for my mom...who is sunning it up in mexico

We love you, Mom! Hope you are having a fabulous time on your vacation. I miss you already!

HaPpY bIrThDaY

creative answers 101

Yesterday my eldest daughter gave me a good chuckle with something she said. Usually these days, it's Malia who says things that crack me up -- but this time it was Joelle's turn.

The girls were in the living room and suddenly Malia was complaining to me: "Mom...Joelle stuck her tongue out at me!"

Joelle was immediately ready to defend her actions, as she replied: "No! My tongue just had energy."

Ah, yes...the "my-tongue-just-had-energy-so-I-had-no-choice-but-to-stick-it-out-at-my-sister" excuse. Well played, my child. Well played.

i think i deserve it

Let me introduce you to someone something. This is the dryer we have owned for the entirety of our 8.25 years of marriage. It was a hand-me-down from an aunt & uncle -- along with its partner: "the washer" -- and both of them have suited us just fine...for the most part.

However, it has had its issues over the past several years. For starters (pardon the pun), when we moved into our current home 4 years ago, the start button broke off during the move. So for the past 4 years, I have had to use a screwdriver to start my dryer. No big deal, I could easily handle that.

Next...about 4-5 months ago, the dryer's handle broke off. So anytime I want to open the dryer door, I have to re-insert the handle and hold it just-so in order to get it open. Again, no biggie. The dryer itself works perfectly fine.

However...the latest issues (you know how things happen in three's) was much harder to ignore. You see, one night before bed, Les put a load of his work clothes into the dryer. Well, when he went to the basement in the morning to retrieve them...he discovered that the dryer had been running all. night. long. Yup, that's right -- our dryer ran for a solid 7 hours. I shudder when I think of what could've happened while we were sleeping soundly upstairs...

So with this faulty timer, we decided enough was enough. It was hard to always remember to set my microwave timer when I came upstairs from putting in a new load. And even if I did remember -- if I wasn't in the kitchen area when the timer beeped...well, let's just say that our dryer worked over-time on more than one occasion!

So on Wednesday we brought home the newest addition to our family! Ain't she pretty?!

And look -- it has a shiny new button for me to push instead of using an old screwdriver!

And -- oooh...ahhh...a door handle that is firmly intact at all times! Oh, the joy!

But both of these things are really just bonuses, since the only thing I really care about is having a dryer with a properly working timer! I'm a simple girl, really. Now I just have to wait patiently for Les to get it hooked up. I'm so excited about this new purchase that I'm almost looking forward to doing my weekend laundry tomorrow.

Almost.

i had a dream

I had a dream that I saw you
Well, not in person -- but in a picture

You were with a new friend
Someone I have never met

But you were smiling; laughing
You truly looked happy

I hope that my dream is a reality for you
I hope that you really are happy, wherever you are

I hope dreams really do come true...

saying a fond farewell to 30

Today is my birthday! It's hard to believe that it has already been a year since I reached that universally-dreaded milestone of turning 30 years old. Funny how it never seemed to bother me once in this entire past year. In fact, I feel better than ever...even now, that I am officially 31.

You know how a lot of people in the blogosphere (or at least in my blogging circle) have these "101 in 1001" lists -- where they come up with 101 things they want to accomplish in the next 1001 days? I have always been interested in doing that, but find it way too overwhelming to even come up with 101 things, never mind to actually do them. But looking back over this past year being 30, I realized that I accomplished many-a-thing on my own, without having a large list to work off of. For me, smaller doses is better.

So, I thought that every year on my birthday I would post a small list of goals that I hope to accomplish before my next birthday (I promise it has nothing to do with new year's resolutions; it just so happens that my birthday falls 2 weeks into the new year). No specific number of things either; just whatever I feel like.

Before I post this year's goals, I wanted to give you a list of the things I managed to accomplish during my year being 30. When I wasn't even working on an official list.

