I laid in bed this morning thinking "I should get up and clean". But instead I stayed in bed and read a good book. And then, I recieved this email from my mom, and I felt much better about my decision!

A house becomes a home when you can write 'I love you' on the furniture.
Life is short. Enjoy it!
Dust if you must .......
But wouldn't it be better to paint a picture or write a letter,
bake cookies or a cake and lick the spoon or plant a seed,
ponder the difference between want and need?
Dust if you must, but there's not much time . . . .
With shrimp to eat, rivers to swim and mountains to climb,
music to hear and books to read, friends to cherish and life to lead.

Birthday, Christmas, more Birthdays!

Are you ready for this monster of a blog?

Kasi turned 9 in November. It was hard to shop for her this year, she's kind of out of the toy stage. For her birthday we took a couple friends to lunch, and then to get their toe nails painted. Kasi and her friends were darling, they gabbed and giggled at their own table and then sat all mature in the pedicure chair. I love the age Kasidee is at, aside from the emotional drama we encounter on an hourly basis, she is funny, caring and very fashion forward. She has also decided to pick up a hobby of eavesdropping, if only she could get the facts straight with the story she overhears-this talent is a work in progress:)



Then came CHRISTMAS. Oh Christmas, we have waited for you so long!! I felt like I had been shopping for years getting ready for the big show. This year we started a new tradition- a service advent calendar. My creative friend gave me the idea and it was a big hit. We sat down for FHE and wrote down all the kind things we would like to do for others. Many of the days were "Free service days" where we could pick our own act of service for the day. I loved that this month my kids really focused on service and hopefully can carry it into the new year.
Overall the kids were happy with their loot (zhu zhu pets and all).


The kids handmade me gifts.
They did for Derek as well...


>

Kasidee serenaded us Christmas Eve with some lovey Christmas music.



All the grand kids on Derek's side.


Ella and my gang rockin out to their new mp3's :)



My birthday, as usual, is the day after Christmas. I had the best birthday ever, thanks to my kids and mom!

Her I am finding my gifts. It's a tradition that we hide the kids gifts and play the "hot and cold" game to find them. This year the kids had me play!! The one gift under the tree was clearly not enough so Kasi and Dill set to work on making me some more and hiding them.

Seriously, ALL mothers should have a toilet paper roll telescope!

Besides the Santa being re gifted, I made out with many priceless items:)

Last but definitely not least. My Dilly! He had some grand ol' plans for his birthday. And I think his imagination played out well with our party plans. We had his party at the church because we needed LOTS of room! It was a SPY birthday- we made passports, got fingerprinted, had an obstacle course (guns and all), a driving range to practice fast getaways, and a scavenger hunt to find the bomb. It was a lot of work but more fun! And what did he ask for?
PICKLES!

His name suits him well.

Dillon is my man. He is quick witted and super smart! The things that come out of his mouth SHOCK and AMAZE me! He still loves to snuggle and is a definite boy-loves his weapons, action figures, scary movies and bodily noises. Dillon is a mini Derek from quoting and memorizing movie lines, their temperament, to facial expressions. What a stud.