Domestic Christmas

Christmas has not even arrived yet, and I am already blessed with the most amazing gifts.

A few months ago, The Referee took a second job that may end up becoming a new career opportunity in the future.  For now, it is a means to bring in some extra income to reduce our debt.  Since he knew he would be working a ton of hours, and not able to visit very often, he encouraged the kids by telling them that we would take a portion of his earnings and pick a nicer Christmas gift this year.  The kids have their eyes on DS handheld systems, and tablets.  I saw the opportunity to get a Kitchen Aide mixer.

My sister bought a Kitchen Aide mixer a couple years ago, and loved it.  I could not swing the expense at the time, but I have been listening to her positive comments about how nice it is.  I have scoped them out each year when they go on sale.  This year, I was able to take advantage of a Black Friday sale and get a red mixer that matches my kitchen.  Merry Christmas to me!  

Since they wanted me to do some pre-Christmas baking, The Referee and the kids offered that I could open my present early this year.  We joked that we could just put the empty box under the tree, and I will act surprised.  The first item I made with my new mixer was a batch of brownies for Jersey #1's class party.  Brownies are my favorite dessert, so that was perfect too.

The Christmas gift I was not expecting arrived this evening.

I went out to my van after church, and discovered a cute gift basket filled with home-made laundry detergent, fabric softener, and cleaning products.  

A friend had mentioned she was putting something in my van, just before church began, and I did not give it much thought.  I had items in the back of my van that I was going to be transferring to another friend that night too.

I was sitting at a table with  a group of ladies, talking about my big project to clean and organize my house before the New Year.  We were engaged in a lovely discussion about trying to keep a house clean when we have kids around to build up clutter.  In the midst of our conversation, the topic of home-made laundry soap popped up.  That was something I had been meaning to try out a year ago.  I had even started collecting my empty laundry detergent containers to store it in.  (Then tragedy struck my life and any project that was more than basic survival was dismissed).  

Jersey #2 had been helping me conquer the mountain of laundry this week.  She has been telling me that we are almost out of detergent and need to go to the store.  That got me thinking I really need to look into the homemade detergent idea again.

So, when the ladies started talking about homemade laundry detergent, fabric softener, and cleaning products, I started paying close attention.  I was drilling my friend with various questions about her methods.  After the 3rd or 4th question, she told me that a sample of the products she makes and uses....along with their recipes....was included in the items she put in my van.

Hallelujah!  

I had no idea that she was filling such a need in my life when she asked if she could put something in my van tonight.

God is SO Good!

As I looked through the basket and read over the recipes, I could not help but smile at the whole orchestration of this gift.  This goody basket that I was not even expecting was filled with the very things I have been wanting to try making myself.  They are also really good ways to cut costs in the family budget (which is also a need in my life).  I had no idea my friend made all her detergents and cleaning products, and had been using them long enough to perfect her recipes.  She had no idea these things were on my mind, because we had not discussed them before.  I had no idea she would be blessing me with this basket.  Of course, she gave me the basket before our conversation even started.  Clearly, this is a God-thing.

At this point in my life, you would think that such "coincidences" would not surprise me.  One recurring theme of this past year has been that God will supply all of my needs.  I don't even have to ask specifically.  My needs are always met.  Even in the midst of suffering, I can find comfort in the sovereignty of God, and know that He is in control of all things.  God has a plan.  It is a good one.

Considering my Christmas gifts so far, I am starting to think that there may be some domestic skills planned for my future!

Christmas Music

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE HOME TEAM!

Our Christmas morning was made sweeter by Jersey #2 performing a music special at church.

She has been taking piano lessons for a few months now.  Her piano teacher gave her a couple simple Christmas carols to learn to play this month.  Jersey #2 was inspired to practice and practice, after our Pastor suggested she could play one of her songs for the church during the Christmas morning service.  

Jersey #2 has been a bit jealous that her older sister sings with the praise and worship team.  So, she jumped at the chance to share some of her musical talent too.

