Christmas....New Years.....It's All a Blur

This fall and Christmas season has flown by I haven't blogged much since school started so I'm going to make one of my infamous lists with events, emotions, milestones and accomplishments....And, if I don't find myself too busy or lazy, I am going to try to post a montage of pictures....I have 3 memory cards that are full that have yet to be downloaded from all Lindsey moments beginning last April, maybe March....I am really bad at that, our computer is slower than the postal service...so I don't make time to fool with that.....
I am rambling, here is my list some relative order of occurrence but don't hold me to it....

1. Co-leading a fun group of 3rd graders with my girlfriend , both of our oldest children are members of Little Sisters, think ultra conservative Brownie Scout's without the cookie sales.
2. Chauffeur to Emma, Molly and sometimes Mike for rehearsal to this. Let me tell you they all rocked. Emma auditioned, Mike was needed b/c he is a great singer and can act and Molly got bribed into the show b/c she is little and cute...they all were great. We even got Uncle Pat sucked in.
3. Because after that show was over, (like 2 days after 5 days of midnight rehearsals and morning school shows (2 a day W,TH, and 1 FR.) and evening shows and early mornings) CALL ME CRAZY...I auditioned for Into the Woods....I didn't get a part but anxiously await the phone call to be recruited for backstage help....it was fun to audition.
4. We participated in the girls school Christmas Festival fundraiser (baking for the bake sale, set up, running the hot dog stand and attending)
5. We had a great Thanksgiving with most of my relatives from my moms side....I love them the best, but don't tell anyone....
6. We, I mean Owen cut his first two teeth, one the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and one Thanksgiving Day.
7. He is now sitting up and talking and laughing and rolling and SO MUCH FUN!!!! I am not sure how we could have managed without him in our lives...Thank you, Lord!
8. I am still trying to find the floor in our home and catch up on laundry....like that'll ever happen....
9. MIKE PASSED HIS SUPER HARD CISCO CLASS!!!! We were really worried for a moment but God answered our prayers....He always listens to us and answers in His perfect time.
10. I still have two packages to be shipped that I just can't seem to force myself to go to the post office to expedite....sorry baby Hope and little Kole....you might get your baby gifts and Christmas treats before you graduate from college....they are quite nice and festive in their wrappings....What is my deal....
11. I am determining to make choices and to set examples that I would want my children to inherit....I'd better tackle #10!
12. We had an amazing Christmas! We had several financial crisis in the last year that set us back ( over $3,000 on car repairs in 3 months, med expenses for one of our girls and catch up from all the extra expenses that came up with mom not home to take care of things last spring) so we had decided to taper our gifting down significantly, but the Lord blessed us through the generosity of dear friends and our kids were blessed beyond what we would have done normally we do our best to put our focus on the Jesus' birthday and giving time energy talent to others...it was as if Jesus had come to each of our girls and personally whispered how much he loved them....They are great kids and very grateful, I am very thankful that they are so content and happy. It was a hard year for them too....
13. I am having a few health issues related to my Castleman's Disease. I was in remission as of June 18th, but have been extra fatigued and have three lymph nodes at the base of my skull/brain and nape of my neck that are pronounced and bulging and sore...I have also had some low grade fever unexplained and joint pain....so, prayers are needed for healing. It isn't too serious, just a nuisance. They can dissolve, so that is my prayer.
14. I am planning and getting ready to take pictures for New Years/Epiphany Cards....I am determined to get this done, I never sent out birth announcements for Owen, I was wrapped up in healing for 4 months....which brings me to
15. MY INCISION WAS OFFICIALLY CLOSED/HEALED IN OCTOBER!!!!
16. But I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder....just alot of anxiety and junk to deal with that was out of my control.

That is all I can think of right now.....but I will be back....I hope to blog more this year and I hope to get pictures up soon....

Just thought I would touch base....catch me on Facebook....I can catch up with people there in like 30 minutes a day...5 min. here 10 mins. there...you get the idea...my profile id is Dianna Ringel Lindsey.

Peace!

If You Really Want to Know Me...

http://www.personaldna.com/report.php?k=eUpsoXLnkMgxVaU-OO-ADACA-3ea4&u=f8e9a2503d84
Here is my Personal DNA. It is very interesting and quite accurate, I think...you should try it out.

Craziness It Starts With a Capital D

...Mike is out of town this weekend, he'll be home around 11:00 tonight. I was determined to have fun with the girls, when I am gone, that's what he gets to do....
Our activities without him have included,
Friday night, taco bell....I asked and everyone ordered their favorites...it wasn't until I sat down with the food and the two younger princesses learned that Taco Bell has KIDS MEALS! And, There was much wailing and gnashing of teeth...so, I went back and ordered a second dinner....our $9 meal had turned into $17....
I was not going to be shaken! I. WAS. GOING. TO. HAVE. FUN! So we went to the dollar theater and attempted to watch Journey to the Center of the Earth, two potty breaks later the movie was over. It was a good movie.
We were home at about 10:15 and it was to bed.
Saturday, we woke up at 8:30-this was heavenly. 9:30 girl #2 went on a little sisters outing and Aunt Lulu came to watch girl #3 and Owen, while girl #1 went to an audition for A Christmas Carol--12:15 I was home and loaded girl #1 and Owen to go to #1's little sisters meeting at the indoor aquatic center here in town for some chilly weather swimming. Back at 3:20....Load everyone at 3:40 go to the dreaded Walmart to pick up all the candy and treats for our childrens portion of our churches Fall Festival 5:10 home again.
Make Salad, bread, load dessert and everyone to go to a dinner with some friends....leave at 6:27, it was three doors away. Relax. Breath.
7:30 load back up throw kids in bed
Feed Owen, bathe, change him 9:00 I was out.
Sunday 7AM
Up, breakfast, load up for church at 9AM
Help arrives at church...Thank you, Lord!!! stuff treat bags. Attend worship, Feed Owen...Set up tables deal with kids on a sugar high. Eat lunch...feed other people kids more sugar send them home:) Clean up. Load up. Stop in at a department store to buy picture day outfits (for tomorrow). Home at 3:38. Baby naps Kids out to play....Laundry, breakfast dishes.
Dinner at 5:30 and now the girls are in the shower and getting ready for bed by 8PM....

