My very own "Do-It-Yourselfer"

I love that Breanne and I are alike in some ways and NOT Alike in others.

B: Mom, Look what I sewed all by myself.
Me: Wow! Did you really just sew on that patch that Grampy gave you to your shirt?
B: Ya, I used the needle and thread I found in the bathroom drawer!
Me: That's amazing. Where did you learn to do that?
B: From the neighbors.

Our 12 Days of Christmas Friend

Our 12 Days of Christmas Friend brought a box of 12 ice cream drumsticks.

Darling, huh?

Merry, Merry Christmas ALL!

On the tenth and eleventh days of Christmas...

My secret friend gave to me...

Huge box of sugar cookie dough mix with a note that says (It has nothing to do with the song, but we hope you like it.)

Of course we do. Should we make sugar cookies today to give as neighbor gifts?

And for the eleventh day...
a package of creme filled Pirouette rolled wafer cookies, chocolate hazelnut. The note says, "they're pipe shaped"

Very cute, don't you think. And yummy.

Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Days of Christmas

Darn it! I'm media impaired and having difficulties getting my pictures uploaded. So...I'll just have to tell you about the gifts our secret friend is bringing instead of showing you.

Sixth Day--6 eggs
Seventh Day--Bubble Bath
Eighth Day-- Milk Duds
Ninth Day--Poinsettia

Can't be nearly as fun for you to hear about this as it is for us to receive these gifts, but in some small way I still feel like I'm sharing Christmas joy by sharing the story of their kindness. Enjoy!

Fifth Day of Christmas--Golden Rings!

12 Days of Christmas

First and Second Days

Third and Fourth Days

We have a secret friend who is bringing us the 12 days of Christmas. Is that the coolest thing ever, or what?

Not until today did I realize there IS a rhyme and reason to the gifts they bring. Can you figure it out?

Today the note on the turkey breast said, "One the fourth day of Christmas my secret friend gave to me...think birds." It was then that we went back to the other gifts and realized.
The first day they brought sparkling pear juice. The second day two dove ice creams. The third day, French vanilla cocoa, and the fourth day, turkey, which I'm sure will make a much better dinner than say, calling birds.

In case our secret friend reads the blog, Thank you! You have brought us Christmas cheer. I can hardly wait to continue the tradition someday in the future for another family. You have already made our season, "Merry and Bright."

Beach Boys Christmas

A few of the guys from church put together a song for the Christmas party on Friday night. Ross (in the white shirt) sang lead. The little kids in front danced while the band sang a rendition of Frosty the snowmen set to the music of the Beach Boys song, "I get around." It's as if the little boys (grown men who performed) had all their dreams of being a rock star come true--even if only for five minutes on Friday night.
Thanks to Jamie for posting it on facebook, otherwise I wouldn't have had any pictures.
Oh, and if I had forgotten, Ross can REALLY sing. He was AWESOME!

God's Goodness

I showed up today for my second ever substitute teaching assignment.

I've been a little anxious about getting back into the job market. Maybe I should put that more accurately. I really don't want to work. I've never really planned to work other than take care of my kids, and home, and coach swimming. Those are the two things I love to work at--my job as a mom, and coaching!

I'll go on a tangent here, because I even remember in 5th grade when Ms. McMillan asked us to describe what we want to be when we grow up. I seriously wrote, "I want to marry a rich man, and be a mom." Needless to say she didn't like my answer and asked me to redo it for a surprise poem she was writing. I wouldn't back down and held firm to my first answer.

So, long story short, I'm now a working woman. Or at least pretending to be. In addition to my swimming lessons and swimming coaching, I've signed up to substitute teach. The plan is to get my teaching credential current and hopefully be a full-time teacher by next fall. I've picked up some odd jobs cleaning neighbor's houses, and shadow shopping. I also gave out samples at Wal-mart last Saturday all in addition to a new job I'm being trained in as an optician at Standard Optical. I'm absolutely indebted to my neighbors and friends who are angels come to my aid by helping to watch my children, when they are not in school, so I can go to work.

Which brings me to the title of this post. God's Goodness. Today I was sent another blessing straight from heaven.

Bowling! That's right, I'm not kidding.

When I showed up for my substitute teaching assignment today, which I knew was P.E. (and which is what my 10 year old expired secondary ed. credential is in--along with teaching health) I found out my assignment was to take 3 separate classes to the bowling alley over a period of five hours.

Hallelujah! This was like, my single favorite activity ever in the 3 years I did cub scouts. It's exactly what I pick when my dad comes to town or we get together in the winter and want to have some fun.

Yes, I bowled for free today, and got payed for it.

I told you God is Good!

P.S. Thanks to all who have been praying for us. Thank you. I mean it. Now do you think it would be too much or somehow sacreligious to ask Him again if I can get some more AWESOME substitute teaching assignments that I love! Or, I know, maybe we can pray that I get a long-term sub assignment that I would love, and then turns into a job offer next year. We'll see.