Christmas Traditions

While Christmas was a bit different from years past we tried to hang on to a few of our traditions.

Christmas Eve dinner the past couple of years has included sliced brisket & ribs from a restaurant here in Norman, Ray's Smokehouse , which is always a hit with our family! Followed by the kids sprinkling reindeer food in our front yard so Santa's reindeers can find our house. (Thank you teachers for doing this! What fun!)

Then we head inside to read the Christmas Story from the New Testament Luke Chapter 2. Finally this is the signal they need to head to bed.

Usually Christmas morning involves us getting them up. Not this year! This year they were excited to see what Santa brought them.

Then comes the handing out of the gifts. Since Robert can read this part of the day goes A LOT faster!

Lauren didn't understand that she could have more than 1 gift. She told him "no I already have 1" when he tried to give her another box.

Since Christmas was on Sunday this year we headed to church. That was a treat with beautiful music and a speaker from Sweden who was in town visiting his daughter's family. What a delight to have a General Authority from our church in Norman on Christmas.

When we got home our Kansas family was there followed shortly by our Pawnee family. Scott made his traditional homemade Italian feast which was topped off by the most incredible Italian Creme cake made by our awesome friend!!! While we missed having Dad there we enjoyed the company of our family and friends. We are so thankful for each of them.

I think our traditions are what can keep those who have passed on close to us.

May you have a happy 2012!

Merry Christmas from the Norman Copeland's

Merry Monogram Collage Christmas

Customize your Christmas cards this year at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

Another 1st

When my kids are out of the first and second years of life I don't remember right away that they will still have "firsts". This is one of those times...

This is her first trip to the dentist. She let the assistant count her teeth and check them all out. Then she let Dr. Parker do the same. She didn't have any cavities and told them she'd be back when her brother comes again! A successful visit and hopefully she won't have the fear of the dentist that her mother does!

MyMemories

Thought I'd post a couple of pages I did using the mymemories.com software.

Now I know those are kind of simple - but they should help you get your creative juices flowing! I know I can't wait to try some of their Christmas layouts! Talk about creative!

Remember -  to enter the giveaway of MyMemories Digital Scrapbooking software (a $39.97 value), you must enter by Sunday, December 18th at 7:00 pm central time.

Here's how to enter: visit mymemories.com and comment on this blog which digital scrapbooking kit is your favorite.

      •Follow MyMemories on Twitter.com and comment here that you did so

      •Like MyMemories on Facebook and comment here that you did so

      •Subscribe to The Copeland Colloquy (link on the side and comment)

Each comment counts as an entry. Make sure to enter a working email address (it will not be shared or posted). Winner will be drawn randomly after the contest closes and contacted immediately.

Birthday & Scrapbooking

As I mentioned recently - my son turned 7 (not sure how that happened!). He wanted a science party so we did our best to accommodate him.

We had some pre-party sports (to run off all that energy 6 & 7 year olds tend to have)

We made gliders, lava lamps, foam, slime, and lots of other chemical reactions.

For the finale...

We showed them the ever popular Diet Coke and Mentos! They really thought that was too cool!!!

Now I was fortunate as I handed off my camera to my sister and she snapped away. One thing of the things great about digital cameras is the ability to delete your mistakes! But if you're like me actually printing those pictures is way down on your list. I like that I can just email prints to family & friends or post on Facebook, but that doesn't help me with scrapbooking. See back in the day I was a scrapbooking fool! Those would be back in the day before kids!

Anyway - if you're like me and a little skeptical of digital scrapbooking do I have an offer and gift for you. I am hosting a giveaway of MyMemories Digital Scrapbooking software (a $39.97 value). You must enter by Sunday, December 18th at 7:00 pm central time.

• Here's how to enter: visit mymemories.com and comment on this blog which digital scrapbooking kit is your favorite.
• Follow MyMemories on Twitter.com and comment here that you did so
• Like MyMemories on Facebook and comment here that you did so
• Subscribe to The Copeland Colloquy (link on the side and comment)

Each comment counts as an entry. Make sure to enter a working email address (it will not be shared or posted). Winner will be drawn randomly after the contest closes and contacted immediately.

Here's the gift I mentioned...when you purchase a copy (available as both a digital download and CD version) of My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software and use the promo code STMMMS47642 you will receive $10 off the cost of the software (retail $39.97) AND $10 to spend in their digital store. This is a great deal! I think you’ll like it! It's very easy to use. You can choose to add embellishments or not. You can choose to add text or not...it's all up to you! And if you're more of a card maker - they can help with that too! The possibilities are great! I'll post some of my pages in a future blog so look for that!

Science Birthday Cake

So my boy turned 7 last week and he wanted a science party. Seems simple enough - but as I got to discovering, finding a cake for a science party was a little more difficult than I expected. So I turned to Lolo Cakes (lolocakeshop.blogspot.com) and this is what came my way...

Silly me didn't take a photo of him with the cake - not sure what I was thinking, but his quote was "Wow! That's so cool!!!"

So if you're in the OKC area - check out Lolo Cakes (lolocakeshop.blogspot.com). Especially if you have a unique need!