Told ya I am crazy....BTW, it has been fun but it is different being the mom left to tend...when I leave, I generally leave meals cooked and things in order...and come home to restore order...maybe that's why Mike has so much fun!

Yummy Fall Recipe....Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins...

1 cup flour ( I use fresh milled spelt or white wheat)
1 cup sugar (honey is nice, too)
1tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp of baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. of cinnamon
1 pinch of ginger
2 eggs beaten
1 c canned pumpkin
1/2 c cooking oil
1/2 c chocolate chips
In a large bowl combine the eggs, pumpkin, and oil. Then, add the dry ingredients to it. Then dump in the chocolate chips...Spoon the mix into greased (I use Pam) muffin tin. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Becky, your kiddos might like these, they are milk-free:).

Julianna, My Sweet Inquisitor...

My sweetest Julianna, (written for you for your birthday September 27, It has taken me 2 weeks to complete this)
Happy Birthday! I am so glad that God has charged me with your care. You are a precious gift! I love how you are headstrong, compassionate and avid in everything you do. I love you for the way you love. You are beautiful! You are passionate about your brother, you could spend the rest of your life looking out for him and be totally content. You strive for justice and to show mercy to others. You are a great protector of your sisters, you are the first to be a friend when they can't seem to find one and you don't easily take offense when they do find one and no longer need you. You are humble. You are such a great helper and hard worker. And, for being the middle girl in our bunch, you are determined to break the mold. I understand you all too well! Every time I look into those deep bluish-green eyes, I feel as if I am looking into a mirror, only 22 years ago. You drive me nuts only because you can ; ). Nana would have said the same about me when I was a little girl.
You're anxious but willing to exceed any circumstances...it was so hard for you to be brave while I was away from you this past spring, you felt it most deeply. But, the moment you saw your baby brother safe and sound, I knew by the look on you face that you had made peace with it in your soul--it finally made sense. It was such a hard sacrifice for such a little girl, you did it with utmost grace. It was more than I would have chosen for you to bear, I have great faith that God is going to use that experience to grow you and His Kingdom in ways we can't imagine...I can't wait to see miracles unravel because of His refining fire in you.
I pray that the Lord would use your determination and strong-will to conquer the enemy through spiritual warfare and your knowledge of what is good and true. My deepest prayer is that you would would continue to hunger and long deeply for the Word of God.
Just so you remember, this past summer, you begged for your own 'real' Bible. Daddy bought you one, you cherish it, you feast on it daily--you won't go to bed until Daddy has read with you, I love that! It has called me on, BIG TIME. Julianna, I pray to be just like you when I grow up! I love you with all my heart! I could never be who I am if you weren't here. You are the best 7 year old in the whole world! I am the luckiest Mom in the world! God loves me too much to have blessed me with you.
I love you chicken lips!
Mommy

I have never heard of that kind before....

Me: Hey Julianna, where do you want to have dinner for your birthday?

Julianna: Cracker Barrel....Oh No, I mean I want a Hot TO-MOLLY from the Chinese restaurant, Vera Cruz.....

I couldn't help but to giggle....

We are Surviving and Hoping to Soon Be Thriving...

School is back in full swing and with lunches to be made, PE uniforms to be remembered and a new year of PTA, I am officially ready for summer vacation! I am not normally so gung-ho for the girls to be underfoot and I thought I would be ready to send them back, but after my crazy spring and the crazy arrival of our new prince...I have been pining away for the company of my girls. I have been kind-of sad actually.
I had grandiose plans of walking them to school nearly everyday and am working up to it slowly--I have only walked twice out of 6 days so far. I am really out of shape and it is hard work due to my incision still not being healed completely. I am praying that it will be closed and totally healed soon...so, that is not all bad news. I am making the effort, it is just slower going than I had anticipated. I have lost 11lbs. So yay for ME!!!
I am finding creative ways to meet my commitments with a bundle of blessings attached to me all the time. That is interesting for everyone involved. I am starting to doubt God's design in mothers--I think he should have considered making us with 8 arms, like the octopus.
Other new news, both Emma and Julianna are going to be in Augusta Players Youth Theater's production of A Year with Frog and Toad, so rehearsals will be all consuming in a couple of weeks with the show opening in the middle of October...so, if you are in the area, look for the two cutest squirrels.
I am off to the store to buy some bread....I underestimated our sandwich count for this week.