Happy New Year!

• The condensed report of our four day week: Troy fought with the culture to try and get a truck back in working order for a Mamba delivery to happen ... the kids played and fought with each other a lot ... Tara helped with Women's Program and fought with her leg.

• We have friends coming over to celebrate later tonight - fun!

• We're all wound up REEEALLY tight - waiting for Britt and Chris to get here tomorrow. (Then we go on our little Christmas gift overnight trip together.)

• We're excited that the Heartline Runners have reached their goal of 60K - and have even exceeded it thanks to the generosity of many.Thank you to each of you that chipped-in!
  

• Welcome 2010 ... May we make it our goal to: Strive for growth, follow in obedience, lead with courage, live with integrity, cherish our families, and love God in the year ahead.

• A New Year's Day gift for you - The boys sharing their new-found skills

Happy New Year from Port-au-Prince!

Poisoned Relationship (2)

In the first post of this poisoned relationship topic, I’ve mentioned the first condition that can happen in an unhealthy relationship. Today I’ll step forward to the second condition. Remember again the big point: Stop Being a Victim! You must take the right step to get out of a poisoned relationship.

Second condition: “You all must be responsible for my happiness”
It’s a message that stated by a person that categorized as a ‘complainer’. Though it doesn’t straightly stated, this negative thinker often blames others; but rejecting to be responsible and do the self-change. They tend to generalize all cases as negative things.

Consorting with the complainer is so tiring; they suck your positive energy! Little problems can become big ones that he/she feels need to be complained. You, who listen to all complaints will feel ought to make this person happy, as the time goes by, every time you hear the complaint, you will feel the increasing burden that you must receive.

The complainer may look weak, but like the intimidator at the first condition, this person has the power to manipulate other’s feeling. They use ‘their weakness’ to force others to do what they want and need.

How to face the complainer? Here is the practical guidance for you:

• If the complainer always annoys you; stop being a victim by ignoring all complaints. Tell the complainer that the problem will be solved if he/she has a will to change.
  
  

• Tell the complainer that happiness doesn’t depend on anybody. To be happy or not is her/his own choice.
  
  
• Even though you feel sorry for him/her, ignore the complainer for awhile. Praise him/her if the complainer has tried to fix the condition by his/her own effort.
  
  

Rewrite source:Nirmala magazine and google

The picture is taken from positivesharing.com

A Perfect Toy Box for Your Whole Family!

Dear, you all, holiday season is coming soon… Are you still looking for a perfect place to find things as gifts for your loved ones? It’s for your loved ones, so, you want to find something unique, innovative and special, right? Unique things will become impressive gifts; and your loved ones that receive it will feel so special. It’s a sweet way to show your affection, right?

Unique and innovative things surely are in a unique place, too. I invite you to visit the unique place: Lou Lou’s Corner! Located in Hickory, North Carolina, the store will amaze you with their outstanding things that designed for your whole family. Do you live across the country? Don’t worry; you still can have fun shopping online experience with Lou Lou’s Corner. They have the perfect gifts for everyone, so, you’ll find what you are looking for: toys, gadgets, clothing, gifts and many favorite brands that you’ll love. My three favorite brands of Lou Lou’s Corner are jellycat, barefoot dreams and appaman.

Your younger child will love adorable and fun soft toys of Jellycat collection! I myself love their Barefoot Dreams Cozychic Collection; they give you soft and cozy feeling when you’re wearing it. And your children will look cute with cool and fun Appaman T-shirts.
One more thing, they also offer gift wrapping service and signature gift service for their customers. Well, there’s no doubt again, with the help of Lou Lou’s Corner, your gifts will be the perfect ones! Lou Lou’s Corner is surely a perfect toy box for your whole family. 

Kiss and Make Up / Reconcile

It's my first Couple's Corner. In Couple's Corner, we're sharing our stories about things that may happen in a married couple's life. Happy reading...

If many couples have lots of similarities, we don’t. My hubby and I have many differences in habits and characters; and we’ve truly known it. Before we decided to unite in a marriage, we’ve already realized that our differences can become the cause of the misunderstandings in our future relationship.

