Christmas Re-Cap

Sometimes, I'm not sure I really belong in my family. This Christmas would be a good example. When planning for Christmas Eve menu, I offered to bring cider. My brother said he already had 15 bottles, but I was welcome to bring more. I declined...didn't seem necessary. However, upon my arrival, I discovered that I had missed the memo. This was not Christmas, it was Ciderfest '09. Everyone was required to buy at least two bottles of cider every time they went to the store. I also declined that edict. Silly boys. It was then announced that we would be spending Christmas Day making vases out of the used up bottles....of which there were 30 by then. We had every flavor: mixed berry, marionberry, peach, red grape, white grape, cherry, blueberry, strawberry, pear, and of course the plain apple. I was told that the only flavor they couldn't find this year was peach-mango. So sad. So I guess the plans are already in motion for Ciderfest '10. They are planning t-shirts, and bottle labels, etc. It was such an important thing to me, that I neglected to get a single "ciderish" picture. I'm sure I will be sent some after today.

However, here are a few other pics of things I thought were important. :)


The Most Beautiful Tree Ever


Also...the fastest dying tree ever.


Graham Cracker Gingerbread House


Peppernuts


Bundled Brother's Bunking Together


The Cutest Baby in the World



Christmas Quartet


Gingerbread Men - and yes, ear infection.


7th grade boys re-enacting the Christmas story in their 7th grade boy way.


Silly brothers thinking mom will enjoy her work more if she has to drag one of them around on each leg.


Ugly Christmas Sweater Event


Bohemian Brother Gets a Bongo


Batman!


Heelys!


Brothers!


Bongo


and more Bongo



Brutus doesn't want left out


Fake Nickelback tickets - for the bro that hates Nickelback


Puzzles- every piece had an edge
I hate puzzles.


Games, games, and more games.


Video Skyping with the Gifford family having Christmas in Louisiana


More Puzzles. Did I mention I hate puzzles?

Okay...so about puzzles. This is another area where I'm convinced I don't belong with my family. What is it with puzzles? Why do we have to do them? Why do we have to start another one if we finish one. My family was here for four days, and they did at least three puzzles. Brothers even offered money if other brothers could finish the puzzle that had all edge pieces in a certain time frame. I don't understand puzzles. They are so...well...puzzling. I don't get spending hours pouring over a table, looking for little pieces to put something together, just to tear it all apart. I don't get all family games being suspended until we can get paid for finishing a puzzle on time.

Growing up, our family room was decorated with....you guessed it: puzzles. After we finished them, my mom would mount them and hang them on the wall. One of my brothers is mad to this day about it, and has spent a chunk of his short adult life, finding those old puzzles on e-bay and buying them to do again because puzzles shouldn't be mounted. Can you guess which brother that would be? He happens to be the same one who earned $50 finishing a puzzle with all edge pieces in one day.

I pretended to like puzzles for one year of my life. It was 1994. This cute Southern Gent moved to Idaho and was friends with my dad. He liked puzzles. He had no family in town. He would come over to do puzzles with my parents. So, that year, I liked puzzles. It was the only excuse I had to join the cute Southern Gent in the basement while he was over. I began to hate puzzles the day he confessed his love for me. They were useless to me at that point - and forevermore.

Christmas Letter '09

If you want to bore yourself through a re-hash of our entire year, please see our 2009 Christmas Newsletter!

Psalm 20

1 May the LORD answer you in a day of trouble;
may the name of Jacob's God protect you.

2 May He send you help from the sanctuary
and sustain you from Zion.

3 May He remember all your offerings
and accept your burnt offering.

Selah

4 May He give you what your heart desires
and fulfill your whole purpose.

5 Let us shout for joy at your victory
and lift the banner in the name of our God.
May the LORD fulfill all your requests.

6 Now I know that the LORD gives victory to His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven
with mighty victories from His right hand.

