Day 196 ~ From Our Home To Yours

In tonight's post, I would like to share with you how my family has been spending this Christmas season.  From our home to yours we wish you the best this Christmas and all year long.  For our love ones no longer with us, we will always hold you in our hearts and minds.  

God bless us everyone ...

I think we, Calley and I, pretty much started baking the day after Thanksgiving, and it has been bliss ever since!  Above we were baking our famous Oatmeal/Raisin/Pecan cookies... one word ... N-U-M-M-Y!  Below, our Christmas sugar cookies.. mm..mm..good!

While decorating our family Christmas tree, we stopped for a quick kodak moment, I should actually say, for a Cyber-shot moment..  (wink, wink)  

I am in BIG trouble!  I must say that Calley can be really bossy.  She knows how she likes things... down to where the ornaments should go!  Not a good sign.  Note to self... nip Calley's take charge attitude in the butt immediately (well maybe just a little, I do want her to be a leader-  we'll have to work on this one)!!

WOW!!  My baby is growing up!  (so sad.)  Well, she certainly is fun!  She was so happy to see Santa.  She asked him if she could tell him what she wanted for Jesus' birthday.  That's my girl!   

Calley has certainly made Christmas very special this year.  At five years old, she is very involved and wants to help with everything.  She is always showing us what she can do, and asks if we are proud of her, which of course we are.  She really is an amazing little girl, even if she is hard to keep up with half of the time.  (wink, wink) 

                                                               

              

Calley has had a hand in everything.  She was having such fun that she put the stockings on for shoes, Santa's beard and hat. (above left)  Calley even helped folding the hand towels in her bathroom, and placing them just so.  

When it came to making our Christmas wreath, I really enjoyed her reaction.  We first lined up all of our pieces we needed for the project, teaching her what everything was as we went along.  First, I took the ribbon and wrapped it around the wreath, then added the pines and glued the ornaments on.  Calley was in awe as she watched it come together.  Finally... this was really cute... as I picked up the ribbon, I twisted it, looped it, and twisted it, over and over again.  I repeated the twisting and looping several times... until.... VioLa!  With a couple of little snips on the ends, I had a beautiful bow.  All the while Calley was saying...  "ooo... oh wait... ooo... wait...oooooo mommmy.  WOW!"   

Nothing like a day at the park... I love to watch Calley run all over and get her "energy" out of her system.  This time, I was able to relax and take pictures while my sister did all the chasing.  She could not keep up with Calley!  (lol)  We returned all tuckered out, even me.  (big smile)

When Calley and I cook, we have our little routine.  Calley helps me collect the ingredients for the Creamy Cilantro dip for my 1st Annual Karam Family Christmas Spa Day, we line them up and prep them according to quantity needed.  And... VioLa!  

From here on out we'll be making lots of holiday treats, dishes and etc... we'll share some of the recipes, and some are just special for our family.  I'm sure you understand.  

A Christmas Prayer 

Loving Father, help us to remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men. 

Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world.  Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.  Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts. 

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be Thy children, and the Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen!   

~ Robert Louis Stevenson

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 

...   eight years of lovin' 

...   seven days of singing
...   six months of blogging
...   five rooms plus more

...   four loving dogs

...   three cook books

...   two ceiling fans, 

...   our little girl we call Calley

Blessings to all!!

169 days to go...

PS... I love and miss you boys.  To the moon and stars above and back.  You are my sunshines.

All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied.  All accounts herein are written by Carla B Karam and are true accounts of her life.  Some names may be changed to protect the innocent or protect me from the guilty.  (just kidding...wink, wink)

Picture credits... images are property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Taking Back My Life ~ Making It My Own.

Day 184 ~ The Results of Bad Time Management

Phew!  The only word that comes to mind to describe my day.  The only time I sat down today, was to eat lunch, do crafts with Calley and to paint.

Yes, Elisabeth I am working on a new art piece.  As a side note, my little lady I was working on, well let's just say that Calley thought I needed some help one day.  (sad face)  That was a bad day, yet we survived it.  In the scheme of things, I realized that it was not a big deal, after all I can moisten and reuse the clay.  (big smile)  And she was coming out pretty cool too, as you can see her here.

As part of our 'crafts' that I had planned for Calley and I was to make a Christmas wreathe, being that the wreath we had been using was ten years old and had seen its share of Christmases.  (so sad because I really liked it; it was made entirely of red ornaments)

This project was really simple for what it was, although as Calley helped and saw it come together, she was truly impressed.  She was especially impressed when I threw the bow together.  All she would say was, "ooo... oh wait... ooo... wait...oooooo mommmy."  She was really cute with all the sound effects.  It really wasn't a big deal, but to her I was the coolest mom in the world!  Which of course, I thought was pretty neat.  (BIG SMILE)

Taking care of Calley is special in itself.  We may have our rough moments, but we always manage to get through it.  But then, I always keep in mind that the good times always out weigh the bad.  It's funny, regardless of the situation, I can always count on Calley to be very caring, helpful and with a little touch of drama.  I see acting and possibly the debate team in her future.

As I mentioned, today was a whirlwind of sorts.  As a matter of fact, after having my morning tea I checked my emails, blogs, stats, and comments, not necessarily in that order, but anyways... I got so wrapped up in some new games, that when I finally got to the point that I felt I could take a break and do other things with Calley... IT WAS ONE O'CLOCK!!   OH EM GEE!!!  I could not believe how long it took me to do my morning routine.  It took me almost three hours longer than normal!

I have come to the conclusion that I have to do something about time management, that is for sure.  Five hours at the computer, and not realize it... well... I think I need to start using my timer!  LOL!!

All that I experience empowers me to grow more as a positive person.    ~  Carla Barila Karam

  

Blessings to all!!

181 days to go...

All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied. All accounts herein are written by Cali-Gal/Carla B Karam and are true accounts of her life. Some names may be changed to protect the innocent.