Making my list....

Tomorrow.....(and if I don't hurry .... later today) we will do our annual Christmas Baking!  I'm sure all the girls have made their choices, prepared their doughs, and are sound asleep.....so they can get up EARLY on Friday and get busy on the baking.

My choices:  These Melting Moment Crescent Cookies which I plan to dip 1/2 of the cookie in high quality chocolate.

I am into making REAL Fudge...the kind where you choose a base, choose a helper, make a slurry, boil the evaporated milk & sugar to soft ball stage (234*), add the butter and then cast in into a pan!! No more 5 minute frosting fudge for me!! . You can learn all about making REAL Fudge here.  If you follow the directions closely your fudge will turn out mouth wateringly PERFECT.  Creamy....chocolately......smooth......

I will also be making Chocolate Covered Potato Chips.  These are best when you use the Wavy Lays and also good quality chocolate like Ghiradeli.  They dry very shiny & look and taste beautiful.  

Jill is making her list too.  I will decide what other goodies to make in the morning.

Today ....

This lovely lady, Samantha, and I made tons of "Ritz Dipped Cookies" this morning.  Each year the ladies at our chapel prepare some 'survival bags for students' for our college kids to have during finals week and Christmas platters for our singles, and our lovely golden age folks.  When the day comes to
prepare these bags/platters I know a family tradition is soon approaching.

On Friday, we Martinson, Rockhold,  Jacque girls

will be working out our annual 

Christmas Baking Day. 

When we first started this we went all out.  We gathered together early in the morning donning our Christmas earrings,

Christmas socks, Christmas music......the works.  

We had only a few 'little children' to entertain.  But as the years have gone by our families have grown.

We now have 14 'little children' to entertain.  We start later in the morning. We get tired

earlier and earlier.  But we still make memories and we still have fun.

Can't wait to see what everybody makes (and wears!) this year. I will post some pictures.

SURPRISE

  

A couple weeks ago, Jeshanah told me that she had NEVER had a surprise birthday party.  Wrong thing for the sixth born to say to her momma!


SO on Sunday....




All of these little people and their parents

SURPRISED MISS JESHANAH

SURPRISE !

Chloe & Carl

Alyssa, Lindsey & Briann

Nolan

Eddy

Her birthday is not until December 20th....but there would be no chance of surprising her close to that date.

She is W A Y to smart for that ! !

May your heart's desire always be

to love, serve & obey the 

ONE

who died for you!!

Welcome to the world

Selah Lexus Rockhold    12-2-2010

....and welcome into our hearts

and in case you have not seen enough......heres one more ! !

Elly

Upon arriving home, Selah was welcomed by 

and Anna  

P L I O N E X I A - - - do you have it??

This posting was a good "heart check" for me today. Read it and see what you think.  It is so easy to 'want' and think we 'need' so much this time of year.

So what is it you are coveting?  I have to admit.....I want an Ipad.  I think I have earned one (I have a little business which makes a little money). I think I deserve one (I work hard & don't buy too much for myself).  To this my husband replied ... "you don't NEED that."  I can hardly believe (it was a reminder to me of what my heart really is) what came out of my mouth.  I said "but I WANT it."  And I said it in front of other people.  I have plionexia, which doesn't sound too bad because nobody knows what it is.  But I coveted!  And that is sin!

"Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts!

And see if there be  any grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting."

Psalm 139:23 

Salvation Army Helpers

It's been a loooong time.  At our house we are getting ready for Christmas.  This year I wanted to take each of my grand kiddos with me to ring the Salvation Army bell.  The ringing of this bell has caused quite a stir in our city .... but that is another story.  Here are some pictures of the kids .... helping the Salvation Army with its Red Kettle Campaign and learning that truly "it is more blessed to give than to receive."

 Lindsey, Alyssa & Carly

Briann

Cody

Sam, Chloe & Lydia

Isaac & me.  Isaac is the little boy that Julia is a nanny for.