2012- A Look Back

Did any of us think when we were younger that the saying uttered by our parents and grandparents- "the years go by so quickly" would ever apply to us?  Perhaps it happens upon parenthood and it inevitably speeds up with each subsequent year.  It seems as if 2012 just started and now it has come to an end.

Much has happened; memories have been made, lessons have been learned, love has been shared.

Below is a pictorial of some of my favorite moments from 2012.  When looking through the literally hundreds of photos that I took, I was in a quandary.  How would I select just a few to represent an entire year?  There are so many!  That is why I started the blog-- not only to let family and friends who don't live around the corner know how the kids are doing, but also for the children themselves, so they can have a pictorial scrapbook of sorts of our homeschooling journey so they can always remember.
:-)

When I asked the kiddos what they liked most about 2012, I got a myriad of responses that ranged from our trip to Bethany Beach, our visits to the zoo and Valley Forge National Park.  I heard about flying airplanes, playing with "piggies," memorable sports moments and Ocean City.  I was reminded about favorite crafts, fun baking together and lessons that we did in school.  All wonderful memories.  It makes me want to read back over the blog and see them all again.  Maybe someday. :-)

I heard on the radio the other day the DJ say "If you woke up tomorrow with only what you thanked God for today, what would you have?"  As 2013 arrives, I will be sure to thank God for all of the gifts He has given me-- including a loving and hard-working husband, a wonderful and supportive family, being able to homeschool, a prayerful church community full of fellowship and love, online friends who have meant so much, my beautiful children who brighten my every day and of course, during this Christmas season, the precious gift of His Son.

Click here on or after the 1st to see what others on the Review Crew have shared about their 2012.

Also Linking up with On, in and around Mondays in addition to Wisdom Wednesday, Living Well Wednesday, Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, Modest Mom, Crazy Mama, Homemaking Wednesdays and Raising Mighty Arrows and Titus 2sday and Clever Chicks Blog Hop, Mama to 4 Blessings, Create with Joy, NOBH, Musings from a Stay at Home Mom, Tina's Wordless Wednesday,Judy @ CoffeeJitters and Wordless Wednesday at Wordless and  Living Well Wednesday, Favorite Things, and Crafty Spices, Better Mom and Lisa at The Army Chap's Wife and Harvest of Friends Blog Hop, Friendship Friday, Friday Connection and It's a Wrap and Fun Friday.

Yay for snow! :-)

I hope everyone had a beautiful and blessed Christmas day with their family or friends!  :-)  We sure did.  I will share some photos next week when I get back into my regular blogging schedule.  I have been enjoying the "blogcation," spending time with my children, making photo albums, baking, playing bingo and just enjoying the time with each other.  :-)

As 2012 rapidly comes to a close, the kiddos were thrilled to finally have a "real" snowfall.  Ok, it wasn't a big storm, but it was enough to have a snowball fight, ride on a sled and even make a little snowman. (Kiddo #4 was thrilled to make it with tootsie rolls for eyes and licorice for a mouth)

Hope you enjoy your last few days of this year!  :-)

Linking up with On, in and around Mondays in addition to Wisdom Wednesday, Living Well Wednesday, Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, Modest Mom, Crazy Mama, Homemaking Wednesdays and Raising Mighty Arrows and Titus 2sday and Clever Chicks Blog Hop, Mama to 4 Blessings, Create with Joy, NOBH, Musings from a Stay at Home Mom, Tina's Wordless Wednesday,Judy @ CoffeeJitters and Wordless Wednesday at Wordless and  Living Well Wednesday, Favorite Things, and Crafty Spices

Merry Christmas!

There hasn't been a blog post since Thursday since I am spending time with my family and getting last minute preparations done.  (yes, I admit that we aren't quite ready, but we're getting there!)  Amidst the craziness (finishing our homeschooling, hubby not having a single day off in almost 2 weeks, shopping, baking, card writing, etc., etc.), I am trying to slow down, cherish the moments and "remember, reflect and rejoice" the true meaning of the season.

I wish all of you a blessed Christmas!  Let us never forget the true meaning of Christmas-- the most precious Gift ever given, the Miracle of the Incarnation, the Word becoming Flesh and laid in a manger in Bethlehem.  Let us always sing with the angels "Gloria in Excelsis Deo!"

