Lifegroup Ugly Sweater Christmas Party

Last night we celebrated with our lifegroup by having an "Ugly Sweater Party." It was so funny to see everyone hanging out in such ugly sweaters. Some were especially horendous...but I think that Nates was the one that cracked me up the most. He's our co-leader, and every time he spoke I wanted to laugh.

We joked about how 40 years from now, we'll look back at these pictures and think we had such good taste back then...actually, I hope that never happens.

It really means a lot to have such a supportive, fun group of friends that we can hang out with and laugh until we cry, cry because we need to cry, call in a hard time, and always have someone to hang out with, and have such good spiritual support. We can always be real with eachother, and go through life together. Thank you Lord for finally giving us the friends we've longed for.

Tracee and Phil
Christine and Jeff
Nate and Anne
Ben and Karen


Andrew and I A better picture of how horrible all our outfits were...

We were missing Paul and Lauren, but I'm sure Lauren would have been rocking an awesome sweater as a Kindergarten teacher!

A job, a job, praise the Lord, a job!

Andrew finally got a yes from Nike, though it took many interviews, many months, some no's, but now a yes! So he starts the day we get back from our trip, which will be perfect. I am so looking forward to having a normal schedule where he works during the day and we're all home together in the evenings. I won't have to work as much anymore, just 1 day a week, which I'll probably want that break anyways! I'll get to be more involved in the boys lives again, and just have the days to enjoy watching them grow up! I feel like this is a step forward into "real" life as we begin this next step. Praise the Lord!

Four Years...

Andrew, I'm so thankful that you are the one I get to "do life with." 4 years have been full of many struggles, joys, ups and downs. But we're in this together, and there's no one I'd rather go through this journey with then you. I can't wait to see where the Lord is going to take us together! Happy Anniversary!

Cookie Bake!

We had one of our annual Christmas traditions today, the Dornbecher Cookie Bake! Safeway opens up their bread plant and people come from near and far to bake cookies and support the hospital. It sells out within hours of opening the phone lines, lucky for me, I have my mom to sign us up with them:) We always go with the Winsteads...traditions!


Loved the sprinkles!
Lots of cookies, lots of fun. Jakey lasted for about two hours, Noah the whole four hours, though we should have gone home sooner for him. Things I learned for next year:
-bring two cars
-don't wear black uggs (Jakey thought it was funny to dump all the flour on my pants and boots)
-bring some toys
-don't have such a high stool...Jakey fell off a few times
-don't make so many cookies
-stick with a few simple cookie cutters...no need to get fancy, who will notice?
Working hard...

Me and Bekers, friends through thick and thin!

My cookie Beka and Stacey made for me, a Hawaiian bikini gingerbread woman:)
Our family at the cookie bake!
The Winsteads and Andrew
My little helper...slash distraction

I do have to say, I was very good at "letting go" and just rolling (pun intended) with the flow. My cookies didn't turn out AMAZING! No fancy frosting for me this year, just slapping some icing on my trees, a few sprinkles from Noah, and we're calling it done! But hey, they'll taste just as good...hopefully!

Secret #2

Here's my project I tackeled today (along with breakfast, a workout, cleaning the kitchen, brushing kids teeth, playing trains, sorting animals, putting stickers on paper airplanes, kissing a hand after a fake cry from Jakey, lunch, naps, shower...you know, the everyday grind). My coat closet is bad. It is, and really, it's not good now, but much better then it was. I admittedly do have a problem with buying sweatshirts and coats for myself and the boys...we have too many, but they are so cute! At this time of year, we stick to a few main jackets that are actually warm enough to do their job--keep us warm. So, instead of cramming or throwing jackets into our closet, I removed most of our jackets leaving just the essentials. Some I gave away, and some I just boxed up until the next season. The shoes on the bottom are a little more organized, though I did a major shoe purging a few weeks ago and boxed up all the summer shoes and got out the uggs and snow boots. This is mostly just for boots and tennis shoes as we each have a cubby with most of the boys shoes and some of mine are kept.

Before

After

Two down, 48 projects to go! ;)

Slumber Party!

I love that my boys are best friends. Well, Noah says his best friend is whoever he just played with, but it really is his brother. They are such buddies, and do everything together! Noah is starting to not get quite as frustrated with Jakey, as he's "getting" things more and more. They play. It's nice. So tonight I walked in their room to find them like this, all ready for their "slumber party." Oh, and for those of you wondering, it lasted for about 10 minutes.

This video is cute for about 30 seconds, then it gets boring, but I couldn't edit it in iphoto and couldn't get it to imovie...Dad? Any suggestions?

The Secrets in my Closet...

We all have secrets in our closets...but I actually do have a secret in my closets...they are all a unorganized mess! Well, to some of you who have been over here, this is no secret. I'm the kind of cleaner who in a hurry (which I am most of the time) just stuffs stuff in the closet so it looks nice when people walk in. Then, just close. the. door. And poof! My job is done!

But, it's been driving me crazy lately, so I decided to do something about it, slowly but surly, it will get done. I decided that every day I don't work, I will take on a secret, and expose it! So, here is the first one, though I have to admit, I'm feeling a little inspired by giving so much food away that I'm ready to take on the coat closet (a mess!) and give away to an awesome organization, Northwest Children's Outreach. I have a thing for jackets with myself and my kids, so this will be hard, but with this cold weather, it's really reminded me of how there are so many children out there without something to keep them warm. So check back soon!

Before

After
This clip really hits me hard, especially since these are the kids I want to help and open my home to. My friend Beka helps work with this organization, and my parents volunteer every month to work with them.