1. I tried several new things.

The first thing I tried was technically before I turned 30 as it happened on New Year's Eve. But I thought I'd post it anyway. I tried Cola Jell-o from Egypt! Yes, I know -- it's not really very wild. And it's a flavour that I genuinely love to begin with (well, Pepsi is anyway -- Coke, I could do without). But the fact that I tried something that came from a far away country...trust me, it was a big thing for me!

The next new thing that I tried was jogging. I did the Couch to 5K program throughout the summer and I successfully completed the 9 week program! I never in a million years would've thought that I would turn into a runner -- but I did, and it's been such an incredible experience for me! I highly recommend it (you can read more about my experience with this on my weight loss blog).

And then I can't forget the end of summer where not only did I go on the new super high ferris wheel at our local kid's amusement park...but a few weeks later, I also went zip-lining at our church's family camp.

2. I had a successful flower garden this summer. I have been known to have a not-so-green thumb, but I took it upon myself this year to really take care of my flowers, and it was a huge success.

3. One of the biggest things that I was able to do this year was go off of my anti-depressant medication. This proved to be the most difficult and darkest summer of my entire life, as I went through the original withdrawal and the attempt at a new drug. After that new drug failed me, I went through that withdrawal again (you can read all about that on my 3rd blog), I tried going drug-free. So far it has proved to be a success.

4. The other big thing that happened to me in my 30th year was that I shed 45 pounds. (Exactly 45 pounds as of this morning!) I started up a Biggest Loser competition back in June that ran for 2 rounds. Again, check out my weight loss blog for more details on that.

So there you have it. Things that I accomplished while I was celebrating life at 30 years of age. Now as for my 31st year of life...

1. I want to lose another 20 pounds -- which will hopefully bring me down to a size 7 or so. I have already gone from busting out of a size 16 down to a 10/11, so I know that it's possible.

2. I want to run a 5K race in June and a 10K race in September, both here in my small town. I have quit running now in winter, so once spring makes its long-waited appearance, I need to get back out there immediately to start training!

3. I want to read through the entire Bible. I started this already on January 1st, as I am doing it together with a group of women and I am really excited about this new venture.

4. I want to gain (and keep!) control of my house. So often, I fall behind on laundry and house chores. You may not think that it's really a big deal -- but to me it is. I am constantly stressed out in my own home and I want to change that. I want my home to be a place of refuge for me. I want to be able to walk through my door and feel relaxed and at peace; not all full of stress and anxiety. I want someone to be able to drop in unexpectedly and not be embarrassed at the state of my home. I would love to go through every drawer, cupboard and closet in my house before I turn 32 and de-clutter and organize my home from top to bottom.

5. I want to teach myself how to play guitar. I have one sitting in my living room (borrowed from my sister) but it's just been tucked behind my couch for many, many months. I've always wanted to learn this instrument, so this is the year that I dust it off and make it a new talent of mine! In fact, I would even like to go so far as to play it in church before my next birthday.

So there you have it. I want to look back on my 32nd birthday and see how I have improved and bettered myself.

gettin' into the sauce

Last week for one supper we had chicken fingers and fries. We were out of BBQ sauce and Joelle and I were just fine using ketchup, but Malia was asking about the BBQ sauce. I informed her that I was pretty sure we didn't have any left, but she could check in the fridge just to make sure, if she wanted to.

So she promptly got up and walked to the fridge to see for herself. "Oh, yeah!" she excitedly exclaimed as she grabbed a bottle that resembled our previous BBQ sauce. She had a triumphant smile on her adorable little face as she turned around to show me her findings:

Uh...sorry sweetie -- wrong kind of 'sauce'!

blink and you miss it!

**Okay -- links are all working now (well, minus one for some reason). Check 'em out!**

As I'm sure most of you would agree, every year seems to pass by quicker and quicker as time goes on. I was sure it was only weeks ago where we were ringing in 2009, yet here we are on the cusp of 2010 still wondering how in the world it happened so very quickly!

