Gifts of the Season

I recently read the Santa Letters (thanks for sharing, Lori!) and it started me thinking of all the gifts I have been given. No, I’m not thinking of my beloved Cricut machine. And no, I’m not being sarcastic about having gotten croup, flu and a broken window this Christmas. I’m talking about intangible gifts that I enjoy the whole year through, every year of my life. The gifts listed in this book apply to me too and I feel the need to set them down so that I can look back at them this coming year and remember how grateful I am for all that I have been blessed with. They are: Warmth Despite the broken window, we never had to worry about staying warm and safe and most important to me, there’s plenty of love in our home to keep us feeling warm and protected all year round. Music I enjoy music of all kinds and this month we got a special treat. (thanks to Terra) We went to see the Tabernacle Choir’s Christmas Concert. It was amazing and truly inspired! If you’ve never had the chance to hear them sing, you’re missing out. Traditions Who doesn’t have family traditions, whether it be baking sugar cookies, decorating gingerbread houses, or making clam chowder? I’m grateful for traditions that have brought me a profound sense of being and belonging and I look forward to the future and seeing what my kids deem important enough to share with their own families. Laughter I am married to Dustin, enough said! Friendship We have always been blessed with great associations wherever we are. I’m not sure why anyone would want to be friends with me, but I sure am grateful to have always been in good company! Health Yes, in spite of Jace having croup and Dustin getting the flu, in general, we have been blessed with good health. Dustin’s issues with CPPS are under control and for that we have cause to be thankful. Good Cheer O.K., so I have stress issues, which cause me to be grumpy now and then but I have to admit, that for the most part, we have a jovial life full of silly children and lots of good fortune to smile about. Support How would we get by without the constant support we receive from family and friends? There are so many who build us up and keep us standing. Thanks to all of you! Justice, Mercy and Forgiveness Words fail me when it comes to speaking of Christ and His atonement. What can I possibly say to thank and honor Him? What do I say to show my appreciation for these three gifts? Luckily He can see my heart and knows the feelings I can’t express. Heritage In the past I have had issues with who I am and where I came from. Luckily I have realized that heritage is more than biology. For me, it is a heritage of strong women, a legacy of faith and an inheritance of unconditional love. Service As inconvenient as it sometimes is, I’m glad I have ample opportunities and the ability to serve. What a great way to keep me grounded and humble and we all know I need that! And, last but not least, Family Where would I be without you? Or better question yet, who would I be without you? Thanks for sticking with me through the good, the bad and the ugly. I look forward to spending eternity with you!

Who could ask for better gifts than these?

Slave labor

Since I don't have a snow blower at my disposal, and am too lazy to shovel the driveway myself, I decided to do what I do best and relegate the chore to someone more inferior. (How old do you think he'll be when he discovers that this is not an amusing game?)






I used to be able to get my girls to scrub the kitchen floor by telling them, that if they'd get their swimsuits on, it'd be just as fun as the Slip-N-Slide!

(Notice Jace in his diaper? Oh yeah, I start 'em early!)

Christmas Eve

Flying off the jumps,
On a plastic, yellow sled

Soaring through the air

I almost hit my head!

I fell on top of Jace

I nearly smashed his face

Then, Mom launches off the drift

with Lainie in a race!

Ooh my gosh! Oh, my gosh!

My heinie's really red!

Oh, my gosh! Oh, my gosh!

I wish that I were dead!

lyrics by Ellie

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

This is what I'm making for neighbor gifts this year. I'm putting mini cheese ball's in silver cupcake liners, on a little, holiday plate surrounded by graham sticks. Not very fancy, but yummy nonetheless!

Sarah's Famous Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball:

1 pkg. (8oz.) cream cheese, softened
1/2 C. butter, softened (do not substitute)
1/4 tsp. vanilla
3/4 C. powdered sugar
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
3/4 C. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
3/4 C. finely chopped pecans
1 box graham cracker stix (chocolate is my favorite)

In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla until fluffy. Gradually add sugars and beat just until combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Cover and refridgerate for 2 hours. Place cream cheese mixture on a large piece of plastic wrap and shape into a ball. Refridgerate for at least 1 hour more. Just before serving, roll cheese ball in pecans. Serve with graham stix.

*Sarah, you should share your apple version of this!

25 things you may not know about me

Something I did on Facebook (since everyone else is doing it) and thought I'd share it here too.

