Christmas

Christmas is my FAVORITE time of the year! I love the reason for this season, the lights, the decorations, the giving spirit, and watching the joy on peoples' faces.

I know that this time of year does not come without its negative side too. Like the ads that basically try to make people think that there is no God, or the fighting that goes on while shopping for the "perfect" gift. But now is the time where we must show others the love of God--not the anger we may have that only lasts for a fleeting moment! It's always easier said than done, but times call for us to be the Christians that God wants us to be--ALL THE TIME!

We celebrated our two girls' birthdays this last month and I absolutely love to see them growing up, BUT I don't want it too happen too fast. I feel selfish saying that, but its true! Carissa is already to the age that she talks about "when I'm __ next year, I want..." I remember always saying things like that and my Mom would always say "Don't wish your life away" but I still tried to anyway. I know I have to let her grow up and I am trying to embrace her life as becoming her own--not what I may want for her to do or not do, but allow her to learn from mistakes as well as the good experiences. She is already showing a maturity because of her willingness to give some of her money (that she earns for raking leaves, no less!) to offering on Wednesday night church. Wow!!! I don't think I was that way at this age, but it's just great to see her growing up in so many ways.

Jocelyn, is an emotional roller coaster these days. She is so happy when she's happy and REALLY mad when she is unhappy. She is loving dance/tumbling/tap and is really good at it--she had such motivation to go (being potty trained first) to class, she loves going to see "Miss Jodi" every week in her dance outfits and all! Life is usually pretty good for Jocelyn--as long as its going her way! She is definitely the entertainer of the family--loves to sing, dance, tell "jokes" and enjoys the attention!!

Christmas is upon us and life is going full-speed ahead and all I want to do is just slow down and enjoy it! Enjoy the time you have with family, friends, and others in your lives...the time flies by too quickly!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

So, its Thanksgiving time again...

So, this is only the second year I will be making, serving, and recovering from a Thanksgiving dinner. We are staying home this Thanksgiving...it feels good to stay put for a holiday! Don't get me wrong, I love spending time with friends and family but I also like being at home, relaxing, and enjoying my own surroundings.

I'm always a little more sentimental around this time of the year because both of my girls were born after Thanksgiving--almost exactly two years apart. Life gets pretty crazy from this point on through New Year's, but it crazy FUN! Carissa and Jocelyn are really excited about their birthdays this year and equally as excited about Christmas.

I've got some of my Christmas shopping done already and already spent some of my own birthday money, but all around we are trying to save money to cover all the different people we buy for and cover traveling expenses too! I've been babysitting for about a month now and its been good so far. Carissa and Jocelyn have someone to play with besides each other and the little baby (whose 4 months old) is fun right now with his smiling and generally likes to be held--which is fine by me!

Well, that about sums up our lives right now. I have 5 classes left and will still hopefully graduate in May 2009--Lord willing (as my Grandma used to say!) and then I will be a little (just a little) less crazy.

Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving holiday!

Blogs or Facebook?

That seems to be my big question right now! I check facebook all the time, but kinda forgot about my blog!!

Life in general is the same...we get up at the beginning of the week and start with Carissa's school, my classes, Joe's classes, and the girls' dance class!! They love it all and enjoying seeing Grandma and Papa every week.

Our goal over the next few weeks is to clear out the 2nd car part of our 2 car garage so we can actually use it for our second car...it is AMAZING how much stuff you accumulate over time. I want to have another garage sale in the next two weeks, but I just have to get it all organized again!

Hope everyone's enjoying this wonderful hot, cold, warm, cold, warm, and then cold again...ugh sinus infection!!!

It's September Already...

Well...school has started for Carissa. She is in her second year of preschool (late birthday) so she is at the same school with the same teacher. It was difficult for us to explain that she would have a new group of kids in her class. She seems to be adjusting well--but she's only had two days thus far.

Jocelyn and Carissa are taking dance classes this year!! Jocelyn had to be potty-trained before she could go and she waited until the week before--but she did it! They are in the same class and they are really both enjoying it all.

I have gotten back into the swing of things with classes and am really looking forward to finishing my degree--hopefully by May:) I will be very busy this year, but I am so excited about finally finishing college...

The weather has been great here in Illinois. The girls got a little bit of a cold, but it doesn't seem to slow them down. They have the energy that I dream of!! We are getting ready to take our annual trip to Brown County this coming weekend--I live for that weekend. It's just so great to get away, relax, and do a little bit of shopping~

Well, I will post some pictures after our weekend trip. We always have some good ones!

Tradition is Tradition, Right? Circa 1985

Brian, this is for you...

Carissa found a one dollar bill on the ground going into their favorite restaurant this past Tuesday...

If memory serves me, tradition is that the two girls have to share it, right...

Remember back to Anaheim, California, week of the NACC. We were walking down the steet by the convention center and I look down and find a twenty dollar bill on the ground. The excitement overcomes me, only to have my parents explain to me that I would have to split it with my brother!!! What?!?!?! I don't know how many times I got in trouble because I walked around looking at the ground and I finally have luck in doing it! And then I had to share it?!?!

