Onions

So, I'm kind of obsessed with onions. I will try my hardest to put them in everything I make. I will base my meals around the onions I have. Fresh, chopped, grilled, powder...anything!
Problem is, good ol' hubby doesn't quite enjoy them as much.
The past weeks worth of meals have, of course, included onions. And I've gotten the same response after each one: "It was really good, babe! A little onion-y. You put onion in EVERYTHING!"
Yes, yes I do!

I love onions. Simple as that!

Mommy Confession

I realized that all I ever blog about is sad things lately. I'm not really a mopey person. So, I'm going to blog about something FUN! Christmas presents!

Any moms out there agree with me when I say that I'm super excited for Christmas morning?? For my kids... And when I say that, I mean that I can't wait to see them open their presents and become elated and overwhelmed with joy! My girls aren't getting a ton of gifts this year, but the few they will open are going to be a huge hit. I seriously am so excited!

But I have a confession. I'm mostly excited for them to open their presents so that I can play with the toys myself!! We're starting to get out of that annoying, loud, sing-songy toy phase and into the Barbies and Littlest Pet Shops. I can't wait to put together all the little play-sets and watch them go! And I will join in, just a little! :)

Our tree is lit almost all day long and the presents are just screaming our names! Only 6 more days and we will be buried in wrapping paper and cardboard! Ahh... I can't wait!

Joy Comes in the Morning...

Seriously, has it been THAT long since I wrote a blog?! Yeah, I guess so...

I always felt like my life was sort of busy. But I was mistaken. NOW it's busy. I don't know what changed. I mean, seriously, I have something to do pretty much every night of the week. And several things to do during the week DAYS. I feel overwhelmed and emotional.

Christmas always brings such joy. Can't help but feel warm and happy when you look at the little wooden Baby Jesus laying in his manger... Flicking on my tree lights in the morning when getting the girls ready totally starts my day off right.

But this year, there's such sadness as I lay down to sleep. As I think about what an awful year my family has had, I just cry. Christmas time is bringing up a lot of pain for all of us. Although, we're happy to be together... We just will be missing a vital piece to our puzzle this year.

Days start with joy, end with sadness. Not good. Maybe I need to remember that song though, "There may be pain in the night, but joy comes in the morning..." That's kind of the "glass-half-full" version. God will always bring us joy, no matter how much main we're in. We just have to know how to look for it. And how to receive it.

God, keep bringing us joy. Because no matter how much pain we're in, the joy of You eliminates it. We've experienced so much sadness, but the joy You have given us this year, has been ultimate. We could have never asked for more. So, as we lay our heads down tonight and weep, remind us gently that joy will come in the morning.

AMEN.

A Budding Twilight Fan? Or....?

This is our new wallpaper on our computer. Lame? Maybe. But we like it.
Anyways, Alexis walked into our bedroom the other day and noticed the picture had been changed (it used to be Santa and his sleigh). Here's the conversation we had:

Me: C'mon, Lex. Out of this room, please!
Alexis: Wait. I want to look! (Staring at the New Moon wallpaper)
Me: K... (Waiting...)
Alexis: (Still staring)
Me: Okay. C'mon. Out!
Alexis: I just wanted to look at the boy!
Me: Oh yeah, how come?
Alexis: I just wanted to see the vampires. (Walks past me down the hall)
Me: The what?! (I had NO IDEA she knew anything about this story...)
Alexis: (Turns around to talk, while still walking) The vampires...the boy with the red lips!
Me: Did you talk to Daddy about them?
Alexis: Nope. (Still walking away)
Me: Who did you talk to about them? (Stunned...)
Alexis: (Shrugs her shoulders) The TV!

Umm. She's never seen the movie. Of course. And we've never talked about the story. I have no clue how, or why, she would immediately be drawn to this picture and know exactly what the story is about. So creepy. Alexis sometimes has given me the creeps. I know that sounds funny. But, she's talked about seeing little boys with black faces, watching little kids come out of my room, she has terrible nightmares, and even has told me stories of events that really have taken place, but I know I've never talked to her about. Kind of like the New Moon picture.

She must have seen something about it, but I have no clue where! Creepy... But maybe I just have a vampire-story lover that I can bond with for years to come!

Wal-Mart Carts

Seriously. Wal-Mart is genius. Best cart idea ever!

Parent Teacher Conference

I have officially attended my first Parent-Teacher Conference.

What?!

I can't believe it either.

Alexis is doing awesome in school. They had nothing but good things to say about her progress, and her behavior. Sweet! I admit, I was a little nervous. She can be such a little booger at home. But I guess that special Mommy treatment. I think that her school is finally something that is all her own; she doesn't have to share with Addison, or with her cousins. It's special.

I am impressed with Shasta Meadows, they have taught so much already. Much more that I expected. I am looking forward to the rest of the year!!

Alexis, keep up the good work! You're amazing!

Song of Solomon 2:16

"My lover is mine and I am his."

God's doing amazing things in our marriage. After almost 6 years of being husband and wife, we had gotten to a place where we needed to make changes. Ultimately, we wanted to be together, but there were times that we weren't sure if it was right.
Then God completely entered in. He reassured us that our marriage could once again be amazing. We didn't have to settle for our "okay" lives. We could have passion, romance, and that insane, crazy love that "they" always talk about...
I can feel God protecting our marriage. It's such a comforting feeling, to know that God is rooting for us. He wants us to succeed.
Kenny and I have so much life left to live, and with God by our sides, what a life it will be!!