Therefore, we made commitments to prepare at first our own kiss and make up ways from every miscommunication / conflict / misunderstanding that possibly happen. Here are our ways:

• 
  
  We have our reconcilement signs. If we’re in the middle of a misunderstanding and one of us is pointing forward the bended little finger, the other isn’t allowed to reject the reconcilement invitation. This funny way can always break the ice; and it becomes a good start to communicate heart by heart.
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  Before going to bed every night, we have a habit to forgive one another to start a brand new day tomorrow. During our seven years marriage life, because of our big differences, we’ve experienced misunderstandings several times; but all are little ones that can be solved in a short time. We’ve never keeping quiet for days; because we must ask for apologize every night! So, this way really works for us…
  
  
  
  

Do you want to know more stories about Couple’s Corner: Kiss & Make Up? Visit Rodliz's Nest of Couple's Corner by clicking on the badge above.

My letter to Santa!

Dear Santa...Baby (well it worked for Madonna)

I hope you get our letters soon. I know its a tall order but my family really deserves it all. I promise that they've been good. Plus my two boys are just to stink'n cute not to spoil. As for me well I know you are just dying to know what you can get me. So here is my completely selfish, non-charitable list of Chistmas lovely's I'd like to see under my tree..or near the tree.

First off Id really like ...

1. For Stephanie Meyer to write 5 more books for the Twilight series!

2. A double car garage with a concrete driveway. So we have a place to put our cars.

3. To magically loose 50 lbs.

4. A Vacation on a cruise ship or a trip to Europe! (Either one will do, I'm not picky)

5. The new 2010 GMC Acadia in GOLD!

Its really not a lot to ask for if you think of how deserving I am and all... But if you can't manage any of the things on my sweet list of goodies I guess I could settle for World Peace or something like that.

With Love,

What are 5 things you want Santa to bring you?

"Happiest Season Of ALL" - Free Digital Scrapbooking Mega Kit (PU Only)

Happiest Season Of All kit

Here is my Christmas gift from me to you... A FREE CHRISTMAS MEGA KIT!!!

I hope you make a lot of fun scrapbooking pages with your up coming holiday pictures.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY SCRAP'N!

Some of my pages I made from my festive kit.

A Christmas Date

• As a couple, think of  a family that is struggling, either financially or emotionally and plan a secret "12 Days of Christmas" event (even when it's not Christmas time). Each evening, drop off something (gifts, food, poems, baskets, etc.) for 12 days straight. Keep your giving a secret!

• If your in a hurry and can't manage 12 days in a row, try just buying one nice gift for that family/person in need. Wrap and Deliver it together.

 Do you have any other great date night ideas?

Star Gift Box Printable-freebie

I designed this a few days ago. It made a fun craft time with my kids. It also perfect for the small gifts you need to wrap up. I hope you like it! To print it just double click on the image and hit print!

Power & Responsibility

I really need to be better at recording some of the funny and cute things the boys are saying lately. I don't have baby-books for my kids so I need to record their lives via blog-baby-book.

Today ...

Noah- We were going to the PAP airport to get Paige. Noah had already thrown himself on the ground declaring that, "Moooommm, fifteen minutes until Paige lands is too stinkin long!" After we got there the boys were trying hard to see her walking toward us from across a parking lot. Noah said, "Mom, What color shirt is Paige wearing, do you know?" I said, "No, I don't know ... but I think you'll be able to pick her out." He said, "No Ma, call her and ask her about her shirt."

As it turned out the white skin and bright blond hair proved to be enough of a tip off and Noah saw her without knowing her shirt was black.

Isaac- As many of you know, the things you hear about Haiti are usually the worst things. Statistics are tossed around freely ... some of them accurate and some of them not so accurate. Isaac speaks in a jubilant and joyful voice most of the time. So, in that joyful voice he said, "Mom Mom - Most Haitian children die before they are 15. Will I die before then too?!?!?" I just about choked on the lump in my throat. I told him that "most" is maybe not totally accurate and that the reasons they die are not reasons that apply to him. That led to a deep discussion about why they are poor and without money for doctors and why he gets to have parents and money to eat and receive care when needed. (sniff) And really, that is not an answer I can easily package. It was pretty heavy stuff for an eight year old. Then Noah piped in with his thoughts about original sin and if only Adam and Eve had not so royally screwed up the whole plan things would be better for Haitian kids and then maybe they would not die before the age of fifteen.

They may not clean up after themselves worth a darn - but these little men are thinkers. Maybe tomorrow we'll tell Jeronne to put her feet up and we'll discuss the complexities of Old Testament exegesis while cleaning toilets. ;)

Here they are earlier this year discussing Super Hero stuff with Troy on a drive through Port au Prince ... (turn it up)




Let's Review:
With great power comes great responsibility.