As has become my tradition, I start each new year with a re-cap of my daughters and how they have changed over the past 365 days, using links to previous blog posts. In preparation for this year's edition, I did notice that I didn't do nearly as much blogging over this past year as there are much fewer links for me to post about. But I will do the best I can with what I have.

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Joelle -- my first-born. The love of my life; my mini-me. I love this child more than words can even express. Sometimes she tries to tell me that she loves me more than I love her -- but that's entirely impossible, and one day when she is a mother she will understand.

And she obviously doesn't understand just how much I love her and how ir-replacable she actually is otherwise I wouldn't have this post to bring you back to. Silly girl. There is nobody else in this entire world who could ever take her place, and I sincerely hope that she realizes just how special she is.

Joelle started off the year 2009 as a growing-more-confident-by-the-minute Kindergartener, and is ending the year as a budding Grade 1'er. I won't say that she doesn't still have to build more self-confidence -- as she is still proving to be shy and anxious when she has to stand up in front of her class and even talk to unfamiliar adults -- but she is still steadily progressing and we are very proud of her as we watch her grow more and more sure of herself.

Joelle loves school and has many friends, both boys and girls. I am always happy when she talks about her day and mentions many different kids in her class that she played with or talked to, rather than just a select one or two. She is kind to her friends and also befriends those who may not have an over-abundance of friends themselves. I hope she always includes those who may otherwise feel left out.

She also turned 6 years old in the year 2009, and that has brought about the long-awaited teeth-losing process which technically started back in spring. She conveniently had her 2 front teeth missing for Christmas, which made for a very fitting song she happily performed for me earlier this month (this particular link is refusing to co-operate, so if you want to hear the song go to my December 2009 archives and you will find it there).

Physically Joelle has kept growing at a rapid rate and will often eat more than me at a meal. She is consistently in the 90th percentile for her height, and I am often in awe of her thin, long legs (which look great in her first pair of skinny jeans, by the way!). The other big physical change that happened for Joelle this past year was that she got her beautiful long hair cut to around chin-length. This was a hard adjustment for dear ol' Mom, but thankfully it is growing back and she seems quite adamant that this time she is keeping it long!

In the 'crazy' department, Joelle still brought her goofy behaviour with her into 2009 (and I am quite certain this is a trait that is with us for the long haul). She never ceases to make me laugh with her ideas and the things that she says and I hope she keeps expressing herself in these ways.

Her creativity is something that also continues to grow, and both her kindergarten teacher and grade 1 teacher have commented more than once on her amazing drawing and coloring abilities. I always look forward to seeing the things she brings home from school, or watching her pieces of art take form right before my very eyes here at home.

Joelle still has a very sensitive side which she often bestows on her little sister (when they are not fighting, of course). She also expresses her child-like faith on a regular basis and often gives me reason to pause and reflect on things even without her knowing she is doing that. I can definitely learn a lot from this precious 6 year old girl.

Joelle -- It is so amazing to watch you grow and develop each year. There are some ways that I am excited to see you changing and maturing, and other ways that I am so thankful you are staying the same. I pray that you will always have a zest for life and a love for your family and friends. You definitely bring a lot of joy to my life -- and your Dad's -- and we are so very blessed to be able to call you our daughter.

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Malia -- my baby. The other half of my heart. This child has an energy that confounds me, and Les and I often joke that I 'over-baked' her when she was the bun in my oven. :)

Malia kicked off the year 2009 as a child with a bad case of the 'thundering threes' and is leaving the year behind as a much more mature 4-year-old. She will always be a very strong-willed girl prone to temper tantrums, but she is s-l-o-w-l-y learning how to control her emotions.

Malia continued in the pre-school program this year, but is very excited to join her big sister in school (and on the bus!) this coming fall as a kindergartener. That can wait though, as my baby is growing up way too fast!

I love watching my sweet little miss grow up right before my very eyes. It was very exciting this year to witness her progress in her speech, which was probably the biggest change in her as far as school-related things go. Although she is also learning a lot in recognizing numbers, letters and even printing her own name! We are very proud of the accomplishments our little pre-schooler is making and I know she will make an excellent student when 'real' school begins this coming fall.

