MOCHA MORNINGS

Dr. Seuss, oh how we look forward to your birthday every year! Our day began with some Green Eggs and Ham. Then Thing 1 and Thing 1, cupcakes of course! The Lorax played on the TV while I cleaned the kitchen, then we read some books and ate cake at the library to celebrate! We played some Dr. Seuss Bingo and Jaxon won two books! He got a pencil, some stickers and a tattoo for his arm. Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss, we look forward to next year!

I love new beginnings. They motivate me. Our lives are so busy and we have been so exhausted trying to keep up with everything and not doing it in any kind of organized fashion. It has caused my husband and I to be irritable and tired. So, we decided we needed to do something about it. -So far this week I have lost 4 lbs. -We are working out together. 5:30 am. -I have started juicing. Wow, the health benefits are unbelievable. -I've read from my bible everyday following a reading plan to read through the bible in 52 weeks. -We are working on a house To Do List with the goal to complete one project by the last day of every month. -Sundays are church, meal planning, grocery shopping, kids clothes laid out for the school week, and do our weekly budget. -I've read for at least five minutes every night (currently reading The Shack). -I've tried 4 new recipes. How did we live without pinterest? Without a doubt I can say we have started off on the right foot in...

From our family to yours, we wish all of you a very Merry Christmas! Love, The McKnight Family

...and all through the house, all my creatures have been stirring, but thankfully no signs of a mouse!! The day began with some surprise presents under the tree with notes not to open until noon on Christmas Eve. Talk about torturing your kids! Around 11:30 we gave in and let them open up their Christmas Eve packages. Each child got a new pair of PJ's, a movie, a new Christmas mug and some hot cocoa. I think this will be a new tradition for our family. The boys just finished a gingerbread train, we have party mix in the oven, reindeer food made, and cookies for Santa ready to bake. The boys tracked Santa in Paris, France about a half hour ago, so it won't be long now! Talk about some excited little boys! Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Not only do I love receiving Christmas cards, but I love sending them. I had good intentions, coupon discount codes and free shipping offers, but still never seemed to catch everyone at home, or awake, at the same time to capture a picture to order my cards. I reluctantly decided to just skip out on the entire ordeal this year until I received my first Christmas card and decided this was a Christmas tradition I was not willing to sacrifice because I was tired, busy or just plain lazy. So last night I hurriedly whipped one together with pictures taken throughout the year, placed an order though a one hour photo lab, picked them up on my lunch break today and have managed to address nearly all 50 tonight so I can mail them out tomorrow. What a relief! Now If I can just manage to finish my shopping and wrapping! Oh my!

Today our oldest took his driver's test, passed and was given a Driver's license...oh my! I did okay when he got his permit a year ago. Shed a few tears when he applied for, interviewed and got hired for his first job back in May. Got kind of sick to my stomach when he signed his first car loan. And am a nervous wreck now that he has a license to drive. By himself. In a car. Without me. Did I mention, BY HIMSELF!? Time can go ahead and slow down. Like, now!

This morning we awoke to find our scout elf, Buddy, had arrived back at our house for another holiday season. He even made breakfast and brought with him a dusting and flurry of snow! I just wonder what mischief he will get into this year? Reporting back to Santa every night, we just never know where we will find Buddy when we wake up each morning. Let the fun begin!