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If I was Oprah I would be giving you all one of these things.  But I’m not so you’ll have to buy them yourselves.  (But wait until after Christmas just in case you’re receiving one from me!) :).
Here we go…some of my favorite things this year, in no particular order:
#1: Spool of white yarn from the Container Store!  So clean, so organic (I’ve always wanted to describe something with that word).  Every single package I wrap this year is getting a simple white yarn bow.  I love it!  It’s clean…it’s abundant…it’s simple. 

#2: Renee Rouleau facial products.  OK – these are EXPENSIVE.  No two ways about it.  But they’re good.  And so nice for your skin.  I’ve been using them for over a year.  I’ve always had problem skin, I probably always will, so I have to be careful with what I use on my face.  RR has products for 9 different skin products – 9! 

#3: Bag Balm:  my infamous neighbor friend, Donna, is the one that got me started on this.  It comes from feed stores and is specifically used for cow utters!  It’s a lanolin based balm and is great for cracked heels or other dry skin wounds.  Jacob has trouble with his lips every winter so I put it on them at night, and it makes such a difference.  And I put it on my feet before bed.

#4:  Cutie, cutie Clementines!  We keep a bowl full of these every Christmas and eat on them all month (I have to restock every week).  We eat ’em for breakfast, lunch, dinner, midnight snacks, etc.  So yummy!  Samuel is always trying to figure out how to reach them so he can have another!

#5:  Lollia perfumes/lotions/candles:  I don’t OWN any of these, but they are beautiful!  I’ve seen them in two different boutiques, I think they might be the most gorgeous packaging I’ve ever seen.  Just beau-ti-ful!  And, boy, do they smell nice too.

#6: Stephen’s Cocoa:  Ok, I’ll be truthful, I’ve never actually tasted it!  He, he.  BUT, I have had 3 different people recommend it in one week.  Isn’t it funny how you’ll go your whole life never knowing about something, and then all of the sudden 3 people are talking about it with you?!  It’s meant to be…me and Stephen.  I’ve ordered the french vanilla and the roasted hazelnut.  Some for neighbors…some for me!

#7: Gold Canyon Spruce & Citrus candle:  It smells like Christmas, and I love it!  The citrus helps to balance the spruce and it’s perfect!

#8:  Gingerbread House kits:  Fun in a box!  Brilliant!  Whoever thought of this should get a pat on the back.  I let the kids do this one last Monday night (it’s from Target!).

#9: C.O.Bigelow Lip Tints from Bath and Body Works:  If you’ve seen me at all this year, you’ve probably seen me with this stuff on my lips…it has just a hint of color…it’s smooth, it’s shiny and it tastes divine! 

#10: BRAUM’s Egg Nog:  My friend, Bev Roberts, told me years ago that Braum’s egg nog is the BEST.  My palate does not discriminate when it comes to egg nog…I like them all.  But the Braums kind, I have to admit, does have something special…it’s really creamy and yummy.  It’s worth a special trip.  And if you drive all the way there, you HAVE to get some of their Chocolate Almond ice cream.  Trust me on this.  I don’t like chocolate ice cream – and yet I like this!  Our friend, Laura (Lulu) got me started on this many years ago on the way home from watching my youngest brother play soccer in Wichita, KS.  And I’ve never been the same since…it really is good!

So there you have it – just a few of my favorite things. 

This morning I was looking at pictures of my beautiful cousins (who are sisters) who both just had babies.  And I had that pang of "I want another baby".  For me, now is the time when I need to focus on the three I have.  The three I have keep me swimming in the deep end.  But babies are so precious!  And adding another…while it undoubtedly brings more work, always brings more fun, more blessings, more joy, more laughter, etc. too. 

I will probably always feel that way – for the rest of my life – everytime I see someone I love have a brand new baby.  It's not a jealous, or covetous feeling, just an ache to hold another baby of your own.  I got this from my mom – it's her fault. :)  She's like this – even still, as a grandmother.  That's why she has dogs. 

