Hey y’all!  I pray that you had a blessed Thanksgiving.  We did here in the Cross home.  My hubby had to work, that is the name of the game in the Fire Dept.  Some holidays he is off and some he works.  He will be off Christmas eve and Christmas day though.  I got up Thanksgiving morning and chatted with Jesus.  Thanked him for many, many, things.  I just adore and praise Him.  I than started in the kitchen.  Had to make sweet potato casserole and stuffing.  I just love homemade stuffing.  There is something about sauteing onions and celery with some sage.  It smells up the whole house. 

We headed to my mom’s house that afternoon.  Such a relaxing day filled with laughter and chatter.  The food was scrumptious.  Turkey, stuffing, this yummy potato casserole that my mom has made for years, green beans that had been on the stove all day, cranberry celebration, sweet potatoes and rolls.  Whew, we were stuffed.  Filled to capacity.  But, a little bit later we had to have us some pumpkin crunch.  It is so, so good!  Elliott did get to come down to her house to spend some time with us.  He was gonna eat with the guys at the firehouse.   The day and evening was a delight.  The girls and I went home, got tucked into bed and slept like rocks.  Full tummy’s and joy in our hearts. 

I have to say that I have never been out on Black Friday…until this year.  My mom and I ventured out around 10am.  We went to the Family Christian Bookstore,  Toys R Us, and ran into the mall to one store and back out.  It really was not bad.  I got a start on Christmas shopping.   Once I got home we put up the Christmas tree and all the decorations around the house.  There is just something about having your home decorated for Christmas.  I love to sit and look at the tree all lit up and reminisce about the ornaments.  Good times, yep good times.

Saturday, Elliott put up the lights outside.  Our home looks like a gingerbread house.  So adorable.  We went to church.  It is the first weekend in Advent.  The kids came through singing a  song and ringing bells.  Natalie loved it…all smiles!  After church we went out to dinner for my mom’s birthday.  Had some delicious Italian food.  I think Phoebe could have lived on the bread they brang to the table.  After dinner we all came back to our house for some cake.  Great end to a great day.

So, today I rested.  Well, not really, I ran 3 miles (gotta get some of those calories shed).  My mom came over and we ran with the girls to the craft store and that was it. 

I look forward to the coming month.  My schedule is cleared off some and I want to really cherish quiet time.  I bought a fun Christian novel and I plan on curling up in my comfy chair with a cup of coffee, the tree lit and reading.  I look forward to my quiet time in the morning with my King.  I love to ponder on his birth, what it would have been like back then?  What did Mary think when she first heard His cry?  What was going throughout Joseph’s mind?  To see that star!!  Amazing and powerful! 

We are truly blessed by the gift of Jesus that  God has graced upon us.  Let us not forget it this Christmas season by being so busy with baking, shopping, wrapping, and business.  Let’s make it our mission to allow Jesus to live in our heart so bright that we beam with love and compassion.

Hebrews 10:24 

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds

I wanted to share with you two wonderful opportunities to give. 

To the right is a link to Compassion International.  Our family has sponsored an adorable girl from the Dominican Republic and it has been such a blessing to us.  We have received letters and have enjoyed getting to know her.  To see the children that live in poverty is disheartening.  Please take a look at their site and pray about sponsoring a child.  Make a difference in another’s life!  

Another organization that is really close to our hearts is The Ronald McDonald House Charity.  When Natalie suffered her injury she was in ICU for 2 weeks.  They then sent her to a step down unit and only one parent could stay in the room.  You couldreserve these small rooms on the same floor that had two twin beds and a phone in them, but they were first come first serve.  There was a week were it was really busy in the hospital and we couldn’t get a room on the floor.  We needed our rest, so my dad paid for us to stay at the local Ronald McDonald house.  The rates were really cheap and the accommodations were wonderful.  They were so hospitable,  we had treats on our beds, shampoo, soap, laundry facilities.  It had a huge kitchen with multiple refrigerators.  Churches and other groups volunteered nightly to bring in dinner or come and cook.  There is a game room, TV room, library, playground.  Remember,  this is a place for families that have children at the hospital receiving care.  They try to make it a home away from home.  It was a huge help to us.  Very safe and truly a blessing.  We were able to get good meals, shower and much needed rest.  

Here is one way you can help Ronald McDonald House:

For the eighth year, McDonald’s restaurants across the country will be donating $1 from the sale of select menu items sold on November 20 to Ronald McDonald House Charities.  Customers in the U.S. could also support RMHC through the Give A Hand in-restaurant program.  For each hand sold at participating McDonald’s restaurants, $1 will be given to support RMHC.

