The Big Announcement

The shirt says it all, but for those of you still guessing, we are expecting another little bundle around Christmastime.  I am 16 weeks pregnant which explains my dissapearance from the blogger world as the idea of typing on a computer was enough to send me to the toilet wretching:-)  Snuggly in my second trimester I am feeling physically a lot better, but I fear that the emotional turmoil of my last pregnancy will be a shadow in my mind at least until I get past 28 weeks, so if you pray, please pray for our family that my body will hold this pregnancy till its proper due date!  There is only one baby in there so that I'm told should help.  I also start some hormone therapy to prevent preterm labor and biweekly cervical length checks starting this coming Wednesday (I'm hoping to get a quick peek at the sex too!)

Independence Day

Happy Fourth of July to everyone!!  We were lucky enough to slip out of the heat here in the valley (it topped 118 on the 4th!!), and head out to Temecula for the weekend.  First order of business, see a very dear friend get married in Pasadena on the 2nd.  Congratulations to Kevin and Sandra!!!  If you had told me when I first met Kevin that I would love him so much and end up at his wedding I would have told you you were crazy, the level of teasing I endured from him was barely tolerable, but underneath that sarcasm was and is a very caring and loyal friend.   I'll never forget Big Sky Indoor Championships in Pocotello Idahoe, I totally choked in the 800M, something I've never in my life done before and I was in perfect shape no reason.  I was walking back to my stuff afterwards, dazed and confused and upset and I saw Kevin and I just looked at him and I was about to crumble and he grabbed my by the shoulders and said, "Ze, it's okay.", all of a sudden I didn't feel like a failure and I'll always be grateful to him for saying that.  It seems so simple, but if you're a runner you might understand.  I love you Kevin and Sandra!

Okay, back to the rest of the holiday:-) Sunday we headed to Del Mar for the County Fair. The weather was perfect a little overcast with a gentle breeze. . . . a huge relief from Phoenix! Owen had a blast riding the big slide with Daddy, and a few other rides before sleeping most of the rest of the fair away. I haven't been in a long time and it was fun. On Monday we headed into Old Town Temecula for the annual parade which was a blast, but really really hot. Owen watched the police cars and then sat in the shade and sprayed water on himself for the rest of it. I enjoyed seeing all the pageant queens and princesses and some of the local Temecula groups as well as some veterans from past wars including WWII. Mom, you will appreciate this, whenever I saw any horses it brought me back to all the parades we used to walk in, especially the infamous Christmas parade with Apple Blossom! In the afternoon we headed over to Kevin and Christine's house for a BBQ and some family fun. I love going to Christine's house I always get good decorating ideas! Owen loves to play with Emmas toys and the two of them even got in Emma's toddler pool together . . . sort of. Owen was not so sure about sharing a pool (have to work on that:-), but once he realized he didn't have to be scared of Emma he did enjoy the water! The babies liked looking at the sparklers and the boys loved lighting them! Christine's sister Val made a patriotic berry trifle (which I had been DREAMING of since decorations went out at JoAnns back in May:-), yum!

Saguaro Lake and Crescent Moon Park

We have been busy bees again, here are a few of our recent excursions before of course this AWFUL heat has made nearly everything seem impossible:-)

Out and about with us

We've been busy this last month, the heat is kickin way up here in Phoenix, and we are gearing up for summer. We have been frequenting The Children's Museum in Phoenix, they have a wonderful room that is just ages 3 and under and Owen LOVES to run around and explore in there, today we also discovered the "noodle forest" which is hundreds of those swim noodles hung from the ceiling that you can push your way through, Owen thought it was amazing, and it spits you out at the "rock painting" station which is an area where they have these flat rocks and wet paintbrushes that the kids just paint the rocks with water. . . . . and they love it! We've also been to the zoo a handful of times, Owen loves "Monkey Village" and the giraffes, and then we pet the goats and play in the sandbox or the splash pad. Owen also experienced his first Diamondbacks game which was nice, we had awesome seats 10 rows up at 3rd base (foul ball zone) so we had our eyes out, but he loved it (at least the first 5 innings) and he tasted his first ballpark frank (and loved it). This past weekend a local farm had their annual peach festival so we headed down to Queen Creek (aka BFE) and had lunch and picked peaches, it was great, it turns out that peach trees are perfect for toddlers with all of their close to the ground branches. To finish of May we are heading to Detroit tomorrow to visit my sister and her baby girl Amara who just turned 7 weeks! Here are some pics of late.



