New Year's Resolutions

We have so many things to improve on and things we want to try but here are a few:
Most people put lose weight on their list: I lost about 30 lbs when I had Anne.
Marti and Lori lost a lot of weight this year - eating better due to Marti's diabetes diet!

Jamie wants to take square dancing lessons - and new classes start the end of January by the same instructor we took lessons from years ago.

Jamie also wants to try piano lessons again - if we can borrow some time on the piano at the cousins' house. We miss our piano and all the fun the kids had banging on it making a joyful noise on every visit.

We are going to try and save $ and pay off our remaining debt (from the move and medical bills, etc). We opened accounts for the kids. Jamie wants to save $ to adopt children when she grows up.

We are going to stop getting haircuts and see how long our hair can grow for Locks of Love (if they'll take our thick layered hair). It will save money if I can stand it in our eyes. We need to try and wash hair earlier in the day and brush and comb often.

I am going to sub again but I would like to attend my moms together class on Thursdays for bible study if possible.

Chores

We bought a front-loading washer and dryer so Jamie could help with laundry. She has been a great helper. We are teaching her how to do chores. Our dishwasher broke on Christmas Eve so we also get to do dishes by hand. We are learning to be joyful and thankful in all things.

New Years Eve

We got Mystery Date in the mail yesterday and opened it up early to play. Do you have a favorite board game from childhood?

James brought home lovely flowers for me. I attempted a 3 tier mini cake with cookie dough but only 2 made it on the cake. Will try again another day. We ate way too much. I am struggling to stay awake to midnight with Jamie.

We watched Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. A friend's blog had asked what musicals we like best and there are so many. Which musicals do you like?

Happy 10th Anniversary

My mom always made lasagna for New Year's Eve; my dad was part Italian. I loved it and kept the tradition when I got married. We make it every year. About 6 years ago, when Teresa got married, we got her a noodle maker and a 2nd one for us. Then we started making our noodles from scratch. Yum!

Lasagna (from Betty Crocker cookbook) with variations
1 pound bulk Italian sausage or hamburger (sometimes we add pepperoni too)
1 medium onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup) / Optional
1 clove garlic, pressed
1 can (16 ounces) whole tomatoes (or crushed tomatoes)
1 can tomato sauce
(or use 2 jars of spaghetti sauce)
2 tablespoons parsley leaves or Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves or Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
9 uncooked lasagne noodles - we made ours from scratch with the noodle/pastry maker
1 carton (16 ounces) ricotta or cottage cheese (about 2 cups)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 tsps salt
1 1/2 tsps oregano leaves or Italian seasoning
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (about 8 ounces)
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (for the top)

Cook and stir Italian sausage, onion and garlic in 10 -inch skillet, drain. Add tomatoes (with liquid), tomato sauce, 2 tbsps parsley, the sugar, basil, and 1/2 tsp salt. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally; reduce heat. Simmer uncovered until mixture is consistency of thick spaghetti sauce, about 1 hour.

Cook noodles as directed on package. Reserve 1/2 cup of the sauce mixture. Mix ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, 1 tbsp parsley, 1 1/2 tsp salt and the oregano. Layer 1/3 each of the noodles, remaining sauce mixture, mozzarella cheese and ricotta cheese mixture in ungreased oblong pan, 13x9x2 inches at least. Repeat 2 times. Spoon reserved sauce mixture onto top; sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Cook uncovered in 350 degrees 45 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting. 8 to 10 servings

Do-ahead tip: After cooking, lasagna can be covered and frozen no longer than 3 weeks. To serve, cook uncovered in 375 degree oven until bubbly, about 1 hour.

Middle Name Game

My niece Sha (see Thompson cousins link on side for Sha's answers) wants me to play this game. Will you play too!?

The rules:
You have to post these rules before you give the facts. Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had. When you are tagged you need to write your own blog-post containing your own middle name game facts. At the end of your blog-post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

*Believer - I love Jesus! and I'm a prayer warrior for my children, my sisters, my nieces, and my friends' children! (James thought of this one!)

*Eater - I love to eat especially comfort foods; we are making lasagna now for our anniversary. 10 years on Dec 31st!

*Talker - I love to talk! I'm also Thankful for my family and friends!

*Helper - I love to help others!

Digital photo frame

When we arrived home after mass (around 2 am), James had set up a digital photo frame under the tree. I love it! I get to be surrounded by my family via photos all day long. James asked for movies - Facing the Giants and Fireproof. Anne was happy just sitting in our laps looking at us and the lights. We gave her Jamie's pooh rattle and a new Rubber Ducky cd. Lori sent some pretty new clothes with butterflies of course. Travis provided diapers - she is a lucky girl!

Midnight Mass

I didn't take my camera to church but it was lit up / decorated beautifully - inside and out.
Jamie decided she wanted to go to midnight mass at the Catholic church with her cousins and grandparents. Her Aunt Teresa and Uncle Doug sang in the choir. (I miss singing in the choir.) She was so excited she couldn't sleep so we stayed up until midnight and she was my helper. She filled all the stockings with candy; (the lottery tickets were bought by her earlier in the week and put in for safe keeping; PS: She won $4 off the Silver Bells ticket and she won a lot of $ from Sha's lottery ticket game!) Then she watched a movie. The mass lasted until almost 2 am and she was so tired; she "rested" her head and closed eyes. But she was glad she went. Made a memory!