7 Some take pride in a chariot, and others in horses,
but we take pride in the name of the LORD our God.

8 They collapse and fall,
but we rise and stand firm.

9 LORD, give victory to the king!
May He answer us on the day that we call.
(HCSB)

Jonathan, Michelle, and Audrey came over for dinner tonight. The outfit Audrey is wearing was my Father's Day gift to Jonathan. :)

Pfeffernusse

There are many kinds of Peppernuts. My sister in law's family makes them with anise. They are larger and whiter than the ones I grew up on. This is my Grandma and mom's recipe that is traditional to our family. The original recipe actually calls for pepper. I'm not sure why it is left out. I'm sure there is a story somewhere. So, traditionally for our family, these cookies are to be tiny. In fact, it was kind of a status thing to see who could get their's the smallest.

Pfeffernusse (Peppernuts)
1 c. butter
4 c. brown sugar
1 T. baking soda (in a little hot water)
1 t. salt
1 t. cinnamon
1 t. cloves
1 t. nutmeg
4 eggs
6-1/2 c. flour
1 c. chopped nuts
Mix butter and brown sugar. Add the eggs and baking soda in water. Mix well. Mix in the dry ingredients and then stir in the nuts. Refrigerate overnight. Roll into rolls the width of a pencil. I keep my rolls stacked in a cake pan in the freezer until I'm ready for them. Slice very thin (1/8" or so), lay on baking sheet about 1/2" apart. Bake at 400 degrees. If you work quickly, you will be able to lay out the next tray before the other one is done baking. It is a continuous process that can go on for hours. This recipe makes 1,000's.

One Week Before Christmas

To go out the door this morning:

*11 teacher gifts
*1 tray of cookies for 7th grade language arts party (food donation box went yesterday for the families the school adopted)
*1 tray of cookies for 4h grade party, $1 for party supplies
*1 wrapped book for 2nd grade book exchange
*1 tub of red frosting for kindergarten party
*1 large bag of warm clothes to donate to the 3rd grade class, who is putting together survival kits for the homeless.

Can you guess what I've been doing lately?

I had a bit of an emotional day yesterday. There were several factors involved. I'm sleep deprived and surviving on easily grab-able Christmas goodies. :P I had a two hour with my laptop and You Tube yesterday, and they won. But what really got me going was reading the list of donation items needed to make survival kits for the homeless. There were things like tents, blankets, etc. I'm already getting shaky. Sleep in a tent in this weather? Reality is setting in.

But the item that just sent me into full fledged tears was this:
Socks - matches or not (can even have holes)

Okay. I have an entire pile downstairs that fit in that category. I'm always hoping for the day I succeed and find all their matches. But this is someones Christmas wish? Holey, unmatched socks? Sob.

We've been so blessed this year. It is no secret that we've struggled a lot financially. It seems every year, we are wondering how we are going to pull off Christmas, or if we can do it at all. This year, right before Thanksgiving, God blessed us with an anonymous gift from someone. We were able to pay off some medical debt, have some cushion as we transitioned from unemployment checks to a new pay schedule with Bill's new job, and we were able to think about Christmas. Last week, while I was out and about, someone filled my van with food and presents. We came back to the van, and had to find seats for the kids because it was so full. We have been blown away. For one thing, we don't need any of it. But God has been extravegant with us this year, and I am humbled.

...and if you lost a glove last night in the parking lot by the resort, don't worry. I picked it up for you - and donated it! :)

If your interested, I posted an article last night on Those With Young, called the Unsung Hero of Christmas.

My Southern Gent

Over 15 years ago, I met a man that would change my life. He is my complete opposite in every way - which is probably why he stood out to me so much.

He was quiet, and rarely expressed his opinions. I...well..I had never met an opinion I didn't like to share.

He had a degree in fine art, pottery specifically. I didn't generally know one artist from another.

He was the baby of six. I, the oldest of 5.

He had four sisters (and a brother). I had four brothers.

He liked to do everything on the fly, and I liked things well planned out.

He was a night owl, and I an early bird.

He was was from the south. I was from the north.

....and that right there introduced three more pages of differences.

But I appreciate my Southern Gentlemen. He doesn't burp at the table. He treats me with respect. He says "Yes Ma'am" and "Yes Sir" to anyone he's addressing. He cares how he looks when he goes out in public, and he thinks I need a corsage on Mother's Day. (Did you know that southerners where different colors of flowers on Mother's Day to represent if their mom is living or has passed? I had no idea of such things.)

