New Years....

...is just around the corner. 

 I have been thinking about what the New Year holds for me. Its a time for new starts and fresh beginnings and making a whole bunch of resolutions one does not intend to keep. 

 Last year I choose a word to work on and reflect on throughout the year. I was surprised how much this word popped up in 2011. It was grace. I won't pretend I have mastered it. Some days I am the most ungracious person I know. But it is now something I am more conscious of. Something I am continuing to strive for. 

 There are two things I definitely want to be working on in the coming year are kindness, in my word and in my actions. 

 And organization. Remember- I was doing the 21 day challenge a while back. Yeah, I pretty much fell off the wagon. I figure the New year is a good time to try again so I will be starting again when we return home after the holiday.

Back to the kindness. I often find myself muttering, and sometimes downright yelling in frustration. But it is not right. At Housewives we have adopted the saying, "Will it matter in 5 years?" to help put things in perspective. And most of the time it doesn't. 

For example on Christmas Eve I found myself extremely irritated and was biting my tongue when the MR used the "wrong" wrapping paper to wrap the last of Ryan's gifts. Now, I ask you does it matter after Christmas morning (and arguably even then) what paper a child's gifts are wrapped in? No.

 However, it will matter in 5 years if my three lovies had an angry, frustrated mom.

 

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 

  Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3

Source: cookingwiths.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

Simply having a Wonderful Christmas time

We had a delightful Christmas! A merry time had by all. A weekend choc full of family, friends, laughter and church fellowship.

We began our holiday at Church for Christmas Eve service. Hands down one of my favorite times of the year. Ever since I was a little girl I have loved the candle light portion, singing "Silent Night". After Service we relaxed at Mimi and Papa's. Enjoying snacks, opening a gift....or two. Back at home, the children tucked in bed, the Mister and I finished preparations for the morning. The last gifts wrapped and tucked beneath the tree, stockings stuffed.

Christmas morning was a different this year. With the day falling on Sunday. It had been previously decided that we would open gifts before Church, the extended family joining us after Church. I have to confess when it came right down to it, it just felt wrong. It was the first time ever I had not been with my mom and dad and sister on Christmas morning. I was a little bit sad. I was glad when it was time to head off to Church for the morning service. All three kids were in the pageant that morning. They and all the kids involved did an awesome job. Mikayla was the angel, Ry was a shepherd and Hannah Mae was a caroler. She sang her little heart out. I was so happy when the mike actually picked up her voice and I could hear her singing.

After the service we mingled and chatted with friends. We were one of the last to leave. And I almost hated to do so.

Back home we readied for our Christmas guests. Feeling much more "Christmasy" with our family there. Mimi, Papa, Grandma, Aunt Laura, JJ, Poppie and Donna gathered to celebrate the day with us and feast on Christmas dinner. It was glorious!

The best/favorite gifts of the year...
Mikayla~ her CD player from Mimi and Papa

Ryan~ Red Ryder BB gun

Miss Hannah~ her princess microphone

The Mister~ the mini Foosball table...and also the Green Bay Packers Super Bowl Champion mugs my sister gave him.

Me~ my Kindle from the mister

Yesterday was a day of laziness and relaxation. I read a library book on my new Kindle, played games with the kids, watched them play the new Kinect games on the xbox.

Today Hannah and I had playdate with our BFFs. :) The girlies had fun playing with Hannah's assortment of new playdoh, and generally wreaked havoc on her room ;) It was good to have them here. We don't get to see enough of each other since Miss Makenna is in kindergarten now. Aimee and I sipped on coffee and chatted.

And now its time to relax once more. Enjoy some cocoa in my adorable new snowman mug (from the bff ;)

.... to read or to ripple, that is the question! ;P

Merry Christmas from the LaForte Family!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

Rhett is just passed his fifth anniversary at Lockheed Martin. He is an avid fisherman. This past winter he and Ryan even went on a few ice fishing excursions. Hannah especially enjoys fishing with Daddy too, in the summer time.

Amy began a new chapter, teaching this fall. As she became the assistant teacher in the 3 year old class, two days a week at Noah’s Ark Preschool. She also began teaching the k/1^st Sunday school class. She writes often on her blog at www.faith324.blogspot.com, you can keep up to date on the family happenings there if you desire.

Mikayla is twelve years old and in the 7^th grade. She continues to excel in her musical endeavors. She plays trumpet, piano and is in the school chorus. She most recently joined the jazz band at school. She received a GREEN guitar for her birthday and is teaching herself to play. She is active in her Girl Scout troop, who is traveling to Washington DC this spring to celebrate the 100^th birthday of Girl Scouts.

Ryan is 9 years old and on the 3^rd grade. He recently began taking guitar lessons. He is also part of the Boy Scouts. He spent countless hours riding his bike on our camping trips this summer. He is currently involved in a basketball clinic on Saturdays this winter.

Hannah just celebrated her 5^th birthday. She is in her second year at Noah’s Ark Preschool and anxious to begin Kindergarten next fall. She loves singing and dancing.

