I’m currently battling what will go down as The Cold of 2011 and since my throat hurts and I can’t talk very well I figured I’d go ahead and blog (blog post #799 for those keeping track at home!).

We have a new member of our family, but before I introduce Rhonda the Honda you should probably go here and read about his last car Boo (which apparently I was spelling wrong for 13 years!  I also have to add that between that post and last week he managed to put a total of 214,000 miles on old Boo).

Old Boo was an oldie, but goodie and this is what she looked like on the fateful night she was traded in:

Apparently Boo likes to talk long walks on the beach because this is the picture the dealership put up to sell Boo:

Boo’s been gone for almost a week and, as much as Hubs loves Rhonda, he does still miss his Boo and I think he’s going through the stages of grief, but I know that he’ll pull through.

Especially when he gets to drive this to work every day:

She’s a 2009 (because Hubs will never, ever buy a brand new car.  It’s against his religion or something.  Something about depreciating thousands of dollars when you drive it off the lot) and she’s got things that Boo didn’t have, a sun roof, 6 disc cd player, working gear shift- just to name a few.

After a lot of research, thought, 2 other test drives- and yes prayer (this was our prayer request in our last home group- we really wanted to make a wise decision) Hubs found his new dream girl. Although Hubs was convinced that Boo was the Jack Bauer of cars and would never ever die (and we’ve just begun Season 2 of 24 so if Jack Bauer does die in the last episode or something please don’t spoil it for me!).  And she was a really good car, but she needed 4 new tires and the check engine light was on, again.

We decided that we would rather be in a proactive decision rather than a reactive decision when it came to getting a “new” car and Hubs started looking.  We both really like Rhonda and feel totally at peace with our decision and we’re all happy to welcome her to the family.

We went to Christmas Eve service and learned that you can’t show up 10 minutes before service starts and expect to get a good seat- when you go to a big church.  We ended up in the balcony which actually was nice because it was so beautiful from our vantage point when all of the candles were lit.  Before we left we snapped some family pictures:

When we got home we did our normal pajama presents, but the kids really wanted to open something so we let them open the gifts they bought from each other.  They had to use their own allowance and O bought for E, E bought for A and A bought for O.  I was surprised at how generous they were with each other and they all bought something for their assigned person- along with a little gift for the sibling they weren’t assigned to.  And they all loved what they received from each other.

I couldn’t wait to give Hubs the gift that the kids made for him.  He was deeply touched by his gift- he absolutely loved it.  He’s always wanted some original art work for his office and now he has some!

On Christmas morning E woke up at 5:15 ready to open presents!  We told her to wait until 6:30 and we ended up having to wake O and A up to open presents!

O LOVED his Steeler’s hat- he’s worn it non-stop since Christmas.

A really loves her “American Girl” doll.  I’ve tried to explain, many times, that it’s not a real American Girl doll, but she refuses to believe it.

E was excited to get the bridal Barbie set.  She even knew exactly how much it cost since she checks it out every time we go to Target!

We gave my niece a Zhu Zhu Puppy (sorry Sis!).  She loved it though.

We had such a great Christmas.  Hubs whipped up a French toast souffle and a hash brown casserole along with some hot chocolate and apple cider.  It was all so good!  As much as I love the Christmas season and the birth of our Savior, I have to admit that I’m glad that all the Christmas decorations are down for the year and we’re back to normal.  Looking forward to enjoying this week with my kids home!

Two weekends ago we went to have breakfast with Santa.  This was the first year that A (5) willingly and on her own went up and had a picture with Santa.  And what did she ask for- a maid and an iPad.  You’d think that she had a million chores to keep up with- a maid?  Really?

E (6) was at a birthday party this morning which is why she’s not pictured.

Last Sunday night our home group went to a live nativity and we got a cute picture of all of the kids.  They’re so precious!

On Wednesday my neighbors came over to decorate gingerbread houses.  We did it 2 years ago and the kids loved it so we brought it back this year.  They’re such a sweet group of kids!  They’ll be moving next year and I’m seriously not sure who will be more sad- me or my kids.  They have been such a blessing to our family and we’ll miss them so much!

