!  I saw the recipe a few weeks ago and knew I had to make them!!  The recipe was so easy, but you must have an electric mixer.  I used my beaters since I don't have a whisk attachment and they worked just fine. 

These are so, so yummy!!!  

 The ones on top are chocolate swirl...I popped one in my cup of hot cocoa earlier :)

Go HERE to get the recipe.

Cutting the Tree!

For the past 7 or so years (except one) we've been going to the same tree farm to cut down our Christmas tree.  It's a gorgeous spot on the side of the mountain and we always look forward to this tradition!

 Natalie was saving up her energy so she took a ride out to the trees!

 The big kids took turns sawing!

 Natalie worked so hard and insisted she could pull the tree by herself...and she did!

 Wyatt and Natalie worked really hard pulling the tree up the hill!  We always stop in the little shop area and have hot cocoa and cookies, so that may have been the motivation for such hard work!

Fall Fun!

We didn't get a lot of time to play in the leaves this year, and even though it doesn't look like it--Mason WAS having fun.  He just didn't want his picture taken!!

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Fall 2010

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