May God bless you in the coming year. May you and your family have a very, merry Christmas!

Love in Christ,

The LaForte Family

Rhett, Amy

Mikayla, Ryan & Hannah

cookies!

I meant to post the recipe I used for the cookie swap the other day. It was a new first time recipe for me. But it looked festive and Christmas~y and just what I was looking for.

Source: motherthyme.com via Amy on Pinterest

You can check out the recipe ~here~ They are destined to become a holiday favorite around this house! ;P

an opportunity for GRACE....

Right after Mikayla got on the bus I got a txt...she forgot her trumpet could I bring it to school? UGH! And she has band 1st period, meaning I would have to run over like RIGHT NOW! I was so annoyed.

Woke Ryan up, got him and Hannah dressed and out to the van. At the traffic light in town the bus turned in front of me and we followed it the rest of the way to school. My anger dissipated as I drove. At the next traffic light I sent her a txt that I was right behind the bus.

As I parked at the school and saw Mikayla walking towards me from her bus I could see the worry and angst on her face. It made me sad because I could tell she was expecting "The LOOK" and my usual sigh of frustration...."I have the band test today" was all she murmured. I could genuinely smile and rub her arm saying "its OK!!"

It was one of those ah-ha moments for me. I have not shown enough grace as of late to my children, I have been far too busy and frustrated and down right angry. Today I am glad for the opportunity to show GRACE to my eldest daughter...after all that's what mom's are for. To help out when they really need us...and today for my 12 year old forgetting her trumpet on band day, and a test day -- was helping in her hour of need. Doing it with out giving her attitude was showing her grace. After all who among us has not forgotten something when we truly needed it and perhaps someone came to our rescue...

Grace... around Christmas time last year I picked that as my word for 2011. A year later I still have a lot to learn. I am just finishing up the book Scandalous Grace by Julie Barnhill. A suitable ending to my year long journey toward being more gracious. I'd recommend it, Julie is witty and funny and endearing as she shares her struggles, struggles that are all to familiar. And shows how to find Grace through Christ and just "Let it go!"

Source: goodreads.com via Amy on Pinterest

JoY

Today was a glorious day. A day filled with Christmas Joy.

This morning as I sat at my kitchen table for my devo time I glanced up caught view of this sunrise bursting through the trees. Magnificent~ how happy I am we don't live in a black and white world!


Today was our Housewives Christmas Party. Six of us (& three little ones) gathered to celebrate the season and our friendship. I baked our Birthday cake for Jesus. Came out a little goofy looking this year but it was delicious. Four of us engaged in a cookie exchange. More deliciousness. ;) Of course lots of chatting and laughing... Thank you my dear Jessie for hosting us!! It was indeed a glorious time! <3










My cookie platter! YUM!! :D

Later in the evening I was starting to feel the stress creep back in. I took a step back, a deep breath and decided to do a little rippling to soothe my rumpled nerves. Its amazing how soothing the repetitive motion can be. And they joy it brings to my heart watching the bright cheery ripples form. My project is coming a long and beginning to look very blanket-esque. :D

let the little children come to me

I became a Sunday School teacher kind of by default. I felt it was not my gift. In past years on SS teacher appreciation Sunday I would stand up front as a sub and listen to all the other teachers say how much they loved teaching, how much they enjoyed their classes, and the like. I would feel like a fraud. I felt like I was just doing my duty because I felt guilty saying "No". I didn't enjoy it but felt if they needed me to fill in I could manage.

At the beginning of the summer the K/1 class found itself lacking a teacher. Even though I tried to decline I somehow found myself the interim teacher. Alternating with another reluctant yet available teacher. We stressed that we were only temporary. That another teacher needed to be found. My Dad laughed out loud when I told him this, stating, "You know what temporary means in the Wesleyan Church, right?" I chuckled and replied I did. ;P

Somewhere along the lines though-- God changed my heart. I found myself becoming attached to my little class and desiring to teach. After much prayer, consulting with my fellow Housewives and my Mister, I decided to step up and accept the class as my own. Thus far it has been a joy and a pleasure. I have such a love for each little person under my care and tutelage.

Today we had a little Christmas party/birthday celebration for one little Miss who is turning 6 on Thursday. The girls had a ball. I made cupcakes and cocoa. And gave them each little Christmasy goodie bags. I gave another her very own Bible as she was the only one in the class lacking one. Her face light up as I bestowed it upon her. It made my heart smile. I love sharing my love for Jesus with them. Teaching them about the Bible and helping them learn their memory verses each month

Baked Potato Soup

I just realized I was remiss in sharing my Potato Soup recipe that I took to the Ladies Luncheon at our Church a couple weeks ago. I got so many compliments and requests for I will say it is one of my favorite soups...

If you by chance have our Church cookbook, it is on page 18.