1. My husband still makes my stomach flutter
2. I think my kids are cuter than most
3. I hate to cook
4. I love to eat
5. I love to travel and wish I had more opportunities to do so
6. I grew up in a tiny, little, backward town in rural Idaho
7. That was one of the best things that ever happened to me
8. That was also one of the worst things that ever happened to me
9. I got my drivers license when I was 14
10. I love to cut and glue paper
11. I'm obsessed with finding the perfect shade of slate blue
12. I'm always disappointed by the local fabric store
13. I wish I could create my own fabric
14. I have one sister who also happens to be my very best friend
15. I have 69 (1st) cousins
16. I married a man who only has 7
17. I spent 5 of my best years yet, living in Michigan
18. I wish I could do it again
19. I would love to live in a foreign country
20. When I was in Jr. High, I dreamed of going to finishing school in Switzerland
21. In Middle School, I wanted to be a Marine Biologist after reading "A Ring of Endless Light"
22. Now, I just want to be one of those people who gets a good nights sleep
23. But, I wouldn't give up being a stay-at-home-mom for anything
24. If I could be anywhere right now, I'd be in France...Spain...or maybe Greece...or...
25. I refuse to have my picture taken and therefore have none to post on Facebook or my blog

Make your own. I'd love to learn something new about you. W.

Sneek Peek!

A quick glance at the Christmas cards that are coming your way!

Santa loves unconditionally

I've had a number of trials this year, as everyone does, but none so exacerbating as potty training. In the beginning, I was all smiles and encouragement. I cheered each time Jace even looked at the toilet. Praise and patience soon gave way to bribes and rewards which quickly yielded to threats and conditional love. Recently, I even went so far as to tell him that it made Santa sad to see a big boy have accidents in his pants. (believe me when I say I am not proud of that moment)
Today I was at the mall finishing up the last of the Christmas shopping, and who do we run into? Santa! Jace sprinted over to him and hurdled himself onto his lap. Grinning ear to ear, he gave Santa a huge hug and in the sweetest voice told him just how much he loved him. (huge change from just a month ago, huh?) Santa, being the good guy that he is, returned the sentiment. Jace, his face still beaming, hollers at the top of his lungs, "Hey Mom, Santa loves boys that poop their pants!"

Not Super, just delusional

It's official....I am now "uncool". Me of all people, considered un-amazing, un-wonderful, un-awesome! I knew this day came to many, with a devastating blow, but it was never going to happen to me. I was immune, I believed I had super-human powers that would allowed me to stay hip and cool forever. Then, last night at the movies, my prowess was simply and easily demolished. As I'm headed to purchase tickets, Lainie grabs my arm and says in a low voice, "Mom, pretend you don't know us." Kryptonite! My self-esteem lay in ruin right there on the pavement! How could this have happened? I'm not that old. Lainie isn't that old. How could she behave like a cheeky teenager when she's only eleven? The girls headed to get popcorn and drinks and I decided to hole up in a dark corner. Licking my wounds, I see Lainie trying to get my attention. I slowly slink closer, trying not to embarrass her, and what does she say? "I can't carry all this stuff, will you bring my popcorn?" Oh the rapture of redemption! I knew it wouldn't last long, I knew she still needed me! Underneath their thin disguises every preteen still wants her mother! My head held high, I proceed with them to the theatre. But, all too soon, my dignity was once again torn from me. "Mom, walk behind us!"..... After delivering the popcorn, like some half-witted hireling, I sat alone (far away from the girls) with that phrase still ringing in my ears.
Now, 24 hours later, I'm having a good laugh about it! In fact, I nearly wet my pants retelling it. In my dreams I'm Super-Sensational-Magnificent Mom and in reality I'm....well....just Mom.

So thankful!

"Give me the end of the year an' its fun
When most of the plannin' an' toilin' is done;
Bring all the wanderers home to the nest,
Let me sit down with the ones I love best,
Hear the old voices still ringin' with song,
See the old faces unblemished by wrong,
See the old table with all of its chairs
An' I'll put soul in my Thanksgivin' prayers."
- Edgar A. Guest, Thanksgiving


I'm so grateful for family and the opportunity to have had them in my home this Thanksgiving. Each, in one way or another, has afforded me pleasure and contentment and for that I am truly appreciative!

Sausage , Apple Dressing

One last post before I switch gears and get all keyed up for Christmas!

Here's the recipe I promised, glad you liked it. Hugs and kisses to my family who helped make Thanksgiving a memorable day. I appreciate you all so much! And to those who couldn't be with us, I thought about you every second of the day! Much love, W.


16 oz. plain stuffing cubes
6 Tbsp. unsalted butter (plus more for greasing pan and for the topping)
1lb. sweet Italian sausage
1 med. onion, chopped
2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and chopped
2 ribs of celery, chopped
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
3 C. low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 C. fresh parsley, chopped
2 eggs, beaten

Preheat oven to 325'. Put stuffing cubes in a large bowl and set aside. Butter a 3 Qt. dish and set aside. Melt 2 Tbsp butter in skillet over med-hi heat. Add sausage and cook until most of pink is gone. (not dry) Add sausage and pan drippings to stuffing cubes. Melt remaining butter in pan and add onion, apple, celery, and salt. Cook until veggies are soft. (about 5 min.) Add broth and parsley and bring to a boil. Pour veggie mix over stuffing and toss to coat. Mix in eggs. Loosely pack dressing into buttered dish and cook uncovered until top forms a crust (about 40 min.) Drizzle with 2 Tbsp of turkey pan drippings or melted butter. Cook until top is crisp and golden. (about 20 min. more) Serves8-10