Donation update

Okay, so I have $85 in actual received funds and $55 in funds that people have indicated they would like to send. So, if you still want to do this--send it in! I am going to deliver it around the 15th so we've got four days left. Thanks again to everyone for their generousity.

My first gift basket of the season

This sounds so silly, but I have to share it. I have been wanting to send baked goods to work with Brant for so long. But, every time I ask him he tells me he is not gay and he is not bringing cookies, bread, or any other goodies to work. He is a manly-man type and also a mechanic working with other "manly men." I keep telling him these guys will love it and he can blame it on me. It doesn't have to be from him, it can be from his wife. And, I reason, if he has a wife, then he is definitely not gay. (Okay Vicki, don't argue with me on this. I know you have examples of why this is not necessarily true--so just work with me.)
I also wanted to send our cute little family Christmas cards to work with him. I was met with the same response, "I'm not gay." However, a couple of days ago he called me and said, "I changed my mind. I need 5 cards." I thought, I hope this doesn't mean he's gay. But, I didn't say anything. So I got five ready. Yesterday he called me and asked if I would make some banana bread. I said "sure, why?" He said he wanted to take it to work. I was so excited, I didn't even make a big deal about it. I decided to make banana nut muffins with cream cheese frosting. They tasted so good. I got rave reviews from everyone in the house. So I'll post the recipe at http://www.mommydazerecipes.com/

Peanut Brittle

A holiday favorite that is so easy to make. Nothing like microwave baking. Check it out at:

www.mommydazerecipes.blogspot.com

Poop, there it is!

Porter has discovered a new way to get out of going to sleep at night. He has done this for the past week--no matter what time he goes to bed. He will come and tell me he has to poop. So, of course, I let him go to the bathroom. Last night, he sat on the toilet for at least 20 minutes pooping intermittently. I think it was so he could continue talking to me and keeping up his comedic antics. Every time he would poop just a little, he would say, "Poop, there it is!" Then he would ramble, and ramble about whatever things were going through his mind. Other than the fact that I am very tired and want to go to bed, it is quite entertaining to listen to him.

Quote for the Day

"Successful and unsuccessful people do not vary greatly in their abilities. They vary in their desires to reach their potential." - John Maxwell

Donations for Christmas Gift

I had an old friend (who hardly looks old) from my hometown contact me yesterday to donate. She said she is already doing a lot of other Christmas projects, but still wanted to help out. Thank you! She was always a very nice person and still is. I know people have a lot going on. I have been fortunate to be surrounded by good people in my life and it is likely that those good people are already doing something this year. So thanks for going the extra mile. With her pledge of $50 we have a total of $135 with 6 days to go. It's going to be a wonderful gift. Thanks as always to those givers out there. And, if you thinking about doing it, remember even a small donation would mean something. I've had several people give $5 dollars and when you add up all of the five dollar donations they have make a nice contribution. Merry Christmas, hope you are enjoying the holidays.

Holiday Recipe Exchange

Have a great family recipe you make for the holidays? I would love to share it. Please email your recipes to: lizlane717@gmail.com

I am starting with this recipe:

Angel Kisses
http://mommydazerecipes.blogspot.com/2008/12/angel-kisses.html

Thank You For Your Donations

To date--I've received $85. Thanks so much. I know times are tough and everyone has a lot of their own service projects they are involved with. I just want everyone to know that I do appreciate those who have so willingly donated. It will be to a beneficial cause and used well. Merry Christmas to everyone.

Play Dough Cookies

We made Play Dough cookies on Saturday. The twins had a lot of fun making them. The colors looked cool, but the cookies weren't too tasty. I'd use a different recipe next time. It's fun for kids.

By the way, if you blow this picture up you can see Madison's cut and bruised eye from her encounter with the stocking holder. She is careful to warn all who come near how dangerous it is. She even took Grandpa into her room to warn him. (Even though he stands taller than the dresser and is unlikely to be below the holder.)

You can see the recipe for Playdough Cookies and better pics at mommydazerecipes.blogspot.com

Ward Dinner

These pictures are from the Ward Christmas Dinner. Brant and I stayed home and Grandma and Grandpa took the twins. Brant worked so much all week he just wanted to rest. We kept Lane. Grandpa said Porter was singing with him on the way home and had perfect pitch. He doesn't get that from me.