But then I went along with my busy day…music class and errands with Samuel, my BIG baby.  And as we sat together at Pei Wei for lunch, in the midst of a very busy lunchcrowd, I took a moment to just enjoy what I have.  I enjoyed watching him spill rice all over himself.  I enjoyed watching him take a bite with his spoon, then take a bite with his hand.  I giggled with him as he tried to feed me and it all spilled on my lap.  In that little booth, I learned to just enjoy the ride.  Enjoy where I am NOW.  Enjoy my children NOW.  Enjoy the spilled rice.  Enjoy the messy faces.  Enjoy the stages.  Enjoy the journey.

Oh, sure – I'll probably always miss the newborn babes in my arms.  And maybe someday I'll have another one to hold.  But for now – I will enjoy them at 9, 6 and almost 2, and try to love every minute.

Caleb has found his niche with taekwondo.  He’s unstoppable!  On Friday he tested for his orange belt (Tigers belt – the jr division) and was complimented for his leadership.  And at the end was awarded the “Best of the Best” patch from the judges.  But he was most excited about getting to break a board with his kicks – a requirement for the orange belt.  She made him do a thicker board than some of the smaller kids, but it only took him two tries and he split it in two.  It’s been so fun to watch him excel in something that is all his own.  And it’s been neat for us to cheer him on.

     

We had a wonderful time on Friday night, celebrating the season with my Gourmet Club “sisters” and their husbands.  The food was “special” and the company fun.  We had a rousing white elephant gift exhange (kitchen gadgets) that took over an hour!  I enjoy this group so much.

And here were the divine desserts…a chocolate mousse cake and a pumpkin cheesecake with gingersnap crust…both from scratch, both excellent!

And in case anyone needs a good side dish for their holiday meal…here’s a link to what I brought: Wild Rice with Fresh Corn.  It was really yummy and got great reviews!

This morning I went to a volunteer orientation at the local homeless shelter, The Samaritan Inn.  We're hoping to volunteer there throughout the year as a family.  One of the things that was said there was that the people who are living there do not often fit the image that we have of a "homeless person".  They are people with jobs but for whatever reason weren't able to pay the rent, people going thru divorces who did not have a savings account.  They are people who had their houses foreclosed and don't have family around.  They are people who have been laid off.  They are people whose kids go to school with my kids.  They are people who shop next to me at the grocery store.  They are good people who are going thru tough times. 

Recently one of our church leaders, Elder D. Todd Christofferson, gave an address which included these remarks:

"Throughout history, the Lord has measured societies and individuals by how well they cared for the poor… We control the disposition of our means and resources, but we account to God for this stewardship over earthly things… each of us should prayerfully consider whether we are doing what we should and all that we should in the Lord’s eyes with respect to the poor and the needy.

We might ask ourselves, living as many of us do in societies that worship possessions and pleasures, whether we are remaining aloof from covetousness and the lust to acquire more and more of this world’s goods… Perhaps we can learn to be content with what is sufficient for our needs.

The Apostle Paul warned Timothy against people who suppose “that gain is godliness” (1 Timothy 6:5). Said he, “We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

“And having food and raiment let us be therewith content” (1 Timothy 6:7–8).  In much of the world, we are entering upon unsettled economic times.  Let us look after one another the very best we can."

I don't think I've measured up quite as well as I would have liked in this area…I hope to do better in the coming year.  And I hope to help my kids develop greater compassion in this area too.

One of the kids' favorite traditions is our Christmas book tradition.  I wrap 24 books and stick them in a basket by the tree.  Every night we open another Christmas book to read together.  I have about 30 books in my collection now, which is fun.  In the beginning many of them were gifts, but I would also pick up a new one or two each year.  I think I can stop now, unless I just can't live without one (which is very possible).  I love books – so I love this tradition!