Treasure Hunt/Gifts

We planned a treasure hunt for Jamie to find her big gift. Jamie had fun pretending to sleep in her horse sleeping bag; she took it to Christine's property for a sleepover this weekend. She also enjoyed playing with playdoh again - making ice cream decorations.

Christmas 2008

We were all sick for Christmas - James, Me, Jamie, Anne and Grandma. We all wore our PJs.

'Twas the night before Jesus came

'Twas the night before Jesus came

'Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house

Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.

Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care

In hopes that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed,

Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.

And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap

Was watching the late show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter,

I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear

But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.

With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray

I knew in a moment that this must be the Day!

The light of His face made me cover my head

It was Jesus! Returning just like He had said.

And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth

I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held in His hand

Was written the name of every saved man.

He spoke not a word as He searched for my name,

When He said, “It's not here” my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love

He gathered to take to His Father above.

With those who were ready He rose without a sound

While all the rest were left standing around.

I fell to my knees but it was too late;

I had waited too long and this sealed my fate.

I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;

Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;

The coming of Jesus is drawing near.

There's only one life and when comes the last call

We'll find the Bible was true after all!

Copyright 1993 Bethany Farms, Carrollton, IL

Christmas Caroling on horseback

Uncle Travis asked his friends if they would bring the horses back for a Christmas visit and they said yes! The kids enjoyed singing Christmas carols on horseback tonight. It was cold compared to last week's caroling with the girl scouts though. We warmed up with hot chocolate at the end at Grandma Jacky's house.

Cheese Cloud Breakfast Casserole for Christmas

8 slices bread, crusts removed, buttered on one side
1 lb sharp Cheddar Cheese, grated
2 lbs sausage, browned and crumbled (1 hot and 1 mild)
7 – 9 eggs
3 cups milk
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp salt
(Serves 8)

Cut bread into 1 inch squares. Place half of squares in buttered 13x9” casserole dish.
Layer half of cheese on top of bread.
Layer half of each kind of sausage on top of cheese.
Repeat layers
Beat eggs with milk, mustard and salt. Pour over mixture
Cover and chill over night
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Let stand a few minutes before serving.

Pumpkin muffins

1 ½ cups flour

½ cup sugar

2 tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

½ tsp cinnamon

½ tsp nutmeg

½ cup milk

½ cup pumpkin

¼ cup butter, melted

1 egg

Mix all ingredients until just moist. Batter will be lumpy. Use muffin cups – fill 2/3 full. Sprinkle ½ tsp sugar over top. Bake 20 minutes at 400 degrees. Dee Dee's recipe

Photo Game

My niece Sha (see blog link - Thompson cousins) saw this on a blog that she frequently visits and thought it would be a fun game. :)

Rules of the game: go to your picture folder, and in the 6th folder, choose the 6th picture and tell the story behind that photo. And then tag six more people to play!

*This picture was taken of the pond at the Hyde Park Quarries where we spent most of our summer. This week (date June 8th) we were volunteering with the boy scout camp.

Sleepover

Cousin Lucas had his 1st sleepover at our house last night, Sunday, December 21st through Monday, December 22nd. Overall they had a good time - playing games, making cookies, making French Toast, watching a Pooh Christmas video and reading a Christmas story. Lots of whispered secrets and a midnight look at the clock but every time we peeked in on them (after Anne's feedings), they were sound asleep in the guest room in the big queen bed.

Anne on the phone!

Anne had some awake time so we let her listen to Aunt Marti on the phone. So cute!

Christmas Caroling with the Girl Scouts

Traditions

Our family has many traditions: A few include watching Christmas movies and reading Christmas books as well as playing board games. We get several games every Christmas to play during the holidays. I just found an oldie but goodie and I can hardly wait!

The Gift of Time

I love spending time with Anne but the gift of time alone is precious . . . Charles offered to watch Anne a few hours at a time since I can drive again. She sleeps on his belly and I always know where to find them - on the couch. He doesn't like changing diapers so I try not to stay gone long. I did my Christmas and grocery shopping a week ago and yesterday I went to Jamie's school and helped set up for the party.

Jamie's school Christmas party

12 days/dogs of Christmas

My nieces/Jamie's cousins sent her 12 cards for Christmas each with a scratch off lottery ticket (in memory of my mom I'm sure). Just what Jamie wanted! What fun!

For the record, Jamie won $2 on one ticket. On Christmas day, she scratched and won a lot of money on that last special ticket with a lucky penny!

On the Twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . .
Twelve Dalmatians Drumming
Eleven Spaniels Sleeping
Ten Magnificent Mutts
Nine Poodles Prancing
Eight Rottweilers Ringing
Seven Labs a Leaping
Six German Shepherds
Five Golden Retrievers
Four Beagles Begging
Three Dachshunds Dashing
Two Terriers Toasting
and a Pomeranian in a Pear Tree.