My naked house

Finished taking the Christmas decorations down today (except the stockings, 'cause Jonah kept hanging them back up), and...I kinda like having my home back to normal, except: I have about HALF as many 'normal' decorations as I do Christmas decorations, so....my house seems bare. Everyone says that after they take their decorations down, but...the thing is: I have barely bought any items for decorating for my house. Like, ever. So...I feel it is time for me to 'grow up' and start buying things for my home. So...this is my year to really become a 'home-maker'...I'm gonna give 'er a whirl, anyways. Bread. Home decorating. Sewing. Did I mention that I have started sewing?! I made myself an apron this fall, and it turned out pretty good. So, I decided to make a 'rag quilt' for Jason for Christmas. And...I did not finish it. ugh. But -- I am going to. And - he did open it, and he did say it was his favorite gift, but...poor fella: its really only half done. Anyways. Can't do it all, right?!

And. My computer battery is about to die, so...I'll take that as a sign that I've been on here long enough and need to plug it in and get ready for bed. 'Nighty night.

Happy New Year!!

Well -- its officially 2011 - can you believe it?! Me neither. Crazy. What a year -- I always love the beginning of a new year -- just the chance to 'start over', and look forward to what will happen that we have no way of predicting...its exciting! I have a good feeling about this year - just that it will bring some unexpected blessings and good things. Every year does, though, if we're honest, doesn't it?! We have a terrible ability to see the bad things in life sometimes, don't you think?! To focus on the difficult things, and to feel sorry for ourselves and neglect the world around us - the blessings around us. And this is a very pertinent conversation right now, just spending time with family and friends, and talking about the difficult things happening in the lives of people we love. It can be discouraging. And it is a great weight sometimes, caring for others. When there are so many needs and things that cause pain. But. I believe we are to care for each other - to give ourselves to each other, and speak truth when we need to - even when its hard, even when its hurtful...in love, of course. That's the hard thing. Our feelings and opinions get in the way, and we become arrogant and self-centered, and then don't love the way we are meant to at all. I hate that about myself at times. I want to love like Christ - to correct and encourage and discipline and rebuke and empathize and comfort and love like He does. I don't know how. Or - sometimes I do, but I do things the way I think they should be done. But...I am reminded over and over that I need to trust Him. To let Him have His way in me, so my life and my heart are filled with Him. And His love oozes out of me. So I can be the best wife, mama, sister, daughter, friend, neighbour, and person I can be. I don't have a New Year's resolution to 'be a better person', and to 'love God more' or anything. Just some thoughts I've been thinking about. I want to be a loving person. Even when I feel I am not 'loved back' the way I want to be or have expected to be. I can get so disappointed in people, in not having my expectations met. But that's not really the way God loves. If He did, we'd have no hope at all. So. I want to know Jesus better, so I can learn how He loves and let Him love through me. So, I will try to stop being so stinkin' critical of people. Myself included. I can be so hard on myself sometimes. But, what does that prove? Only that I am thinking more of myself than I should be. Its incredibly frustrating, this 'flesh' of ours.

anyways. Not what I was intending to write when I opened up my blog to post tonight.

I did, indeed, have an awesome New Year's Eve lastnight. Celebrating with Jason, Erin, Amanda, Silas, and Jonah...some of my very favorite people in the world. Eating delish food, played Dutch Blitz (i'm seriously awesome, speaking of my 'flesh' - how arrogant!) - and watching Wipe Out and other TV. And spent some more time with family today, and going to tomorrow, too. I have definetely spent a TON of time with family in the last couple weeks. And I love it.

Well, I'm all written out. Goodnight.

Bread

I am a good cook, is that rude to say?! I'm a good baker, too, at most things. Most things, except...Bread. I cannot make good bread. I have tried a few times, unsuccessfully, and...all the time and effort put into making bread, and then not having it turn out...is very. very. discouraging. and frustrating. and makes me mad. BUT. I have a goal. In 2011, I will become a good bread maker. I think I will. I'm certainly going to giver 'er a 'go.' My mom just made 19 loaves (yep - that is NOT a typo!) of delicious, seriously - DELICIOUS - oatmeal molasses bread...and I have decided: its time. Time to become a good bread maker. My grandfather's family owned a bakery: Bredin's Bakery (not a very original 'name', but...whatever.) - he was a good bread maker, my mother is a good bread maker, and...I think its in my genes: so...I have made a goal - that is about to be published on the world-wide-web: to become a good bread maker. There ya go.