Malia is one of the zaniest little girls that I know, and she cracks me up on a daily basis. The giggle that exudes out of this girl when she knows she is being silly is truly one of the most amazing sounds on this planet. She can make my mood a much better one just by one of her silly jokes, stories or even her wacky faces.

This year Malia had a few firsts. One of them being the exciting privilege of being a flower girl in my cousin's wedding. She was beautiful, she was calm cool and collected and she was exquisite. A natural, if I do say so myself! She also learned to ride a 2-wheeler a couple of months before her 4th birthday.

Malia is the typical younger sister in that she wants to do e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g that her big sister does. From wanting to tag along with Joelle and her friends to waiting to pick a sucker to first see what color Joelle will pick, she is all about being just like her big sis. Sometimes Joelle finds this flattering...other times, not so much. :) I love that she adores her big sister so much, I only hope she soon discovers that she has a mind of her own too!

As wild and crazy as this adorable child is, she is also just as sensitive. This is also often bestowed on her sister, and I just love how much they love each other. Malia also often remembers her friends or other family members in her bedtime prayers when someone has been sick or has had something unfortunate happen to them. I love how she thinks of others and not always of herself.

Malia -- you may have put me through the wringer in your early (and late!) toddler years...and okay, truth be told, you are not entirely 'out of the woods' yet. But you are worth every drop of blood, sweat and tears that I have had to put into raising you. I have really enjoyed the quality mother-daughter time that we have been able to have while Joelle has been in school every day these last few months. I pray that we will always have a close relationship and that you will never doubt how much I love you.


My precious daughters: Here is to a wonderful 2009 and an even more blessed 2010! I love you both very much!

i can hardly stomach it

**WARNING: this post may contain details that will conjure up mental pictures in your head that may be considered disgusting.**

I have an e-x-t-r-e-m-e paranoia that I suffer from and I have for about the past 5 years. I speak of the ever-so-dreaded stomach flu.

I don't remember this being a real issue when I was a child. And in fact, the last time I really had a bad case of the stomach flu was when I was in grade 6 -- until 5 years ago. Ever since I had kids. Coincidence? I think not!

The winter that Joelle was a year old, I had my first bout with it since my tween-age years and have had it every year since then. Nothing makes my stomach drop with dread quite like this awful illness. I don't even know how to properly describe to you just how much I loathe this sickness.

If I hear of anybody who has it, I immediately replay in my head the last time I -- or one of my kids -- was in contact with them. Or if I was in contact with someone who was in contact with them. If I think anyone in my househould even had the remote possibility of being exposed to it, I get completely paranoid that we will be next. I get incredibly anxious, and every little thing causes me to be suspicious that it will make its unwelcome appearance in my home. If the girls so much as whimper in the night, I hold my breathe and pray that it's not because they are getting sick. Or if anybody gets up at night to use the washroom, I'm begging God to let it just be a regular trip to the washroom and nothing more. If anyone so much as mentions that their tummy hurts, I pounce on them with questions: Does it feel like you need to throw up? How long has it felt this way? Does it hurt, or does it feel sick?

My girls have to wash their hands all. the. time. As soon as we get home from anywhere -- everybody washes their hands. I am constantly reminding the girls, "As soon as you take off your jackets and boots, head straight to the bathroom to wash your hands with lots of soap and water." It doesn't matter if it's Joelle coming home from school, or all of us coming back from the grocery store...even if nobody took their hands out of their mittens on a little excursion, they are sent straight to the bathroom for their hand-washing routine.

The problem with all of this is that I spend way more time feeling anxious and worked up about it than it actually takes for the flu to go through our family. I can't even begin to tell you the number of times I have made sure all of our bathroom garbage cans are empty in case they are in need in the middle of the night. And the girls both have had an empty ice cream pail beside their beds ever since October when I first heard of someone having the stomach flu this fall.