Snow Man Family Craft

Things you will need:
Large Cardboard box
Acrylic Paint (White, black, orange,)
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Optional:
Buttons
left over fabric scraps (for scarf)
Wire (for hook)

This is a cute and pocketbook friendly Snowman family Craft. And can be easily Personalized to your family's personality.

-To start- Find some large mixing bowls to use as templates. Preferably three different sizes.

-Than trace and cut the outline of the bowls onto cardboard. (we picked some up for free at our local grocery store)
-Next Draw and cut out the shape of a hat. You can now hot glue your cutout to form the shape of your snow man.

- Now just paint the circles white and your hat any color you'd like. Buttons and leftover fabric are great accessories. Buttons can be used as berries, eyes, nose, mouth. And you can use the fabric as a scarf or vest, apron, belt, You can even cut out a long rectangle, Paint it brown, and paint "Baby its cold Outside" in white, to make a sign.

-You can now paint the carrot nose on with the orange paint
- Next clip a piece of wire about four to five inches long. You can bend in into a U shape or curl the middle of the wire around a Pencil to make a spiral hook. than just hot glue this on the back of your snow man

Hope you have fun with this!
Julia,

Poisoned Relationship (3)

It’s the last post of poisoned relationship topic.

Third condition: “I want to rule you”

It’s a message that stated by a person that categorized as a ‘bossy’. Different with the ‘difficult’ person, the ‘bossy’ person used to take over all responsibilities. If this person is in your team work; she/he will ask opinion to every team member; and then suddenly she/he steps forward and admits these opinions as her/his own opinion.

It is unpleasant situation for the victims who have original opinions/ideas. But, this ‘bossy’ person is so clever to manipulate others, so, the victims can’t be protest. This person usually has the ability to influence others; therefore, she/he often becomes a leader.

The ‘bossy’ persons don’t realize that what they do make others stressful. With their charm and cleverness, they continuously pull their manipulated victims to facilitate them in achieving their own wants. They can make others look bad or ‘stupid’; and she/he is the best.

How to face the ‘bossy’ person?

• 
  
  If she/he involve in the same team work; don’t answer the questions. If the ‘bossy’ is your superior, seek a way to keep your idea safe with you.
  
  
  
• 
  
  Don’t pay attention if she/he tells about rumor or someone’s badness.
  
  
  
• 
  
  Speak out your objection straightly. Convince yourself that you’ve done the right thing.
  
  
  
• 
  
  If your objection doesn’t have enough attention, and her/his behavior burdens you continuously; do the detox. Stop seeing her/him or take a distance. If the bossy person is your parents or your spouse; find a reason to stay away for awhile. You need a rest!
  
  
  
  

Rewrite source: Nirmala magazine and google

The picture is taken from open.salon.com

A little bit of family news...

As 2010 rolls in I am amazed how quick time flies and how history seems to go in circles. The decade started in rural France, at Jacques' parents house, with the heavy storms of the end of December 1999 and no electricity for a week. Then we had two young children under the age of two. We end the decade living in rural France, via England, Malaysia, America, with three children. Marc, our 12 year-old growing-up-fast-almost-teenager, Nina, our 10-year-old pre-teen chatterbox and Gabriel, the angelic, but lively six-year-old. Along the way we gained a cat, rabbit and fish too.

So what happened in 2009? In autumn Jacques started working from home, which is good for us all and less travelling for him. Marc is growing (now taller than me, 158cm and stil going) and still likes tractors, Nina is in her last year of primary school, she likes music and horse-riding and Gabriel has just learnt to read and play football. The children are more-or-less bilingual and manage to juggle two cultures and languages effortlessly. I finally got the draft done of my book on Siblings and have been busy writing for 'The Connexion' (an English-language newspaper published in France) and teaching English locally.

We all enjoyed our annual family trip to ski (this year in La Plagne). Our holidays were linked to visiting friends this year around the world. Our visits to Munich (Mickeal), Thailand (Mahes), Kuala Lumpur for John's wedding (Odile, Hilary, Mahin, Marie-Cecile, Victoria, Mahin, Nilgoun, Aimee and many others) and Scotland (Corinne, Marie). These were places we had been before, but we saw in a new light. We had a lot of friends and family visit us too this year, you are always welcome in deepest rural France!!