So on November 20 have breakfast, lunch or dinner at McDonald’s and support a great charity.  Set an example for your children and take the opportunity to teach them about giving to others. 

Giving to others causes your heart to SMILE!! 

I wanted to continue our “conversation”  about how to less stress the holiday season.  As I wrote earlier I attended a class about how to bring down the stress level and bring up the blessing level for your family.  I wanted to share the tips and ideas.

B:  be willing to evaluate and start over if need be.  What traditions are your families favorites?  What favorite memories from years past do they talk about every year?  Ask them about holiday foods.  What do they love and not like?  Just because Grammy made a jelly mold every year when you were little doesn’t mean you have to too. 

L:  link up with others to divide and conquer.  Have a cookie exchange, wrapping party, recipe exchange.  I heard of another ” exchange” that sounded very interesting to me.  Host a food exchange.  You have 4-6 friends that each make one thing 4-6 times depending on how many friends are there and than you swap.  This gives you many dinners for the busy months. 

E:  encourage Christ-centered traditions.  Advent wreaths and calendars, devotions at dinner, serve in a shelter, attend a live nativity, Christmas plays and cantata’s.   Read the Christmas story several times during the Christmas season. 

S:  simplify your gift giving. The more gifts people receive the less content they are.   Our kids receive enough gifts from extended family so we started giving them 3 gifts from us.  Jesus received 3 gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh.  What is your gold, frankincense and myrrh?  You don’t have to find the perfect gift.  It has already been given.  Jesus came to earth as a babe and grew into a man that went to the cross and died for you and me so that we would one day be with Him in eternity.  That is the ultimate gift.  When you are looking for those special gifts, pray first.  Ask God to lead you to the gift that will touch that person’s heart and make them feel love.  Don’t fret over giving the greatest gift.  It will rob your joy for the Christmas season.  Give the thoughtful gift. 

S:  scatter kindness during Christmas.  Say thank you.  Fire houses, nursing homes, shelters, soup kitchens, someone who is alone.  Give cookies, cards, candy, flowers.  Take your little ones and let them sing Christmas carols.  Smile and say MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone.  As Christians we need to ditch this “happy holidays” mambo jumbo.   Be bold in your faith.  Know why we are celebrating Christmas.  If you know of a family or older couple that is alone, invite them for Christmas dinner.  The more the merrier!!  Let the love you have for Christ shine for all to see.  Remember that little ones are watching and we set the example and direction to where and what we want Christmas to be in our home. 

I hope these ideas have been fun to read.  I found a great website on planning and prepping for the holidays and I wanted to give it to you.

www.gomominc.com

I have looked around and it seams to be really good.  I can’t wait to grab a cup of coffee, a pen and paper and jot down some notes.  Let me know what you think.  Share some of your ideas for Christmas.  Let’s learn from one another…

I wanted to link you to a wonderful event that is coming up.  On November 14 2009 from 9-1pm, moms are going to unite in prayer.  Prayer for their children and their children’s schools.  Moms in Touch is an international organization that brings moms together for prayer.  Check out their website for more information and to find a host site near you!  Invite a friend, you will be blessed!!!!

I hope everyone had a safe Halloween.  We had fun at our church’s Harvest Fest.  Lots of games, inflatable slides and bouncy houses and of course, CANDY!!  What to do with all the candy.  I know for myself I have to get it out of my house or I will eat it.   I don’t really consider Halloween a “holiday”.  It is just a fun time.  Now I can focus on the true upcoming holidays. 

I did want to share with you some pictures of the girls in their Halloween costumes. 

I made this yummy pumpkin mousse.  I wanted to share the recipe.  I have broken graham crackers into a bowl and spooned the mousse on top and I have bought an angel food cake, torn it up into a truffle bowl and layered it with the mousse.  Both ways were so good, plus it is low fat!

Pumpkin Mousse

1   15oz. can pure pumpkin (not pie mix)

1 package instant sugar free, fat free vanilla pudding (6 serving size)

1/4 cup skim milk

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

8 oz.  fat free whipped topping, thawed (cool whip)

In a medium bowl, with a mixer at medium speed, beat pumpkin, pudding, milk, and cinnamon until well blended.  FOLD in whipped topping until thoroughly blended.   Spoon into serving bowl, cover lightly and chill until ready to serve.  Also good frozen. 

Comes out very rich- you can satisfy your sweet tooth and cut calories

Makes 8 servings

serving size= 1/2 cup

Each serving = 2 weight watchers points. 

ENJOY……..oh, and how do you like the new look?  The colors remind me of fall, and that is my favorite season..