I captured a short video, of most of the song:  "We Three Kings"

Happy Christmas Eve

Our family opens presents on Christmas Eve.  It is so much nicer to have everyone clean, dressed, fed, and happy before taking on the overwhelming excitement of making wrapping paper fly!  After all of the presents are opened, we let the kids stay up all night long, and play with their new toys and gadgets.  

Normally, this allows for better photos too.  This year, my camera decided to croak.  So most of my Christmas Eve photos are too dark (because the flash wasn't working), blurry, or completely black.  Bummer!  We still had a good time together, even if there is not as much photo proof as in previous years.

The children were greatly spoiled this Christmas.  Granny & PawPaw bought all of their grandbabies a new bicycle this year.

We let the kids "open" their new bikes Christmas Eve afternoon.  Then, we took them to the newly-renovated park near our house.  That park opened up just a few days ago.  It was open for 1 day before a snowstorm hit.  There was still snow on the ground when we visited the park, but most of the sidewalks were clear for riding.

We managed to get one half-way decent photo of me and my kiddos...

Opening gifts is always an exciting time...

Nana spoils the kids with wonderful gifts too.  Aunts and Uncles added to the spoiling.  It was an electronic Christmas this year.  Personal DVD players, Wii games, DSi games, and even a Kindle (for Jersey #1).  I am pleased by how we managed to keep to our budget AND the kids received so many nice gifts.  We have a generous extended family that helps make it possible.  

Gingerbread Adventures

According to my Facebook friends, making gingerbread houses is a common Christmas tradition.

I was unaware of this tradition until this year.

Thankfully, my gingerbread house tradition-deprived children did not miss out.  They were able to enjoy this messy fun activity on two occasions this Christmas season.

Granny & PawPaw planned a day of Christmas party fun with their grandbabies, when the original plans to go to PawPaw's work party fell through (outdoor party had to be cancelled due to serious mud from an unexpected snow).  Granny bought gingerbread house kits and thought it would be great fun for the 7 visiting grandbabies to put them together.

From the stories that were told after the event, it sounds like Granny & PawPaw will not attempt such a feat again.  Candies and frosting were everywhere.  Gingerbread houses and walls were not cooperating in the construction process.  It was total mayhem!

The kids had a blast.

Later in the month, the kids participated in a gingerbread house decorating contest at church.  Pastor assembled the house kits in advance, and the kids divided into two groups to decorate them.  Boys vs Girls.  There was some serious competition going on!

The groups took the adults by surprise in their reactions to the decorating.  The girls went hog-wild, using every bit of sugar to load up their house.  There were giggles galore.  The boys took a very serious approach.  They were most careful to create a precision design that was flawless.  At first, the process was so serious, the older boys did not want to include the younger boys, in fear that the younger boys might make the design messy.

In the end, the girls clearly had the most decorated house...

The boys had the most precision-designed house...

And, alas, my children were able to enjoy the experience of building and decorating gingerbread houses this year.....and I did not have any of the mess at my house!  

A Real Tree

We decided to try something different this year, and bought a real, live Christmas tree.

I have had an artificial tree my entire life, so I did not really know what to expect.  I have been told that live trees are messy, with needles falling down, and need to be watered regularly.  Oh, and folks also say they are expensive too.  Other folks rave about how wonderful a real tree is....the scent, the tradition of picking the perfect tree, etc.  

Last Christmas, our artificial tree wore out and broke.  We had to tie it to the wall to keep it standing for the rest of the season.  It was so wimpy that the star on top fell to the floor and busted.  We made the decision to get rid of the broken tree after Christmas, and plan to try a live tree this year.  The timing seemed good.  If the live tree did not work out for us this year, we could always buy a new artificial tree when they go on sale after Christmas.  We would purchase our live tree at Galloping Grace Youth Ranch's Christmas Corral.  That way, money spent was for a great charity cause anyway.  Sometimes it is fun to break tradition and try something new.  So, we did.

We bundled up warm and visited the GGYR Christmas Tree Corral.

They had trees of all shapes and sizes.  We had no clue what we were looking for.  Jersey #2 was only interested in the price.  The Referee had to remind her that she was not the one paying for the tree, so she did not need to be so concerned with the price.  After browsing the rows and rows of trees, we decided to pick a tree that would be short enough for the kids to be able to reach majority of it.  Had we gone with too tall of a tree, it would only get partially decorated by our young crew.