Preparing

I guess December is upon us once again...

Today the wind is blowing (25 mph with gusts up to 30 mph).  It's cold (32 degree and weather.com says it feels like 18 degrees). A typical December day in Oklahoma. Days like this always make me wish I was completely done with my shopping, Christmas or otherwise. But alas I have 3 days until I have a birthday boy in the home, 5 more days until I have 16 first graders doing experiments in my home and 20 until Mr. Claus comes to visit our home. Guess I better grab a coat, layer up and do what needs to be done! My home is going to see a lot of action!

Music

As this month of thankfulness comes to an end I can't believe I've waited so long to express my appreciation for music.

I love music. Most music - not a huge fan of Country and Western or Rap - but I feel like all music is something to be appreciated.

Music allows you to feel deeply, move freely, and allows you to think and reflect.

I'm grateful to those who have talents related to music. I'm hopeful as I hear our little boy playing "Ode to Joy" on the piano that he'll develop that talent and want to share it with others. My hope for our daughter is that she continues to want to dance and sing.

I'm sure this was an ad or something, but music is the gift you give yourself!

Medicine

Today I am thankful for this...Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup.

We so enjoyed spending Thanksgiving with our family - however, I came home with a stomach bug. Yeah! So while I am typically a healthy person today I am oh so grateful for the soft noodles and chicken broth!

I really am thankful for modern medicine which allows an extension and saving of lives. I truly hope all types of cancer will be eradicated in my life time. I also am glad for the people who make this their life's work. But I'm also grateful for the home remedies and down home treatments that get us up and running too!

Thoughts for Thursday

She looks like I feel currently...

What a great day with family!

Tomorrow starts the race - every year I think I'll start shopping before Thanksgiving

On your mark!
Get set!
Enjoy Black Friday!

Traditions

I'm so thankful for our holiday traditions.

I am so grateful to my parents and my in-laws. See before we brought our two little blessings to earth we celebrated birthdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas all together as one family. Now that we have our two little blessings, they're able to spend holidays in one spot and not have to decide which side of the family we are going to visit when. Keep in mind we're able to do that because we have a small family and we all make an effort to get along. I am so glad we do. It spoils my kids but a little spoiling every now and then is a good thing.

This year we'll try a couple of new traditions. We'll see if they're good enough to keep!

Laughter

Today I'm thankful for laughter.

Everytime I see this photo of him it just makes me laugh. Is there anything that's more intoxicating than the sound of a little kid's belly laugh?! I don't think so. To me there is nothing sweeter to my ears than a kid's laugh. I'm thankful for having laughter in my life daily. It certainly helps with the grind. I hope you can find someone to laugh with today.

Teachers

Today I'd like to share my gratefulness for teachers.

It's not an easy profession and sometimes it's not even a paid position, but when I stop and think of the amazing teachers who have touched my life and the lives of my children I am awed. Just think of all the church teachers, coaches, piano teachers, school teachers, etc. who took the time from their familes to help form us. It seems a little in adequate, but thank you.

Seasons

Today I am thankful for living in a place where we can experience all four distinct seasons.

It makes your wardrobe a bit big as you have to have thick winter coats for the times it's -20 degrees as well as swimsuits to take a break from the 100 degree days.

 

 

     

To me it's great to experience every wonder of each season. For example today we put our outside Christmas lights up because it was 70 degrees with some wind. (There's always wind in Oklahoma you just get used to it.) Sometimes in November it's cold and rainy. What a beautiful day - I will be glad in it!



Rules

Today I am thankful for rules/laws and those that protect them.

This of course is our ultimate law - the U.S. Constitution.

It may not be perfect, but it's better than what any other country has and for that I am indeed grateful. I'm grateful there were men willing to put their ideas on paper for us. I'm grateful for those who chose and have chosen to defend it. I carry it with me on my iPhone (Yes there is an app for that!) and I am proud to be an American!

Talents

I'm thankful to those who share their talents as they enrich our lives. Whether it's a talent you can see, read, hear, touch, or taste. Or if it's something like being a wonderful friend, organize or whatever it is...I'm grateful.

As I am still trying to find all my talents, I don't feel like photography is a talent of mine - however, this is one of my favorite pictures. Look his face! The fact that I could catch a raw emotion like that thrills me!! I'm so grateful for the ability to have digital photography. For a person who is developing this talent it means I can take 100 pictures for that one really great shot! Knowing I can makes me want to try even more.

I think I know what I'm going to do tonight...

O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A

Happy Birthday!

Today is Oklahoma’s 104^th birthday. So today I’m grateful for this great state I now call home. While I was not born here – I am proud to call it home. Both of my kids are Okies! Oklahoma will always be a special place to me. Some express that we don’t have mountains or oceans or beaches or fill in your own criticism. I contend that you can find beauty wherever you are. Just like most things – it’s up to us to look!



Work

Here I go again - updating my gratefulness....

This is my current employer's logo. We work in the oil & gas industry in case that wasn't clear. I love my job! I know a lot of people like their jobs, but I really LOVE my job.  I am so blessed. This job is an answer to so many prayers.

