Happy New Year...We made it!

        December has come and gone and we are now enjoying the beginning of a new year!

We made through December! Yippie! December is a busy and often hectic month. This year we just didn't get into the Christmas spirit as we normally do. With hubby's crazy work schedule and our going, going, going, we never felt like we were able to stop and relax and really enjoy Christmas.
But, that's ok. The kids still had a good time, and in spite of all the craziness we did spend most of Christmas day together.

I set blogging aside for Christmas and the New Year so that I could focus on our family and other priorities. It was nice, but I miss my blogging/journaling, so I'm going to try to get back on here a few times a week.

For now, I'm going to post a simple list of our December happenings. Enjoy!

In December:

*We (Colorado) did not enjoy the multiple days when the temps were below *10. I think it was almost two weeks of extreme cold. I like the cooler weather, but when it's too cold for the kids to get outside for even ten minutes, it's too cold. I even broke down and took the kids to McDonald's just so they could play in the play area! Blah, I don't even like McD's. But when Mama's patience is running thin due to kiddos running up and down stairs and jumping on the couch repeatedly it's time to do whatever necessary to help the kids run off some energy.

*We finished up our homeschooling for the year by the second week in December. To be completely honest, we finished a few things and I just said, "Were DONE!" to the rest. Reminder for December 2014, adjust school plans so that we enjoy the ENTIRE month off of school. No brain is functional that close to Christmas!!!

*I got baptized! 
Being baptized is something I have been thinking about for a long time. I'm not sure why I waited so long to re-commit my life to God, but I'm glad I did. It's a great comfort to know that I am His, and that He has been and will always be here for me.

*Wild Thing earned a few more belt loops in Cub Scouts and participated in a puppet show and Court-of-Honor with his pack. As his pack is changing over to something else and meets quite a distance away, we have withdrawn from that pack and will possibly be looking for a pack that meets much closer to our home.

*The kids all enjoyed their last Kung-Fu class and hope to continue with the class soon. I am  still trying to decide how much to allow the kids to do. They all want to do EVERYTHING! But mom has to be the bad guy and not let the kids run wild and join every club they hear about.

*Wild Thing and Lady Bug had a great fencing tournament, and they each got a medal for participation. They both are hoping to continue with fencing after this month. We'll just have to see!

*We enjoyed a family Christmas party with extended family. The kids love this event each year when they get to spend and evening with many of the cousins, and of course the gifts they all get makes it even better. Even the gag gifts!

*Lady Bug and Wild Thing each had a Winter Showcase at their Homeschool Enrichment Program they attend once a week. It was a fun morning with games, pizza, and the most talented one-woman theatre show I had seen. It truly was quite amazing how this one woman was able to put on a show and entertain a crowd with only herself, a few props, and involvement and imagination from the kids in the audience.

*Christmas came and we all enjoyed the day. Though, with all the hustle and bustle and hubby having to go into to work late on Christmas day, I realized a day or two later that we missed some of our favorite traditions. I have a book of the story of Christmas that I have read every Christmas since my daughter was born, that we forgot to read on Christmas day. We also didn't remember to bake a cake for baby Jesus as we have done each year, and as we did when I was growing up.
I was sad to see that we allowed our busy lives and schedules to take away from our enjoyment and the magic of Christmas. But it was a good reminder of just how important it is for us to slow down and make sure our priorities are straight.

*I spent a lot of time planning our new unit study for January. We are going to be working on a unit study learning about Colorado, mining in Colorado, and the important people of Colorado. I will share more at a later date, but I have to say that I am excited about this unit study. I have found a quite a few great books, and even a few videos that will aid us though this unit. We also have some fun field trips and activities planned. Trips such as going to the local mining museum, a trip to an old mining town up the mountain, and an interview with family members who worked the mines way back when. I'll share our journey in upcoming posts.


*The kids and I were given a surprise gift just a few days after Christmas.
What we thought would be an afternoon downtown touring some place or museum turned into a trip up the mountain to enjoy an incredible, yet very cold, tour of a wolf refuge. For those who know me, know that wolves have been very dear to me for as long as I can remember. So this was a very special surprise.

The tour was great. We were able to see a lot of beautiful, safe, and healthy wolves. Yet, the tour wasn't all. I was given the gift of being able to go in and sit with the wolves and have some pictures taken. As a young teen, I was given the opportunity to visit with some wolves on two different occasions, yet even now, I have to tell you that each time was absolutely amazing.