They were so excited when they came home. It's amazing how much they can grasp about the Christmas story already. Apparently there was a live Baby Jesus and real angels. They were so excited to tell us about it. I asked Porter to sing for me and he sang, "Ooh, La...La, La."

Random Pics from Thanksgiving

These are some of the pictures from a few weeks ago. I did a horrible job of taking pictures while we were in Utah for Thanksgiving.
So I only have a few.

The top is of me and Jaymi. We were all sitting around in Mom's room talking. Kimberly was having mild, occasional contractions. We were hoping she would go into labor before we left, but that didn't happen. The middle is Lane in bed. He would wake up so happy. He slept really well even though he didn't have his usual bed. I was so glad.

And the bottom is Bobbi's third daughter, Brianna, and Jaymi's only child, Krew. The twins had so much fun with their cousins. I wish we could see everyone more often.

Thank You For Today's Donations

I received a $5 donation for the Christmas donation today. Thank you. Every little bit will count. I sincerely appreciate all those who are trying to help. I know most people are struggling or trying to get by or are already donating to projects.

Thank you for today's donations

Today, we received $55 dollars and a pledge for another $5 for the donations and one anonymous angry email. I was really excited that people are participating and cannot wait to anonymously deliver the cash. I know it will mean so much to her family and will help her out. She is a good woman and will be on her way up.
Please forward the link to anyone you know may want to have an opportunity to give this Christmas. Or, post the link on your blog. The more people that know, the more money we can give her. Thanks a ton everyone. I know she will be very grateful. Here's the link:
http://lizlanehibbard.blogspot.com/2008/12/do-you-have-christmas-spirit.html

Madison "Rocky" is back

I never fully appreciated the design of our skull as it pertains to protecting our eyes. Madison gave me a very good lesson in Biology today. She pulled at one of the stockings. As she did so, the stocking holder came tumbling down on her. It was a very heavy piece and banged her up in three places around her eye. She has a red mark and bruise on her brow; outer eye; and a cut underneath her eye. We're very lucky her bone part of her skull protected her eye.

Would You Like to Give This Christmas?

Dear Friends and Family,

It has always been my hope that I would raise children who would feel compelled to give and think of others. Especially when times are tough. Brant and I have talked about this at length many times. As early as October of this year, we were brainstorming trying to think of something we could do to help someone during the holiday season. Our finances are tight and we don't have a lot ourselves. However, we both have a sincere desire to help someone in need. We both agreed to pray for an opportunity to come along.

I have recently spoken to a wonderful new friend of mine who is a single mother of four children. Recently divorced, she is struggling to make ends meet this year. She isn't worried about getting much for her children this year, she's worried about being able to pay her bills. She was near tears as she expressed to me the heartbreak she is feeling watching her children have to do with so little. Her youngest son was so sweet as he jumped into her lap. But, I noticed he was wearing no socks and his pants were a little short.

I am so glad I was able to speak with her, as I feel like this is an opportunity for me to help her and her family. I have an idea, but in order to make it work, I will need help from you. There are alot of people that read my blog. I know you may have wanted to do something to help somebody around Christmas time that may be in need. This is your chance. Talk to your family and explain how much this would be helping someone else. Your children can help too and learn how important it is to give. They can even donate a dollar.

I would like to collect donations from anyone who reads this blog. I guarantee one hundred percent of the money will go to this family. I am going to email, blog, and recruit as much as I can until December 15th. That's about 10 days from now. If I can get $50 per day, we can anonymously give her $500. That's alot of money, but not alot to pay bills and buy things for a family of five. So, here's what I need from you. Donate $1, $5, $10, or more if you have it. Because it is such short notice, Paypal is the quickest way to send it. My Paypal address is lizlane717@gmail.com. It's easy to send money. If you have a Wells Fargo you can transfer it instantly to my account. If you want to do this, please email me and I will give you the account information.

I also need help getting the word out. If your friends or family would like to help someone in need, please copy this post and send it to as many people as you can. I'll keep my blog updated to let you know how the collections are going. Remember, even $1 will help. I would love to help this family and make their holidays a little brighter.

Thanks,

Liz Hibbard