Just one more reason...

...why I love living in California.

Goat Rock Beach

An [awkward] Christmas Greeting

If you live in the Bay Area, we would LOVE for you to join us this Christmas Eve as we celebrate the birth of Jesus!

Here's the details:
WHEN: Saturday, December 24th at 4:30 & 6:30 PM
WHERE: The Marriot @ 2700 Mission College Blvd, Santa Clara

Click here to get your free tickets. (Those with tickets will get priority seating.)

And here's your personal invitation from South Bay's very sophisticated pastors: 

Ahhh... aren't you just so proud to call those men your pastors?!

 They make me laugh. 

Christmas Presents & Kids

Most parents struggle with knowing what is the appropriate amount of presents to get for their children on Christmas.

• We don't want to be Scrooge, but we don't want them to think Christmas is all about the presents. 
• We are excited to see their excitement, but we don't want to create spoiled brats or unrealistic expectations. 
• We feel embarrassed when we hear our friends are getting their kids a much nicer gift than we are, but we feel guilty when we realize that we're getting our kids a much nicer gift than another family. 

I remember walking through Toys-R-Us last Christmas almost disgusted over the idea of getting more STUFF that they don't need and probably won't even play with in 2 months. 

It good for every family to come up with some type of plan that works for them. A little structure to help them make decisions for what's appropriate to do for their kids for Christmas. 

Some people set a dollar amount to limit their spending...so their kids might get one bigger present or 5 smaller ones, but the amount of money stays the same.

I have another friend who does 3 gifts per child per Christmas.

The latest idea that I heard (which I really like) is getting each child:

• Something you want
• Something you need
• Something to wear
• Something to read

What guidelines do you use to help you not get "The Crazies" when it comes to shopping for your kids?

Gingerbread Men Recipe

I found a great recipe for Gingerbread Men that I wanted to share. Unfortunately, all of my gingerbread men got eaten before I remembered to take a picture, but they turned out really cute AND were yummy (unlike a lot of gingerbread men I've tasted). They are a little "spicy" and chewy instead of dry and hard. I used brown M&Ms for his eyes, green and red M&Ms for buttons, and red icing for a little flair on his arms and legs. Even my picky eater, Caedmon, loved them!

Enjoy!!

Eileen's Spicy Gingerbread Men- Allrecipes.com

Ingredients

1/2 cup margarine

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup molasses

1 egg yolk

2 cups sifted all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions

1. In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and sugar until smooth. Stir in molasses and egg yolk. Combine the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg; blend into the molasses mixture until smooth. Cover, and chill for at least one hour.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake for 8 to 12 minutes (depending on the size cookie cutter that you use) in the preheated oven, until firm. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks. Frost or decorate when cool.

Still Alive...and Coming Up For Air!

Every year about this time, no matter how hard I fight against it, I seem to take an unintentional Sabbatical from blogging. I wish I could say it was because I am taking this time to really focus on Jesus, to be still and quiet before Him as we remember and celebrate His birth. But alas, I have just been trying to stay afloat through the busyness of this month. I am typically the "early to bed, early to rise" type, but late nights have become my specialty as of late.

Anyone else out there been stuck in the spirit of, "Go! Go! Go! Merry Christmas!"

This week I went to the post office to ship 30 (THIRTY!) packages and about 120 letters. I'm pretty sure the only reason I didn't get cussed out by the long line of people behind me is because I had an adorable little Ethiopian boy dancing around, playing with his train, and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. (Way to go, Sammy!)

But, I think I am (finally) about finished. Just a few minor details remain and the heavy weight of preparations that had to be made has been lifted. I have definitely been more of a Martha than a Mary this month, and I'm ready to make the switch. (Luke 10:38-42)

Leave me a comment to let me know one thing you do to help yourself stay focused on Jesus and keep a quiet heart during this season.