Saturday

Today, is what I would call a "lazy" day. We had some plans fall through at the last minute, so we decided to just relax today since the next few weeks will be a whirlwind of traveling for the holidays.

I made homemade biscuits with sausage for breakfast and then for the rest of the morning we watched movies. It has been wonderful. I don't remember the last time we had a "lazy" day together.

We are going to a friends house tonight for dinner---I'm bringing dessert--and I'm making
these----->

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place rack in the center of the oven. Butter, or spray with a non stick vegetable spray, 48 miniature muffins tins. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the butter. Add the sugars and beat until light and fluffy (about 2 - 3 minutes). Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla extract . Add the flour mixture and beat just until incorporated. Fill each miniature muffin cup with about one tablespoon of batter. Bake the cookies for about 8 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly browned around the edges but still soft in the center. (Note: While the cookies are baking remove the foil wraps and paper liners from each peanut butter cup.) Remove the cookies from the oven, and gently press one miniature peanut butter cup into the center of each cookie. The peanut butter cup should be even with the top of the batter. Return the cookies to the oven and bake an additional 3 minutes or until cookies are golden brown. Remove from oven and cool completely (about two hours) on a wire rack before removing the cookies from the pan. These can be stored for several days at room temperature or in the refrigerator, or they can be frozen. Makes about 48 cookies

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies:

2 1/2 cups (325 grams) all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature

3/4 cup (160 grams) light brown sugar

3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated white sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Garnish:

48 miniature peanut butter cups

more: http://www.joyofbaking.com/PeanutButterCupCookies.html#ixzz18UPi7wNy

6 days until Christmas...I can't wait. Try to enjoy some down-time before the big rush...we certainly have today. Happy Saturday Everyone!

My Husband

I just want to take a second to talk about how wonderful my husband is...I fail so many times at truly telling him how great I think He is and I want to take a moment to brag on him a little.

I have a husband who does laundry (probably more than I do) and who does the dishes quite often without even being asked. On weeks where work is very stressful for me he has been known to clean the whole house and on occasion, pick my car up from work and take it to be cleaned and washed.

I have a husband who never complains, and always encourages. He is the first one to offer to help others...when I am sad or having a rough day, he is the first to say "lets hug it out." He is so patient, always forgiving and slow to anger.

I have a husband who didnt eat any vegtables when we got married, but now wants to know if Ill make broccoli for dinner because he now loves it. (It helps that I am a good cook :)

He send me flowers at work on days he knows I need them the most and makes me laugh all the time...He is so sweet.

We are complete opposites, however, his laid back personality has helped me learn to relax and enjoy life--he makes me better.

I love him more now than the day we got married, every moment keeps getting better--Im so lucky to be his wife!

Emmanuel-God With Us.

Today, I came home from work early with a headache and I sat quietly on the couch with my eyes closed and I started thinking about this year, thinking about Christmas. I love Christmas, its my favorite time of year, and yet this year, I have not felt as excited as usual.  My normal excitement about lights and red cups at Starbucks, shopping, ect has been very dim compared to years past.  I sat there thinking, "this is not me", "God, where am I in there?" As I sat there, breathing in and out, I could feel God melting down the walls around my heart, literally, I had this feeling that He was right there with me, and I could sense His strength and joy filling my heart--I needed to be reminded.

See, about a year ago this time, we started trying to get pregnant, we were so ready, and convinced that within just a short time, it would be.  Little did I know that one year and one miscarriage later, I would be sitting on my couch on a cold afternoon with tear-filled eyes, still waiting, still hoping and wondering how this became our story. How could this be happening to "us"?

This year has worn me down, month after month of frustration, and yet, everytime, I'm reminded of all He has done and the strength that comes in knowing we belong to Him. 

I'm reminded today, the whole reason we even celebrate Christmas is because God sent His son, Jesus, to come to earth so He could understand us, and know exactly what we are going through. He is Emmanuel, God with us, no matter what, no matter how long, He is here with us.