Happy New Year!!!

I know I'm late wishing you all well, but it's still January after all. Here's what we've been up to:

This year, for Christmas, we did an exciting service project. We baked 34 dozen cookies and sold them to friends and family members, raising over $150 to spend on toys to give to a local foster care organization. We baked a few dozen each day so it didn't get too overwhelming. Many thanks to those of you who contributed!

When we dropped the toys off, the director told the children they were heros. The kids were just beaming!

I want my children to learn early on that life is about more than working for money so you can buy a new Hummer, then vote for candidates who will "help" the poor with other people's money. I want my children to use their money and turn off their TVs and go serve those God has called us to serve. That is how my husband and I strive to live our lives as well.

After we dropped the gifts off, we went to a local soda shop and had lots of yummy, greasy food!

That was our week for running around while everyone else was still in school. We went to see the tree lighting and play at the Galleria.

Yep! He's walking now.We drove around to look at Christmas lights, and we went bowling.

I took Jazzy to see the Nutcracker. Anyone who denies that dance is a form of intelligence, is just unintelligent, IMO.

Then we decorated the house with paper snowflakes.

Christmas Trees

Snowmen

Santa and His Raindeer. (These were Drew's idea.)

I cooked way too much. Honestly. I gained 5 lbs, but we'll just call it "water weight". (Yep, that's raw cake batter they're eating. We live life on the edge!)

On Christmas Eve we give the kids books. And on Christmas morning, they get three presents. (Our motto is three was enough for Jesus, and it's enough for you!) Drew got a castle, roller blades and pj's. Jazzy got a doll, roller blades, and a helmet. Zay got a mega blocks train, but he just wanted to play with the ribbon!

We mostly stuck around home the week of Christmas, and on New Years Eve, we made a big sign and camped out in the living room.

James and I want to read through the Bible this year. You may have noticed the One Year Bible graphic on my blog. It links to each days reading.

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And for another blog change, I've added my photo. (Amazing what a little lipstick can do.) I'm also using my real name now. I am a real person with real feelings, doing my best to share (however imperfectly) the things God has laid on my heart. But don't worry, you can still call me Queen if you want to. Her Royal Highness also has a nice ring to it!