......Days until Christmas!

This is probably one of my favorite times of year. A season thick with love and rich delight. I love to savor in the birth of my Savior.
Happiness, Peace, Joy!
I love the smells: evergreen, cinnamon, hot cider,
I love the sights: tinsel, lights twinkling, children smiling, Christmas cards from dear friends, snowflakes,mistletoe, decorations
I love the sounds: Christmas Carols, bells ringing, laughter, Ho-ho-ho...
I love the tastes: Apple Pie, Eggnog, Fudge, Peanut Brittle, Christmas Monkey Bread, candy canes
I love the feel: of warm cozy fire, hot chocolate on my throat, cold snow, frozen baby cheeks, ribbon,....
HOWEVER....
Most of this is meaningless...to have a home called Winter Wonderland, or the best gifts--EVER, or food that is Food Network approved. Thought these things are heart warming, a wonderful Christmas is remembering the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus Christ, and spending that time celebrating with those that are dearest to me. That is heart burning! I have the greatest gifts--EVER: My two Daisies, Sophia & Lydia and my remarkable husband, Ric. These are eternal treasures.

THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

In todays day and time,
it's easy to lose sight,
of the true meaning of Christmas
and one special night.

When we go shopping,
We say "How much will it cost?"
Then the true meaning of Christmas,
Somehow becomes lost.

Amidst the tinsel, glitter
And ribbons of gold,
We forget about the child,
born on a night so cold.

The children look for Santa
In his big, red sleigh
Never thinking of the baby
Whose bed was made of hay.

In reality when we look into the night sky,
We don't see a sleigh
But a star, burning bright and high.

A faithful reminder,
Of that night so long ago,
And of the child we call Jesus,
Whose love, the world would know.

Brian K. Walters

THE BIG APPLE

Ric & Laura in New York 2006

Okay, sing along with us now...Imagine the tune in your head......

Start spreading the news
I'm leaving today
I want to be a part of it, New York, New York
These vagabond shoes
Are longing to stray
And make a brand new start of it
New York, New York
I want to wake up in the city that never sleeps
To find I'm king of the hill, top of the heap
These little town blues
Are melting away
I'll make a brand new start of it
In old New York
If I can make it there
I'll make it anywhere
It's up to you, New York, New York.

Yes, we had an amazing time there! I wish I had time to talk details, but I will give you just the gist of our time there and send you a link for more exciting New York pics!
We only had a weekend together, just Ric and I....no chillins'! Yes, a second honeymoon.

DAY 1

We took a red-eye flight (I love JET BLUE)! I got a sweet little shut-eye gift of eye mask, breath freshning lip gloss, lemony lotion, and earplugs! Plus, a bouquet of assorted snacks and drinks. And, you get free earphones and your very own TV with 36 channels of free TV! Go JET BLUE! Fly JET BLUE!

We arrived early at 7:40am into New York. Took a cab to the hotel (Hampton Inn). Could not check in. We left bags there, ate complimentary breakfast and went to see Times Square.
Went to Ground Zero---very serene. The thoughts of it all and being there still makes my heart ache and a little teary eyed, especially seeing the mural of children's artwork--reflections about their loved ones.
Went to lunch--pizza! Checked into our hotel....rested....went to buy tickets for a broadway show. Got tickets for BEAUTY and the BEAST! Got Starbucks peppermint mochas. Walked around Times square. Went to hotel to change for evening out. Went to dinner at Nobu Nextdoor in the Soho district. Rode the subway. Yummo Sushi and Excellent Fig Martini---my favorite!! Took Subway to Times Square. Beauty and the Beast. Awesome----beautiful----beasty!
Got Pizza---yes pizza at around 11:00pm. Why? Because we could. Back to the hotel...Goodnight.