Hopefully, next year we will move down the road to the Logis, which is progressing. The 'heavy' work has been done. It has floors now, a new roof, new windows and full insulation. We have started a vegetable garden this year and are planting a mixed fruit/trees hedge (650 trees) around the property.(see post 'Photos 2009'below for some recent photos) Like all renovation projects the Logis needs lots of money and takes more time than predicted but we do still plan to move there in 2010, in time for Jacques' 40th birthday....

Do keep in touch.

Suzanne

2009 photos

The Logis Vert (back view and front, with steps) and us on holiday in breezy Scotland this summer.

Culture Wars

John is one of many expats enjoying multiple chances to embrace the parts of the culture that deal with timeliness, or more accurately, the lack of any such thing.

This time of year there are tons of people getting married. Weddings that are scheduled to start at 2pm may not start until 7pm. Christmas parties scheduled for 4pm, may actually commence at 10pm. It's like you get to be a detective in a little mystery ... trying to guess the REAL start time for each and every event you're invited to attend! Good times.

It's been a long while since we last wrote about culture lessons. We learn those lessons all the time but writing about it without offending is a bit tricky. The fact is, I value my cultural way of approaching things and the Haitian people value their way. And like Noah, we both think we're the most-awesomest of all. ;)

Troy and I really would accomplish much less if we did not have full time help with our household and the little ones ... we found out last week when Jeronne went on vacation that we can do it without her - but we also found out we'd really rather not.

Without her help I would not be able to help with Womens Program at all. Our floors would not be nearly as clean - I could not keep up with the meals the kids and cleaning at the current level without some outside help. The week Jeronne was gone we skipped mopping and dusting and just focused on keeping kids fed and alive and doing dishes all day while trying to keep up with laundry and sweeping.

When you live with someone the differences between your two cultures become glaringly obvious quite quickly. Trying to convince Jeronne to do it our way is pretty much fruitless. I don't really know why we keep trying. Stupidity I suppose. I constantly say things to her that I know she is going to ignore. I guess it counts for practicing Kreyol, but I may as well talk to myself. Do not read this wrong. We are so blessed to have Jeronne in our lives for the last few years now. We love her and love working with her. She genuinely loves our children. I don't share these cultural-war-stories to be disparaging to her. I share to give you a glimpse into some of the ordinary day-to-day life stuff.

Children under four or five are not really disciplined. This culture typically (these are generalizations and of course I do not think every parent raises their child the same way). starts to discipline after a child is about four or five - and then the discipline becomes pretty harsh.

When I see Lydia or Phoebe doing something they should not be doing I first say "No" - if they don't listen I physically remove them. If they have a fit I will swat their hand or diapered butt. Jeronne shakes her head disapprovingly and tells me I might break their spirits.

This means that Phoebe, Lydia and Annie are not really consistently disciplined by Jeronne. Once in a while I'll observe her correcting them and standing her ground -- but in general they get what they want. Lydie knows that if she acts jerky enough, Jeronne will give her anything she demands. No matter how ridiculous it is. It is really not a fun issue to deal with. In some ways we've created a little monster by trying to have a multi-cultural approach to child rearing. I spend half my life trying to undo this problem. It's a little bit insane.

This morning Jeronne gave Lydia "Chicos" (Styrofoam cheese-puffs) for breakfast. I was offering toast, an apple, a banana, or cereal - but Lydie was shaking me off and saying no to all options. Jeronne walked in to see this and offered her Chicos. A breakfast of champions, fortified with 110% of the RDA of Styrofoam.

When Jeronne's daughter Jenny comes in from the village we ask Jeronne to please just let her play with the kids and she does not need to help in the kitchen or anything. We actually invited her to come so that they will both get to come with us for our little hotel trip once Britt and Chris get here this weekend. Hope loves playing with Jenny. We want to treat them too.

Today I walked in to find Jenny dusting. I got ticked and said, "If Jenny works - my kids work!" We made Jenny the "Pwofese" (teacher) and she showed the lard Livesay kids how to do some deep cleaning. I cannot convince Jeronne that it is wrong for Jenny to clean while my kids get to play. For whatever reason the kids of the white people are not supposed to work. Oh, my blood boils!

One of the not-cool things about having a live-in helper is that it creates lazy kids who think that someone else will do the work. I have instructed them to introduce Jeronne to guests as our "co-worker" because I hate hearing the other titles and I want to convince them that we need to work together to clean up after ourselves. We are co-workers! (Go ahead and laugh ... I have to start somewhere.)

At this moment I have all the kids with rags in their hands walking around "cleaning". Trust me, it is not doing anything at all for the cleanliness of the house -- but it just might be breaking their cracked notion that OTHER people do all the cleaning.

