Eat Your Heart Out

This past year has been "the year of the cake" for me. 

As most of you know, I started my cake baking trend with Emily's 11th birthday moustache cake last June. Of course, that was followed by Matthew's 8th birthday F8 tornado cake. 

Well, the cake baking continued with Valentine's day and, yes, I got this particular idea from Pinterest. 

I used a red velvet cake mix and baked the batter in one round and one square cake pan. When the cakes cooled, it was time to "create" and what says Valentine's Day more than a heart. 

I cut the round cake in half and placed the half circles at the top of the square cake which was positioned in such a way to represent the look of a diamond. Ta da! A heart! 

The cake was iced with cream cheese frosting and Emily helped shape a heart out of mini M&M's in the middle of the cake. We also dusted the cake with some sugar sprinkles. 

It was a special dessert for the people I love and let me tell you it was yummy!

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Merry CHRISTmas!!!

From our entire family, which includes Mr. Jingle our bunny, to your family, we would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas!

As you spend time today with family and friends, remember the true gift of this day - the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God gave us the most beautiful and precious gift of His love in the giving of His one and only Son. Love did come down from heaven on that blessed day! 

Merry Christmas!!

And, as always, thanks for stopping by!

Easter ....... More than a bunny

To our family, Easter means the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  

This Easter season we were once again invloved with our church's production of "The Jesus Story". Several weekends prior to and up to Good Friday, we are involved in this ministry. For the last two years, I've been blessed to be a part of the backstage small props crew. Last year Dave helped with the counting of the love offerings taken at each performance. This year with his appointment as our church's assistant treasurer he took a larger role in this portion of the ministry. Thankfully the kids are very easy going and willing to watch the production several times. We also have great friends that help with the supervising of them while we are both in the middle of performing our assigned duties. If you are interested in viewing this production you can click on the following link: The Jesus Story, Passion Play 2013.

Easter has changed a little bit with the kids getting older. This is the first year we did not do an egg hunt. Emily wasn't interested and Matt was very busy with baseball obligation - yesterday he had practice in the morning and then we had to fundraise for 2 hours outside a local business. We also didn't have Easter baskets. Emily was in the need of a new scooter so she got that as her Easter basket "gift" and Matt got a Lego he has been wanting for his "gift". No candy this year and that is okay because usually it either gets eaten by me or goes to waste. Plus we don't need any more dental issues for either of these kids.  As for dying eggs, well the eggs are in the fridge waiting to be boiled. 

This year with the kids we have tried to focus more on the true reason for Easter....not all the frills.  

And after all when it comes to the frills of Easter we have that covered by the blessing of our own bunny, Jingle.  

Praying all of you had a wonderful Easter season remembering the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Family Love Notes

This Valentine's day our family project was to fill small pails made for each family member with hearts that had reasons why we loved that person written on them. After dinner, we opened the cards we had purchased for each other and then read our hearts. 

I loved all the ones I received but the two funniest I got were from Emily. She wrote a message on the front and a special little "p.s." on the back.

Heart #1: I love you because you are beautiful just the way u are

Heart #2 : I love u because you give my (should be me) great bear hugs

Now hold on......here comes the part that will make you laugh, the back side of the hearts

Heart #1: p.s. wear a bikini.  Emily has been nagging me about wearing a bikini with high heels for 2 summers now.  UGH!!!  I keep saying "do you know how old I am?" Talk about putting me outside my comfort zone.  She is still hoping for this to happen this summer.

Heart #2: Stop making chicken!! Hmmm.....that one speaks for itself.  I keep trying to explain the economics of eating chicken but she still isn't buying my answer.

These are Emily's favorite hearts:

 

Heart #1: I love how you take good care of Jingle

Heart #2: I love how much you want to be a fashion designer

These are Matt's two favorites:

Heart #1: I love how much you love the Titanic - the boy is obsessed with it. For valentine's day, we got him two Magic Tree House books about the Titanic. One is a story and the other a fact book. He was so happy!!

Heart #2: I love you because you try hard at school.  Matt says this reads " I love you because you love tornadoes.  In addition to his Titanic fascination, he is just as interested in tornadoes. 

This was a great family project. Now to start brainstorming about next year's valentine family project.  

Dinner for Four

Valentine's day is a family day including the dinner part!

Once Emily & Matt came along, this holiday went from being "date night" to "family night". Valentine's day generally doesn't fall on a weekend and Dave's work schedule tends to run late making weekday dinner reservations a little rough. Our valentine's dinner consisted of salad, ravioli with red sauce and rolls. Of course, we added "a little romance" (as Emily would say) eating by candlelight.  