Most of all, I'm grateful that he has stuck with me. He has told me he loves me probably at least four times a day for the last 14 years. He's put up with me while God tamed my wild heart and taught me to show him respect. He's loved me through eight dress sizes and as many years of post-partum depression. We've been through our best and our worst together, and God knew how much I was going to need him.

Happy Birthday to my Beloved! I'm so grateful for you!

We love you, Stan and Genie!

Several years ago, our lives crossed paths with a couple who needed the Lord. Their children were already grown, and so I never met their kids. My dad introduced them to Jesus, and they were never the same. They are passionate people, and when they met Jesus, they sold out lock, stock and barrel. Their lives and volunteerism have touched many.

My parents have since moved away, and Stan and Genie have moved several times as well. But they still all keep in touch. They called mom and dad Thanksgiving weekend to say hi, but missed each other.

The next time they spoke, the tone was much more somber. This time Genie was clinging to a photo of her daughter who had tragically died that day.

Today Stan and Genie said one of many goodbyes to Tina. They were joined by 20,000 other mourners who gave Officer Griswold and her comrades a hero's memorial.

We never know what tragedy lies around the corner for those in our lives that we love...or for ourselves for that matter. I'm so glad they have Jesus to comfort them, and I'm so glad they have the Body of Christ to be His hands and feet.

We you join me in praying for Stan and Genie DeLong today?

Stuwowpid!

One of our children (and I won't tell you who) used to have a brilliant vocabulary. Suddenly, however, it has completely dwindled down to two words: "Wow" (with much sarcasm) and "Stupid" (with no sarcasm).

Therefore, the parental units in this family have decided that we might as well save further time by combining those words as well. Thus, the new family favorite word: Stuwowpid
prounounced: stew-wow-pid
language of origin: sassy pre-teen
part of speech: interjection
definition: stupid and wow at the same time

Shopping, Celebrations, and Symphonies

'Twas the month before Christmas and all through the home,
Every creature was scurrying to get it all done.
There were events to attend and gifts to be bought,
Birthday parties to hold and baked goods to be wrought....

This is always our busiest week. Two birthdays, and a world that decides it is best to get all Christmas events out of the way the first ten days of December.

We celebrated Riley's Birthday on Saturday.


My kids have a thing these days for drawing their own pictures on their cake. Riley wanted a medieval theme, and drew the best Gifford Coat of Arms he could do with food color markers on frosting.


Again, my camera is misbehaving. You would never know that at one time, my family saw great potential in my photography skills.


Yes, that *is* a snow ball sling shot!

We celebrated Bill's birthday on Sunday.


Yes, another French Press!!


My wild-eyed man with his birthday pie - Jeff Davis, of course.


....and then there is Audrey. Sigh. She is getting so big. She is really starting to coo and smile. The cousins had great fun with her yesterday. If you can't tell, her little onesie says, "Who needs Santa? I have grandparents!" Too cute!

Saturday night, we took the kids to North Idaho College for their annual Christmas concert. They did so good at Battle of the Bands, that we decided they were ready for this. We soon found out that our oldest and youngest thought this was an experience that would cause death. They did survive, but they made sure we knew they didn't enjoy.

Hayden was a convinced that one of the songs was sung in pig Latin, and Riley was very concerned when we sang "Don we now our gay apparel"; but overall it was a great success.

We later asked the kids what their favorite part of it was.

Hayden: The part where we got to sing.
Ian: When Mrs. Price sang (one of his teachers - ahh).
Riley: The box drum! (No surprise there.)
Clayton: When we got a candy cane and got to go home.

Last night, we planned on going to Journey through Bethlehem. The kids were so looking forward to it. It is, however, an outdoor event. It is also in Spokane. We left early, so we could hit a couple of Spokane stores first. When we walked from the van to the mall, we suddenly realized something: it was COLD! Not just a little cold...not just bundle up good and you'll be fine cold - but you'll freeze your face off in a matter of seconds COLD. It was so windy, and 1/2 the kids were in tears before we got to the door.