Memories, memories...shouldn't they share it too?

Disney

Disney was Wonderful...

Here are some pictures

The girls did awesome and had so much fun with everything. They did great with the traveling, hot weather, and busy week of trying to see as much as their little eyes could take in!!

The countdown continues...

Well, we've come to the time where we will be leaving in less than two weeks!! I never thought it would get here and now it is almost time...

*Right now, we're preparing for our weekend garage sale!! I've never down one, but I definitely am hoping to get rid of a lot of clothes and other items...

*I've bought some clothes for the girls and just washed them and packed them right away--unfortunately the weather has been cooler so I haven't even had to take any of the "warm weather" clothes back out and put them to use.

*We are now only 12 days away from Florida and all it has to offer--and I don't know if you can tell, but I am pretty darn EXCITED!!!!!!!!

*We will be graduating our little Carissa from her first year of Pre-school and having the honor of watching her first tumbling, tap, and ballet shows next weekend. I can't believe that the school year is already coming to an end...She'll still have another year of pre-school since she's still too young for starting kindergarten next fall. We're happy she's made good friends and enjoying the whole learning process...

*Hope you all enjoy a little bit of a warmer week this week than last!!

What Do You Think?

I have never been formally trained in CHILD SAFETY, but I went ahead and determined that this would probably not be safe for the girls!!! We had ordered a new bed, but didn't realize that the box spring for their mattress set wouldn't fit too!!

It doesn't take much, but we can usually figure out that something will or will not be safe for the kids!

*Disclaimer: We did NOT keep the bed like this! We opted to have the bedside guards higher than the mattress. Now, what to do with a box spring?!?!

37 Days and Counting...

DISNEY is only 36 1/2 days away (now that I finally got the little picture to post!!)


So, I have tried to start working on GARAGE SALE stuff--and I never really understood just HOW difficult it is to find everything I need to purge, actually decide to get rid of my stuff, and getting it ORGANIZED in some kind of manner.

MOM--I've never had more respect for you in the time you put into each garage sale we had. I'm pretty much on my own doing it, so Joe can entertain the girls so they won't freak out when they see stuff that I am getting rid of. So many clothes don't fit, but I always hung out to it all!! What, did I think they would magically fit back into the clothes?!?!

I'm getting more and more excited about DISNEY (like anyone couldn't tell). I've bought some new clothes for the girls and just washed them and packed them into their respective suitcases. Maybe this will make the time fly by before we leave!

I have 3 more class sessions for the class I'm in now, and then I have a 9 week break--and I am READY!!! Its been great to get so many classes out of the way with LincUp, but I'm not going to lie--I'm ready for a break. I won't have to start back up until mid-July. I'll stay busy with VBS, church, outside play, bike riding, and lots of evening walks with the family...

I've done a lot of reflecting the past few months and I really feel like I'm adjusting to small town living. (I always thought Lincoln was small, but Pana is definitely smaller) It's nice to know a lot of the people, be able to let the girls play on the back deck, and be able to go for walks without a lot of traffic around. We're within about a mile of a great park and we've already been a few times--at least on the dry days!

I got to mow on Tuesday and I know it doesn't seem like a fun time--but I actually enjoy the time to just ride and think...We've stayed pretty busy, so when we do get some down time, we've been trying to keep up on yard work and cleaning up outside the parsonage.

I hope everyone else has been enjoying this nice weather we've had this week. I love opening the windows and enjoying the outside air coming in allowing that nice "clean" smell in the house.

Carissa's Doing Her Part...

Tonight, Carissa has her hair cut. I know some will not like my choice to let her do this, but she has said she wanted to do it.

Jamie (Carissa's "best friend") cut her hair tonight. She is donating her hair to allow someone else to have hair--who can't because of cancer treatment. We have very strong feelings about this cause, and felt like this is something that the girls can really learn from. They get to help someone else with something that they can give of themselves.

Here are few pictures...And she LOVES her haircut!!

Easter Eve, Easter Dresses, and Easter Searching

New Easter Dresses

Coloring Easter Eggs


Ready, Set, Go...

Searching For Easter Eggs...

Easter

Disney World Countdown: 64 days!!

Legos retrieved by the "Search and Rescue Troopers" a.k.a. Mom and Dad: 0

The first question out of Jocelyn's mouth when she wanted to play on Saturday--"Can I play with Legos?": PRICELESS

Well, Joce has yet to "show" us that she really did eat a lego...What can I say? She keeps us on our toes!! She has made a full recovery and is trying to get into trouble again with anything she can get her hands on!

Carissa is just ecstatic that her dance show is coming up at the end of May. She knows that we leave for Disney World after school and dance are over. She is still ever learning at Preschool and continues to be amazed by all the great things that Mrs. Ethridge teaches her!

The girls have learned about Jesus' death and I'm excited to hear them re-tell the resurrection story after church this Sunday...They learn and recite some of their lessons each week. I'm always listening when one of them tries to tell Papa about something they've learned and jumble it all up, but still make it a great story to listen to.

Enjoy this amazing season that we have to remind us of what our Heavenly Father has given us!

Legos, the Emergency Room, and Reflux?!?!

