Showing posts with label Traditions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Traditions. Show all posts

Friday, January 1, 2010

Happy New Year

Last night we welcomed in a new year along with a new decade. For the first time ever, my Hannah Banana actually stayed up (barely) to watch Dick Clarks Rockin-New Years Eve ball drop in Times Square. For years past my poor 2nd born would fall asleep on the couch just minutes before the big moment. We would try and wake her but to no avail, she was exhausted.
Before that big moment, We all had our favorite dinner (tacos) decorated the house with streamers and hats and headed out the door. After sparklers, blow horns and echoing screams, the littles went to bed and the 4 of us had some great family time together.
Now that the first day of the New Year has almost come to a close, I will formally list my resolutions. These are things I have been thinking about alot the last week. Some are silly and pretty cliche, others are dear to my heart and I share them with you as another motivational tool to make them happen.

1) Lose those annoying last 10 pounds that have been following me all thru the town!

2) Sift thru my home and organize to the fullest. Not just clean. I have the deepest desire to go beyond normal day to day clearing and really make sure every little thing has its perfect place. I want to go beyond plastic storage bins and invest in decorative boxes, baskets, fabric bins and even a custom label maker. Hobby Lobby will be my newest and dearest bestie. Coordinating correspondence stationary with matching push pins, photo holder, letter opener, note pad, folders weekly calendar and mouse pad. (some of which I already have) My dearest hubby bought me more shelves for the garage and a nice 4 drawer filing cabinet. I can't wait!! Every closet, every corner, every cabinet will have a make-eovr. I already started in the kitchen and the downstairs LV room closet. What a difference that has made!

3) Every year my church publishes a bible reading plan book. If done according to the calendar and their scriptures, I would have read the entire bible in one year!! Every year I try and every year I fail. This will not be another year I let it slip away from me. With my organization resolution and with new order and scheduling taking place in my home, I am determined to read each and every day. I look forward to the wonderful plans God has in store for me thru this new goal.

4) Continue to be an even better help-meet to my husband and loving mother to my children. My 2 favorite books will remain on my nightstand and will be picked up often when I need encouragement and ideas. Understanding our full roles that God gave us enriches our lives more than we will ever know.

5) Let go and let God.
For my faithful readers, you all know the struggles I have had the past 2 years trying to conceive and keeping my pregnancies. It has not been an easy road... especially when friends and acquaintances have come and gone along the pregnancy road. They welcome their babies with such ease. Its hard to remain hopeful sometimes. Its hard to accept reality. Its just plain hard.
I want to leave all that behind. Its such bondage. It takes effort to feel that way and sucks the smile right off of my face. I hope and pray that this year will change. Not just in a successful pregnancy but in just an overall attitude. Gapboy and I will leave our family planning up to God. We don't use any forms of prevention but are well versed in ourselves to know when is good and when is bad.
I pray I can leave all emotions at Jesus's feet and be completely satisfied with His provisions...whatever they may be. I pray I can wait in faith. Peacefully. I pray that no matter the outcome, my heart will be healed. I pray for God to completely handle this situation.100%. I can't handle it on my own. I don't even know what to pray for anymore... its time to hand it over. It won't be easy but thats why its a resolution. It might take all year to accomplish but I will give it my all.

6) FINALLY finish decorating my beloved Little Red House... but then again... are we ever done decorating ;) I hope not!

My list is not long but it is meaningful. A year that will not be wasted. A year that will not find me wondering where the time went. Every moment is precious and every moment needs to be used for good. I pray I can make that happen, even when I have bad days, a messy house and unruly children. Tomorrow is a new day and order can always be restored.!

XoxoGapGirl

Friday, November 6, 2009

In My Heart Its Christmas!

This is a small look inside my heart! In my heart its Christmas! My tree is decorated, christmas carols are playing and cookies are cooling on the stove. What is wrong with me?? I always used to preach about how awesome Thanksgiving is and how its my favorite time of year.( and often sideswiped by Christmas) But somehow, something has changed. Im ready to put up our new beautiful pre-lit Christmas tree and trim away. My list is written, it has already been checked twice. I can't wait!! Is it too early to watch the Christmas movies? Im buying special Christmas books to read and can't wait to decorate my Mantle with my Christmas swag... made with love by ME!!!
I have been bitten hard by the Christmas bug and am ready to spread some holiday Cheer. My list of traditions are long ! New Christmas ornaments will be bought this year and new Christmas crafts will be made. I want to experience it all and have a magical holiday!!! Gingerbread houses will find their way into our home along with hot cocoa by the gallon! We will go to the parades and decorated houses. Trips downtown to see the Festival of Trees will be made several times and this year we WILL ride that Christmas carousel. Homemade gifts and treats will be passed to my neighbors and friends. If only every year could hold the magic and love that spills out of our hearts. I feel like the Grinch who's heart expanded 3 times!!!
So, what are your Christmas traditions and what are you waiting to do this year???