• 4 baking potatoes
• 1 stick of butter
• 1 small onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic, pressed
• 1 rib of celery, chopped
• 1/4 cup flour
  
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp thyme
• 1 TBSP Parsley
• 1/2 tsp sage
• 1- 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 can (14 oz) Chicken broth
• 2 cups Milk
• 6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled (optional)

In large pot saute onions, garlic and celery in butter. Stir in the flour. Add chicken broth gradually. Peel and cut potatoes into 3/4 inch cubes. Add potatoes and spices. Cook until potatoes are tender.

Add milk and cheeses. Cook over medium heat until heated through.

Stir in bacon. Serve with additional cheese if desired.

Enjoy!! :D

:~)

I loved Hannah's thanksgiving project too. It made my heart happy when I saw it hanging on the wall at school. I made a copy of it for my Grandma. <3 Kids are great, and a great reminder of all we have to be thankful for, especially when the stress of this season threatens to over take the JOY.

Hannah's birthday!!

Miss Hannah had a marvelous birthday weekend. Beginning on Friday as she celebrated with her preschool class.

On Saturday we had her party. Friends and family gathered to celebrate the five delightful years Hannah Mae has been a part of our family.

Sunday, her actual birthday, she got to choose her birthday dinner. We feasted on waffles with bacon, strawberries and pineapple.



two months old

15 months...



two years old

three years old


four years old

~Thank you Father for this little girl who brings so much joy and laughter to our family.~

many reasons...

When Rhett and I went to Ryan's parent teacher conference we got quite a kick out of reading Ryan's Thankfulness Composition...

I am thankful for a such a darling boy to call my son.

date due...

As I wrote the date in my devo journal this morning I realized it was my due date for Miss Hannah Mae. I chuckle now, recalling my frustration and angst that she did not follow in the steps of her older siblings and come 10-11 days early.

Of course now 5 years later I know her birthday is just 3 short days away. Back on '06 I was sure she was never coming out!

She is the light of my life. Hard to believe it has been 5 years since she joined our family. I am eagerly awaiting and preparing for our rainbow themed celebration! Beginning this afternoon as we bake up some mini cupcakes for her preschool class to enjoy tomorrow.

I went back and read my blog from this time in 2006. :) Ah, the memories...

I am a little sad that on Sunday my baby girl will officially be 5! Such a milestone. She is eager for next fall to come when she will get to board that big yellow bus with her brother. Getting a little teary just thinking about it... :(

Life's too short...

...to fret and stress and complain.

Life is good, God is good and we are so blessed. So very blessed.

Don't get me wrong I get caught up in the stress and pace of life moves at as well. In fact today I was on the verge of loosing it. At one point I locked myself in the bathroom for a "time out" ;P But really in the over all scheme of things. My life is pretty darn good. I am healthy, my family is healthy. I have a wonderful loving husband. We share three marvelous children. We have a fabulous little house that I love and have transformed into a HOME. We have enough. We are fed. We are warm. We are happy.

I had another time out this evening. But the good kind. In spite of the fact the kitchen was piled high with dirty supper dishes, and homework was yet to be done. I stopped and took the time to play a game with the youngest two offspring. Things like this make it all the trivial stuff fade away.

So ...

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
~Matthew 6:34

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
~ 1 Peter 5:7

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
~Jeremiah 29:11

Look for the good in today, and treasure it! Especially if you have little ones, for all too soon childhood will be behind them. And these are the days their memories are made of.

You are Troubled about many things.....

On December first I started reading a new devo series called Carols: a Christmas Devotional from www.youversion.com. When I saw this devo plan I was particularly interested because Carols of Christmas is the theme for our Ladies Christmas luncheon at Church, which incidentally is today!! :D

Last night I was feeling very frustrated and anxious and down right angry. There was no reason that I could pin point. I went to bed still feeling out of sorts. Thinking to myself my attitude was all wrong, which only made me more angry and frustrated!

This morning I awoke feeling a little better, I put the coffee on and got right to work on my soup for the luncheon. Once my soup was sufficiently simmering away I sat down at the computer to read my devotional selection for today.

I open it to read this verse about Mary and Martha from Luke chapter 10...

41 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things,42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.

The accompanying carol was Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Ahhh, one of my favorites. I love how the author connected the song with the scripture. Not one that we typically think of at Christmas perhaps but one that is certianly appropriate!

I encourage you to go and read the devotional here.
Here is a little snippet:

Christmas can seem like a rat race at times. There is all of the hectic last minute shopping at crowded malls while struggling to find the perfect gift for someone, the decorating the house (including checking every single bulb on the strand of lights to find the one at the very end that shorted out the rest), wrapping present after present after present, or preparing for the family to come and take over the house for the day. It is easy to get lost in the busyness of Christmas, and to miss the things that are really important.

I am looking forward to going and fellowshipping with my friends this morning. Basking in the true meaning of Christmas. Enjoying the sights and sounds of the season.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Have yourself a merry little Christmas, Let your heart be light.
From now on, our troubles will be out of sight.