I love toast. I love bread. And have never comtemplated a no-carbs diet (or diet of any kind, to be honest) - so...it only makes sense that I should be able to make my own. So. 2011...watch out. I will not be making New Year's resolutions to lose weight -- I will, in fact, probably gain even MORE weight if I accomplish my goal, but...whatever. I look forward to the challenge.

Christmas 2010

Well, it has been a whirl-wind of a holiday. Christmas was sooo much fun with Jonah this year! He has turned into quite a little bundle of energy the last several weeks, and...I'm not entirely sure its just the holidays...he's soo hilarious - he genuinely makes us laugh! He loved Christmas -- he figured out after he opened the first couple Chuggington trains, that there were more under the tree...so, we weren't able to take our time quite as slowly as we anticipated! But - he was THRILLED! It was so fun watching him open his gifts...and he is very excited about 'claying' with his toys every day -- a couple times today, I tried convincing him to watch a show, and he didn't want to! Hahaha!

And we've had lots of time with the family - which is always...fun, and...draining a little bit, too -- there is a lot of us!! But - I would say everyone had a great time together - and we're happy to be able to spend so much time with Mike, who is only home for a few more days 'til he goes back to Toronto...

Lots of food -- lots of games -- and...I think Mom and Dad's highlight was the slideshow of old and new pictures, and the letters of 'memories' from each of us kids...it was a little 'emo', right, Erin?! But...a keep-sake we all enjoyed doing, and it was a special thing to sit down all together and watch our life in a slideshow...and I was thankful my annoying computer didn't shut off, like it is VERY prone to do at very in-opportune times!!

Its always a little nice to 'get back to normal', though, I'll admit...I haven't taken down my decorations yet, but -- I'm a little anxious to get things back in their proper place, and to figure out where to put the new stuff -- mostly Jonah's toys! All his toys this year are small, but...there's a lot of them!!

So -- no real 'news' to tell, but...figured I should write a quick entry, at least, before the year is up...2011 -- here we come!!!

band concert

Soooo... Jonah was 'that kid' tonight. you know: the one dancing like a maniac and causing a scene, and 'attacking' the kid sitting beside us at an attempt to play and wrestle and make him laugh, and yelling out while we were in between songs, and running up and down our row, trying to play on everyone's ipod's (we were with a bunch of people from church, so it was okay, but)...still...oh my word. out. of. control. And having the time of his life...he's getting to be quite a little monkey...doesn't for a second think he might not be 'welcome', so...he just plows his way into everyone's hearts. I love him. He's a handful sometimes, but...he brings us loads of joy and laughter. And peace...when he is finally snuggled and tucked into his bed...

no snow

We don't have a speck of snow, and...I'm super bummed about it. It makes me feel so much less Christmasy not seeing snow on the ground or in the air, or anywhere. Oh how I wish it would snow. We have a week and a half to go -- pleeeeassse --- let it snow.

In other news...I worked tonight. Jason started his day schedule yesterday, so I will work one night and one morning so that my mom watches Jonah in the morning, and Jason is home with him on the night I work. Its still hard to wrap my mind around Jason being home every night for supper. Every. night. And he will be off every weekend. I'm sooo excited about that!! Annnnnddd...we're going on a DATE this Friday night...for supper, and then some Christmas shopping. Which means, I won't be shopping for HIM, but...we do have some shopping to do together, so...that will be nice. I can't wait!!

We have no youth group tomorrow night, 'cause every kid but 2 of them is either attending or playing in the junior high school's band concert...sooooo...Jason, Jonah, and I are going to go watch!! I'm so excited!! We're starting to enjoy these kids more and more -- and I'm happy to be able to go see their band play!

And...life is...just happening right now, I guess...Getting busy with Christmas just around the corner -- and excited for my little brother to come home this weekend!! I love the holidays with family: and Jason does NOT have to work this Christmas -- which is awesome!!!

I have nothing note-worthy to share tonight. Not on here anyways...

Christmas tree

The tree is up, lit, and beautiful. And smells delicious. And only costed 10 bucks. SAAAAA-weet!