DAY 2

woke up early....but almost late for our appointment to Liberty Island. We were to be there at 10:30am and were to catch the ferry at least two hours before tour. Ummm, awoke at 8:30am. No shower. Rush, rush, rush. Took Subway (pretty much took subway everywhere)....to Battery Park. Got "Will Call" tickets (yeah, no line). Went through Security check (ugh, long line). Caught the Ferry! Drifted over to Liberty Island. Smart Stinking Ric for getting tickets 48 hours in advance.....sold out! We went through more security and then had our tour of the Lady. Mostly a self-guided tour. She is one pretty lady. Unable to go up into her though, because of 9/11. They don't think they will ever open up that portion of her again. Bummer!
Back to hotel...to check out. We barely make the late checkout. Move our stuff over to our new hotel....5 blocks away. Yes, we walked! Our new hotel? Jumeriah Essex House (a five-star hotel located across from Central Park, near other 5-star hotels). Thank you Ric's work company! :) It was beautiful and grand! I felt important....like a VIP or something!
Shower! We had not had one in a few days. Off to lunch...Carmines restaurant. This is a family style restaurant. The dishes are HUGE...they feed 3-5 people per dish. We ordered salad and the special 4 pasta dish. Ummm, we could not finish it and it was very filling and very delicious! I only wish we had some friends to share it.
Went to church. Yes, there was an amazing church that Ric had been to several times while he visited New York.
Went to Upper West Side to a restaurant called Cleopatra's Needle (a Rachel Ray $40 a day reccomendation!) I had a Cleopatra Martini and Falafel platter. Ric had a beer. We listened to some Jazz. It was very nice. We both had dessert and some "special" coffees. Delicious. Back to hotel area...both gitty. Walked around a water fountain and shopping area next to Trump towers. Went to hotel for goodnight!

DAY 3

Slept in till 9am.....ahhh! Took our time. Got Starbucks coffees and pastry. Walked through Central Park. Ric went to his meeting at noon. I went on my own walk to find a little lunch. Little shopping...little time in hotel for emails and checkout. I met Ric and then we headed for Canal Street to do some shopping. Crazy. Lunch at Carnegie Deli. Snack at Carnegie Deli---New York cheescake baby! YUMMO! Back to Hotel to get luggage and taxi to airport....JET BLUE home!
I got to be a part of it....New York, New York!

Special Sophia Moments

I thought I would share some special moments about Sophia that occurred these past few days...too cute! Enjoy!

I went to a Women's Retreat this weekend with my church....it was refreshingly awesome. At the retreat, there were several moments where as a group of women, we just shouted out praises to the Lord, i.e. "God you are wonderful" "Holy" "Master" "Creator" "Star of the Morning" "You are Peace" "You are Giver of Joy", etc. It was truly a remarkable time of just giving praise to Him.
When I had arrived home and it was bedtime for Sophia, I led out bedtime prayer time with praises to the Lord (just like I had done at the retreat). Sophia caught on quickly and it was truly a special moment:
Me: "Lord, you are Holy. You are Awesome. You are Good"
Sophia "Jesus, I love you. Jesus you are good. Jesus..."
Me: "Glory to Your Name, You are Wonderful, You are Sovereign"
Sophia: "Jesus you are Handsome!"
Me: Pause & Smile "Yes, Jesus You are Handsome!"

A giggle inside of me wanted to burst at that point. Oh what sweetness from Sophia!


Here is a pic of Ric teaching Sophia the art of the game of Chess. This is no ordinary Chess game...it is PEANUTS Chess game. Sophia is the RED Charlie Brown team and Ric is the BLUE Charlie Brown team. And to start the game, Ric put on some PEANUTS Charlie Brown Music to play in the "background"!
I was quite impressed with Sophia (4 years old) competitively playing this game. She was really into it! Though, she has a little sore losing streak like her Mama and does not want to lose any of her pieces, it is a good learning experience for her. She is learning directions (diagonal, straight, backwards, forwards).
Sophia: "I am going to move the Queen(Lucy) to the King (Charlie), so they can love each other"
Sophia: "Don't kill my Snoopy!"
Ric: "Good Move Sophia...um, well, uh, wow...you put me in CHECK"
Sophia: "My Sally is blocking her? My Sally is protecting her, huh?"
Sophia: "Oooo, When I get closer to that square. I am going to KILL your Snoopy! When I get closer and closer and closer!"
Sophia w/ teary eyes: "I don't want you to get my Sally!"














Then it got even better when Sophia wanted to use "voices" and "Sound Effects" for the Chess characters. I think she was at the point where she to add a little more creative four year old zest to the game. Ric complied. They were both off again playing the game of Chess with the characters "speaking".
"Let's get back into our teams!"

Sophia QUOTE:

"Mommy, I will still read my Bible even when I am an adult so I don't shrink! This is what they taught me at Preschool"

Sophia belts out in song: "Read my Bible, pray everyday. Pray everyday. Read my Bible Pray everyday and then I grow...grow...Grow...GROW...GROW!
Don't Read my Bible. Don't pray everyday. Don't read my Bible, don't pray everyday and then I SHRINK....SHrink....Shrink...shrink...shrink."