Surprisingly, the girls haven't caught on to my extreme paranoia. They are mostly pretty oblivious, as the only thing I really say to them (well, other than my peppering them with questions if they let on to any suspicious stomach flu symptoms) is that we are just trying to stay healthy. It helps that neither of them have really had that many encounters with the 'disease.' Joelle has thrown up I think maybe twice in her life, and Malia has had 2 really bad bouts with it over the past 3 years. So not too bad. And even the times where I have had it, it has been relatively quick (however not painless!).

But for whatever reason, I am almost paralyzed with fear of getting this flu every winter. And I'm just not sure how to keep it in check. I mean, I'm totally fine with the way I am with getting the girls to wash their hands when they get back from anywhere public (and even a friends' house). But the constant anxiety and over-stressing about it...well, it's really not very fun. I try to give myself lectures that all we can do is proper hand washing and then it's really out of our control. If we get it, then we get it. We'll deal with it, we'll survive, and then we'll move on with life. But I just can't quite get myself to just relax about it.

Last week, Les and I rented "My Sister's Keeper" (a must-see if anyone is looking for a movie to make them cry!) and I told myself that a silly little stomach flu is NOTHING compared to what some families -- like the one in the movie -- have to go through. Sure, it was a fictitious movie, but there are many real stories out there with real people suffering like this. (For those of you who don't know, it's a movie about a family who has a teenage daughter who has suffered from leukemia since she was a toddler.) Watching that teenager -- even though she was just acting -- go through the things she had to go through...it made me so grateful that the worst I have to worry about is the stomach flu. It made me really think long and hard about my over-reactive paranoia and how unfounded it really is. Sure, nobody likes to feel nauseous and spend time emptying their stomach contents like that...but it's a day or two a year. Not a constant thing that your body has to go through as a result of trying to save your own life.

I told myself after seeing that movie (even though I had seen it before, but it wasn't during flu season the first time) that I was going to stop being such a sissy about it. That I was going to remind myself that I would take the stomach flu any day over anyone in my household having to battle the ugly disease of cancer.

And then what did I do last night? Emptied our bathroom garbage cans and lay in bed with anxiety after Les told me that his stomach felt a little bit weird.

Sigh...

since you've been out of my life

things are not the same

i miss you

i know this is for the best;

it's how it has to be

there's no way around it

but it doesn't make it hurt any less...

i often wonder why

it had to happen like this

where did we go wrong?

i never saw it coming

i always thought you'd be

someone i could count on

forever...

but yet here we are

strangers

no longer in each other's lives

i can't share my triumphs with you

or my sadness

or just the day-to-day stuff of life

no more celebrations

no more laughter

no more tears

there is nothing...

nothing but memories

of what we used to share

and even those are tainted now

i have forgiven you

as i hope you have me

yet we still must remain this way

even though it causes pain...

it's hard to say good-bye

when you didn't even know it was time

so, farewell to you

i hope life treats you kind...

just thinking "out loud" (so to speak)

Tonight when I was driving home from a night out in the city (30 minutes from home), I made a wrong turn. Well, not necessarily a 'wrong' turn -- but not the turn I was intending to make. It simply put me on a different path towards home. Perhaps it was longer distance-wise, but time-wise it was likely shorter (due to lights and speed limits, etc.).

I don't know why I turned where I did; it was never my intention. But yet, for some reason, subconsciously, I made the decision to turn right instead of going straight. At first I just shrugged and thought "Oh well" and continued on my way.

Then I got to thinking (well, over-thinking is likely a more accurate term). What if there was a reason I turned here instead? What if it was really an act of a guardian angel that caused me to change my planned route home? What if I had carried on the path I had originally set out for myself and I ended up getting into a car accident? What if making this sudden and unexpected subconscious decision just saved my life?

And then I thought...what if making this 'wrong' turn resulted in me getting in an accident? What if making this sudden and unexpected subconcious decision just put my life in danger?

