The Good, the pure, and the lovely

Usually in January, we are bundled up.  There may be snow or ice in the air.  We are often thinking about ice, sledding, shoveling snow, laying down salt and maneuvering treacherous roads.  On this, the last day of January 2012, we spent part of the afternoon outside.  Instead of the usual pursuits, we enjoyed a walk and a bike ride.  With the high temperature reaching (near) 60 degrees, the day felt more like early spring than mid winter.  It was a treat!  Little Man began by pushing his "bike". Brother in the Middle had to keep practicing to remember how to ride, but he got it figured out! When Little Man made it on the bike and joined Big Brother for a ride down the hill.

You know that your odd ways are rubbing off onto your kids when you're watching a cooking show together and your child comments as the host dumps a bag of frozen food into a pot, "Mom, she just cut off the top of that Ziploc bag with scissors.  That's wasteful!  Now, she can't wash and re-use it!"

We are desperate for winter fun.  The unusually warm and extremely wet weather is making us long for the cold, white days of winter.  We're so desperate that we're resorting to "skating" on a half frozen puddle. "Boot Skating" is one of my favorite memories from childhood.  This day, it was "gym shoe skating". Speed skating might not be possible on this little "rink", but the fun was worth the cold, wet feet.  (Thanks, Grandpa for the warm foot soak afterwards!)

Last week, Big Brother turned 10.  He has officially entered the "double digits".  It is such a blessing to watch him grow and mature.  For his birthday, he made a special request for chocolate cake.  We found a recipe for Molten Chocolate Lava Cake on The Pioneer Woman that really made us salivate.  It turned out splendidly.  You can find the recipe at http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/07/molten-chocolate-lava-cake/  and try it for yourself! As for my big ten year old, may you grow  ". . . in wisdom, and in stature and in favor with God and men."  (Luke 2:52)

10.  The clothes washer runs both day and night. 9.  You celebrate each wet diaper because:        wet diaper = no dehydration 8. You forget your current diet, because you can't consider eating anything because of all the "messes" you've cleaned up!!!! 7. You measure your children's fluid intake in ounce instead of sippy cups. 6. NO MILK!!!!! 5. You welcome BRATs in your house.     (Bananas, Rice, Apples, Toast) 4. Saltines become the food of choice. 3. Soda pop is served for breakfast . . . . and lunch, and dinner and . . . . 2.  You call TUMS "candy" to bribe your child to eat one, hoping it will settle their stomach. 1. You're thrilled your children are ornery because it means they're getting better.

It's January.  You might be aware of this.  I know my hips are.  They are screaming for me to eat healthy now.  So is my blood sugar.  I am trying . . . really.  But, I'm still thinking of December.  I was not trying to eat healthy in December.  (Be honest, neither were you).  Although my hips regret December, my taste buds don't.  While I'm eating healthy (trying to, anyway) this January, I'll be fondly remembering December.  Oh, the good memories! These little beauties are Brother in the Middle's favorites.  They are Pumpkin Spice Cookies with a cream cheese frosting.  I'd share the recipe, it's super easy and yummy, but then, I'd want to go make some.  It's January.  I just can't do that!!!! (That tablecloth was passed down to me from my Grandma.  I love using it.  It reminds me of her - elegant and beautiful.  Thank you Grandma, for sharing you treasure!  Love you!)

I just wanted to share this post with you. My good friend Hannah, over at Crazy Creative Magazine, is having a give away this week for a new e-book. This book sounds like a great devotional, whether you have daughters, sons, or no children in the home. So, head on over, and check it out! Crazy Creative Magazine: A Review of Praying Proverbs 31...and a giveaway..... : I've just finished reading my first e-book...yes, I'm that far behind the times. If I had to wait until almost 2012 to finally read an e-bo...

Food can be good to eat, and it can be fun to  . . . . . shoot?!?!  The boys were given "potato guns" for Christmas.  They gave whole new meaning to, "playing with your food".   All the guys had fun shooting potato pellets at one another.  And, yes, they were given the matching camo sweatshirts for Christmas.  Aren't they so cool? "The Guys" Big Brother tries out his potato gun. Brother in the Middle tries to figure out how to load his potato gun. Yes, that's a little potato pellet flying at you. Even Grandpa got into the game. Daddy thinks this is really funny.

Late one winter evening, we were enjoying the end of a lovely celebration.  The guests had gone, but the sweet feeling of fun and companionship lingered.  The scattered dishes were slowly making their way to the sink.  Suddenly, "Crack!  Splash! AHHHHHH!!!!"  (Imagine a high pitched girly scream.  Oh, was that me???) Water and glass covered the kitchen floor.  Two little fish flopped helplessly.  The rescue had begun.  The little fish were gathered and put in a temporary home.  The glass and water were slowly and meticulously cleaned.  What a mess . . . .what a drama.  As my sweet hubby congratulated me with his (slightly sarcastic), "Way to go, Grace", he comforted me with this thought, "At least, it'll be a funny story." I sighed, "Why do all our funny stories have to do with me doing something silly????"  (Yes, this is a confession.  I broke our fish tank with . . . . an empty coffee cup!!!! )

If you are young and you really don't want to stay up until midnight to "ring in the New Year", what can you do????  You can take this easy approach:  early in the evening set your clock ahead two hours.  As ten o'clock (now disguised as midnight) approaches, start the countdown.  Then, at the strike of the "new midnight", rush outside and spray each other with silly string while yelling and screaming "Happy New Year" Watch out! Got you!