 Everyone has their "home" and I can't explain how at home and comfortable I feel with these amazing animals snuggled up next to me. Don't laugh, but it's almost a spiritual feeling for me. There is just something about wolves that makes me feel connected to the earth, life, and myself all at the same time.

*We rang in the New Year with grape juice, noisemakers, and little fireworks. We allowed the kids to stay up and watch the ball drop then run outside with their fireworks and let the neighborhood know it was 2014!

Overall, I can't complain. We made it through another year of changes and trials. We are still together as a family, we are all fairly healthy, and happy, and for that I am thankful.

I do hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

I can only share a few photos since most of what I have taken is still on my camera. But here are the ones I have ready to share.

Navi is the black male wolf.
Tala is the smaller light colored female wolf.
Both beautiful, and very sweet.

For a moment I felt like I had a large furry guardian angel over my shoulder.

There's nothing like cuddles from a wild animal such as a wolf.

Kisses from Tala.
Such a sweet and gentle creature.

Tala just finishing her howl!

Even as cold as it was, and though I could no longer feel my toes, I could
have easily sat there all day with these animals.

So that was our December and Christmas in a nut shell.

Merry Christmas and Christmas Bread...

With such a busy season in full swing, I am going to say Merry Christmas now and return to blogging after Christmas. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and are able to spend time with family and friends.
I will return after Christmas with new blog posts and fun things to share. I have some fun new ideas to share and posts about our homeschool and frugal living. Stay tuned...


Before I go, I want to leave you with one of our favorite holiday treats.

Pumpkin Pie Bread
-makes to bread loafs-

3 and 1/2 cups flour  (can be replaced with gluten free flour, and still taste great)
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoons baking powder
3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (recipe below)
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups sugar
1 cup oil
4 eggs, beaten
1 15 oz can pumpkin
1/2 cup water

Pre-heat oven to *350, grease 2 bread loaf pans

In medium bowl, swift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin spice
In large bowl, beat together sugar, oil, egg, and pumpkin. Slowly add in flour mixture and water.
Mix until well blended with no lumps.

Pour into loaf pans and bake for 60-70 minutes.


Pumpkin Pie Spice

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Mix and store in air tight container. 

25 Days of Christmas...ideas to do with your family.

Christmas traditions are one of the little things that make Christmas so special. Having an activity or special trip to look forward to each year adds to the excitement of the Christmas season. 

One of my favorite Christmas traditions we have is to make homemade ornaments each year. We often  make enough to take around to our friends and neighbors as well. This tradition actually started when I was a young girl. Every year my parents would give each of us kids a new ornament. This way when we grew, up we all had a nice collection of ornaments to take to our new home and decorate our own Christmas tree.  It was nice that first Christmas away from home to decorate my tree with ornaments I had grown up with and that held special memories. 

This tradition of a new ornament continues on with my children. Each year we buy a new ornament for the kids. As the kids and I love crafts, we have made our own ornaments each year as well. The first time we decided to make our own ornaments was after a trip the mountains to see the fall colors. We collected a bag full of colorful leaves that had fallen. We then brought them home and placed them in a book to flatten and dry. Just before Christmas we took out the leaves and covered them with clear contact paper and added a ribbon to the top, our first homemade ornaments. We still have them and love putting them on the tree each year. We have continued making homemade ornaments each year since, and plan to do so each year. 

This year we want to add in, among our other little family traditions, a 25 Days of Christmas tradition. 

We made a list of ideas and have chosen what we plan to do, but instead of throwing the list away, I thought I'd share the list with you. 

25 Days of  Christmas ideas:

1) 25 Books of Christmas

Wrap up 25 different Christmas or winter books, unwrap and read one each night starting December 1st, ending with your favorite on Christmas morning. 

The kids decided to do this one this year. We don't have 25 Christmas books yet, but we have enough Christmas and winter books to use. I love the idea of having to go looking for Christmas books to add to our collection. 

2) 25 Bible verses and Christmas poems to read each night. 

3) 25 songs of Christmas

Listen to a new Christmas song each night, learn the lyrics, and sing together as a family. 

4) 25 Christmas prayers

Each night, as a family, say a little prayer for those in need. 

