joy to the world!

Okay, so they're not so pinterest-y, but I did make them yesterday...


This is the third time this season I've made the double batch of cut-out butter cookies, it makes about 85 cookies.

They take a bit of time to make, but less than in the days gone by, the baby/toddler/small children days, when I had to break to nurse the baby and get the toddler fed and into nap, and and and.

Everyone should have 16 children, and be so busy for so many years, on so little sleep, so busy that you can't string two thoughts together, then...when the littlest one starts growing up...ahh, you appreciate EVERYTHING. Every single cup of coffee with the feetsies up, every moment of quiet, every uninterrupted baking session, going to the bathroom without little fingers snaking under the door...or even not having to make the decision whether to sneak to the bathroom without saying anything and risking one of them noticing and listening to a chorus of WHERE'S MOMMY (or worse, they sneak real quick into the cereal cupboard), or telling them and having one or two cry to come with you.

Anyway. It's not actually post-traumatic stress syndrome, because it wasn't really traumatic. But it was challenging. And It was rich and filled with blessings and hugs and cuddles and fun.

So I decided not to go to the pool yesterday, because it was so blissful to just be home. The usual busy church schedule is rather relaxed this week, so everyone was home last night, and it was nice. I frosted the cookies, got a few last gifts wrapped, and a visit from Bethany and Joseph.

Here's a little something fun: We are going to Florida this year, in February! Grandma is wanting a visit! Paul is going with us this year, yay! The drive is UGH so long, the drive home, super UGH. But, it's so nice to visit the sunshine and warmth in February, and to spend time with Grandma...and go to a theme park, too:)

Well, I have things to do and places to go and a house to clean. Ever notice how clean the living room feels when you clean under the couches?