They’ve grown so much in 2 years!!




My sister was so sweet and took my kids to Bass Pro yesterday to see Santa.  Unfortunately the line to see Santa was 1 1/2 hours long so they just hung out and then went out to lunch.  I’ve been stricken with, yet another, cold so it was nice to get some rest and for the kids to get out of the house for the first day of their Christmas break.

I hope that everyone has a Merry Christmas!  Can’t wait to come back with our Christmas photos!

After waiting for about 20 minutes in the car for Hubs to get off work (wasn’t there a book by the same title- ’20 Minutes in Hell’- oh wait maybe that was about something else…) we headed to Fuzzy’s – the kids’ favorite restaurant.  They LOVE that place!

We headed up to the Wassailfest and took some pictures- I love how graphic this picture is.  Love the bright colors.

We decided to take the horse-drawn carriage ride first- that’s always a must do for us we wanted to knock it out early.

E (6) was fascinated by the dance troupe that came to dance.

We had to try the wassail at the kids’ favorite candy store on the square- and buy some candy!

O (8) was nice enough to let me take a picture of him in the fire truck.  He’s not a big poser like his sisters are.

On Saturday we served with Landry Love.  This ministry has really become a highlight of our month.  We love seeing the regulars and we love even more that our kids can come with us and serve alongside us!  This month we were so blessed to have my mom and my sister and her family stop by to serve too! 

And no- that precious baby isn’t mine, but I was more than happy to hold him for a bit.  He was so sweetie pie!

We had a much needed rest Saturday afternoon while the girls went to my mom’s house to make some Christmas pillows.  O just hung out and we had a pretty quite house all afternoon long!  It was so nice.

Saturday night we had our home group Christmas party and it was so much fun.  Between the gut busting laughing and all the Just Dance 3 we did I might have managed to burn off about 1/4 of the calories that I ate while there!  Hubs managed to come home with a framed picture of the Oak Ridge Boys.  Yes – you just read that last sentence right.  One of our friends was in shock (and maybe horror) when she found out that Hubs had no idea who the Oak Ridge Boys are.  The picture now has a special place in our kitchen- alongside some family pictures.  Weird?  Totally, but it makes me laugh when I see it!

We also have some videos of us dancing with Just Dance 3, but those videos will (God willing) never see the light of day!  As much as I would love to show you the men dancing to “Hit Me Baby One More Time” I really don’t want anyone to see all the dances that I did!  Even the last dance Hubs and I had dance-off and I was winning almost the ENTIRE time and he comes in with one last move and takes the win away from me.

Bitter much?

Wow- this post is starting to seem as long as our weekend was!

We went to church on Sunday morning and served in the class with the special needs kids after our normal service.  It was a longer than normal morning for us, but it was such a blessing to be able to help out.  The kids in there are so sweet and the parents are always so appreciative.

After church we came home and the girls all changed into our pj’s and we lit up the fire in the fireplace, put football on and just relaxed ALL AFTERNOON LONG.  It was glorious!  Hubs and I managed to get the kids down early and watch 3 episodes of season 1 of 24.  Wow- that show is addicting!  I’m so glad that we can watch the episodes back to back to back like that.

So that was our weekend!

I was so excited when BzzAgent asked if I wanted to participate in the Private Selections campaign because one of the things I got to sample was their pizza.  Like- grown up, gourmet pizza.  I was so on board!

I picked the Margherita Napolitana pizza and it was delicious!  The crust was perfect!  So crispy and light.  The toppings were so good and flavorful.  Hubs and I now have our own favorite pizza for pizza night- instead of just eating the bland pizza that the kids eat.

I also got to try out an appetizer and dessert.  I felt so fancy eating appetizers at home during the week!  We tried the Baked Tortilla Cups and they were great.  I don’t remember the exact ingredients, but one had eggplant and the other had spinach and cheese.  They were both delicious!  Perfect for all the holiday parties coming up.  No one has to know that you didn’t slave for hours making the perfect tortilla cups.  You could even cut the pizza into strips and serve that as an appetizer too.

