Giveaway!

That's right, we're entering into a New Year and I'm in the mood to give! Remember the sweet Jesus stocking from my Christmas traditions post here. Well, I thought it would be great to share.I went to the Bookstore and I couldn't find the full size one that I have, but I did find this cute, mini one. It has little notecards included that you can use to write down your "gifts" to Jesus. It would be Great for a table-top tree. So if you want to win, simply leave me a comment sharing your Favorite Family Tradition. It could be anything from a Christmas song, a favortie movie, or even a cookie recipe. I know people usually shop for their decorations after the Holidays, so this giveaway is right on time! The contest lasts until January 12th. What a great year to start a NEW family tradition. Just a thought....but a lovely one!

You can find other Great gifts and deals at
http://www.familychristian.com/

My Goodness!

My Goodness! It feels like I've been gone forever! lol. I've just been wrapping up a very blessed and eventful holiday break with my family, so I haven't had time to write. I missed it! It's such a wonderful release and I truly love sharing my thoughts with others. Okay, I have been doing a little shopping.....smile, but hey, can you blame me? The sales have been great! I also didn't really have any Christmas requests (other than a magazine subscription or two,wink wink). I just enjoyed family time. I also made my very FIRST turkey! yeah me! I know what some of you may be thinking. I've been married 8 years and never made a turkey? well.... Aaron's never been a big turkey fan. Every year when I would ask him what he wanted to eat for the Holidays, he would say Prime Rib, Roasted chicken, or Ham. We also juggled alot of holidays with family so, I never really had the opportunity. This year a friend of Aaron's gifted us with one and he decided it would be great so......24 lbs of Turkey(HUGE!) a few sprinkles of poultry seasoning and herbs, and 6 hours later. voila! I have a picture of the turkey cooked halfway through (sorry you didn't get to see the finished product). Aaron was SO proud of the way it turned out. He kept commenting on how juicy and tender it was. The real seal of approval was when my Mother-in-Love, Cindy was impressed.  I love to cook and to try new recipes and I'm already thinking of combining  some of my "experiments" with all of you, my dear blog friends, but we'll chat about that later. I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking "Wow! This year has really flown by!". I honestly have to say that there has been so much going on. My reflections of these last few days of 2009 are that life  IS short, and you have to make the most of each day. As my boys childhood seems to be marching by and my wedding anniversaries are increasing, I'm taking the time out to truly be appreciate of what I have....God, family, friends, and wonderful memories. There are bound to be many changes in 2010, but for the moment, I'm trying to be content in all things,as they are, right now....Just a thought, but a Lovely one.

The world's best Spiced Chai

I can't really tell you when I first fell in Love with Tea. Both of my parents were Strong coffee drinkers. I made so many cups for them throughout the years that I could have taught Starbucks a thing or two. I've never been a java girl, so I would substitute with tea. I can distinctly remember when I discovered Spiced Chai, my favorite tea. I was working at a large specialty store in Downtown Chicago. As you know, I'm an avid reader and there was a bookstore next door. The kind that had a little cafe inside. I remember going in for a quick muffin and possibly juice when I glanced at the menu board above and saw "Spiced Chai".  I had never heard of it, but it sounded delicious and when they asked if I wanted whipped cream,well......from that day forward I was sold! I can remember stopping in for  breakfast or lunch, picking up an international Fashion magazine ( my other weakness) and going back to work.It was a time in my life when I felt SO mature. I was 19, working at a posh store,drinking Chai and eating a croissant every morning with strawberry jam. Oh, I use to wear all black too.Not the gothic  kind, but the Audrey Hepburn type. How chic of a teenager was I?lol. Anywhoo, back to the tea. There are just so many wonderful feelings that I get whenever I drink that tea. It reminds me of a very happy period of my life. My youth, Independence, and my desire to be Sophisticated. It's funny, but I try to maintain these same attributes today. I'm not as young as I was then, but I'm definitely still very youthful. My Independence takes on a new meaning now that I'm married with a family, and as far as sophistication goes, well....don't we ALL aspire to be? Many things in life change, some changes are very good, but it's the special things that stay the same that bring us true comfort. Just like  a good cup of Chai tea. Don't forget to share a cup with a friend. Then you can create new memories.

Just a thought....but a Lovely one.

My Chai Tea
1 Spiced Chai Tea bag
2-3 shots (or Tsps) of Vanilla syrup
1/2 a tsp of sugar
Lots of whipped cream
A sprinkle of cinnamon
Enjoy!

Traditions for the Holidays

Almost every family has a tradition that they incorporate into their Holidays each year. Sometimes it's  simple like opening one gift on Christmas Eve (which was my Husband's family tradition) or going to  a church service  to hear the children's choir singing like angels (which was my tradition). A few years ago my mother-in-Love, Cindy, decided she wanted to incorporate more into our family traditions. She was at the Christian bookstore (Family Christian, I believe) and she saw this Lovely Jesus Christmas stocking. The stocking came with stationery and envelopes.She gifted both of her daughters (me and Rachel, Aaron's sister) with one. Every Christmas Eve, we sit  together as a family and write our *gift* to Jesus. They are things we intend to do to make God smile for the upcoming New year. It can be as small as remembering to read our word daily, or as large as helping another family throughout the year. Then we seal our envelopes and put them in the stockings. They hang with all of the other Christmas decorations, and get packed away when we take down the tree,until we open them next year. The whole family participates, even the small children. It's always fun to read what our focus for God and life was the year before. It's also fun to see who accomplished their goal or *gift*, and who didn't remember! lol. Each Christmas Eve we look forward to this. Now that we live in a different state, we have still keep our tradition alive with are own family. Our family has been  able to join us for most Christmas holidays, but our first year down here, we still continued with the tradition. What Christmas tradition does you family look forward to? The great thing about traditions is that  they don't have to be very old to be special. You can start something this year and by next year it becomes a tradition! So start today making your holiday as special as you want it to be.......and Don't forget to remember the True reason for the season.....Just a thought, but a Lovely one.

If you want to look  for the stocking, you may try
http://www.familychristian.com/

A glimpse of Christmas

Well I'm teaming up  with the
Nester's Christmas home tours www.thenester.com/2009/12/christmas-tour.html
and Cindy's Show and Tell Friday at
http://www.romantichome.blogspot.com/ to show a bit of my home for Christmas. Don't forget to turn your speakers up.
Enjoy!

Well, that's it. I hope you enjoyed it. I called it a glimpse because I have a three year old who's determined to eat all of my candy canes and to *play* with all of  my decorations so I decided to go a little light this year. My hubby and Oldest son didn't seem to mind as long as the tree was up. I'm still very new to blogging(almost 3 months in)

so It's a great honor for me to join in. The Nester is AWESOME! I love her blog, so sweet, pretty, and down -to-earth. Totally cute projects, yet totally do-able. Cindy's Blog is AMAZING, it's one of the first that I followed and I think she has one of the most Beautiful and most inspiring homes that I've seen.See for yourself .http://www.romantichome.blogspot.com/ Don't forget to see what the other creative ladies are doing. Check out www.thenester.com/2009/12/christmas-tour.html over a thousand blogs have entered already. UNBELIEVABLE! Be inspired, have fun and tell them I sent you....Be a sweetie and leave a comment......Just a Thought, but a Lovely one!

One proud Mommy!

It's Official. I'm the proud Mom of a Tiger Scout! My oldest son Micah, is so excited to be apart of the Boy scouts and I confess I'm Thrilled! As a kid in the 80's the coolest thing you could be was a Cub scout or a Brownie. I'm so pleased that Micah can be apart of this wonderful organization. Two weeks ago, he had the priviledge of particpating in one of the city's parades. So cool for him. Actually it was cold, even being from the north I was Freezing in my layers of clothing! but Micah didn't complain once. He gave out candy canes, smiled and waved as if he had been doing it his entire life. In a way he has. He has been a joy since he was born, so I guess spreading a little of it this season just came naturally to him. We all know our kids can be a handfull sometimes (and  secretly I'm sure they know it too, lol) so it's nice when we can tell them How special they are and how Proud we are! Here's a few pic of that day. It was REALLY cold so my husband didn't get too many( bless his heart, he walked the entire time alongside the float while I sat in the car with our youngest. Now that's one proud Daddy!) My son is the one is the red and blue coat with the red gloves. The boy next to him in all of the pictures is his best friend Israel.

                                                              

LOVE the *wink* with  a handfull of candy!

What has your child done recently to make you One Proud Mommy! Tell him about it. Whether it was finishing their homework correctly or playing nicely with a sibling, I'm sure they would love to hear you say "I'm SO proud of you!"...........I think you would feel good too.......Just a thought, but a Lovely one.

p.s. Don't forget to leave a comment so we can all share in your child's success!

What do You believe?

I have written about a couple of my passions these last few months. My love of God, my family, my home, my magazines, and etc. The name of this blog is Moms for Morality not merely for family and home life, but for the hardcore issues that affect and threaten our home and beliefs. Recently in the news a second grader was sent home for drawing a picture of  a crucifix when asked for something that reminded him of the holiday. His family had recently visited a National shrine of crucifixes.He was immediately removed from the classroom, involved in a psychiatric evaluation and his parents were notified for him to go home until further notice. After the exam results were fine, the school refused to apologize to the boy or his family for the trauma that the child received from the whole ordeal , yet agreed with the parents to have the boy transferred. I ask you, is this fair? Is a child's belief system such a harmful thing that they have to be removed from the school? Has religion posed such a threat on our education system that the school board feels obligated to rid themselves of students with opposing belief or Any belief? I have family members and close friends who are everything from principals to special education teachers, so I am NOT condemning the entire school system. I'm simply saying that it's kind of scary when it's safer to believe in a Santa Claus, who for some people never existed, than a God who's real to so many........Just a thought