We picked a Douglas Fir that was close to 5 feet tall.  We bought a tree stand, and had the tree volunteers attach it for us.  The tree fit great in the back of the truck.  The Referee hauled it into the house and stood it up, and that was it.  Jersey #1 filled the stand with water right away.

The whole live tree experience seemed easy enough.  We are happy with our choice.

Decorating the tree was a blast.  Lights, garland, ornaments, oh my!

Jersey #2 just cannot resist wearing stockings on all her limbs.  

It took me a while to figure out that Jersey #4 was taking the ornaments that lacked hooks, and setting them on the TV stand.  She was stashing them away to play with later.  Before I knew it, our TV stand was loaded down with decorations.

We were having a blast, decorating with gusto.  Then, Jersey #1 said something that sealed the deal that this would probably have to be our first and last live Christmas tree.

"Mom, my arms are getting a rash, and I am itchy all over."

She is allergic to the Christmas tree.

Poor kid.

It confirmed my suspicions about the cause of Jersey #1 and Jersey #3 having an increase in nasal congestion from the day we brought the tree home.  It is easy to dismiss such "seasonal" allergies as being...well, seasonal.

Jersey #3 is also allergic to hay.  He can go out to a farm, ride horses, or go on a hay ride without complaint, but his little nose just pours and pours many colors.  I was hoping that the response to the Christmas tree would be just as livable.  Unfortunately, rashes and hives are just not as easy to brush off.  

At the moment, I think we can keep the tree.  Christmas is not far away.  We told Jersey #1 to not touch it anymore.

But, it looks like I will be shopping the after-Christmas sales for a new artificial tree.  And, we will just make a donation to GGYR next year, instead of buying a live tree from their corral.

There is never a dull moment in this Game of Life...   

Sweet Slumber

I am very pleased with my practical Christmas gifts this year--new bedding.

We had switched the younger kids to twin beds this past summer. So, bedding for Christmas was in order.

The Veggie Tales folks must have known about my needs, because they introduced a Veggie Tales twin-sized bedding set to their online store this Fall. It was perfect for the younger 3 kids. We are big fans of Veggie Tales around here. I was even more impressed with this bedding set after we opened it up. The colors are so bright and vibrant.

Jersey #1 received horse-themed bedding. She is crazy about horses right now.

Jersey #2 shares a room with Jersey #4. Their bedding will clash right along with their personalities. The primary colors of Veggie Tales, along with the bright, bold colors of the "Rainbow Delight" bedding certainly wakes up their bedroom. Jersey #2 loves rainbows and bright colors. So, her bedding was sure to make us squint.

I am pleased to move to horses and rainbows, and away from the Disney characters that are so popular among young girls these days. At least with horses and rainbows I do not have to worry if they are modestly dressed, or speaking respectfully.

I haven't had any worries about the influence of the vegetables either.

The kids are certain that their slumber is so much better snuggled in their new bedding...

Gifts Galore

The children have been busy, enjoying all of their Christmas presents. They received so many nice gifts.

Jersey #1 and Jersey #2 received a half-size guitar. They are excited to begin lessons.

Jersey #1 and Jersey #2 received an American Girl doll from Granny & PawPaw...

Nana gave the older 3 kids a Nintendo DS, and the younger 2 Leapsters...

Jersey #5 opened his garage and cars first. He then wanted to play with them and did not want to open any other gifts. When we suggested he open another present, he said, "No thank you. I play cars."

Everyone knows that Jersey #4 loves baby dolls and accessories....

Jersey #3 wanted a Mario game for the Wii. He could barely function after that gift was unwrapped...

This year, the older 3 kids bought gifts at the AWANA store, with the shares they had earned by memorizing scripture and participating during club nights. I was so proud of them for thinking of others when they would normally be shopping for themselves. Jersey #1 gave her Daddy a stuffed Fozzy Bear. She knows how much he likes Muppets...

We thought the puppies needed a present under the tree too...