I didn't let this over-reactive thinking continue for long, as I belted away with the Christmas songs playing on the radio and soon got distracted from it all. But it was an interesting thought for a minute or two as I reminded myself that whatever happened, God was in control. There was no need for me to wonder one way or the other how this random decision would affect my life. That things that are out of my control should just be left up to God and not consume my thoughts with worry or anxiety. That I need to remember to trust in the Lord, my Saviour, in all things.

Yup, I got all of that from making an unexpected turn.

reason #241 why we don't "do" the santa thing

I asked Malia -- my 4 year old -- this morning, "What is Christmas all about?" Her immediate reply: "Santa!"

That just goes to show you that no matter how much you push Jesus' birth as the real reason for the season, there's too much Santa-stuff out there that completely over-shadows it.

People may think this is harsh -- but we tell our kids straight up that there is no Santa Clause. We tell them that WE buy them their presents, we tell them that there is no such thing as a fat man in a red suit going in everybody's homes on Christmas Eve, sneaking gifts into stockings and under the trees.

My problem this year: Joelle isn't convinced. I think deep down she knows he doesn't exist...but she won't stop arguing the fact that he is real. She wrote a letter to Santa this year and wants to send it to him. I'm struggling with this. I don't really mind her playing along...as long as she knew it was just that; playing around. But do I really want to encourage this when she so obviously wants it to be real?

You may think I am over-reacting and that kids will be kids; let them have fun with it and eventually they outgrow their belief in Santa. But that just doesn't sit well with me. I want my kids' immediate response to "What is Christmas all about?" to be "JESUS!"

And that is why we don't do the Santa thing at our house.

i once was lost...

...and I think I still am.

Not in the spiritual sense like the familiar line in Amazing Grace implies (I once was lost, but now am found). I don't even know how to properly word how I'm feeling lately, but I'm going to try. Maybe it will help me understand myself a bit better.

I have been desperately lonely lately. Not depressed (Goodness knows, I don't understand it -- but after fighting off minimal bouts of 'winter blues' early in November, I have since been completely free of any actual depression). So no, I'm not depressed. Just lonely.

It seems like one thing after another is contributing to this feeling. First of all, there was the complete destruction of one of the closest friendships I have ever had back in March. Almost immediately following that was another close friend moving 2 provinces away. Both of those absences -- although very different in their nature -- have created huge gaps in my life that are not being filled by anyone or anything else.

Another one of my best friends and I are drifting apart. I used to be her 'glom', she would say. Someone she sort of attached herself to after moving here; we were practically inseparable. Now our lives are moving in very different directions. She has more friends than I can count, and chooses to almost constantly be surrounded by them -- whereas I am more of a home-body.

As much as she called me her 'glom', I think I depended on her much more than she depended on me. I don't fault her for putting herself out there, gaining a whole slew of friends and dividing up her time amongst all of them. But I do envy her.

I have been trying to reach out to others, make new friends -- especially those who have kids (preferably girls) Malia's age; something that can benefit the both of us. I want to connect with other people and put myself out there; a bit out of my comfort zone. My wall is getting in the way of that a little bit, but I am trying. But another hinderance to this is that I feel not many put the effort in to get together with me in return. I feel like I am all but forgotten in this 2-storey cookie-cutter house.

Yet another thing -- a very recent thing -- that is making me feel a little lonely is the fact that my Biggest Loser competition is over. After 2 rounds -- and 25 weeks -- I hung up my hat as the co-ordinator, as well as a participant. There are others forming a new committee to keep it going, and they have 20+ people who are committed to another round starting early in the new year. While I am very proud of what I started, and am happy that it is continuing even though I am not...part of me -- the very selfish part -- is wishing that it would've stopped with me. You know, like they just couldn't carry on without me.