We really wanted to go, but we decided that our skin would indeed freeze off, and there would be no joy in having the kids see frozen dead animals and frost-bitten bible characters....if it wasn't even canceled.

Two of the munchkins were very sad, but Happy Meals make almost everything better.

So today we wake up to 8 degrees. Riley left his clothes on the heat vent last night which will be good for his clothes, but bad for their room temperature....and off we zoom into the second busiest week of the year!

New Schedule

So Bill has this new job. It isn't anything fancy, but it is work - and in today's economy, we are grateful that he is working. The biggest "WOW!" is that we are both working Monday - Friday, during the day! We haven't had the same schedule for a good three years, so this is spectacular. We have weekends and evenings together - and with our kids!! Can you say, "WOW!" I will say it for you. WOW!

However, Bill's schedule is a bit early. He leaves home at 5:15. I decided that I really wanted to be on his schedule. I'd rather learn to get up early and write and exercise and have time with God in the FIRST part of my day - instead of when I'm about to drop dead at the end. I would prefer to learn to go to bed BEFORE all the great shows come on at night, so I'm not wasting time in less productive ways.

We didn't get off to the best start. We had a late night in Spokane last night and didn't get to bed until 11:00, but I was determined to get up anyway. I had a great time in the Word, but my exercising was sabataged by a broken DVD player and a PS2 that wouldn't read my disk.

So I made chocolate chip cookies - a double batch. Now, it really isn't as bad as it sounds. They weren't for me. Today is a certain someone's 10th birthday, and he requested to bring cookies to school as his treat. Since I was so busy getting to bed early last night, I didn't get them made. Do you realize that a double batch of Betty Crocker's chocolate chip cookies takes an entire box of butter? Like I said, they aren't for me. Why a double batch? well....

This brings up the point of classroom size. Don't schools know that it would be much more convenient for moms if they gauged the classroom size by dozens? so you didn't have to buy 30 of something for a class of 22 or 36 of something for a class of 26? Just sayin'!

....and don't worry. I know how to do sit ups without a DVD. I think that I shall attempt that between switching out cookie sheets.

Food Frenzy

We have a lot going on this week: two work parties (involving potlucks), Hayden's turn to bring snacks to school, and two family birthdays. I really needed to go shopping, so I arranged my whole day with the express purpose of getting to the store before Bill got home with the boys from school. That way, I didn't have to take anyone, explain to anyone why I wasn't taking anyone, or deal with the guilt of peeling children off my body because I wasn't taking anyone.

It worked!

Howbeit, I did forget that it was the 1st of the month, and everyone else and their pet chihuahua would be at the store. My cart was completely overflowing, so the checker had to go get a different cart to load the bagged groceries in because I wasn't getting them unloaded quickly enough. I then realized that their can be one benefit to bringing strong boys with you to the store....pushing the second cart. Much to the amazement of my checker, I did get it all back into one cart.

The whole process only took THREE HOURS!! Are you kidding me? I came home exhausted and with a headache of course - which isn't the best thing to combine with four boys jumping up and down excited to see what all came home. They opened the back hatch to the van and the apple butter rolled out on the pavement, but it survived the fall and didn't brake. It did NOT, however, survive the second dropping in the kitchen. So while Bill was cleaning up apple butter and glass, I tried to clear a path in our "one butt kitchen" (as my friend Julie affectionately calls it). I directed the apple butter dropper to the table where he could carry cans down to the cold cellar. Moments later I hear another yell. Yes, the apple butter dropper has now dropped the apple juice. The lid has broken, and 1/3 of a 64 oz. bottle has spilled on the floor and splashed up the filing cabinet and under the filing cabinet and all over the post board stored beside the filing cabinet. Is this for real?

I wish I could say that I handled it all calmly like I did yesterday when a glass got broken and I simply called out "watch your feet! Go get shoes!" But this was not one of my prouder mom moments. Needless to say, I had some apologizing to do.

But the fridge is cram packed. There is no way anything else will fit, and I am officially ready to begin my "no more free nights, five holiday events in five days" week....oh, after I go take advantage of five hours of sleep. Sigh.

An Invitation

Join us at Those With Young this month!