Too spicy . . .

Tonight is Shane's last night at McCormick.  For those of you that don't know, Shane has been working night shift at McCormick for a little over a year.  During that year, my dear husband has been working an average of 50 hours a week, seven days a week.  The job came to us as a blessing after several months working as a contractor and an eventual fall off of a roof.  That's another story. 

This year has been a stretch for all of us, but I am reminded that this was God's good plan for us and not some afterthought.  I am learning to be more patient with Shane (stress the word learning) and more grateful for the time that we do have together.  I have learned that my husband is a man of strength and endurance in a situation that would have made me crumble.  He always says that he works hard for me and Grae. 

I'm glad to be finished with, "SHHH!  Daddys sleeping", and "Hon, what's for my lunch (at 8:45 at night)."  I'm mostly glad for the time with my husband that I have so missed this past year.  It reminded me to pray for those military families that don't get to see their husbands/daddies for extended times.  I will miss free bags of mystery powders and the spicy smell of Shane as he creeps into bed at 7:00.  Thankfully we still have a McCormick hookup . . .  Thanks Daddy!

Let it snow . . .

Yesterday was one of those really special memory days.  We woke up to a blanket of the awesome white stuff.  Grae's mouth dropped open and his eyes were wide.  He was in awe. 

Later in the morning, while still in our PJs, Grae and I made chocolate chip cookies as a very dear friend shoveled our walkway because he knew that Shane was sleeping after night work. 

After Grae's nap we bundled up for our first adventure outside.  It was definitely reminiscent of "A Christmas Story" as Grae whined as I put on all of his puffy snow gear (thanks to good hand-me downs from a sorority sister in Chicago!)  We headed outside with Shane to try his super slick boogie board on our awesome sledding hill.  Grae went down the hill with Daddy, but one experience was enough.  He sat in the snow while Mommy and Daddy went down the hill several times and our friends Ry Ry and Rach tried it too.

I made Everything but the Kitchen Sink Chili.  Find the recipe at the bottom of this post.  We ate cheesy biscuits and chili with chocolate chip cookies for dessert. 

We watched "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and then spent an evening with special friends.  What a great day!  Dear Diary . . . .

 

Everything but the Kitchen Sink Chili

Raid your pantry for tomato-type products and canned beans.

Ingredients:

2lbs ground beef (we used organic beef from our friend Bobby's dairy cows)

3 cans assorted beans (I used kidney, pinto, and black)

2 cans tomatoes (I used a can of diced and a can of stewed)

 3 TBS chili powder

2 tsp cumin

2 tsp garlic salt

2 tsp minced garlic

salt and pepper to taste

Brown ground beef.  Add tomatoes and beans.  Add spices to taste.  Bring to a boil then simmer for 1/2 hour to marry flavors.  Gorge yourself with biscuits and top with cheese and sour cream!  Yummy!

Smackdown

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I have the cutest little man.  Today he tackled me after his nap and then when he had me pinned, he very gently put his hands on either side of my face and gave me a kiss.  How precious is his little face that close!  I know that there will be days to come where the kisses may be fewer.  This little memory perfectly expresses his personality.  He's got so much energy, but he is so tender (for a few precious seconds).  I'm so thankful for my little bear!

Groovy Christmas Ornament

I was looking for something to do with my extra scrapbooking paper.  Here is an easy ornament using scraps from my scrap pile two brads and some ribbon.

Step 1:  Cut (6) 11x1" strips of scrapbooking paper.  Double sided paper looks best.  Cut (1) 6x1" piece of coordinating paper or cardstock.



Step 2:  Cut 2 of the strips to 9" and  2 strips 7".

Step 3:  Line up the strips with the longest on the outside to the shortest 6" piece of cardstock in the middle.  Line up the ends of each strip.



Step 4:  Punch a hole and add a brad to fasten the bottom of the ornament.



Step 5:  Gather the other ends together.  Punch a hole and add a brad to fasten.

Step 6:  On the same end, punch a larger hole below the brad and string the ribbon.

Step 7:  Add to your tree or to spruce up a chandelier or doorframe.

Peace

I was reading from Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening tonight and this was what I read:  

"For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed,  

but My steadfast love shall not depart from you,   

and My covenant of peace shall not be removed," says the Lord,  

who has compassion on you.   

"O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted,  

behold, I will set your stones in antimony,   

and lay your foundations with sapphires.  

I will make your pinnacles of agate,  

your gates of carbuncles,  

and all you wall of precious stones.  

All your children shall be taught by the Lord,  

and great shall be the peace of your children."  

                                                        Isaiah 54:  10-13  

This is not the peace between nations that ebbs and flows with the centuries, nor is it some fluffy feeling counterfeit emotion that comes from hot chocolate and a warm fire; this is the Peace that is foundational.  The only peace that comes in the midst of turmoil and strife.  This is the Peace personified in Christ.  What struck me is something that Spurgeon said.  He notes that in construction the foundation is unseen and as long as it is firm, the value of the building materials is not of concern.  God builds his Church and its foundation from precious stones that will weather every storm.  What a precious reminder in a world of busyness and strife that our house is built on the most precious of rocks!  

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Jesus and Chocolate

We are trying to be more intentional this year as we celebrate Christmas.  Don't get me wrong, the lights on my rotating fiberoptic Christmas tree do make me feel like I'm 7, but this year I have an audience.  The littlest audience.  What do I want him to see?  I want him to see Jesus. 

 This year we've been doing Advent with Jesse Tree ornaments this year.  Each day, starting on Nov 30, we have added an ornament to our already bedecked tree.  Each ornament has a symbol that relates to a biblical story that points forward to the best gift of all, Christ.  We read a story around the tree and then Grae adds the ornament.   We've been having a great time filling a little Christmas tin with an ornament and a special treat.  Last night we put popcorn in so that we could pop it and watch a fun Christmas movie.  Other nights have found marshmallows, gold coin chocolates, "stickahs", and other things that only an almost 2 year-0ld can appreciate.  When we asked him what Jesse Tree is about Grae quickly chirped, "cahcolit".  We laughed.  We asked him who he learned about during our fun times at the tree and he smiled and said, "Jedus". 

I love Santa and reindeer, the smell of pine needles, tacky lawn ornaments, Christmas specials, hot chocolate, and chocolate chip cookies.  Most of all, I want Grae to know the sweetest thing about Christmas is "Jedus".