Christmas continues...with a heavier heart

This past weekend should have been alot of fun, and it was...just incredibly sad as well. The shocking news of the Newtown tragedy has shook us all. I think any parent/grandparent/aunt or really anyone that loves a child took this news terribly hard. I found out on my lunch hour at work. My boy was in school, 1st grade. My babies were with my mother in law. I stood there, staring in horror at what they were saying. I think everyone with a child, sat there and imagined what that must have felt like. To send your sweet little one off to school, only to have them never return. Every parents worst nightmare. Such a tragic, cruel, senseless act. How can someone carry such evil, such hatred. It broke my heart. Those children, those brave teachers, those families that have just been ripped apart. What can we say or do to ease that pain. Nothing really. Except reach for hope, love, and peace. Never let the evil take place of the good. I still believe there is so much more good out there than evil, we have to believe that. But its hard in times like this. Its hard to pick up the pieces and keep moving forward with our lives, knowing so many lives have just been destroyed. I feel guilt, I feel relief that it wasn't me...which in turn makes me feel guilty again. Its been a sad couple of days, for all of us I am sure. Praying the people of Newtown, Conneticut feel the love of a nation behind them. They are not alone in their sadness, and their sweet little ones will never be forgotten. I think everytime we drop our sweet little ones off at school, we watch them run across the playground, calling out and laughing with friends....everytime we do this, we will think of those 20 little souls that are gone too soon. We will keep a prayer in our heart, that our child will be safe and we will feel that deep pain for the ones that weren't. Praying during this Christmas season, their families will feel the peace that only our Savior can bring. Hope they all know that their child is safe now, in the arms of our loving heavenly father where this cruel world can no longer touch them. Tears for Newtown.

I couldn't get enough of my babies this weekend. The sound of them, the smell of them, there little hands in mine...my whole little world. How fragile it seems, how much can change in the blink of an eye. We went forward with our plans. Christmas Village in Ogden. It was cold, it was crowded, and my kids weren't particurely on their best behavior. I didn't care though. They were safe, thats what mattered.

So even though the kids were some what whiney, not really listening, having to be told multiple times to stay by us...it was still a good night. I have a dear friend that said it well....Even the bad days are good days, I'd take a million more less than perfect nights before facing one day without them. Blessed, and that's for sure.

Sunday, was my most anticipated day. Sunday dinner at my moms house. Christmas is so close, the anticipation with the kids is so intoxicating....its addicting. And my mom, oh that lady knows how to set the mood....

I just love her so much.

With my mom its all about the little things...every little detail is perfected. Her place settings, the gifts she had layed out on our plates, the smells, the music in the background, her 5 Christmas trees all lit up, one of them being a tree dedicated to her grandkids....their little pictures in each ornament. Its simply magical at her house.

Plus she is a dang good cook.

We did things a little different this year. Usually we all have Christmas dinner together and do presents that day. However, extended family comes. We all are coming and going at different times and it feels so hectic. So we decided to do my moms gifts that night. All of the grandkids draw names so we did that as well.

It was just a magical night, down to the last cup of wassail. We got some great gifts, which I will talk about in another post...love my mom.

Gotta run friends...another Christmas party today that I need to hurry up and get ready for.

Lots of love to you all....

Holiday Baking

Bout that time to whip up some holiday goodies. I went the same route with my neighbor gifts again this year. Some fun festive cookies. Devoted this whole past Wednesday to getting it done. Thought it would probably take me a few good hours. Could work on that during the morning and then was hoping to get my bathrooms cleaned in the afternoon. Ha! That didn't happen. I underestimated how long it would take to make 12 dozen cookies. It took all day, and by the time I was done I wanted to scream. And my bathrooms, my poor bathrooms.....lets just say I will be starting with them the first of next week. Not pretty.

Ash had her baby appointment that day, so I was watching Elle Belle for a few hours. These three crack me up. They are a bunch of odd balls when they are together. They were also extremely helpful in the cookie making process....or so they thought.

Everybody had to have a turn stirring...even Drake.

Homemade oreos...

and good old Chocolate chip. Can't go wrong.

I always add M&M's to the top of my chocolate chip cookies when they come out of the oven. I love the way they make them look more "holidayish". I make these year round and always use the holiday M&M's. Fun for Valentines, and Easter, and Halloween.

Tried something new with my Oreo's this time. Got the idea from a sweet friend of mine.

Rolled the edges in colored red and green sprinkles.

I did pink, green, and white frosting. And with just the white I added the sprinkles. I thought it made it so fun and festive. Plus, I love the crunch of sprinkles.

All packaged up and ready to deliver!

Just crossing things off my list...8 days and counting. Can't freaking believe it. I am gearing myself up for this coming week. I am working an extra day, have 4 Christmas parties, still not done with my shopping, haven't even started wrapping, and am wanting to get my house clean so I can enjoy my holiday.

Bring it though...I'm ready. Christmas comes but once a year and I am loving the heck out of it!

December.....10 on 10!

10 pictures taken over 10 hours on the tenth of each month. Come on, play along!

First one up everyday...dang school! He showers, gets ready, and then comes right out to the kitchen to handle all his advents. This kid soaks up that crap, he loves it!

Ran outside to throw something in the mailbox and couldn't help but think how thankful I am for my home. Everytime I open my front door and my home greets me, I feel happy.

A dear friend gave me a jar full of homemade caramels...oh kill me now. I have eaten almost the whole jar with a tiny bit of help from Carson. I am going to gain 10 pounds this holiday season if I am not more careful.

Got myself and the 2 littles ready for the day...headed out into the cold.

This is ridiculously sad...poor baby. Naptime happened right in the middle of major grocery shopping. This kid can sleep anywhere.

Couple hours later..call me crazy but I totally enjoy grocery shopping and restocking my fridge and pantry. I truly enjoy doing it.

Picked up our Christmas cards...I am very happy with how they turned out. Now if I could just get them in the mail.

Headed over to Ashley's as soon as I picked up Linc and Cars from school. She had made a whole batch of sugar cookies and invited us to help decorate them.

It was a taco salad kind of a night. Kinda a weird winter meal, but I have been craving it. And it is one meal I can always count on all my kids to eat. They love it.

Favorite part of my night...gathering around the fireplace for our Christmas book.

That wraps up the tenth.