Christmas Break Highlights

2 visits to the pediatrician (Ryan)

1 case of RSV (Ryan)

3 infected ears (2 on Ryan, 1 on me)

1 sinus infection (me)

1 very cute gingerbread house made by Will (and me)

3 visits with Santa

Dozens of cookies baked

2 Christmas trees trimmed

2 times Ginger and JW watched "Christmas Vacation." (It's still hilarious every time!)

1 visit to the Frist Art Center

Countless number of Christmas stories read, Christmas carols sung, gifts wrapped and opened, blessings received, prayers prayed and answered.

Our gingerbread house- which turned out pretty cute for a $7.99 kit from Michaels

Ryan ready to open a gift on Christmas Eve

Christmas morning- the boys each got new jerseys

Christmas morning breakfast with cousins Libby and Ainsley

Ryan slept on the couch while we opened gifts on Christmas Day- bless his heart he was so sick this day.

The Frist Art Center has an amazing hands-on area for kids. Both boys enjoyed working with clay. There was a great photography exhibit that I really wanted to see, but the boys were less enthusiastic.

The painting station was very neat. Ryan loved it. He painted 4 paintings!

Despite all our sickness, we had a great Christmas. Today was beautiful and we were able to get outside and meet some friends at the park. We are enjoying our break, but Will has been asking when he gets to go back to school. Ryan informed me earlier today that he was going to school on Thursday! I'm glad they love school, but it is also nice to have some days without an agenda.

Merry Christmas!

9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Luke 2:9-14

For the love of food

I'm pretty sure I like food more than the average person. I like to think about it, talk about it, read about it, write about it, cook it, make it, grow it, buy it, and of course, eat it. I am a dork and even enjoy grocery shopping.

The thing about cooking is that it takes time. Something I don't have a lot extra of with two active little boys. And the other thing about cooking is that you have a big mess that someone has to clean up- me. I really don't like the cleaning up part.

I've been thinking about food and how it connects us today as I've been making a trillion dozen Christmas cookies for Ryans class party tomorrow. The food is one of my favorite parts to the holidays. There are so many good memories for me surrounding Christmas foods.

Every year when we would arrive at my grandmothers house in West TN for Christmas, she would have an entire cart full of candy that she had made. My grandfather would make the peanut brittle and she would make divinity, fudge, pecan logs, and other varieties that I'm sure I'm forgetting. I remember being so impressed by all the beautiful candies on the crystal dishes. This woman was superwoman in my mind.

Every Christmas morning of my entire life I have gone to my Nana's house (now my uncle's) for the same Christmas morning breakfast. This is the best food I eat all year long. Even JW agrees with me now. It is incredible. Local country ham and sausage, cheese grits, eggs, fried apples, homemade angel biscuits, and fried cheese (yes, fried cheese- you haven't lived until you've had fried cheese.)

I won't even start on the cheese ring recipe my Mother has made in the past. This thing is so good I could cry. But, she won't share the secret recipe with me. (Because of some old lady in her hometown- anyway...) I really don't want the recipe, Mom, I just want you to make it!!

Food keeps us connected, makes us feel loved, and gives us history. We take it when someone is born and also when someone dies. We make it in celebration and we make it during sickness. My friend Stacey says my food taste better because I put so much love in it. That is one of the best compliments I've ever received. And yes, Stace, you will get an apple pie when Miller is born!

Go make something for someone you love.

Nick the Red-Nosed Retriever

Nick came over this morning to pull the boys on the toboggan. I don't know when I've seen two boys have so much fun! It was a true Winter Wonderland outside this morning.

Snow!

I couldn't resist sharing this picture I just took in our backyard. It is a pine tree next to our pond. JW put the big old-school colored lights on it and we love it. But, covered in snow, it looks magical! The snow is helping me feel a little more festive!

I was tagged

Cindy tagged me to post the 4th picture from the 4th folder of my pictures. Because we just finished backing up all our pictures to CDs, this one is actually from this year. If not, you probably would have seen something from 4 years ago! It was high time we cleaned up our pictures.
So, here it is. Obviously, this was at JW's law school graduation. It was a fun day. Afterwards we all went to Regas for a great dinner. The next morning we left for Hilton Head. Good times!
I would tag someone, but everyone has already been tagged. If you want to do this, go ahead. Leave me a comment letting me know.

Lack of Blogging

Between my computer monitor dying and the fact that I got the dreaded stomach virus over the weekend, I haven't been able to spend much time at the computer. I am currently looking at an ancient monitor that JW dug out of his parents basement. It kind of hurts my head if I stare at it too long. We are hoping this is just a monitor problem and doesn't mean the entire computer is about to die, but it is prompting me to back up all my pictures quickly!
Having the stomach virus over the weekend really set me back in my all my Holiday shopping and decorating. Kind of put things in perspective for me. So much focus is put on the buying, spending, and checking people off lists. I just don't like it and it has made me scrooge-y lately. Everyday I get a note home in one of the boys folders for something I need to give money to or buy a gift for. (excuse the dangling prepositions.) I'm tired of it.
The boys love Christmas. Their excitement is so innocent and pure. I remember feeling that way when I was little and it is magical. I just want to stay home and bake cookies with my kids.
Anyone else feel this way?