Let it Snow!

It snowed in Las Vegas! Can you believe that? It hasn't even snowed in Alaska--at least not in Ketchikan were Vicki lives. It just kept coming down all day long. Although it was pretty wet, some managed to stick. It's gone now, but it was fun to see a little snow.

Donations

Thanks to everyone for donating. I know it has been a huge sacrifice for some people. I didn't expect something from everyone and I know each person's situation is unique. To date, I have $210. I did have people pledge to donate money, but I haven't received it. If I do, great. If not, we will deliver what we have. Due to Brant's work schedule, we are planning on taking it on Saturday. Here's the info again if you still want to donate:

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 or you can deposit it to acct# 2016701688.

The Full Moon Theory

I remember I was in my twenties when my Mom was telling me that I was born on a Full Moon. She also told me that some people thought more babies were born on Full Moons. It was just a belief, but I was fascinated by the notion. I did some research to find out if more babies were born on Full Moons. What I found was interesting. Someone actually did a study on this and they discovered that it was not true. However, because of this superstition people would talk about and perpetrate this as a truth. With the focus on births during a Full Moon, people tended to believe this was true.
This reminds me of Christmas and the whole notion of a Christmas Spirit. As I have been contemplating this, I have come to the conclusion that the Christmas Spirit isn't really unique to the Christmas season. It is only highlighted and sought after during this time. The people I know who are giving all year really don't change much during this season. It just seems like it, because their is so much attention focused on it. It causes me to reflect on myself and wonder if I buy into the hype and try to get on a bandwagon or if I carry the Spirit with me all year. I hope it is the latter.

Donations are still welcome

Thanks again to everyone who has donated. Someone pointed out that it is hard to find out where to donate when you're reading the blog on a daily basis. So I will include the info everytime I post until December 15th.
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 or you can deposit it to acct# 2016701688.
We are currently at: $210 collected; $55 pledged. Keep it coming!

Little Lane

Lane is so funny! He is just such a happy baby. He is a bit of slow poke of a few things. He can still only sit up. He rolled over from his back to stomach for the first time yesterday. He still can't figure out he crawling thing, but he wants to stand up! He has started this head shaking thing he does. He just starts bobbing his head. I finally got it on video yesterday. It's something only a mother would be so impressed with. He's a little chunk, too. He is wearing pajamas that the twins were wearing a year ago--they're 22 months older than him. If he keeps this growth rate up, it will look like I have triplets instead of twins.

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."