Hallie turned 2!

 

It was a pretty rough birthday for Hallie. I scheduled her well child check for today because I also had a prenatal, so I knew she was getting shots. But on top of that one of her ears is bothering her, she has the viral junk our family has been battling for awhile which began to goop her eye, and she woke from nap with a fever. She was pretty grumpy there for awhile. But beautiful birthday cookies were quick to bring a smile to her face. I didn't feel like making or eating cake, and since we were not having a huge celebration, I opted to make cookies. I think everyone enjoyed them. My goal is to have a half-birthday celebration for Hallie (in June)in order to spread the joy of gifts over more of the year. Christmas is just a few days away!

Happy Birthday to Hallie!

Fischer Family Singers

So we won't be touring with the Von Trapps. Carson takes after his dad in the singing department, and the participation in "cheesy" movements department. After this church performance, I dared not bring my camera to the school program, but Carson did get up on stage with his class and reluctantly participated in the hand/arm motions, but nary a sound departed his lips. :)

Gingerbread Houses

 

 

 

 

I suppose this will become a new tradition, as this is our first year doing gingerbread houses. In the past Grandma Pam did this with the kids, but I didn't want to let her show me up this year. Maybe I can convince her to take it over again in the years to come! This is not my favorite project. Getting the wall pieces to stay up was very stressful and keeping Hallie from eating all the candy was frustrating. The houses now reside atop our cupboards! :)

Tree Decorating

 

 

 

 

We began the process of decorating our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. After discovering that a section of lights were out, a day was added to our decorating time frame as we tried to fix that problem. We were all happy when Aunt Mary came to get the kids and took them to the light parade and fireworks. When they got home the next day, the tree was ready to put on the ornaments!

Making Ornaments

 

 

We continued our annual tradition of making ornaments for gifts this year.

It's snow fun!

 

 

 

 

Our only family snow play day (so far). And it was so difficult for me to get my snow gear on and tie my boots, that I said it was officially my last time going outside this winter! We divided into two teams pulled by mom and dad and took a strenuous route. Needless to say, I was contracting!

The Mom Song

Rethinking Christmas

Count my blessings...

Yesterday I threw a little fit because I will be doing dishes by hand for 2 weeks. Our dishwasher began spewing water and I was forced to wake Matt from his nap to check it out. He found a split hose of some sort, which has to be ordered.

This morning I woke up feeling guilty about all the things I take for granted. Not just food and clothing and a warm place to sleep, but luxuries such as dishwashers. I now intend to use handwashing dishes as an opportunity to give thanks for the many blessings in my life.

It's so easy to ignore what I don't see every day, such as homelessness and starvation. But I've noticed a lot of ungratefulness in my own children lately and it has really distressed me. I try to explain to them how much they have and about others that don't, but I don't seem to get through. They have come to expect so much.

I have realized that I need to count my blessings more often and express gratitude so much more, vocally, for what God has given me. The only way to teach my children is to live it.

"Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts." 1 Chron. 16:8,9