So, today Jocelyn told me that she "ate a ego" or translated--she ate a lego!! Now, needless to say this was not one of my shining great mother moments!!! Her voice had suddenly sounded different, so I tried to get her to cough--no change/drink water--no change...so I resorted to questioning her and she was adement that she swallowed a lego--a blue lego at that.

We spent a few hours here in Pana followed by an ambulance trip to Springfield. They did xrays and determined that they didn't want it to move and cause more problems. So, they put her under and "scoped" her and found--no lego. They did find that her throat was very irritated and they were pretty sure that she has reflux. We'll have her on medicine for awhile and see a doctor again and go from there. She did SO well after the procedure and made it home only getting sick once in the van. She's sleeping and should be back to normal in the next day or so. It's amazing how quickly kids recover...

"The Diaper Dance"

I know, I know--I should be posting a picture of Jocelyn trying to use the potty, but she is learning when to try and when to test me. Anyway, she thinks its funny when she has a wet diaper--she has a specific walk when she's too wet and now she has something we call

THE DIAPER DANCE!!!!!!!

Disney World Countdown: 92 days

Disney World Countdown

Days Remaining Until We Leave for Disney World: 103

Days Carissa and Jocelyn think it is time for Disney World:0

Hearing their excitement about the rides, pools, and meeting Princesses: Priceless...

I am so excited to hear the girls be so excited about going to Disney. I know I've blogged about it before, but their excitement is also my excitement!!

Carissa is ever learning--more and more each day. She is always going and going and trying to learn more every day. She is learning to write different words and drawing pictures of her family. Preschool has helped with everything--she gets along with pretty much everyone and learns about so many different things each week.

Jocelyn is the discoverer in our house. She builds things with blocks, Lincoln Logs, and trying to climb to the top of anything and everything--and then jump!! I hope riding the Peter Pan ride won't give her too many ideas :)

As we count down our days until vacation, we have many celebrations to take part in between now and then. I hope everyone remembers the reason for this season that we are in this very moment...

Snow Fun!!!

Well, I love snow and I have a feeling my kids will love it just as much!! We had about a foot of snow Thursday and Friday--so the girls and their puppy got to go out and have some fun.

I sacrificed and stayed inside to snap the photos!! Enjoy...

Things I Am Looking Forward to This Year...

You may call me crazy, but there are a few things I am looking forward to this year

1) I am actually planning a family vacation. We are going to Disney World!!! Its been on my list of places I want to go and WE ARE DOING IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2) I have focused alot on getting our eating habits to the side of actually eating healthier and I am pretty darn proud of it. We don't keep many snacks around, we've cut back on eating out and really learned to eat less and less.

3) I am also looking forward to being able to buy all new clothes this summer. I've already taken off 25 pounds and hope to have about 40 more off by the end of June. I've felt better than I have for a long time and I can actually do things without running out of energy!!

4) I'm half way done with school. I will have a 9 week break this summer and I will be doubling up twice on classes for about 12 weeks, but I will hopefully be graduating in May 2009!!!!!!!!

5) I am coordinating VBS for our church. I could be crazy, but I'm totally looking forward to it right now...We'll see how I feel the weekend after it is all done!?!?!

6) I've really enjoyed being at home with the girls...Jocelyn has gotten to have time to herself while Carissa at school 3 days a week and Carissa is loving school and learns more and more every week.

7) Call me crazy (again), but I am looking forward to driving to Orlando for vacation. The girls will be able to see so much along the way and it is going to be nice to get away from everyday life for a few "MAGICAL DAYS" with the Disney Crew...

I hope you have many things that you are thankful for as well as things you are looking forward to...

Starting 2008 with Time Together...

At the beginning of every year I struggle with the decision to make resolutions or to not make the dreaded resolutions. Well, this year, I decided to set goals--not make resolutions. There's a difference, right?

So, the year is off to a great start so far. We had a great ending to the year with family, friends, and plenty of celebratory food!! Now it's back to the real life--housework, school, and life in general! The girls and I have had a girls week, while Joe has been in part of his intensive class at LCS this week. We've stayed up a little later, played play-do, watched some new movies, and just stayed warm--inside the house!! This weather has dampened any playing outside this week. This weekend is supposed to warm up, so maybe we can get out soon.

Hope everyone had a great end of 2007 and start of 2008...

Carissa and Jocelyn (ages 4 and 2 respectively)

These girls never cease to amaze me. We had, by far, the best photographer for their pictures this year. We try to go as early in the morning as we possibly can and they are the best at getting pictures.

Carissa was all attitude--I don't know where she gets it from and Jocelyn was all about distractions--I DO know where she gets this from :)

Enjoy your preparations for the upcoming holidays!!

Thanksgiving Fun

Well, I did it! We made a Thanksgiving feast here at the Mollet homestead. Here are some pictures of the girls helping with dumplings. They got their little aprons on and everything...

Jocelyn and Carissa each got to open a birthday present--Jocelyn's birthday was actually on Thanksgiving but Carissa's is next Thursday...We have a pretty busy November but love to know we have reason to celebrate.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving...