New Year's Resolution

Yep, I know, it's already the 14th...but I had some really good ones! One was to read the Bible through chronologically. One to be more organized, including tieing a pen around my neck. One was to lose five pounds by vacation...well, anyway. One was to start doing some more regular "work" on my blog. I've seen several blogs where people keep up regular posts. I really feel inspired to do just a little more. So my good intentions have been slow in being realized.

Hopefully, starting Monday I will be posting a Menu Monday. I'm also planning to pick up some other topics, but it might taking me a little while to realize fully!

While I try to get some things together, here are some long overdue pictures. P. S. Those are some mighty fine Godiva chocolates which I got from my sweet friend for my birthday!

Christmas

New Year's Day Feast!

Procrastination

Through the Holiday season, I have found many things to pull my attention from the Blog. I wish I was one of those fabulously organized people, but God created me to be one of those easily distra--ooooh, what's that---ahem, I think I was saying something about wishing I was more organized. One of the many New Year's Resolutions that I have is becoming a "finisher." I often start projects and then find another project that is more appealing. For example. I wanted matching hat, gloves and scarf. I have finished the hat and one glove. Yep, just one. It was so tedious to knit the little fingers (and I need to buy another skein of yarn) that I am dreading knitting up the other glove. Tim says I should just keep one hand in my pocket, but really that skirts the real problem I need to finish it because the Bible says, whatever you find to do, do it well. I'm assuming that means finish it. Anyway, hopefully, this year I will be better about finishing projects and posting on my blog...we'll see. Here are some recent, you know, the last month or so, pictures...oh, and Ellie is walking, I mean running!

First Parade

Isabella was in her first parade yesterday. Her dance studio always participates in the "take Santa to the mall" parade. Here are few pictures of us walking and then just some random "round the house" pics. Enjoy!

The other night I realized I hadn't taken pictures in a while, so when the kids finished their bathes, I grabbed the camera. Well, I guess I didn't wait for Ellie to finish. The last one Isabella took.And one last fun picture from the parade: a tricked out car...it was really cool!

Can't always be right...

So yesterday Elijah wanted to go on my walk with me. I'm not sure why walking around in a circle is fun for a four year old, but I like the company. One thing that you have to understand is that in Asia it takes MONTHS for them to take the Christmas trees down. As we passed one of the many Christmas trees still up, Elijah realized that the music was also Christmas music. He got really excited and said that today was Christmas. I told him that Christmas had already come and gone. And he, as a four year old, argued with me at some length. He finally asked if it were Christmas somewhere else, like another country. I said no. Christmas was over and done with EVERYWHERE! And then yesterday night, we were watching CNN and lo and behold. I WAS WRONG!!! Apparently, in Russia, they celebrate Christmas on January 7th (maybe the 6th with the time difference). On CNN they were showing a video clip from a Christmas mass. And so there it is, just when you think you are confident of something...CNN proves you wrong! And Elijah was right! Yesterday, it was Christmas in Russia.

Merry Christmas!!!

Well, so Christmas is already passed, but some of us spent it in the hospital. So we didn't fully "do" Christmas until the day after until Elliana and I got home. Some one thought that I posted the last blog, but that was Tim. We are really glad to be back home. So the following are just a few Christmas pictures of us opening our presents so the grandparents and great-grandparents can see. We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

Sleepers for Elliana

Sudoku...we are going to have to share this!

Watches

Elijah's t-shirt and the girls' jeans

An IQ booster book...are you guys trying to tell us something?

Kids' stockings

Lydia wants to wear the Stockings



Are we smarter than a 5th grader? I'm not so sure!




Lydia's animal boat and Elijah's Buzz Lightyear coloring book




New bags


Cinderella



Mama's French press

Grandma and Elliana