Christmas Time

Tonight is Christmas Eve. John and I are just hanging out at the house, just the two of us. I am wondering how many times I can watch "The Santa Clause" (1-3) with out going crazy. Not yet, folks!

Traditionally, (3rd year now) we watch HOLIDAY INN.

Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, I think, equal warm, cozy, holiday feelings.

Tonight, I am preparing for our Christmas dinner. John is smoking a turkey and brisket. I am making my mom's green bean casserole, broccoli cheese casserole, mash potatoes (already made from Thanksgiving and frozen), grandma's salad, and rolls. Then, for the first time ever... I am attempting to make traditional Bread Pudding. YEA!!

Of course Christmas is clearly not about Trees (which we decorated) or lights on the House (which we put up) or lots of food ( which we continue to eat) or even gifts (which we love to give and of course get).

Jesus Christ, born of the virgin Mary, to take away the sins of the world.. this is why anyone should celebrate Christmas. I think it is interesting that non Christians celebrate Christmas. Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus. I wonder what the world thinks about when Christmas day comes and goes? I am very guilty of getting "wrapped" up with the holiday....um , spirit. Tonight, John and I will listen to a Christmas Sermon, enjoy Holiday Inn, and snuggle up with our two sweet puppy dogs. These things are not wrong, but my prayer for my family is that we continue to celebrate the Truth throughout the year. He came to take the wrath of God, which the Bible says that I was born an object of, away from me so that I can enjoy Him and His glory everyday. He came because he Loved His creation. Christ was born and Christmas will forever be known as the day God came to be with the World. Immanuel, God with Us.

Here is a great story with a Christmas Twist. The Innkeeper. Enjoy and Merry CHRISTMAS!

The easy road...

Isn't nice when someone else writes a post for you...

I know that I am totally cheating, but HERE is what I did two weekends ago!

Thanks Kat!

Heart Healthy Choices

As of lately, it has been important to me to TRY and be heart healthy...at least in my head it has been. But my eating actions have deviated from this goal. One side of Johns family has a history of heart disease and this disease has shown itself early in the lives of his grandfather and dad.

WELL NOT UNDER MY HOUSE! I want to do my best to provide a healthy, restful home for my family.

My favorite sister-in-law KAT, who is very wise, told me that she wants her home to be the place where her children and husband are refreshed and given healthy foods. She says that the world will provide enough junk on it's own and that her home will be a refuge.

I have already ordered the American Heart Associations cookbook and we have tried many recipes from it. Unfortunately, I still add all the stuff it tells me not use. For example... we

made phenomenal Fish Tacos (thank you Lindsey) that calls for corn tortillas, flaky fish, and home made pico de gallo. MMMMM--- but of course we added sour cream (low fat of course), and cheese.

This is just one example of how I can make anything more fatty.

So now I have decided to try a LITTLE harder to do this heart healthy thing. I know it would be good for me and of course I would be doing my part to keep John around for as long I can. I have "joined" a 12 week program-(Hi, my name is Diana and I have dirty arteries.") that will give me tips, recipes and all the hugs and encouragement a girl could ask for. :-)

I will say that some of it might be cheesy (well, I guess not cheesy b/c that would be unhealthy- oh man I crack myself up!) ANYWAY- some of it might be over the top- but getting daily reminders on my Facebook, and daily e-mails and daily widgets and daily encouraging notes from all my fellow BETTER-U participants, might actually make me want to throw up to remember that this is an important issue that is affecting tons (that is my official statistic) of Americans everyday.

I just wanted to let you know that I decided to get a LITTLE more serious about this after eating at the Cheesecake Factory for lunch and then eating Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner. If I set small goals, anything should be possible after that night!

My sweet grandparents

I have had the privilege to get to know my moms mom and my dads dad for 29 years. My moms mom past away in May and and my dads dad past away in June. It has been a lot of traveling back and forth to Texas for funerals.

My family is incredible and the support they ALL bring each other is a testimony of Gods love and of his purpose for creating family.

"Yellow," "Red," "Red," "Yellow"

These were the words repeated by John and I as we guided Jim and Yvonne (IN-laws) through their first game of Guitar Hero World Tour.  They were reluctant at first, but I know they had fun.

"This is fun!"  JIM

See- they had fun.  Here are some pictures of John explaining some basic Wii instructions, one of them learning what how to hold the remote, and some actual playing time photos.  They are playing as I blog...I just cold not wait....and yes.....John is wearing Wii PJ pants.  Thanks MOM!