Pityriasis Rosea

I dunno guys! That's what they tell me. I had a case of this mysterious skin issue back when I was a teenager, but it was very mild with just a handful of spots. Now, as a 30 year old, they have come back with a vengeance!! The doctor said that they were like the chicken pox in that you're only supposed to get it ONCE, but. . . AGAIN, like the chicken pox, some lucky people get the pleasure MORE than once.
I am one such person! One in a million? (Maybe I should mail that Publisher's Clearing House thing back with my luck!)

Anyway, "they" aren't sure what causes it exactly, but it's not contagious. It just looks like leprosy and lasts for- MONTHS!!!!!! Oh, joy :(

It seems my health has taken a giant crap since I turned 30 last May. There was the 22 day, life stopping migraine in June/July. Then I got a bit of a break until October when I noticed the first spot. It took a backseat though, because old friend strep throat came to play TWICE in the month of November. Right after that the spots began to spread and take over what I once thought to be clear enough skin. It's as if my body has had a massive freak out and is recalibrating to account for the shift in age brackets, meanwhile all systems are chaos!?

Present for Jesus

On Monday we talked about what we liked about our birthdays. Naturally my children said they liked getting presents, (and eating cake). I reminded them that Christmas is a celebration of Jesus's birthday and that we could and should give him a present. Jessa wanted to give Him a picture :) We disscussed the kinds of presents that would mean the most to Jesus, then everybody wrote down, (or drew pictures), of their gift onto a card. We put all the cards in a box and then I let the kids wrap it. Jessa was on tape duty. Will did the cutting and the folding. It now sits next to one of our Nativities. I've been nicer remembering the gift I decided to give! Considering the Infinite and Essential Gift He gave us, it was the least we could do. Jessa decided she would help anybody who needed some help, Will was gonna say his prayers and continue to go to church each Sunday. Great gifts, huh? One week to go! Can't wait! Merry Christmas everybody! XOXO

Christmas festivities

We have a tradition at our house that the kids put a homemade star at the top of our tree. It wasn't an intentional tradition, but in years past we've tried different angels and stars. Will thought the angels were scary and none of the stars would sit right, so when none of them looked right, I asked Will to make a star. That finally looked right! This year it looks REALLY good! He drew it and cut it out, then traced it for Jessa to cut out. She did her best, lost interest and Will finished it. There may come a Christmas when our tree sports 3 unique and beautiful stars on top. Won't that be cool?! I'm looking forward to it.

Merry Christmas! Now Don't Come Back!

Jeff has been saying it for months now, but yesterday was the day. His employer, Owen's Inc., officially closed its doors and now we, along with many others, are out of work. (Sigh) We've been in this situation before, but never with a mortgage and 3 children. Now we get to hunt and fill out applications and send resumes. . . I know God is runnin' the show, still, it is a stressful situation. Jessa just asked me if Santa has a butt!! Ha! "Yes, Jess, everyone has a butt." "And Santa?" "Yes, and Santa." That girl- what a goose! :) K- enough blog. Got lots to too. I am hopeful and prayerful that our situation will turn around very soon.

Just Call me Suzie!

I'll admit that the past few years as I watched my excess of tomatoes from our garden rot and go to waste, I felt guilty-HORrible, really. This year, I decided I had to get over my phobia of canning and not let it happen again. On the menu, salsa and stewed tomatoes. With my blessed mother-in-law as my life line, I did it! In between the salsa and the stewed maters, she also peeled probably 300 pounds of pears we got for free, so that I could can those, too. I'm not saying this just because I know she'll see it :), but she is an amazing lady. I feel very blessed to have her and Jeff's dad for in-laws.

Anyway, it is quite a feeling of satisfaction to have those FILLED jars on my shelves. "If ye are prepared. . .".

Ghostly Treats

Will was chosen to be the "Star of the Week" this week in his Kindergarten class. Monday he got to bring a kind of a 'Show 'n Tell' backpack full of special things to share with the class along with some photos of him and his family. Tuesday he got to pick a book from home to share with everyone. Wednesday his teacher read a special letter I wrote about him to everybody. Yesterday, he got to bring a buddy to lunch. I got to be his buddy! We had a yummy school lunch together then played out at recess with his friends. Fun! As his last day of Star of the Week he is supposed to bring a treat to share with the class. I got out some of my Halloween idea books and together he and I found something we thought looked "cool" , (Will) and more importantly, cheap and easy. Here's how they turned out.

We have a Rat!

This is not a solitary incident. I wish I could say it was. There are several of my pantry items that have holes similar to this. I have caught the culprit MANY times, but can't seem to eradicate her taste for cardboard. Jeff has never seen holes such as these, but what they were put there by some rodent. I'm going to have to start checking my baby for sprouting whiskers, (or maybe just give her a 2nd helping of supper?!)