 

Here are just a few of our favorites:

  Bear Stays Up for Christmas:  I love this series!  Cute characters – sweet friendships.

  Room for a Little One:  beautiful illustrations

  Christmas in the Manger:  a great board book for little ones

  Peef the Christmas Bear:  a story about love and sacrifice – love this one

  Silver Packages:  I put this book on Day #1 this year – it's a great story about giving back, service and the difference we can all make.  I wanted my boys to be reminded of this story early on this month.

  Any of the Toot & Puddle books are fun – especially these Christmas ones!

  These "Snowmen" books are so fun to read – they're about what snowmen do when you're not looking – very clever!

EDITED TO ADD:  I FORGOT ONE!  I can't believe I forgot it – it's Caleb's favorite, and it's so very cute.  It's …

  My Penguin Osbert

I'm fighting a head cold today, so I blame everything I'm about to say on the Sudafed (and you should to).

Last night I started feeling -blah-.  Actually I had been feeling -blah- all week but only last night was I able to blame it on feeling sick.  My head feels like a 10-ton truck ran it over.  Is there such a thing as a 10-ton truck?

Thankfully, Derek was home and able to get kids to bed, but only after some nudging from me that "it's late" and "they need to go to bed".

Then I retired to the couch and proceeded to spend two completely useless hours going back and forth between tacky jewelry on HSN and a Lifetime movie where a high-class woman hitches a ride with a handsome man and his teenage daughter.  It was as predictable as Barney.  And completely mindless – exactly what I needed.  I was tempted to buy the mirror ball necklace that had a built-in watch, but I resisted.  Have I ever mentioned that my dream job would be a QVC or HSN host?  No, I'm not kidding.

Currently Samuel and I are sharing a box of Kraft Mac & Cheese.  But I'm sulking because I don't have any hot dogs.  Mac&Cheese and hot dogs go together like pb&j.  They were meant for each other.  Trust me on this.

Sam has watched more tv in one morning than the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends for the year.  I did take a few minutes to teach him how to say "POP" as I popped every bubble on a bubble sheet that came in a package.  It becomes an obsession…I can't stop until every bubble is popped.  I remember begging my mom for those things as a kid – and then driving her crazy with the popping. 

And lest you think this is all I have to do today and my life is completely boring, I am staring at 280 PTA membership cards that I need to distribute to 280 people and 100 Christmas cards that need to be addressed and sent. 

But first, I have more bubbles to pop.

Ahh…Wednesday how you make me smile;

Especially since Tuesday I run a mile.

Oh, Tuesday, what a web you weave;

So it's nice that Wednesday, you let me breathe.

On Tuesday I have to hit the ground;

On Wednesday sometimes a nap can be found!

Tuesday, how you make me hustle.

Wednesday, you barely even make me bustle.

I love your calm and gentle ways,

Thank you – Thank you, Wed-Nes-Day!

p.s.  tee-hee, I know I'm far from poetic!  Every Wed morning I wake up with a sigh of relief.  The only thing we have is speech therapy (which is relaxed and fun).  There is NOTHING after school.  It is our calm in the storm of the week.  Tuesday's are especially busy with piano, taekwondo, and Cub Scouts that evening…which are good and important things for the boys, btw.  Somewhere in there though I am squeezing in dinner and bedtimes, and for some reason, my boys still insist on stimulating conversation – which is hard to do when we're running (literally).  So I love Wednesdays!  And with all the extra time on my hands, I can really be creative and inspirational with my poetry! 🙂

She captured our little family in a way that I love.  Thank you, Shelley.  Maybe I'm a little biased…but I love these pictures!  These are just a few of my favorites:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We're singing the "itsy-bitsy spider".

This is one of my favorite things about Texas…sunsets.  And we face west, so I’m continually awed by their beauty. One minute it’s this…

The next minute it’s this…

And notice the contrail on the left side of the picture.  Throw that term out to your kids and they’ll be very impressed (mine always are!).