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men."-- Luke 2:13-14

"And the Word was made Flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only Begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."-- John 1:14

"Christmas is a necessity.  There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we're here for something else besides ourselves."--E. Sevareid

"May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace, the gladness of Christmas give you hope, the warmth of Christmas grant you love."--Author Unknown

"The joy of Christmas is contagious-- but not primarily because of our gifts of dolls and trucks, bikes and pretty dresses, sweaters and ties...The joy of Christmas is contagious because of the spirit behind the gifts.  The glory of Christmas is that a gracious God became one of us to tell us that He loves us.  And, in his or her Christmas giving, the genuine believer symbolizes his or her inner desire to spread this Good News.
     Today we celebrate Incarnation!  Today we rejoice!  The eternal God comes into the flesh and blood of humanity.  Christmas cards portray the little Babe, the Manger, the Magi, the shepherds.  Little children learn that today is Jesus' birthday.  But these pieces of the story only touch the edge of the mysterious event which brings us together.  The Good News is that the God of Mercy has come into the history of humanity to bring us perfect peace.  For the peace of mind and heart and soul that the world cannot give, follow Jesus.  And when you follow Jesus, do not be surprised to see others following you.  After all, the spirit of Christmas is contagious."--Sunday Sermons, the Millenium Edition

"Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the town,
St. Joseph was searching, walking up roads and down;
Our Lady was waiting, so meek and so mild,
While Joseph was seeking a place for the Child;
The children were nestled, each snug in their beds,
The grown-ups wouldn't bother, there's no room they said;
When even the innkeeper send them away,
Joseph was wondering, where they would stay;
He thought of the caves in the side of the hills,
Let's go there said Mary, it's silent and still;
The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,
Made pathways of light for their tired feet to go;
And there in a cave, in a cradle of hay,
Our Savior was born on that first Christmas Day!
The Father was watching in Heaven above,
He sent for His angels, His couriers of love,
More rapid than eagles God's bright angels came;
Rejoicing and eager as each heard his name;
Come Power, Come Cherubs, Come Virtues, Come Raphael,
Come Thrones and Dominions, come Michael and Gabriel;
Now fly to the Earth, where My poor people live,
Announce the glad tiding My Son comes to give;
The Shepherds were watching their flocks on this night,
And saw in the heavens an unearthly light;
The Angels assured them, they'd nothing to fear,
It's Christmas they said, the Savior is here!
They hastened to find Him, and stood at the door,
Till Mary invited them in to adore;
He was swaddled in bands from His head to His feet,
Never did the shepherds see a baby so sweet!
He spoke not a word, but the shepherds all knew,
He was telling them secrets and blessing them too;
Then softly they left Him, The Babe in the hay,
And rejoiced with great joy on that first Christmas Day;
Mary heard them exclaim as they walked up the hill,
Glory to God in the Highest, Peace to men of good will!"--Sr. St. Thomas, BND de N

Thankful Thursday- December 20

Sorry I didn't write a Thankful Thursday post last week.  It was just hectic and blogging took a back seat.  :-)

Last Wednesday was Kiddo #3's 11th birthday.  Our animal lover wanted to go to the zoo, so go to the zoo we did.  :-)  Another fun day, without any crowds.  The animals were quite active!

I am not only thankful for a wonderful day out with my children, but for our Kiddo, who is a sweet  and smart boy who can also be quite the character.  :-)  He knows mostly everything there is to know about elephants and can make the most amazing powerpoint presentations I've ever seen.  For the record, he also has no problem playing a trick on or scaring his brothers one minute and then helping them in the next.  ;-)

He came into this world a week early, yet a whopping 10 1/2 pounds (still a few ounces shy of his one older brother, lol!)

Hope you had a happy birthday, Kiddo!  Dad and I love you very much and are very thankful for the gift of you!  :-)

What are you grateful for today?

I'm sharing with these lovely ladies: ,Lisa at The Army Chap's Wife, NOBH , A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, Spilled Milkshake, Miscellany Monday, Raising Homemakers and Modest Mom and Raising Mighty Arrows

Wordless Wednesday- December 19

In our Advent prayer service on Tuesday night, we were reminded to slow down to really appreciate the beauty of this season and to hear the gentle promptings of Christ from within our heart.   I was honored to be asked to be the prayer leader at the service.  Below are some photos of how the last couple of days we are slowing down and whether it is making Daddy lunch, hanging out under a train platform or making Christmas crafts, truly appreciating each other and the Advent season.

Also, today I am happy to have written a guest post (my very first!) for Morsels of Life!  I am sharing a beef stew recipe of mine.  You can go to CJ's blog and check it out here as of 5am on Wednesday. :-)

Linking up with: Judy H-J's Thoughts, Mama to 4 Blessings, Create with Joy, NOBH, Musings from a Stay at Home Mom, Tina's Wordless Wednesday,Judy @ CoffeeJitters and Wordless Wednesday at Wordless and  Living Well Wednesday, Favorite Things, Modest Mom,  Homemaking Wednesdays and Crafty Spices

Try a New Recipe Tuesday- December 18

It is Tuesday again!  And that means it's time for "Try a New Recipe Tuesday" and all of your delicious ideas.

There won't be a linkup next week since it's Christmas.  I wish all of you a very blessed and beautiful Christmas.  May God bless us all on this day and throughout the new year!  :-)

This week I'm sharing my recipe for German Apple Cake.

You will need 3 separate bowls.

Ingredients:
* 3 cups of sifted flour                                                                                             
*4-5 apples cut up                                                                                            
*1/2 cup of sugar                                                                                                
*2 teaspoons of cinnamon                                                                                
*1 cup of sugar                                                                                                   
*4 eggs                                                                                                                
*1 cup of oil                                                                                                        
*1/4 cup of orange juice                                                                                   
*3 teaspoons of baking powder                                                                             
*2 ½ teaspoons of vanilla

In Bowl # 1:

                             Sift 3 cups of flour.

In Bowl #2:

                             Cut-up 4-5 apples

                             1/2 cup of sugar

                             2 teaspoon of cinnamon

In Bowl #3: - Large bowl for mixing:

                             1 cup of sugar

                             4 eggs

                             1 cup of oil

                             1/4 cup of orange juice

                             3 teaspoons of baking powder

                             2 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla

Mix the sugar, eggs, oil, juice, baking powder vanilla with an electric mixer. Add flour slowly while mixing.  Add 1/2 of the apple mixture to the batter and mix by hand. Pour 1/2 of the batter into the greased baking pan. Add the remainder of the apples into the pan. Pour the remainder of the batter into the pan. Bake at 350 degrees for an hour and ten minutes.  Enjoy!  :-)

 Linking up with the Gathering Spot, Kids in the Kitchen, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt my Tummy Tuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Raising Mighty Arrows,Addicted to Recipes, Homemaking Wednesdays, Living Well Wednesday,NOBH, Judy H-J's Thoughts, Wisdom Wednesday , Favorite Things, Modest Mom, Full Plate Thursday and Melt in your Mouth Monday and Show Off Friday and Tuesday's Table and Look What We Did and Titus 2sday

Make Life Meaningful Monday- December 17

I think this weekend was meaningful for all of us-- a time to hug our children a little tighter and thank God for the gift of them, because that is what they are-- a precious gift and no one but God Himself knows how long we will have that gift.

At Church yesterday, our pastor spoke so eloquently.  He spoke of John the Baptist calling everyone to "repent" and "prepare the way."  This speaks to us, too.  We must be prepared to meet our Heavenly Father and to help guide our children to be followers of Christ and to know and love Him.  Ultimately, that is our most important responsibility-- our children's souls.  If we prepare them for Heaven, whenever they are called home, we have done our job.  It was so beautiful and touching, especially given the events of the last few days.  It is hopeful and encouraging to think of those little children being in the arms of Jesus.
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On Friday afternoon, after I heard of the events that took place that morning, I just wanted to do something fun with my children, so we made a Christmas craft together and I thanked God for the privilege to homeschool.

This is Kiddo #4's Nativity set.  Each kiddo made one and put them in their room as a special decoration.  :-)


Linking up with On, in and around Mondays in addition to Wisdom Wednesday, Living Well Wednesday, Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, Modest Mom, Crazy Mama, Homemaking Wednesdays and Raising Mighty Arrows and Titus 2sday and Clever Chicks Blog Hop

Homeschool Mother's Journal/Weekly Wrap-Up December 14

Another week has come and gone!  :-)  First and foremost, I have to thank all of you who voted for my blog in the recent Homeschool blog awards.  I found out today, that my blog was in the top 10 and I am very humbled; I was in amazing company among all of my fellow nominees. What an honor! :-)
                                                        

It has been a good and busy week.  On Monday, there was sewing class for Kiddo #4 (she has been working on Christmas presents for everyone!) and her IEW class, along with our Advent activities.  It always warms this mama's heart to see one kiddo helping another.

Of course, Kiddo #1 making everyone a chocolate cake was a highlight, as well.  :-)

On Tuesday, we went to the Adventure Aquarium.  What an awesome trip!  We really enjoyed it.  I posted a bunch of pics here.  I also had my weekly recipe share.  Over 20 great recipes were linked this week.  You can see them all here, as well as my chocolate chip cookie recipe.  :-)

Wednesday was Kiddo #3's 11th birthday!  Our animal lover had one wish on his birthday-- to go to the zoo, so go to the zoo we did.  Another wonderful trip!  There were no crowds and the animals were active.  One of the best trips to the zoo we've had!

On Thursday, the kiddos worked on their Jesse tree ornaments as well as us continuing to read from "The Christmas Tree."  What a heartwarming story for Advent!  It is told from the point of view of the gardener of Rockefeller Center and how a tree, that was befriended by an orphan many years before, becomes a gift of love.

What I'm reading: "The Christmas Tree" with the kiddos.

What I'm praying for: victims of natural disasters, those who are unemployed, ill, or suffering, my family, those who have lost loved ones, our nation, our military....

A quote or photo to share:

Just one of the many beautiful shots from the zoo.  :-)

Linking up today with:  Homeschool Mother's Journal, Weekly Wrap-Up, NOBH, Show-Off Friday, Learn and Link and It's a Wrap, Friendship Friday and Field Trip Friday and Friday Connection.