Dinner was followed by eating some yummy desserts. Earlier that day I went to Whole Foods and got a treat with each person in mind. Matt is not big on cake or pie but he LOVE strawberries, so I got him a chocolate covered strawberry. Emily is obsessed with cheesecake, so I fed that obsession. For Dave, I found a mini chocolate cake he & I could share. Everyone enjoyed their sweet treats, especially Emily. Look at that face!!  Dinner for four was a 5 star experience. 

Valentine's Day

Its Valentine's Day. Can you feel the love?!!!

Last night while the kid's were sleeping I hung the heart "curtains" that I made for them last year. Emily had asked me a few weeks ago if we would be decorating with the hearts. I told her that it was something for the night before. Sadly, Matt's "curtain" would not cooperate with being hung so I improvised and laid them all over his floor. This morning he had all the reason that he is loved laying at his feet. 

I woke a little earlier than normal this morning to be able to make the kids and Dave pancakes with mini red M&M's for breakfast.  

Tonight after dinner, we will be going through our heart pails to see the reasons why each of us is loved by the other.  

Yes, I can feel the love!!

Our Family Valentine Project

Valentines day is on its way and its time to "create".  

Last year, I made Dave, Emily and Matt "Love Jars". I wrote reasons why I love them on strips of paper that they could take out whenever they wanted to feel loved by me. This year I wanted to do something in which we could all participate.  

I'd recently read a book regarding the words we speak to each other. In the book, it told how a teacher had her class write on a piece of paper something nice about each person in the class. The teacher took the lists and gave each student the remarks made about them. At the funeral of one of these former students, his parents showed the teacher that in his wallet he carried the list his classmates wrote about him. It was worn by how many times he had looked at it. While the teacher was looking at the list, several other previous students attending the funeral showed her that they too still carried the lists with them. They would turn to the lists often to encourage and uplift them. I felt that if the words of classmates could mean so much, how much more would the words of your family mean. This story inspired our family valentine project.

I bought 5 little pails at Michaels and put each of our names on one of them, the girls have pink pails and the boys red. The white pail holds colored hearts that each of us can write notes of "love" on to each other and place in the pails. I explained to the kids that it could be a specific reason why they like each other like "you helped me with my homework" or a general one like "you are so funny". On Valentine's day, we will take the hearts out and read them. 

Because I didn't want to change all my winter decor, I decided to create a small valentine vignette on the buffet in the dining room.  

Of course a vignette wouldn't be complete without a banner, so I made one. I used the Pretty Pennants and Storybook cartridges for my Cricut. The patterned paper is paper I had bought quite a long time ago.  

The only thing left to do is to hang the heart "curtains" I made for the kid's doorways last year, which I will do the night before Valentine's day. 

Oh, I feel the love!!!!

Christmas Catch Up

I know, I know it is 3 days into the New Year and I have to start by playing catch up. I couldn't just pass over Christmas without sharing highlights from that wonderful day. 

We stayed up late watching Polar Express but that didn't keep the kids from waking up early.....no sleeping in here.  Our tradition is that the kids come up to our bedroom and we read the story of Jesus' birth from Luke 2 prior to any Christmas presents being opened.  This year our tradition changed a little due to the ages and reading abilities of the kids - Emily & Matthew shared in reading Luke 2. It was such a wonderful "mom" moment to sit there and hear them reading the account of Jesus' birth to Dave and I. Wow! Time sure is flying. 

Now, I know what you are thinking. Just the day before we brought home the newest addition to our family, Jingle, our dwarf bunny, so was he a part of the morning tradition? You bet he was......Emily made sure he was included. After all, Jingle is a part of the family now.

Once we finished our reading, we came downstairs to start cinnamon rolls for breakfast and much needed coffee for me.  Dave started a fire and then we settled in to start the opening of gifts. Oh, and we declared the day "pajama day" seeing we were home for the holiday.

Matt, of course, got two Lego sets.  Its funny, last year he and Dave spent most of the day building one set.  This Christmas Matt built both Lego sets by himself on Christmas day.

Emily enjoyed playing Dave's new Wii Buck Shot game......Matt, of course, LOVES it too. 

Jingle was a part of the Wii play time too.  I think he was just happy that he wasn't in the game.

For dinner, we had our traditional meal of ham, potatoes & gravy, creamed spinach, sweet potatoes, cinnamon apples and rolls.  The sides were courtesy of Boston Market.  Yummy!

Our dessert is always the same, a birthday cake for Jesus.  We sang "Happy Birthday" and both kids got to blow out the candle as I didn't realize I used a "trick" relighting candle. 