Personality Profile

Is this me? Is this one of my weird ways that you find me charming? You better read quick as I am prone to moodiness and I may just have to scream in the next blog entry....or maybe laugh.....or maybe cry.....Oh, things I do. Thanks for loving spite my moods and quirky ways! I can't wait to see which color/picture you choose that describes your personality. Click on the World's shortest Personality Test and then Leave a comment and let me know YOU!

Your Personality Profile

You are dependable, popular, and observant. Deep and thoughtful, you are prone to moodiness. In fact, your emotions tend to influence everything you do. You are unique, creative, and expressive. You don't mind waving your freak flag every once and a while. And lucky for you, most people find your weird ways charming!

The World's Shortest Personality Test

NOW I KNOW MY ABC'S

Accent: Well, I am from California so I guess I have a California accent? However, my parents are from Louisiana and there are certain words I use that have a “southern” accent, so I am told.

Bible book I love: Most recently, the Gospel of John, I have started to dive back into this book again for my Bible devotions, and I love to read the story of Jesus!

Chore I don't care For: Laundry---need I say more!! I have plenty piled up to do....the on going task, the never ending burden.

Dog or cat: Which do I prefer? Well, I love both...though, we do not have any pets right now. We might be getting a fish soon, but that is besides the point.

Essential electronics: My cell phone and laptop computer...and possibly my microwave. I am type “I” personality, I have got to keep connected.

Favorite movie: Gees, where to start. I like so many genres of movies it is so hard to pick just one and type. So, I will just mention a few classic movies I like and maybe a recent one. I love Anne of Green Gables series, I love the Alfred Hitchcock movies, Princess Bride, and of course I need to mention WOW and FlUTTER by my remarkable cousins.

Gold or silver: Silver as of now....though, my wedding ring is gold.

Handbag I carry most: Unfortunatley, it is a diaper bag. Hee hee. But, my purse that I use now is a deep turquiose and brown color. I tend to change purses often....I am not good with monotony.

Insomnia: I love to sleep-IN...I am more of a night owl, and I would rather sleep in. But, once you have kids those days are over. So, yes I walk around most of the time a like a zombie....until I get some Dutch Bros. Coffee!

Job Title: SAHM (Sophisticated Admiring Hormonal Misfit ---okay Stay At Home Mom) though, I do not stay at home most of the time it seems. I am always driving around. I should be called a Stay At VAN Mom. Hee hee.

Kids: I have two beautiful daughters; Sophia, almost 4 years old & Lydia, 1 year. Sophia's name means “Wisdom” and Lydia's name means “Beautiful”.

Living arrangements: 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom house that was built in September 2005. It has a 3 car garage, a finished front yard and a sort-of-finished backyard.

Most memorable moment: My wedding day & the births of my girls.

Naughtiest childhood behavior: What are you talking about? I was the perfect child. :)

Phobias: 1.Losing someone I love 2. Spiders...creepy. I only like Charlotte the Spider (Wilbur's friend). 3. Going fast ---that is probably why I am not the greatest at high speed sports. I like to have control and I don't have control when I go fast.

Religion: Christianity

Siblings: An older brother and the greatest artist I know, Dave.

Time I wake up: Well, much to my shigrin, I get up at 5:30am to feed Lydia, then I try to go back to bed until 7am.

Unusual talent: This is hard...I guess I am just plain unusual and my talent is singing.

Vegetable I refuse to eat: Since I am vegetarian and I love most veggies, this is difficult...maybe I should change it to Vegetable I LOVE to eat...and that would be, most recently, Broccoli, and fresh from our garden tomatoes (but then, that is a fruit—oh, well).

Worst habit: I self criticize...all the time.

X-rays: –ones that I can remember were for diagnosing of Crohn's disease, teeth, and just the usual ultrasounds for a baby...are those considered X-rays?

Yummy stuff I cook: This would be a question for my husband. He likes everything I make. I am not sure if I have any “signature” dishes, but usually everything I make is yummy (I am not bragging—really, I can cook) However, the Mushroom Loaf was a big flop and well, that tried and not true recipe was never made again.

Zoo animal I like the most: Awww, they are all cute! Okay, not all...But, my favorite animals are not necessarily “ZOO” animals. I love Turtles, Penguins and Elephants- don't know why because all they do is stand there, swish their tails and pick their feet up but I like 'em!