Petting a goat named "Rocky Road"

My first hotdog, and D-backs game!

I love splash pads!

I love noodle forsest even more!

The 3 muskateers hard at work painting rocks (Kellan, Owen and Sammy)

Sand and Light table

Happy Mother's Day

A Mother's Day Prayer

Dear God,

Now that I am no longer young, I have friends whose mothers have passed away.  I have heard these sons and daughters say they never fully appreciated their mothers until it was too late to tell them.

I am blessed with a dear mother who is still alive.  I appreciate her more each day.  My mother does not change, but I do.  As I grow older and wiser, I realize what an extraordinary person she is.  How sad that I am unable to speak these words in her presence but they flow easily from my pen.

How does a daughter begin to thank her mother for life itself?  For the love, patience and just plain hard work that go into raising a child?  For running after a toddler, for understanding a moody teenager, for tolerating a college student who knows everything?  For waiting for the day when a daughter realizes how wise her mother really is?

How does a grown woman thank a mother for continuing to be a mother?  For being ready with advice (when asked) or remaining silent when it is most appreciated?  For not saying, "I told you so", when she could have uttered those words dozens of times?  For being essentially herself - loving, thoughtful, patient and forgiving?

I don't know how, dear God, except to ask you to bless her as richly as she deserves and to help me live up to the example she has set.  I pray that I will look as good in the eyes of my children as my mother looks in mine.

A daughter (author unknown)

I wish I could take credit for such eloquent words, as I retype them they ring so true I feel like they could be mine.  Now that I have had my own children, I can appreciate even more the love that comes from being a mother.  When I rock Owen to sleep and gently put him in his crib, I think about how my own mother must have treated me as tenderly making sure I was comfortable and safe.  When I pick Owen up and comfort him, wiping tears from his eyes or his runny nose, I think, wow, my mom did this for me. 

Did she worry about the world being a safe enough place for me, like I worry for Owen?  I bet she wondered, how I would turn out, what would I be, who would I be when I grew up.  Did she ever have the moments of doubt that I do, of whether or not she was making the right decision or doing everything right by me . . . . my mother always seems so sure of herself, and so knowledgeable, I can't imagine her having any doubt or worry about her mothering skills.

Mom, thank you for making such a great home for me.  Thank you for giving me sisters, especially one so close to me, even though she does get special treatment.  (haha, J/K)  Thank you for raising me to be a moral person.  Thanks for always making delicious meals, and making me eat my vegetables.  (And letting me think I was sneaky by spitting some out into a napkin).  Thank you for giving me ponies, and dogs, and cats, and rabbits, and rats, and hamsters, and sheep (am I leaving anything out?), oh yeah, tadpoles from the creek.  Thank you for letting me make horrible mistakes and figure out how horrible they were on my own and really learning from them (most of the time).  Thank you for teaching me by example the importance of voting and the democratic process, thank you for instilling in me the belief that you should take care of your neighbor whether that person be right next door or across the border, or across the world, and that you should take care of those less fortunate than you, because aren't we all equal and human?  These things you taught me some by words, but most by actions and I am forever grateful that I have such a wonderful example.  As that prayer stated, I hope that one day my own children will look at me the way I look at you.  I love you mommy.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to everyone, I hope you all had a great weekend with your families.  Here in P town, Owen woke up to an Easter suprise.  For us it was a mini preview of what Christmas is going to be like this year.  He was so excited to see those baskets full of goodies!  We woke up early and went to mass at 9 with the Cooneys, which was outdoors and perfect for little ones, and then headed over to their home for brunch afterwards.  Bri made these super yummy eggs with basil and zucchini, and then a potato hash with steak in it, it was to die for, she also made bread, scones, and red velvet sanwiches.  I contributed with some easter egg cake pops (what else:-), a tall stack of crepe (courtesy of my new crepe pan from my mom . . . . love it), and my sister made cinnamon rolls.  Owen and Kellan both had a lot of fun until they began to turn back into pumpkins around 12:30 so we headed home for a nap and Eric and I joined him, it was heavenly and lasted 3 and a half hours!!!!  Then we headed over to our friends The Gages for afternoon treats.  We got there just as Angela was setting out the desserts, icecream cake, more cake pops, cupcakes among other things.  Owen was right at home with everyone there, and found a cool riding toy that Ava also wanted to ride . . . . the same one:-)  So she climbed on in front of him, and you can see what he thought of that below:-)

All in all a fantastic day, and we all slept like ROCKS that night!

My very own frying pan!

Curls DON"T like hats! . . .no, this is not what I wore to Church!

Dynamic Duo!

Me and my friends

The girls and I have changed our walks to start from one of our houses so that we can have a little playdate afterwards.  Then Owen comes home and CRASHES for like 3 hours, its awesome!

Sammy, Findley and Owen

Kellan and Owen

Watching these boys together figuring things out is hilarious!  I hope we are able to keep up the schedule because I have them most incredible time with the girls on our walk and then just watching the babies explore their world and learn that there are other little people to play with:-)

March for Babies Rain or Shine!!

Lissette, Eric, Matix, Kevin, Kellan, Bri, Me, Angela, Chad, Remie, Owen, Eric, Chris, Kat and Brian

Okay, so we woke up this morning to freezing temperatures and rain!!!!!!!!!!!  WTF Phoenix, don't you know we have plans today:-P  No matter, we bundled up, babies and all and all trekked out for a 5K walk in support of healthy babies!  Kat saved the day with about 10 garbage bags that we used to cover exposed blanket on the strollers.  Owen had his orange down jacket, two thick blankets, and then a garbage bag like a sleeping bag to keep him warm and dry.  Our very good friends The Creels had a sick baby and couldn't make it out to join us, we were bummed, but completely understood, I just wish Mike in particular had been able to see the shirts all together in person, but hopefully the photo does it justice, it took a lot of nerve for us to unzip our jackets, and it was hard because our hands were numb! 

I didn't go to the walk last year because Owen was still too small, so it was a new experience for me.  We saw a couple of Liam's nurses there and Sue (Liam's first Primary Nurse almost since day one of life) had Liam's name on the back of her shirt, which brought me to tears.  It was very moving to look at other people's team shirts with names and gestational ages of babies, lots of shirts in memorium of lost souls.  I saw a team shirt with two sets of tiny footprints with angel wings and it said always in our hearts our sweet angels and had the short dates of their little lives.  It really humbled me, and was a strong reminder of how lucky I am to have Owen in my life, I could have a shirt like that, and I don't. 

We're in Phoenix?  Seriously?!

Amber on the left was there to hand Liam back to God in his last moments, and Sue his first primary wiped snot and tears from my face with her own shirt when I held him for the last time.

Anyhow, looking at our team photo, I am again humbled and grateful to have such loving friends and family that will come out to support us and such a deserving cause even in foul weather, I never seem to be able to find a word stronger than thank you, but to all our friends and especially to Mike Creel and Pink Mouse for designing and printing such a kick ass shirt, thank you.  Thank you, Thank you Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Emma turns One

My neice Emma Rose Damko celebrated her first birthday at the end of March. We traveled out to Cali to celebrate with her. Christine did an AMAZING job on her party it was just so beautiful! I already have my wheels turning for Owen's number 2 in just six short months! Where does the time go! Here are some pics of the day.

Dessert Table

The theme was cupcakes, these are felt cupcake ornaments Christine found at Christmas time!

My first baby necktie and pettiskirt!

Little Princess!

Walking!!!!!

I'm such a sclacker on my posts!  (recurruing theme alert:-), anyhow, as of the end of February Owen is officially walking, and as of about a week he can now get up without any assistance!  It is so awesome to have him toddling around after me, I love it.  He has also pretty much mastered opening doors (and slamming them shut!), so all the toilets are locked and during the day, pretty much all the doors are locked too:-)  He is fascinated with Mikey's mouth (gross) and LOVES being outside.  We have a lemon and orange tree in the front yard and he loves getting a piece of fruit in each hand and then parading them around the yard until it is time to taste them.

We visited my family for a week right when he started walking and it was a blast.  We went into San Francisco a few times and visited Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, and The California Academy of Sciences.  I hadn't been to the latter since highschool and the whole thing was renovated and redone.  It is really nice and includes the Steinhardt Aquarium which is stunning, and a four story living rainforest encased in a bubble (which if you just blew out your naturally curly hair and curled it you should NOT enter. . . . if only I had thought of that advice BEFORE I went in!), and a living roof where there are all native plants growing all over the roof for energy conservation and other environmental benefits.  It was way cool, and I hope when we head out there this summer we get to go back!  Anyway, my parents treated us the whole week and even babysat one night so we say our FIRST movie since I went on bedrest (I know), The Fighter.  It was awesome!

Back here in Phoenix, we have been toiling away Eric has been working very hard, and I have been trying to finish all of my projects for my new niece or nephew to be, my niece turning one and a bunch of projects I have planned for our house!  Hopefully in the next few weeks I will have time to post pics and links for them.

I hope all who read my blog read my post about March of Dimes and is walking or has donated, if not there is still time and I'd love to see your smiling face this Saturday!!

March for Babies

research:  diligent and systematic inquiry or investigation into a subject in order to revise facts, theories, or applications, etc.
ie:  recent research in medicine . . .

Team Owen and Liam

I like to say that Owen's story is a miracle, that his story is that of a warrior who fought through insurmountable odds to be the healthy toddler that he is today. And this is true, but it is only part of the story. The other part has to do with the doctors, nurses, surgeons, x-ray techs, ultrasound techs, respiratory therapists, OTs, PTs, STs and all other medical professionals that played a major role in my pregnancy, delivery and first 3 months of life for both of my boys. And what drives their success? The teachings/rules that are based on years and years of medical research.
Somewhere today a future mother is taking her prenatal vitamins because she knows that the folic acid will help protect and build her future babies neural tube which will then become a healthy spine.

Somewhere today someone is hearing their babies heartbeat for the first time with the help of a doppler machine.  The thundering thump thump thump that is the most precious thing that any ear could be lucky enough to hear.

Somewhere today parents are seeing their baby or babies on a monitor.  Maybe just a sac with a flicker, or maybe a wriggling girl or boy a beautiful spine, arms and legs just beginning to test out their power.

Somewhere today parents are welcoming a healthy full term baby, the
mother worked hard during labor and probably had to make decisions she was unsure of and now exhausted she holds literally the fruit of her labor.

All of these things that seem so natural to us are thanks to the efforts of thousands of scientists, studies, doctors, patients etcetera.

Thanks to the hard work and perseverance of these researchers in particular March of Dimes, I was given drugs to hold of labor long enough to get Owen and Liam to a point of viability based on statistics.  Because of studies, I was given a series of steroid shots that are proven to help speed up the development of a babies lungs that are months away from being ready to breathe air.  Because of others sacrifices, losses, long days, and even longer nights, my boys were given all of the tools they needed to fight for their lives. 

Did you know, that the life saving therapy of a ventilator and concentrated oxygen saves lives, but needs to be carefully monitored because it can also permanently injure lungs and eyes?

Did you know that the milk of a mother of a premature baby is higher in antibodies and nutrients because her body knows that the pregnancy ended to early and nature is doing whatever it can to fix the mistake.

Did you know that there are doctors who can do major surgery on 1 and 2 pound babies?  I watched an episode of "Extreme Pregnancy" recently and watched as a woman with a baby with a tumor the size of a grapefruit was operated on.  They cut her open, cut open her uterus, then the amniotic sac, pulled out the baby removed the tumor, put the baby back in the sac, sewed it up, put it back in the uterus, and sewed everything up and the baby went on the be a full term healthy baby. . . . no shit.
March of Dimes mission is to make sure that all babies are born healthy.  Please join me and my family (Team Owen and Liam) on April 9th 2011 to walk for babies so that one day all babies will be born healthy.

Here is the link to my team again.  Please forward on to whomever might be interested.  I would love for you to walk with us or donate if you can. Team Owen and Liam

I'll never forget when I first laid eyes on my babies

Thank you.

Owen's Baptism

On February 5th 2011 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Owen was baptized!  This was such a huge day for Owen and for our whole family and we were blessed and honored to share it with so much of our family and friends.

The word baptism and the act of baptism means a lot of different things to many people of different faiths.  To some it means water on the head, and white clothes, to others it means the baby will go to heaven if something happens to him, others believe that baptism is bringing the baby into God's or the church's family.  To our family it means not only the forgiveness of original sin (a lot of people don't like to think of a baby as having that burden on them, but we all do as we are all born in the image of Adam Gen 5:3, meaning we are born with a soul that has been contaminated by original sin.  Baptism erases all traces of this sin, and gives the baptised a new life through Jesus.  God made a new covenant with man that he would write his laws on our hearts so we would always know right from wrong (Jer 31:31)  Because of this God's laws are on our minds all the time because the Holy Spirit lives within us (Ezek 36:27).  We are all born with a stone heart and through baptism, God removes that heart and replaces it with one of flesh with his law written on it.

With infant baptism, the parents, Godparents and community have a very important roll.  The roll of helping to guide and teach the child the faith of the Catholic Church.  We made a promise to God and to Owen that we would be responsible for teaching him and raising him within the laws of the Catholic Church, it is a huge responsibility that I am very excited to embark on.  As a Catholic this means you can't just baptize your child and then never see the inside of a church again, what a disservice to the child, and a breach of contract with God.  We as parents have an obligation to raise Owen in the light of God.  Godparents too, are incredibly integral in this process as well because they promise to help raise the child in the light of God, if I fail in my duties, a Godparent should step in, which is why for us it was the choice of Godparent was difficult and easy at the same time.

Eric and I met Kevin Cooney several years ago when Eric started working for National Bank of Arizona, he and Eric became fast friends, a friendship which has continued and grown through marriage and children.  Kevin is the type of faithful person that I strive to be, his commitment and love of his faith runs deep and is written all over his life and actions.  When we thought about who we could ask to be Godparent, Kevin's name came to both of our lips immediatley, I know through my soul that for Kevin the promise made during Owen's baptism would not just be lip service.  When I think of how I want Owen's relationship with God and the church to be, and what type of man I want him to grow into in addition to Eric, I think of Kevin.  Now, although she may not realize it yet, Kevin's wife Bri was also a very important factor because as Owen continues to grow and learn, the importance of strong beautiful marriages and relationships will become more and more important, just by being the wonderful person that she already is, she will set an example not only as a wife and mother, but as a role model for a strong intelligent and loving woman.  We are so grateful and honored that he accepted and look forward to our families growing together over many many years.

I've obviously known my sister all my life:-)  I can remember growing up and playing boarding school, Anne of Green Gables, barbies, team USA gymnastics and diving . . . . pretend of course, and I also remember us fighting like dogs in highschool and beyond.  We can still verbally brawl pretty good, but as adults it is out of love not the selfishness of adolescence.  As an adult, Remie has been there for me, Eric and Owen and Liam . . . and Mikey and Linus for that matter, she has stepped up more than we could have asked for, and did so without complaining, basically moving in while I was in the hospital and then taking on all of the grunt chores when I became overwhelmed (with only a little complaint) dishes, cleaning of all nature, and babysitting whenever she is available.  We are so grateful to have her in our life, even if we do tease her.  We asked her to be Owen's Christian Witness/Godmother because I want Owen to grow up seeing what a good example she sets as a Christian, a sister, a friend, and an aunt.

Eric, Kevin, Owen, Remie and me!

Dessert!

Owen and Ava

Owen and Emma

Again thank you to all of our family who traveled down to AZ, and all of our friends who took time out of their weekend to celebrate this occasion with us.  We love you all dearly.

Graduation

Hooray for Owen, on January 14th with a few independent steps on his own, he GRADUATED from physical therapy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Two weeks before his adjusted age birthday, can you believe it!  I would not say he has "mastered" walking, but getting more adventurous in trying every day, as ever his crawling is lightning speed:-)  He's awesome!

Pathetic little me

I cannot BELIEVE how long it has been since I posted.  I am embarrassed.  I sincerely hope that the rest of this year is filled with much more regular updates!!!  Since December we have just been on the move for real!!!  We traveled up to NoCal (Livermore) for Christmas, Owen had his very first plane ride.  He did awesome with the help of half a bag of yogurt melts :-)  He spent his "1st" Christmas out of the hospital and boy did he enjoy it.  He is the beloved of many if the gifts he received are any indication.  After spending some time with my side of the family, we headed down to SoCal and celebrated a belated Christmas with Eric's side of the family.

Then we headed back to Phoenix for New Year's and to pack up the rest of our house.  Yes we moved!!!!  We got the keys on January 7th, and since then it has been a mad rush to clean (since it was filthy) and paint before we moved our furniture in on the 15th (with a lot of help from a group of very very close friends).  I did not get the painting complete before the 15th, but with my faithful younger sister coming over nearly every afternoon during the week after work to babysit a very rambunctious baby I got it all done in time for Owen's baptism on the 5th of February (more on that later). 

Owen and Emma at dinner together

A "smaller" Christmas at the Ze house

Owen's first swing ride . . . . very enthusiastic

The new house

Christmas Ribbon Bandit!