In my life I've only had 7 jobs (I'm 42 so that's really not that bad of a track record). I've changed careers twice. I had a job I enjoyed, however due to economic conditions I was laid off after 7 years and 8 months. The boss I had was flexible and as long as I was doing what was needed and necessary we had a great working relationship (which I think is how it's supposed to work). However, when I was laid off I worked frantically to find another job. I worked hard trying to find something that would give me the ability to still be a functioning working mom. After a few weeks I found an 8-5 job that was only 15 minutes from our home and school. It allowed me to drop my son off  at school before work (thank heavens our town has all day kindergarten). That was a plus in my book.

However it was not a good fit. It taught me a lot, both good and bad. Which brings to my current position. I have the best boss in the world! He's flexible and as long as I'm doing what's needed and necessary we get along great! I have the utmost respect for him. I hope he knows how grateful I am.

If you have a great boss & great working circumstances - be sure to let them know.

Birthday weekend

Wow! Busy weekend!

My delightful daughter turned 3 about 10 days ago, however we waited until this past weekend to have her Princess party. Sometimes it's easier to do things in the college town we live in when there is no football game. That and if there's no OU game her dad & I wold actually be there. (Just kidding...kind of...you know I did have a baby shower once that showed the OU/Baylor game but we're just that kind of enthuastic fans!)

This was her cake! It was as delicious as it looks!! My girl was thrilled!

This is my girl & her favorite Princess! She was so excited to have her come!

This is Princess Belle with all the princesses! Oh they sang, danced, marched, read a story, and enjoyed every minute!

I am forever grateful for the help received to make this day so special for her!



Veteran's Day

Thank you to all who have made it possible for our Republic to stand.
Thank you to those who currently keep us free.
Thank you to those who will help us remain so by being brave.
You are not forgotten

Pets

I am quite grateful for our pets! I'm grateful for their unconditional love. For their unwavering optimism and for their overall cuteness.

This is Clifford. He is neither big nor red, but he is our dog. You get a Yorkshire Terrier named Clifford when you rescue him from an uncertain future via http://okyorkierescue.org/ and your child is 3. He is an amazing dog! He likes to play, he likes to cuddle, he even has a pact with our little girl (he protects her - she drops scraps from the table for him). He's NEVER even snipped at either one of the kids or their friends. He sleeps close to us at night to keep us warm. He's a huge part of our family and I'm grateful there are creatures created to be mankind's friend. If everything goes wrong and the world feels like it's going to come crashing in - I know no matter what - this little guy will greet me with a happy wag of his tail!

Here's a little plug for my friends at http://okyorkierescue.org/ - if you're looking for a companion - check them out. They rescue their dogs (not all are Yorkies, but most are) from puppy mills and auctions. These guys are kept in foster homes so they can get acclimated to family life. The people with OK Yorkie Rescue love these dogs and get them the medical attention if it's needed. I love our little guy and I'd rescue another one in a heartbeat!

In-laws

   Today I'm thankful for my in-laws.

I am lucky enough to have some of the warmest people for in-laws. They treat me like their own. They help out when asked. I don't have any of those nightmare stories some do of their in-laws. I'm thankful we can celebrate birthdays and holidays all together - both sides of the family without contempt or pettiness. Our families get along which is such a blessing for my kids. To be able to wake up on Christmas morning with all their grandparents under one roof is magical. 

Catching up

I've seen lots of people post their daily thankfulness on either Facebook or Twitter. I can't help but think I must not very thankful because I didn't follow their lead. Can one really start it now on the 8th?  
I can assure you I'm quite a thankful person. I'm thankful for so many things I try to come up with something new in my prayers. So here are what may be determined as my top 8...

I am thankful for my Savior and for the Gospel which teaches love.

I'm grateful for the country I get to call home. There's no place like it on earth & I pray we can keep our Republic free. There's a reason socialism hasn't really worked in other places - let's not pretend it will work here.

I'm thankful for parents who taught me right from wrong & allowed me to learn on my own.

I'm so grateful that I found my special someone! I'm so glad we've stuck by each other - it's never been easy - but it's always been worth it! I'm also grateful I have him to walk down the road of parenthood.

I'm so grateful I have an amazing son! I learn from him every day. Sometimes there just aren't words to express how me makes me feel. I can't imagine what life would be like without him. I also catch my self wondering what it was I did before he came.

I'm so thankful to get to be her mother as well. She's awe inspiring. She makes me want to be better at everything so she can be proud of me. She is my princess.

I'm thankful for my siblings. This is my sister with my kids last year. It's hard to find a picture of my brother (he doesn't care for the camera). But I'm thankful for both of them and the lessons they taught me. I'm glad we had each other when Dad passed away. It made it so much more bearable.

Friends - Wow have I been blessed with friends! These lovely ladies have known me for a while. I hope my kids have the ability to be friends with someone for as many years. They are fantastic and they are just a small sampling of the amazing people I have in my life. I'm grateful for the talks, walks, laughs, tears, hugs and memories! I'm grateful for new friends! Anyone who is willing to be my friend lumps and all.

Well that should catch me up!
Until next time...