5) 25 Cards of  Christmas

Make 25 homemade cards (or buy nice cards) decorate and write a Christmas note of love, peace, and joy inside. Then hand out to people you meet, one each day until Christmas day. Give to people in the grocery store, walking down the street, or standing on the corner.

6) 25 Goodie Baskets of Christmas

On your own, with friends, or a social group, make 25 baskets of goodies. Place cookies, candy, hot chocolate, mints, little cards or handwritten notes, or whatever you like, into the basket. Decorate and hand deliver to family, friend, neighbors, co-workers, or nursing homes. You can deliver one each day, or make one each day and deliver them on Christmas Day. 

7) 25 Christmas Letters

Write 25 handwritten letters to 25 people. Either hand deliver or send in the mail, one each day until Christmas. 

8) 25 Days of Christmas Joy

 Each day take the time to sit down and write out a joyful Christmas memory or thought. Read the list on Christmas day. Keep the list and re-read each year. 

9) 25 Days of Christmas Crafts

Make a different Christmas craft each day. There are tons of ideas online. Many are simple and can be made with items you already have at home. If you choose, give the craft as a gift to neighbors, friends, or family. 

10) 25 Nights of Homemade Gifts

Spend each night working on homemade gifts for others. You can pick one gift to work on each night, or a different gift each night. 

11) 25 Days of Gifting to those in need

Find a way to donate time, supplies, or food each day, to those in need. This could be as simple as doing something kind each day for someone less fortunate. Visit an elderly person, take a meal to a family who is struggling, donate to your local homeless shelter, volunteer at the soup kitchen, help a neighbor with their housework or grocery shopping, or invite a lonely neighbor or friend over for coffee or lunch. There are so many ways one can help. 

12) 25 Days of Silent Gifts

Each day do something for someone, secretly. Leave a card with a little cash on the desk of a co-worker who you know is struggling, pay a bill or part of a bill for someone ( you can donate to the local utility company and can specify which address you wish to help), leave a bag of groceries and a card (no name) on the doorstep of a neighbor, mail gift cards to those you know could use a little extra help, or leave small gifts wrapped (with note but no name) on another's door step. I know that some of these take a little money, but of you are creative you can come up with plenty of ideas that cost very little or nothing.

13) 25 Days of Christmas Appreciation

Make or buy Christmas cards, write a note of appreciation and a wish for a Merry Christmas and give to local charities, adoption groups, homeless shelters, police stations, fire stations, doctor offices, mail carriers, trash companies, or health care workers. Give the cards to those who care for your community. 

14) 25 Goodies of Christmas

Each night make a Christmas treat. Try to find Christmas treats from all over the world. Enjoy the evening together making goodies and learning the history and origin of the treat each night. 

15) 25 Days to Fill a Stocking

This may be something you do a little each night or you could fill 25 stockings.

Fill one or a few stockings with 25 little items. Depending on who you plan to give it to, fill it accordingly. For a child, fill it with small toys, crayons, candy, gloves, warm hat, and whatever else you can think of. For the homeless, fill with hygiene items, snacks, warm gloves, socks, gift certificates, and a card. For an elderly person, fill with snacks, cards from friends, lotion, little Christmas decorations, and gift certificates.

There is so much one can do to bring a little joy to others for the holidays. All it takes is for one to care for others and give their time to those in need. 

We have chosen a few of these to try, and will hopefully find a couple that can be our 25 Days of Christmas, each year. 

I would love to add to this list and share with others so if you have any ideas please leave a comment with your ideas. 

**Next post: Christmas party ideas for the kiddos. 

The calm after the storm...



The calm after the storm

The shopping is done

The gifts unwrapped

The meals finished and left overs abound

Holiday movies watched

The stockings are empty

Now the clean up begins

Mountains of wrapping paper fill the trash

Bows and ribbons lay here and there

Empty boxes and bags scattered all around

Christmas lights flicker faintly

Holiday decorations look tired and worn

The angel atop the tree leans to the side

Mom and Dad sit quietly and watch their children play

Happy to have been blessed to have this day with their family complete

The Christmas evening tradition continues

All cuddle together to watch the last of the Christmas films

To enjoy the love and peace of  family on a day so special

The children are smothered in hugs and kisses

Goodnight and Merry Christmas are said once more

Wishes of sweet dreams and peace to all

and to all a goodnight

My wish this Christmas is peace and joy to you all !

Merry Christmas!