Day 6

I woke up "early" and took my mom to work before Josef and I ran some errands and rented Despicable Me.

I made two loaves of banana bread for a family gathering tomorrow... they were flops, I was trying a new recipe and it is one that I will not be revisiting. I'm not sure why I tried something new when I had a recipe that I really liked and had made several times before.

Josef and I spent the majority of the day playing board games while the bread was baking. We played Lord of the Rings Trivial Pursuit (one of my favorites), Scrabble (another favorite), and Dutch Blitz. Josef beat me at Dutch Blitz for the first time, ever. We had a lot of fun... and I wouldn't trade the time hanging out with my brother for anything. There was a lot of laughter, and I sure it drove Dad a little nuts.

For supper, I made my first pan of lasagna! It turned out great, making up for my flopped banana bread earlier. After we had the table cleared we settled in to watch Despicable Me. I had already seen it, and loved it, but I think everyone else enjoyed it as well.

Now, Mom is brewing some coffee while we watch one of our favorite episodes of Stargate SG-1, and there may be ice cream in our near future as we wait to usher in the new year.

Happy New Year, and God Bless!

Day 5

I trusted my brother with the key to my car again today.

I gave Hansi-dog a bath today! He smells much better, and I think Josef will appreciate that tonight when they're sleeping. 

As far as cooking goes, I made a really nice pasta bake for Josef and I for lunch and some sausage and cheese biscuits for a family gathering we had tonight at my dad's uncle's house. All of the grandkids and most of the great grandkids were there, woohoo! It's funny because the great grandkids span from 25 years old to about 4 months old. Crazy. 

It was a good day. 

God Bless. 

Day 4

I completely forgot to post yesterday, so you get two today.

Well, I gave my mom a couple stamps. But then she paid me back, so that doesn't really count. I took my mom to the store after she got off work and carried all the groceries for her because of her "gimp" arm.

I did trust my brother with the key to my car. That's kind of a big deal.

I started a new knitting project, as well.

Not a very eventful day, I'm afraid.

God Bless

Day 3

Today I did more receiving than giving, I'm afraid. I had to go pick up a scholarship check. I spent 45 minutes talking to the president of the foundation, he knew my grampa Rob and uncle Loren. He did most of the talking, I just listened.

I did run some errands for my mom while I was in town. I went over to my Gramma's house and spent some time with my cousins and my aunt and uncle. I also helped Mom make dinner tonight.

While supper was in the oven, I wrote a extensive letter to a friend. He is struggling with depression right now and I have been praying for him. I'm sending him a tea packet and a bit of my heart (I told him about my own fight with what I call "darkness" in medical issues). I do not know him very well, but I pray that he will find some comfort in the fact that I was able to overcome some serious physical obstacles. We worship the God of all comfort, after all.

God Bless

Day 2

It was a lazy day at home. I woke up late and then didn't do a whole lot.

My friend Kate came over for a while and I was able to give her the hat and scarf I made for her. I think she liked them. She was going to a wedding this afternoon so I also did her hair for her.

I wish I saw her more often.

God Bless.

Day 1

Well, it's the day after Christmas.

I made a turkey dinner for my family. My mom is having serious pain in her right arm, and so is unable to do a lot of the cooking and cleaning around the house. So today, to help her out, I baked my first turkey... ever. And I carved it too, so that my dad wouldn't have to stop what he was doing with my brother. It was actually a lot of fun.

I also spent the afternoon and evening with my mom watching movies and laughing instead of being antisocial.

It was a good day, and it was time well spent.

God Bless

Christmas 2010

Well, it's been here and gone again. Christmas day seems to fly by in the blink of an eye and if we're not careful, Christmas 2011 will be upon us before we know it.

Now, I love the Christmas season. I love the lights and decorations. I love buying and making presents for my family and friends. And yes, I like receiving gifts, who doesn't? I love celebrating the birth of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I love going to the Christmas Eve service at church. I love singing all the carols about the birth of my Savior. I love watching the little kids at church sing their songs. I just love it.

During this year's Christmas Eve service I was thinking about what it would be like to give all-year-round. What would happen if I didn't have a giving attitude just during December. I mean, we celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25, but we don't actually know the day he was born. And really, He didn't just give to us when He was born and when He died. He continues to give us our daily needs.

So what if, instead of the 12 days of Christmas, it was the 365 days of Christmas? It's something I'm going to try this year. I'm going to try to be giving every day this year.

Now, when I say "giving" I don't mean something of monetary value, although it could be that. It could just be some time, or some love. Giving comes in many forms.

This is going to be where I record what I have given, and at the end of the year we'll see how well I did. If you read this and feel like joining me on my 365 day journey, leave comments telling me what you have given! I would love to hear what you're doing!

I hope that you all have had a very Merry Christmas and will have a Happy New Year!

God Bless