Whew!

I can't believe it is already Christmas Eve. This past week flew by in a blur. I want to thank everyone for their prayers, words of encouragement, flowers, meals, cards, and support. Our whole family has felt so much love during this time. We are so thankful to be blessed with friends like you.

Tonight we are heading to Scott's parents house for our annual Christmas Eve celebration. This year we all decided to make our gifts. I will post what I made after tonight. I can't wait to see what everyone else made.

Tomorrow is Christmas. I have such mixed emotions. Excitement, sadness, anticipation, dread, happiness, anxiety. I know these are all normal feelings. Makenzie and I have talked about how very lucky Faith is to be celebrating Jesus' birthday with HIM! She gets to sit at His feet with Peter and Paul. With Mary and Joseph. With Moses and Aaron. This Christmas she is WITH the Reason for the Season. Thank you Lord!

I hope you and your loved ones have a very blessed Christmas. Make memories, cherish each other, eat lots of food, laugh and laugh, but most of all remember the Reason we celebrate. Jesus Christ our Savior was born.

In Memory

Faith Marie Hernandez

Faith Marie Hernandez, 34, had her last breath here on earth and her first one in Heaven on Wednesday Dec. 17, 2008. Free from the pain of this world she is now free to rest in her Saviors arms. Faith had a generous heart, was passionate about giving to others and would intentionally seek out opportunities to help someone in need. She spent her earlier years working as a counselor at her church's Junior camp and worked as part of the youth staff for the church high school youth group. She loved nature and authentically savored the beauty God had created around her. The loves of her life were her nieces and nephew and she showed such joy being with them.

Faith is survived by her parents, Lupe and Sharon Hernandez; siblings Tyrone and Aleana Hernandez; sister and brother-in-law Jessica and Scott Plumley; nieces Makenzie Plumley, Rebecca Gillies and Tristyn Hernandez and nephew Caleb Plumley.

A memorial service will be held at Broadway Avenue Baptist Church (2530 Broadway Ave. Boise, Id) on Sunday December 21st at 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the High School Student Ministries of Broadway Avenue Baptist Church.

Info

Just wanted to let you know that a memorial service will be held for my sister, Faith, on Sunday December 21st at 4:00 pm at Broadway Avenue Baptist Church. We are asking that instead of flowers, contributions be made to the youth department at Broadway Avenue Baptist Church.

He Said What?

This boy cracks me up! This morning we were snuggling together in my bed and he was rubbing my cheek. This is the conversation that followed:

C: Mom, I like your cheeks. They are like a tushie.

M: What??

C: Your cheeks are like tushies.

M: TUSHIES?? Like buns?

C: Yeah. Like buns, cuz they are soft and they can't grow a beard.

Oh My! How I adore this little boy.

Glory in the Highest

This is a song that we have done at our church a few times. I have it on my iPod and listen to it every day. It moves me to tears each and every time I hear it. God is truly Amazing and I am overwhelmed at the thought of Him and His love for me. Glory to You, Lord!

Annual Baking Day

Every year my mom, sister, and I spend a day making Christmas goodies. This is a long time tradition. I can remember as a child my mom making tons of different cookies and candies. As we got older we got to join in. Now it just doesn't feel like Christmas without it. We make pretty much the same stuff every year. Once in a while we try something new. This year we stuck with the "regulars": almond roca, pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting, peanut butter balls, fudge nut bars, 7-layer bars, sugar cookies; plain, frosted and dipped in chocolate, chocolate covered pretzels, chocolate caramel pretzels, and we ran out of time for the no bake and molasses cookies. They will be made today. We always end up giving most of it away, but that is why we do it. We have so much fun laughing and talking in the crowded kitchen as we bump into each other and make messes everywhere. The music blaring Christmas songs, kids screaming, playing, and sometimes fighting, dog running around under foot eating everything we drop...this is all part of the wonderful chaos that makes the day so special. The aching of my feet and the dull throbbing in my lower back is just a pleasant reminder that yes, I am alive. I am blessed with the most amazing family, and I am here to share these special memories.

Fun Times

What a great weekend! Other than the fact that most of my family is sick. Thanksgiving was great. We spent the day at my in-laws. There was more food than should ever be allowed in one place. We had fun visiting, eating, walking, eating, playing Bingo, eating, watching a movie, eating. Unfortunately Scott was really sick, so he spent the day at home. After spending the day with them we stopped off at my parents' house to say hello. I love that both sets of parents live just a few miles apart.

Friday was pretty slow. I'm not a crazy black Friday shopper. I don't like to shop at normal hours of the day, so I don't see the sense in getting up in the middle of the night to do it! Scott and Makenzie go together every year though. They went and were back by 7:30 then Scott headed off to work. The kids and I went over to my parents' for a while and then bravely decided to go to Walmart. By this time it was about 2pm. The store was not crowded at all. It was very nice. No waiting for check out either. I ended up getting the kids some new pajamas. They loved that.

Saturday I took advantage of Scott being home and I ran out and bought the kids their Christmas presents. I have to say, it is nice to be done with most of our shopping. At church on Saturday night Phil Eastman led the worship. It was FABULOUS! He has so much talent and it is awesome to see him using it for the Lord. Made me feel a bit old, however, when I thought back to when I used to babysit him and his brother. Where did the time go??

Sunday we got out the Christmas decorations. I guess I should say SCOTT got them out. He and the kids set up and decorated the Christmas tree. I went and picked up my little sister and took her out to lunch for her birthday. We had a great time.

Now after a week off of school, it's back to routine. Makenzie woke up sick yesterday, so she stayed home today. Poor baby. It is definitely making it's rounds in our house. I woke up with a runny nose and sore throat this morning. Ugh!