Matt got close to the cake and I just couldn't help myself. He ended up being Rudolph the green nosed reindeer.

Of course, we couldn't let Emily get away with a clean face. 

It was a wonderful day and evening. We are thankful for so much this holiday.  We love the addition of Jingle and he is getting use to his surroundings.  Most of all we are thankful that Jesus, our Savior, was born.  We pray all of you had a very Merry Christmas. 

Its Tradition

Here we are it is Christmas Eve and our family "traditions" are in full swing. It is a little different this year seeing the kids no longer believe in Santa. Cookies were made but nothing is being left out - they know mom and dad eat them - and no reindeer food is on the lawn. However, we have many other traditions that need to be kept!   

Tonight we went to our church for the Christmas Eve service.  It was a wonderful time of singing carols and listening again to the true reason for Christmas, Jesus birth. The most wonderful part was a living nativity scene that was performed by the kids from our children's church program. So cute!

When we came outside from the service, snow was falling....such a wonderful sight!

Once we got home, we prepared the popcorn we would eat while watching "The Polar Express". I think this is the 3rd, maybe even 4th year we've watched it.

Of course before the movie, the kids opened their Christmas Eve present of new pajamas. Once everyone got comfy and settled, we brought out our newest addition to the family, Jingle, to join in on the Christmas Eve festivities. Jingle was not too interested in sitting still on Emily's lap and decided it was time to have a supervised tour of the living room, kitchen, dining room and Matt's room. The poor little guy had to adjust to the slick wood floor and tiles while trying to hop. He had quite a few slips and slides but he held his own. Sadly, we had to put him back in his cage after he hopped out of the laundry basket we thought would contain him so he would stay and watch the movie with us. 

I love the few traditions we have established with our little family. The kids are at the age now that they know what to expect from Christmas Eve and Christmas and even though the idea of Santa has changed it hasn't changed their love of the traditions we have in place.

What is most important is that they know the true meaning of Christmas - Jesus, our Savior's birth. He is the greatest gift that has been given to us and the greatest gift we can receive. 

Soon we will all be going to bed and Christmas Day will come filled with family and other "traditions".  Merry Christmas to all of you!

Welcome Home Jingle

Oh my goodness, we are making another attempt at a pet. Many of you know we had a Guinea pig earlier this year. Sadly, Strawberry was with us for a very unexpected short time.

Dave and I haven't been quick to jump on the pet wagon again.  My biggest fear being that another pet would be with us for a short time and the kids would be devastated again. BUT we must overcome our fears especially when you have a 10 and 7 year old desiring a pet. 

For months now, Emily has been telling us and everyone she meets how much she wants a bunny. Several weeks ago Dave took the kids to a pet exposition and the talk of bunnies became constant. It seemed like everyone I talked to who knows Emily had heard of her deep desire for a bunny.  

This past Saturday Dave took the kids out to run some errands and during that time they went to a local pet store. The store sells fish of all kinds, many exotic animals along with household pets like.......you guessed it dwarf bunnies. Of course, Emily fell in love with a little black bunny. Later that same night we all went back to the store to see the bunny and the other animals (they sell pure bred English Bulldogs which are so cute). By the time we left the store, we paid for the little black bunny and scheduled to pick him up today - Christmas Eve. 

We had to tell Emily before going to church yesterday that although we know she is excited about the bunny she did not need to tell everyone at church that we got him. Trust me she would have announced it from the pulpit if she could have.  

For the last day and a half, we have been trying to determine a name and settled this morning on Jingle. A name appropriate for the time of year he came home. 

He is a little cutie.  His cage is in Emily's room and since we brought him home the only time Emily has left his side is to make a Gingerbread House.

We are very happy with our newest addition to our family. According to Emily, this is the BEST Christmas ever!!!

Grandma & Grandpa's Christmas Visit

The kid's were very excited for Grandma & Grandpa's annual Christmas visit this year. Especially because they would be coming to town the day of their school's Christmas program.

Emily & Matt were excited to show them their new school, teacher's and friends. Although the kid's had to go to school on Friday, they enjoyed the time that that they did have with them the rest of the weekend.

Saturday we went for a family breakfast at Grandpa's favorite place to visit in NJ - Flapjack's. After that, we went to a few specialty food stores they don't have in their part of NY. At night, Grandpa and Grandma taught Emily and Matt a new game. Sunday brought church, lunch out, football watching for the boys, napping for Kathy which was followed by caroling and the opening of Christmas presents.

We had a wonderful visit and look forward to next year.

HCS Elementary Christmas Program

Thursday night was a special night because Emily and Matthew participated in their school's elementary Christmas program. 

This year the kid's started attending a Christian school. Most people ask us why we chose to have our kids go to private school and our answer is simple - we felt God wanted them there. Sadly, God has been removed from the school system.  What I find interesting is that I am expected to be tolerant of what has been deemed as "politically correct" and yet what I believe in most, God, has been removed from the educational arena. This in itself is a whole other post which I am not yet prepared to write. 

I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to hear my children along with their fellow schoolmates sing and speak of the true meaning of Christmas - Christ, our Savior's birth. 

Emily was thrilled that she along with the girls in her fourth grade class got to sing a portion of "Go Tell it on the Mountain." Matthew was excited that he was chosen to play Joseph while the Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade classes sang "Away in a Manger" & "Silent Night".

Oh, sweet Matthew that boy is one enthusiastic performer. He sang with such happiness.  

What made this "event" even more special is that their Grandpa & Grandma Wessel came to NJ for their annual Christmas visit and made it in time to attend the program.

A friend did make a video of the program but I am unable to get it to load on my blog.
Let me just say it was excellent! Well done kids!!

A New Look for Christmas

I had made this wall piece to hang our "leaves of thanks" on for the Thanksgiving season. It worked just perfectly for the occasion. 

I so enjoyed making the piece and love the look of it that I just didn't have the heart put it away and not use it in some fashion. So, today it got its Christmas trimmings.  

During a recent trip to JoAnn Fabrics, I purchased some small ball ornaments (red and green in matte, shiny and glitter). I threaded the ornaments onto the branches. 

Not only was I pleased with the outcome but Matt told me "mom, that is really cool" and Dave said, "oh, I really like that".  I guess I made the right decision in using it for another holiday season.  Next, month snowflakes..... I am going to get the most out of this piece that I can.

I uesd the remaining ornaments to hang by ribbon from the scrolled iron work that hangs over my Christmas mantel. It gives just the right pop of color against the light colored stone of the fireplace. 

We Give Thanks

We have so very much to be thankful for this year. Although we miss seeing our extended family, please know you are always in our minds and hearts.

This was our second Thanksgiving at home cooking for just our little family. Dave stepped in and took charge of cooking of the turkey, while I worked on the sides.

The kids enjoyed watching some of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with a fire roaring in the fireplace. Matt was so inspired that he created his own parade with his LEGOs. The kids had a lot of down time and took advantage of just relaxing. They worked on the craft kits we bought the day before.  Matt now has a very large and colorful snake tattoo in his arm.

As we sat down to eat, we gave thanks for all of the things we are blessed with. While eating, I asked both kids what they were thankful for. Emily's list contained mainly things she doesn't have but would like to be thankful for such as an IPhone and a pet bunny.  Matthew he had a laundry list of things....a humorous part was when he said he was thankful for "grandpa and grandma, the other grandpa and grandma, grandpa's gun, and all of grandpa's guns".  I guess we know he likes grandpa's guns.  Too funny!

We were able to spend the evening having dessert with a small group of friends which was a perfect ending to our day.

We continue to give thanks for all the things God has provided for us this year, bringing us through some hard times and rejoicing in the good. We are thankful for family and good friends.  We are blessed!!!

Counting Down to Christmas

This weekend we will be putting up our Christmas decorations, our tradition, but in the meantime we started our official Christmas countdown. 

The kids are excited to see the days pass until Christmas comes as for me it is an abrupt reminder that I have little time to get everything done. 

Last year Dave was off from work at this time so he did most of the Christmas shopping. This year it is back in my hands.

Getting presents for the kids is proving to be a little harder now that they are getting older. When they were younger, shopping was so easy.....the list of items they wanted had very inexpensive price tags. Now, their lists are still as long but the price tag for each item is a little higher.

Trying to explain the whole "not as many gifts when the price tags are higher" is not quite getting through.  Of course, they still wanted to know if they would get the present we use to say was from Santa.  

These kids keep me laughing and on my toes!!

Giving Thanks

This past Wednesday the kid's had their Thanksgiving chapel at school. 

Parents and family were invited so I went to represent our family, sadly Dave had to work. The kids were so happy that I would be there.

Matt's class recited Psalm 100 and sang. He was very into the hand motions that went with the song. Emily's class recited a poem.

The chapel showcased the elementary students doing songs, scripture and poems while several of the junior and senior high students, along with staff gave testimonials of thanks. 

It was a wonderful time of singing choruses and hymns of thanks and praise and seeing the children doing their part.

So very thankful that the kids are attending Hackensack Christian Schools.