3, 2, 1 Blast off...

On Saturday, we all went to a vacant field near our house and let Nathan launch one of his rockets he got for Christmas. This was a present from Tim and I think he had the most fun. He and Nathan built them at Christmas and were waiting for the right day to launch it. He actually got two, one goes abou 600 feet and the other goes 1200 feet. We did the small one on Saturday. They got it all ready to go and it wouldn't launch. So after a little tweaking, the launch was successful. It travelled pretty far, crossing a street and landing in a football field. They brought it back and fired it up again, only to have it land high up in a pine tree. So that rocket is still there - Nathan is hopeful it might fall. I couldn't believe the speed and how high it went - it scared me at first. Natalie did the countdown, with permission from Nathan of course. The boys had a great time doing this.

Menu

This week has been crazy, so hopefully next week this will be our menu:

Monday - Vegetable soup with corn muffins
Tuesday - Stouffers Chicken & Rice, green beans, rolls
Wednesday - Eat out before church
Thursday - Taco Soup with cheese quesidillas
Friday - Not sure yet - maybe take out

Getting in Shape

Tim and I joined a gym at the beginning of the year. We debated over this, whether to spend the money or not. So, we decided to go for it. I am not movtivated at all to workout at home and I hate being out in the cold walking. We joined 24 Athletic in Bryant and really like. I have been for 4 days in a row now. Also, I am going to use a personal trainer for a few sessions to get a routine down. I know this is going to improve my well-beining in so many ways. I know this will give me more energy and just overall feeling better.

Christmas Eve

Today we travelled to Marion to begin our visit with family. Tonight we celebrated Christmas with my family at my sister's house. We enjoyed a yummy fajita dinner with the best salsa ever (thanks to Brad). Afterwards, we went to a short service at my parents church and then returned to my sister's. We started out singing some songs, including 12 Days of Christmas - everyone had a day. This was very much out of the norm for my family, but it turned out to be a lot of fun. And then we opened presents. Nathan's favorite present was an Air Hog Helicopter from his Mimi and Papa (aka Chicken Leg) and Natalie received a Nintendo DS game. She doesn't have the game system yet - she is saving her money and should be able to buy it soon. Tim and I both were blessed with some wonderful gifts. Tim got dress socks, cologne, Razorback coasters and a new travel bag. I got a crock-pot with a timer, some soft pajamas and bath gel. We had a nice visit with everyone and enjoyed meeting my niece's boyfriend, a sweet guy! So, tomorrow is Christmas Day and we will spend it with Tim's parents and his brother's family.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!

Christmas goodies

Yesterday, I went to a friend's house and we made all kinds of Christmas goodies. I got there at 9 a.m. and left at 2:45 p.m. This is more baking than I have done all year. But it was so much fun doing it with a friend. And of course, I got in some playtime with her sweet little boys. Lets see I made:

• Peanut Butter Balls
• Peppermint Bark (hers has milk chocolate and white chocolate)
• Cake Balls dipped in chocolate
• Brown Sugar Chewies

It was great time to visit with her and spend some time with a dear sister in Christ. She even fed me lunch. I am reliving my kids younger years through her boys.

Merry Christmas from the Cains!

Merry Christmas from Tim, Allison, Natalie, and Nathan Cain

Christmas...

This is from the Girl Talk blog that I read regularly. I thought about typing up something, but this was so good, I wanted to share.

I know many people who are suffering this Christmas. Their trials weigh upon my heart as I cut fresh holly for the mantle and bake cookies with the kids. All the Christmas gaiety—“Have a happy jolly Christmas, the best time of the year…”—feels as out of place as a circus act at a funeral home.

For Christians though, Christmas is never out of place. Sure, the trappings of the holiday may be more painful than pleasant some years. But Christmas for the Christian can be a welcome reminder of our certain hope, a celebration of promises kept by God.

In Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus: Experiencing the Peace and Promise of Christmas, compiled by Nancy Guthrie, Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains:

“What God did when he sent his Son into the world is an absolute guarantee that he will do everything he has ever promised to do. Look at it in a personal sense: “All things work together for good to them that love God”—that is a promise—“to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Rom 8:28, KJV). “But how can I know that is true for me?” asks someone. The answer is the incarnation. God has given the final proof that all his promises are sure, that he is faithful to everything he has ever said. So that promise is sure for you. Whatever your state or condition may be, whatever may happen to you, he has said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb. 13:5, KJV)—and he will not. He has said so, and we have absolute proof that he fulfills his promises. He does not always do it immediately in the way that we think. No, no! But he does it! And he will never fail to do it.”

Whatever your state or condition this Christmas, whatever your future may hold, God’s promises are certain. He kept His promise to send His Son and He will keep His promises to you—to be with you in trial and to deliver you. When Christmas reminds us that God keeps His promises it truly can be “the best time of the year.”

“Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted” (Isaiah 49:15).