We tried the Molten Lava Cakes for dessert.  They had me at hot flowing chocolate!  They were easy peasy (few seconds in the microwave) and holy cow- decadent dessert right in my own home!

I would venture to guess, based on the products that we tried, that all of the Private Selection products would be great and we could all use a little help this time of year making dinner a little easier!

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We’re so blessed to still have them and the kids love going to visit.  I’m seriously thinking about returning their gifts and just buying a wheelbarrow for them to share- they had so much fun on it!

O (8) and E (6) were proud to show off their report cards to my Nanny.

The girls enjoyed helping Nanny set the table for Thanksgiving- and I might add that according to E my aunt made the “best turkey ever!”

The kids actually spent 2 nights with my Nanny and aunt so Hubs and I got a date night (we spent the night with my grandfather).  It was so nice that they had their own special time to bond with them while we were out.  I love that my kids love spending the night there on their own!

Here’s my grandfather with E.

Despite taking sweet forever to get there it was a really great trip and I’m so thankful for the memories my kids will have with my grandparents.  They were a huge part of my childhood being as great as it was and I’m so blessed that they’re getting to build their own relationships with them as well.

On our way home we had the mother of all Beyonce sitings (if you have no idea what I’m talking about – click here.  Be warned some language, but it’s super funny).  Hubs- being the great sport that he is actually pulled off the highway- turned around and went back just so that we could get a picture of it.  He knows that my friends and I always post our Beyonce sitings on Facebook so we couldn’t miss the opportunity to see this one!

Overall great trip and I’m just so thankful to have such a wonderful family!

I had to blog about these cookies because they are, hands down, the best store bought chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever eaten. To be honest- they’re better than my homemade cookies. Heat one up for about 15 seconds and it’s a little piece of heaven!

My family tried them last night and we all loved them- we will be buying these! There are a few things that I like about these cookies- even more than the taste. They don’t have any added preservatives or artificial colors. They’re made with real butter, which these days (sadly), you don’t see enough food made with real ingredients.

The Truly Awesome Homestyle Chocolate Chip Cookies hit store shelves earlier this year and retail for $2.70 and there are eight cookies in a box (I’m going to warn you – buy more than one box- they go fast!). They can be found at Kroger, Fred Meyer and Ralphs stores. The cookies were so good that I’m planning on trying other items in The Truly Awesome line of food.

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Since I don’t want to always wear my baseball cap (when it’s 110 degrees outside- the last thing you want is something on your head) I found a solution that makes my hair look great between washes- John Frieda’s Luxurious Volume Anytime Volume Refresher.

I’ve tried other dry shampoo’s with okay results, but I really like this one the best.  The dry shampoo seems to be more fine so I don’t have the white powedery residue that I’ve had with others.  It gives my hair a little extra oomph – and dries up any excess oil.

I might actually start giving this as a baby shower gift for new moms who don’t always have time to shower- much less wash their hair.

For more things that people love check out The Diaper Diaries.

Today you turned 5!  I have a little bit of a hard time with your birthdays because you’re my baby and you’re growing up way too fast.  This is your last year of pre-school and the last year we’ll have those few extra hours every day.  I’m going to miss you so much when you go to school next year!

Okay- before I turn into a mess- I have to tell you that you’re such a sweet girl.  You’re always sharing and giving things to your brother and sister.  You have a kind heart.  That’s not to say that you don’t have a pesty side- I think that all younger siblings have a little bit of that!

My prayer for you is that you grow in your faith and find a faith that is yours and yours alone.  That you get to know Jesus as YOUR personal savoir.  I pray that you guard your mind and your heart and that you’ll always keep that sweet kooky side to your personality.  You’re always so much fun!

You are a beautiful girl and a treasure to our family.  I can’t wait to see all the things that God has in store for you!