48 Hours

That's all the time left until Christmas. Are you ready? I am just about there. The remaining things on my list don't involve going to any more stores so that's good. Just need to finish wrapping gifts-for my brother, bake cookies and prep the food for brunch at my mom's on Thursday.

Tick.tock.

Just when I thought I was finished making/shopping for gifts

I have been busy making gifts for teachers and co-workers. Then at Bailey's Brownie craft party they announced that we will be having a gift exchange at the troop party on Friday. So, today I decided to make an altered lunch tin. I had to run out at lunch to get some paper from the Girl Scout store.

And I still have shopping to do. What happened to me finishing early?

Wordless Wednesday

The Joy of Reading

One of our newest holiday traditions is doing a Reading Countdown to Christmas. I get 24 books from the library and wrap them up. Each night one of the kids picks a book to read before bed. When we first started this about 2 years ago, I had to read all of the books to the kids. But now that they all know how to read, they are reading to each other. Bailey is especially happy that she can now read the books on her own. Even Kendall who doesn't like to read out loud will participate. So here's to 14 more days of joy in the evenings!!

Weekend Update

I had a busy weekend planned but what I didn't plan on was SNOW!!! We had some on Saturday and boy did it wreak havoc on driving Saturday afternoon-right when I had someplace to be.

I had a good group for my presentation, including a former high school classmate. Imagine a 6 foot former high school and college basketball standout now subbing in Kindergarten classrooms! A sight I would *almost* pay to see!

After the presentation I was off to pick up Bailey from her Brownie activity. It took 20 minutes to get to her because of the snow. Then we spent the next hour trying to find snow boots since they had outgrown theirs and I wasn't expecting any real accumulation just yet.

The trip to the zoo didn't happen much to the disappointment of the kids. Another church was organizing it and well, let's just say they didn't do a very good job. Luckily, the tickets are good anytime and I promised them we would go over our break when we didn't have to worry about it being on a school night. A trip to Hometown Buffet seemed to make them forget about the zoo.

I ended up with a 4 day weekend when Kendall woke up with a fever and upset stomach yesterday. Even though dh is off on Mondays I called in so he could run some errands. But I was able to get out for a couple of hours in the morning and get his Christmas gift.

It's the weekend, baby!

It's Friday. Not only that but it's a "payday" Friday. So I can hopefully finish my Christmas shopping. We have a busy weekend planned. Tonight my daughter has a Brownie troop meeting from 6-8 and we are responsible for bringing the snack.

Tomorrow I am doing a presentation for Substitute teachers in our district on teaching reading. It's only an hour but right in the middle of the day. Bailey has a Service Unit Cookie Rally at the same time-so my brother will drop her off and I'll pick her up.

I have some craft and scrapbooking projects that are in various stages of progress-either half completed or need to be started. There are Christmas gifts in this group so they need to be finished by the end of next week.

Sunday we are going to the zoo to see the Holiday light display. And, I'll finally know where the Buckeyes are headed for their bowl game.

Enjoy your weekend.

Choosing Joy

A fellow blogger over at ScrapShare has issued a challenge for this month-Choose Joy.
Each day we are to blog about the joy in our life. Most days this can really be difficult for me with the kids, work and "life" but in this month it should be easy,right? Let's hope so.

Today I am choosing to be joyful about going to the Doctor. I usually grumble about going then I remember how it felt going to dialysis 3 times a week-4 hours each time and then I am grateful for my transplant and that I only have to go for follow up visits!!!

Happy Birthday to my Kidney!

Three years ago I received a kidney transplant from my older sister. In 2004 I was diagnosed with end stage renal disease and had to be on dialysis for 15 months. After recovering from an infection and undergoing tests, I was able to proceed with steps to get a transplant.

My older sister immediately offered to be a donor. She often jokes that it would be easier than watching my kids. So, on Dec. 2, 2005 we underwent the procedure at THE Ohio State University Medical Center.

I felt better instantly and have been doing well ever since. Even though I would have been happy to receive a transplant anytime, I am so blessed that it came in December-the season of giving.

So, happy birthday to my kidney and thank you to my hero, my sister.