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

23 Days

Until Thanksgiving! I can't wait. The holiday season is in full swing in our home. Thanksgiving menus are being planned, turkeys are being decided on and pies are being picked. Whether our home has 7 or 27 people, traditions remain the same. Our table is full of food and are hearts are full of excitement. I have not officially announced who will braid the Challa bread this year... ( a very coveted position) but whoever is picked will be thrilled to pieces. Just one of our family traditions. I would love to hear yours???

Saturday, October 24, 2009

A Harvest Evening

How I wish this was my house! Doesn't this make you just want to crawl in one of those seats with some tea and a great book? This picture describes the atmosphere in my home right now. Today was a perfect harvest day. We picked and carved pumpkins, made and indulged in some home made apple crisp and roasted corn on the fire... a very filled day. Now the house is quieter. The littles are fast asleep upstairs and hubby and the girls are watching their favorite football team score their way to victory. The house is picked up and I can reflect on the day. This was our 2nd year in our Little Red House carving pumpkins. Traditions are being set once again and our roots are slowly setting in. We are getting familiar with the weather patterns, favorite places for Apples and who has the best pumpkins. This certainly is our home.
Tonight the air is crisp and chilled. We have the doors and windows open to enjoy the cold air and are snuggled under warm blankets. I don't want this night to end. It was the perfect fall day...

Pumpkin Time

Off we go! Don't have much time today. We will be packing up the big black van and heading off to get some pumpkins! Upon our return we will indulge in homemade roasted corn, snacks and pumpkin guts!!! What fun will be had in our Little Red House.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Our September 1st Apple Pie Day! (in pictures)

Our Apples
The cooking begins
Everyone has a job to do. Hannah starts to peel them.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

A Happy 4th!









Many Thanks to our Friends Chris and Amy for hosting a fantabulous 4th of July party. We spent the holiday evening eating, socializing and watching our children play. Smores were roasted over an open fire, kids dove on the slip-n-slide and Hummingbirds were buried (another story for another post.)
Of coarse I snuck away several times during the festivities to indulge in some sweet kitten kisses from her little furry Kit-cat upstairs. She lazily slept on the couch and purred endlessly as I cuddled and kissed her.( and her little pink frilly dress was just so cute!)
The party ended after a pretty display of fireworks... but the fireworks didn't end there. We oohhed and ahhed the entire ride home. Our windows were wide open and we were surrounded by fireworks in every direction. It was SO cool. The babies fell asleep in the car and were whisked upstairs, so the remaining crew ran to the screen porch to watch some more local displays before lighting the few we had bought.
We ended the night in some good conversation and a great nights sleep. So great, in fact, we woke up 1.5 hours Late for church!!! Which was NOT good since Jason and I were doing the narration for our God and Country service today.
Don't worry, we made it in time and church was great... and so was the lunch after. Nothing like some church fellowship to remember how awesome our town is!
I hope your holiday was just as wonderful and GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Happy Father's Day Baby!

What?? You didn't know a way to a man's heart is Bbq'd Rib-eye steak shared with the one he loves?? (late at night when the kids are in bed!) Sheesh, I thought everyone knew that!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

9 Days Till Turkey Day...



Giving Thanks
Today is day 2 at Kelli's house of Thanks.
Im off to Publix later to check off some more things on my Thanksgiving menu. It also happens to be Holiday Fest there...(pure coincidence I assure you ;o) I will just have to grin and bare it when tasting yummy treats and desserts while shopping. Sigh, Sometimes life is so hard.
Jason and I keep revising our ever changing menu as I keep inviting more people to our table and we are still on the hunt for our Tommy bird. Jason wants a 25 pounder... 10 pounds for him and 15 pounds for the rest of us. He loves leftovers and my cooking, so I guess I will try to make that happen. So far our menu is as follows:
APPETIZERS:
Stuffed Mushrooms
Tomato/Mozzerella salad
Cheese and crackers
Crackers and dip
Spinach dip with Pumpernickel bread

MAIN DISHES:
TURKEY
Stuffing
GapGirls special mashed potatoes
Green bean casserole
Home-made bread
sweet potato casserole
corn
cranberry sauce
gravy
salad
lasagna

DESSERT:
Two apple pies
Two pecan pies
Two chocolate pudding pies
one pumpkin pie
brownies
ice cream
home made whipped cream

That about sums it up, as you can see I have plenty of food to share, so if your in the mood for some of the best cooking in the south then just come on over to my little red house. You will not be disappointed...I guarantee =)

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails