Well,

It's the start of the festive season.  The decorating is done except the tree.  My hubby has been baking some family recipes from his mom.  He is quite excited about them and JAG and him and any visitors will be sure to enjoy them.  Since JLG and I are diabetic we will not partake in most of it.  At present he is making an apple cake with splenda.  Hopefully it will work out the same as with sugar.  I have been going through the Splenda recipe book and looking for yummy alternatives.  JLG is very happy about all the Christmas preparations.  We also got 3 of my mom's favorite recipes...boiled fruit cake, cherry cake, and  Christmas pudding.  We will bake these in the coming weeks as well as shortbread and snowballs.

It is amazing that so much is done but with the kids driving us to decorate so I do not get asked again they all went up for the course of 3-4 days.  Most of it is in cabinets or up high so the kids can't move it around and the puppy won't get at it.  The tree will go up in the loft area off the L/R and Kitchen.  That way it will be safe from the dog.  It will look nice up there.

Remembering Jeremiah:

This past week has been a little bit easier than the last 4 years. 

We had a fifth precious baby born November 28, 2002.  His name is Jeremiah Raphael.  On November 30th, 2002 he went to spend eternity with Jesus.  We live every day thinking about him and how our life would be with him but know that he is in the best place of all...in Jesus' arms.   This year his birthday and heaven day were easier than in the past years and I thank Jesus for this and the time to celebrate his life here on earth. Because of the close proximity of Jeremiah's birthday and Christmas I always have to make it a point that the children get started on Christmas stuff December 1st.   JLG (he's 7yrs old) was quite disappointed that we did not do banners and streamers for Jeremiah's birthday.  When I am totally better we will go to the beach (ocean) when the tide is out and write Jeremiah's name in the sand and take photos and then do one with the tide coming in (it should be a cool addition to his creative memory book I made).

Blessings to all

Jodie