It's Late, it's late, it's late. . . .

but not too late.  (Queen)

We have been working working working away like crazy trying desperatley to get ready for Christmas travels and gift giving. However we have still had some time for a little fun. Two weekends ago we went to Zoolights with Eric's sister and her family. If you live in AZ you need to go, it really is super cool especially if you like Christmas lights!

Peacock my FAVORITE bird

Rockin the Moby Wrap



This is how I want to light our outdoor trees next year.  White LEDs on the trunk and regular white light snowflakes in the branches.  Good luck hubby!





My favorite tree, beautiful pink LEDs

Then this past weekend, we headed up to the town of Carefree for their Christmas festival.  To be honest, it was not great or good even, but they did have snow and a sledding track for the kiddos, so our friends The Gage's older daughters Reagan and Giovanna, had a blast and the grown-ups got to catch up, then we all headed over to Blu Burger for dinner.  4 adults, 2 babies, one toddler and one young child. . . . . I don't think the restaurant was super excited to see us, in fact the first restaurant we went to "claimed" to only have one high chair. . . . what??!!. . . . anyhow, we had a really good time at dinner and any restaurant should know that if you see a group where the children are equal to or outnumber the adults, you should jump for joy because it means a large alcohol tab:-)  Ha!

Anyhow, other big news, Owen is doing AWESOME!  We recently had a physical therapy visit and she was ecstatic to see that he is cruising and even independentley standing for a few seconds.  Her only advice is to keep doing what we are doing. . . . and then she did give us some strategic positioning tips for cruising to encourage turning and stepping and having to let go with his hands.  Feeding is going MUCH better than it has been, although it took a while to get him to accept any chunks in his food, we are now eating chunky foods 3 times a day and also eating 2 chunky snacks!  He loves his cottage cheese and I even can tolerate it enough when mixed with a lot of fruit!  Also, the "melt away" fruit and veggie puffs (which don't really melt away if you ask me), well he has always had trouble with them, but now he chows down on them, I am so proud of him pinching them up and putting them back to his molars for chewing. . . . those are Mary the OT's words not mine, but I am proud of him:-)  She is very excited about where he is at both with his eating and with his fine motor skills.  She says that developmentally Owen is only 1-2 months behind in most "skills" categories which is huge obviously since he was born so early.  He is so determined, and I swear growing taller everyday!  And, biggest of all, he is NOW using his walker to walk!!!!!!  And he gets it!

In other news, we are getting closer and closer to finally moving into our new house!  We cannot wait and in between baking, knitting, sewing, painting, and blog surfing:-)  I have also been trying to pack a box here and there.  This weekend I am going to try and finish off the guest closet, linens, and kitchen stuff that we can do without.  Tonight I tried a sugar cookie recipe from The Hungry Housewife and they are delicious.  Tomorrow afternoon during naptime I am going to make a second attempt at royal frosting.  (1st attempt being Owen's birthday party)  I have decided that my original problem was that the frosting was too runny, hence it never fully dried, hence the cookies got stale sitting out FOREVER!! and then the colors bled.  So I have found an actual picture of what the frosting should look like (MUCH MUCH stiffer than what I made) and asked for help at one of my FAVORITE stores The ABC Cake Decorating and Baking Supply and I am now ready to go!  I will upload some pictures when complete.  Here are some of the other cookies so far



Spritz cookies mmmmmmmm, my favorite!  Not too sweet, buttery crumbly, yum!  Super cute platter $12 HomeGoods Temecula!



Royal Cinnamon Shortbread, my favorite also

Special K bars, again my favorite!  Super cute footed platter $10 at HomeGoods Temecula . . . . . . thank you Christine

Alright, I could lie and tell you I'm off to bed, but really I'm off to finish a very cute hat for a very special someone:-)

Wednesday Night Mass

Lovely service tonight plus lots of treats afterwards.  I love that our new church has tons and tons and tons of babies and kids that all stay in church during mass.  I love it, I love it, I love it.

There is something very special about going to church in the evening, I don't know what it is, but I love it.  Maybe because it always reminds me of midnight service on Christmas eve growing up.

I have been a busy bee working away on several projects and I can't show pictures yet because they are all Christmas presents.  But after Christmas I will show and tell.

Spritz cookies . . .done.  Next chocolate dipped shortbread cookies. . . .

YAAAAY Christmas!!!!!

 

Here are a couple things I have been doing instead of blogging:-P