The other night Noah triumphantly declared that when he grows up he is not doing dishes, he will "get help." That pretty much sealed his fate and he is now in charge of his own dishes after every meal from this day forward. I bet he is wishing he could hit rewind on that declaration!

It is great to create jobs in a country where there are not a lot of jobs. We pay Jeronne well and try hard to love, empower and elevate her ... but in this culture it seems like many people feel more comfortable in a subservient role. That bums me out.

It has been kind of nice to chat with other people our age also raising kids here to find out that we're not crazy or experiencing anything unique -- culture wins whether you want to believe it (or not) fight it (or not) accept it (or not).

On another unrelated note, I reminded Jeronne that in December she gets her regular pay plus a whole extra month's salary for Christmas. (Haitian law requires a 13th month salary to be given at years-end.) She said, "No Madame Troy, don't do that, you don't have the money, the refrigerator is empty." I told her that it had more to do with no time to grocery shop -- and that she did not need to worry about us not having the money to feed the kids or pay her ... the refrigerator is actually NOT the economic indicator here.

She seemed totally unconvinced. :)

Noah just walked by ... I asked "When you get older are you going to do dishes?" He said, "Yep!" I asked, "Why?" He said, "Because you tode me yestawday that boys do dishes. That's why!!"

Available to all young ladies looking to marry a dish-washing husband around 2029...

Roast Beef Gyros Recipe

This recipe is an easy alternative for one of my favorite foods. My kids loved eating this too. Plus my favorite part of this is that its a low calorie recipe and you don’t loose any of the yummy flavors.

Need:

1 Package of pita/flatbread (about 6 pitas)

1lbs Deli Roast Beef sliced thin

1/4 head of Lettuce

2- Roma Tomatoes sliced

1/2- Red Onion Sliced

- Cucumber Sauce

1 tbsp - dill

1/2 tsp- garlic powder

2/3 cup of grated and peeled cucumber

1 1/2 cup of plain yogurt

1/2 tsp lemon juice

1.Mix all the cucumber sauce ingredients together in a bowl. Salt a pepper to taste and then set aside.

2. Warm up Pitas in micro wave for a few seconds to make the pitas more flexible.
3. Spread about 2 tablespoons of the cucumber sauce on the top side of the pita.
4. Add about 3 slices of roast beef to pita. Add tomatoes, lettuce and Red onion to your preference. Fold pita. Enjoy!

Couple’s Corner: Jealousy

This post is this Wednesday’s Couple's Corner. We can learn by sharing and reading other’s experience, right? Happy reading…

Jealousy is one of our differences. I’m not a jealous person, but my hubby can be jealous easily. Thank God, his jealousy isn’t the blind one. I really understand that his jealousy shows how much his affection to me. I’ve never assumed it as a negative thing.

But I became confused when he asked,” Why you’ve never been jealous?” Yeah, why I’ve never been jealous to him? I think it’s only my personality; because I also love and don’t want to loose my hubby. I can feel his strong love; I believe in him 100% that he’ll always keep this trust. I think it’s the answer why I’ve never been yet jealous to him…

I know that he checks my hand phone and my face book account regularly; and it isn’t a problem at all, because I’ve never hidden anything or done ‘stupid’ things behind his back. I know that he also believes me 100%. He said,” I believe in you; I just want to protect you from others that may annoy and tempt you”.

So, actually, until now, I can enjoy his jealousy; even though he forbids me going shopping at the mall by myself. He always says,” I don’t like you’re leaving alone; I’m afraid someone will annoy you there. Let me accompany you”. Because now he’s very busy at the restaurant, I seldom go to the mall; just shopping at nearby little stores or factory outlets.

I realize that the aim of his jealousy is to protect me. Having written this jealousy thing makes me want to hear again the song “Jealousy” (Freddy Mercury –Queen). But the lyrics don’t describe us at all, just like the melody; because I love my hubby’s jealousy, he’s my truly body guard, ha ha ha….

Davey and The First Christmas

We have a tradition of reading a Cristmas story every night in Dcember up until Christmas. We have this red binder that has 25 Great Christmas stories in it. One of our favorites, which we read last night is called "Davey and the first Christmas" Our two boys love this story/poem and My husband and I think its very touching. So I thought I would share it with you.

Let's pretend there was a boy,

And Davey was his name,

Whose family lived in Bethlehem

When CHRISTMAS TIME first came.