Words of encouragement is my love language, as I have mentioned several times before, and believe me -- I got a good dose of this love language throughout this competition. I was looked up to, I was admired, I was becoming people's inspiration, and I was being thanked for my efforts in this on a weekly (if not sometimes daily) basis. And I thrived on that. There are reasons I decided to end my part in Biggest Loser (of which I hope to yet blog about, either here or on my weight loss blog), and I stick to them. But part of me can't help but feel like I am going to be missing out on a lot by withdrawing from the competition in all forms. And, selfish as it is, I am going to miss all of the positive comments that came my way from running this whole thing.

So after all of these things, I am left wandering...wondering...and lost.

my weight loss journey: before & after

25 weeks and 42.2 pounds later...here are my Before & After pictures:

The picture on the left was taken at my ultimate heaviest EVER, just 2 weeks before the Biggest Loser competiton began. Picture on the right is from last night.

Left: Taken at the beginning of Round II (mid-September, after having lost 24 pounds)

Right: Taken last night

Left: Taken end of August

Right: Taken last night

Left: Taken end of August

Right: Taken last night

Left: Taken end of August

Right: Taken last night

At the beginning of summer, these pants were snug as can be on me. Now look at them!

My new and very improved body from 3 different angles!

What a difference 42.2 pounds can make!

You know...I used to be that person who got extremely envious whenever someone got amazing weight loss results. I would always email them wanting to know their secret -- you know, secretly hoping it was something as simple as sleeping a certain way. Okay, obviously I knew it wasn't *that* easy. But I was always hoping for some sort of magical quick-fix.

Of course it doesn't work that way. It involves a lot of hard work and DAILY decisions that you are going to make positive lifestyle changes. Someone once asked me if I ever felt like just NOT doing it. My response: "Every day!" Not a day goes by where part of me wishes I could just go back to the way things used to be...eating whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. But the feeling I get when I step on the scale every week and see the numbers consistently go down is worth all of the hard work and sacrifices I have had to make.

Now that Biggest Loser has officially ended (for me anyway -- there are people heading up a Round III), I wonder how the journey will continue for me. I still want to lose another 20 pounds or so and I wonder if it will be a lot harder without the weekly accountability to my Biggest Loser team. But thankfully I have enough wonderful supportive friends who want to share accountability together with me. So I think I'm covered! :)

Thanks to all of you who have cheered me on throughout this journey. I never thought I would actually accomplish all of this -- but I did it! And I've got the pictures to prove it!

all she wants for Christmas are her two front teeth...

...oh, and an Easy Bake Oven, Barbie & the 3 Muskateers dolls, a Fur Real pet...and pretty much anything and everything she sees advertised on a commercial!

traditions in the making

My sister Tammy is doing a blog-hop where we do a post about our family Christmas traditions and sign up on her site so we can all check each other's posts out. You can click here to take you to that specific post. And as an added bonus, she is now holding a give-away but in order to enter you need to participate in the blog hop.

Our favorite family tradition is actually the same one that Tammy posted about -- but it still counts, since we do it too!! Every November, we participate in Operation Christmas Child, which I posted about here. It's a great way to get into the Christmas spirit and to teach our girls valuable lessons in giving and being grateful for the abundance of blessings that we have.

Another one of our traditions is baking, of course! Every year we make our family favorites -- butter tarts, SKOR bars, Festive Fudge and soft white cookies. Two years ago I posted 3 of those recipes, so click back in time if you want to check those out. To be honest, the ones that the girls usually help with the most are only the soft white cookies. We take an evening together as a family to ice and decorate them while listening to Christmas music. It's a fun way to spend an evening together as a family, and we get tasty treats out of the deal too!

I'm looking forward to starting other traditions with my family too. This year on Christmas Eve we are planning on having our main family dinner, watch a Christmas movie and play games together. I would love to start having this happen every Christmas Eve -- but with so many family gatherings to work around every year, it's hard to make it happen. So far I'm okay with being flexible on the actual date -- after all, the most important thing is to be together -- but someday we'll be more firm on the date. For now though, I'm just looking forward to a Christmas Eve of family fun!

Those are a few of our traditions -- what are yours?