Davey had a special pet
- A donkey small and gray,
And what the two of them did BEST
Was getting in the way!


Davey named the donkey Tim,
He never rode him though.
Either Tim was built to HIGH
Or Davey was too low!


Davey's father had an inn
Where people came to stay;
And lots and lots and LOTS of them
Were coming there one day.


His father was BUSY
As six or seven bees!
So Davey said, I want to help!
Can't I do something, please?


Tim would like to help you, too!
Find a job for us to do!
Listen, Son," his father said,
Last week you broke three jugs.
You scared my two best customers
With your pet lightning bugs!


You tracked in mud on my clean floor,
You tripped, and dropped the bread.
And though I loved the fish you caught -
WHY leave them on my bed?


I've put up with your helpfulness
As long as I am able!
So - do me one big favor, now!
GET OUT - and clean the stable.


Davey sadly went and stood
Beside the stable door.
It hardly seemed that ANYONE
Could clean that dirty floor!


He and Tim both felt so bad
They started in to cry
But then (thought Davey),
YES, we CAN! Well, anyhow - let's try!
First, let's chase those chickens out!
That's what we've got to do!
So Tim began to flap his ears
While Davey shouted, "SHOOOOOO!"


The chickens clucked and flew and ducked,
They fluttered wild and scary,
Until their feathers filled the air
Like snow in January!


Yes, Davey chased those chickens out,
He and Tim together;
But now he had to get a sack
And pick up every feather!


You should have seen how HARD they worked!
They stacked up all the wheat.
They straightened up the harnesses
Till they were nice and neat,


They fought with spiders bravely
Till they chased out every bug!
(And since we must admit the truth -
They broke another jug!)


The very biggest job of all
Was stacking up the hay!
Davey climbed up to the loft
And put it all away!


Look, Tim! you see how HIGH it is?
I'll make just one more trip...
Then clear up by the stable roof
His feet began to slip!


DOWN
CAME
HAY
AND
DAVEY
TOO!


The stable looked so queer -
All you could see was piles of hay -
One sandal, and one ear!


Slowly they came out on top,
And Davey didn't whine,
Though hay stuck out all over him
Just like a PORCUPINE!


He put the hay all back again,
And stacked it up with care --
But left one armload down below
To fill the manger there.


So Davey's work was done at last;
And when it all looked neat
He picked some flowers to trim the barn
(And some for Tim to eat!)


I hope it's clean enough, he thought
At least, I did my best.
And feeling very, very tired,
He curled up for a rest . . .


Who woke up Davey from his sleep?
Just guess them if you can!
Mary was the woman's name,
Joseph was the man.


Mary said, Oh Joseph, look!
This is a lovely place!
Then, seeing Davey there, she said
With such a shining face,


Your father's inn had no more rooms.
Tonight we're staying there;
So tell me now, are you the boy
Who cleaned the stable, Dear?


And did your donkey help you work?
We want to thank him, too.
Though Davey still was half asleep
His heart was glad - clear through!


So that is how a little boy
Two thousand years ago
Stayed on to hear the angels sing
And see the Star aglow!


As soon as Baby Jesus came
To use the manger bed,
Then Davey's sack of feathers made
A pillow for His head!


No one told Davey anymore
That he was in the way!
His work had helped get ready for
THE WORLD'S FIRST CHRISTMAS DAY!

By Beth Verdum

3D Paper Stars Craft

CRAFT MATERIALS:
Paper
Time needed: Under 10 Minutes(it took me about three minutes the first time)

1. Fold the paper in half from top to bottom, creasing it firmly.


2. Fold the paper in half again, creasing it lightly.

.

3. Undo the second fold




4. Make a third fold, bringing the tip of the upper right corner to the crease mark at the paper's left edge.




5. Fold down the upper left corner along the top edge of the section you folded




6. Fold the paper vertically so that the left and right edges match up. Cut the paper at a sharp angle, as shown, creating a small triangle. Open the triangle, and there's your star

(Use decorative paper like scrapbook paper to add flare)

Here are some of the ones we've done recently.
We like to hang them from the ceiling with christmas ribbon.

Happy Crafting!

Christmas Day Part 2

In the evening we went over to Sarah's extended families dinner and rockin' Christmas bash. The food was GREAT, as usual, and the Wii games had us all laughing. Just Dance was a hit with everyone!













JUST Dance:





There was lots more dancing fun, but not enough space on our over-crowded camera card to capture the fun!