Counting my blessings.....instead of sleep!

I cannot believe I am still awake...but, when you can't sleep....

I was reflecting on the day...I was feeling badly early this afternoon...didn't get as much accomplished as I had planned by then...had a huge pot of ham and bean soup on the stove that needed finished...tons of laundry that wasn't even sorted, let alone started...and I was feeling sorry for myself a bit.

To make a long story short...the 'degenerative disc disease' in my neck has now progressed to bone spurring...which is causing me to have terrible pain in my neck and up the back of my head most of the day...so I was headed to the chiropractor....BUT....I was so behind on my duties of the day that I felt guilty for leaving. After the chiropractor told me there wasn't much more he could do to ease the pain and I needed to go to a pain clinic (IF my insurance would cover it)...I felt even more down. Then...my dear daughter called me....

While Meghan was finishing the soup (straining, pureeing, chopping and sauteeing), Sara & Anna made a game out of sorting the MOUNTAIN of laundry that I was backed up on....and on the way home, I was able to reflect and count my blessings. I had felt bad about asking the girls to not only watch Ronnie & Anna, but to do these jobs (MY jobs) too. But, I realized what good experience it is for them to learn these things...to learn, too, how to 'multi-task'...and to serve their family out of a desire to help and relieve some of my burden.

I thank God for blessing me with these children! And , I am so very grateful for all the hard work my girls do! I am grateful for my little ones, who bring laughter and the joy & magic of little children into our everyday lives! I am very grateful for a husband of 20 years who still loves me and thinks I am special...and who works so hard for our family! The Lord has truly blessed us!

And... I am counting my blessings that after tomorrow night...I have NOTHING on my calender until Monday! LOL We have plenty of goodies for New Years Eve, my pork and sauerkraut are here ready to fill the house with good smells on New Years Day...I even found rubbermaid totes on clearance for $3.40 each to pack away our Christmas things until next year...which will protect them from the mice that got into them for the first time this year. (yuck!) We have plenty of firewood for the fireplace and lots of ingredients to make hot cocoa with as well...since it looks like we will also be getting more snow!

I'll close with the song running thru my head right now..." if you are worried and you can't sleep...just count your blessings instead of sheep...and you'll fall asleep...counting your blessings!" (how I love the sound of Bing Crosby's voice!) Praying that everyone gets a restful nights sleep! ~Sue~

Another Christmas season....

Well...I have no pictures...completely forgot to take any! This Christmas has been a nice one but a bit of a whirlwind for the Gorecki family! LOL

Christmas Eve was quiet around here....kids playing the new Wii that we got, cleaning up the house and baking lots of apple strudels...then wrapping and hiding presents...wasn't as late as past years, though. When all of that was done, we did our advent devotions and lit 4 of the 5 candles and sang some carols while Meghan played piano....it was just very cozy and nice. The last month has been so busy for us for some reason, it was nice to have a quiet Christmas Eve....before the kids went to bed, Dad read the Christmas story from Luke and all headed off to bed.

Christmas morning was fun! Anna woke everyone up yelling "it's Christmas!!!!"...so we trooped downstairs while everyone opened their stockings, got something hot to drink, exchanged with each other, then sang "Happy Birthday, Jesus" and blowing out the candles on our apple strudel. After that...the kids had 3 clues this year to find 3 gifts each...Ronnie my newest reader read them...it was so cute to see all 4 of them going up and down the stairs trying to follow the clues. Then, after everyone had opened their 3 gifts, we all watched the movie "up"...it was so nice! Then, we had a big brunch with both sets of grandparents. We had english muffins, eggs, bobalki (a slovak dish of sweet bread dough balls with browned butter and sauerkraut_) and lots of homemade kielbasi....oh, that stuff is so good! Of course, we had tons of cookies as well...before they all headed over to my sister's house, and we headed down to Ron's mom's house. It was nice...we got to see his brother in from Chicago....his sister and our nephew , Timmy. Various cousins came and went to visit their Aunt Ro....it was a nice visit with everyone.

Yesterday, I visited my great aunt Helen and cousin Linda for 3 hours. I so enjoy visiting with them! Then, came home, picked up the kids and headed out to visit over Lori and Todd's house. Tommy wasn't home, so I missed him, but I got to see Ty....I've missed him so! I"m ready for them to go back to work so he can come over here again! LOL We've really enjoyed visiting with everyone. Today, after church, the girls had 2 friends come over for lunch (and one for dinner as well)...they had fun...playing Wii, watching a new movie and making/beading jewelery....hopefully, we'll be able to see some other friends tomorrow afternoon as well.

Looking forward to getting into a routine around here again....staying on task, going on a "detox" of all the white flour/white sugar overload we're all on! LOL All in all....I'd say it was a very "busy" Christmas season this year, but some wonderful memories were made by all! Next big party....Ronnie's 8th birthday in 3 weeks! Another excuse to get together! Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas as well! ~Sue~

Merry Christmas to You and Yours!

Let us never forget why we celebrate Christmas-to thank the Lord for sending His precious son to save us. In all the hustle and bustle of this day, remember the true meaning of Christmas and give thanks to the Lord!

The Priceless Gift of Christmas

By Helen Steiner Rice

Now Christmas is a season

for joy and merrymaking

A time for gifts and presents,

for giving and for taking...

A festive, friendly happy time

when everyone is gay-

But have we ever really felt

the greatness of the day...

For through the centuries the world

has wandered far away

From the beauty and the meaning

of the Holy Christmas Day...

For Christmas is a heavenly gift

that only God can give,

It's ours just for the asking,

for as long as we shall live...

It can't be bought or bartered,

it can't be won or sold,

It doesn't cost a penny

and it's worth far more than gold...

It isn't bright and gleaming

for eager eyes to see,

It can't be wrapped in tinsel

or placed beneath a tree...

It isn't soft and shimmering

for reaching hands to touch,

Or some expensive luxury

you've wanted very much...

For the priceless Gift of Christmas

is meant just for the heart

And we receive it only

when we become a part

Of the kingdom and the glory

which is ours to freely take,

For God sent the Holy Christ Child

at Christmas for our sake,

So man might come to know Him

and feel His Presence near

And see the many miracles

performed while He was here...

And this pirceless Gift of Christmas

is within the reach of all,

The rich, the poor, the young and old

the greatest and the small...

So take His Priceless Gift of Love,

reach out and you receive

And the only payment that God asks

is just that you believe.

Our Christmas Menu and Traditions

"Oh, by gosh, by golly, it's time for mistletoe and holly

Tasty pheasants, Christmas presents, countrysides covered with snow

Oh, by gosh, by jingle, it's time for carols and Kris Kringle

Overeating, merry greetings, from relatives you don't know

Then comes that big night,

Giving the tree the trim

You'll hear voices by starlight, singing a Yuletide hymn

Oh, by gosh, by golly, it's time for mistletoe and holly

Fancy ties an' granma's pies

An' folks stealin' a kiss or two

As they whisper, "Merry Christmas" to you!"

~~Frank Sinatra~~

When I think of our many Christmas traditions that are interwoven with our heritage, the hustle and bustle and occasional stress, I hum that song or listen to it on the CD player. Of course, Frank Sinatra sings it so...of course it's great! To bounce off of Ella's idea I thought I would write about some of our family's traditions and foods-some passed down from three or more generations. Food is an integral part of our family and there are holiday 'standards' when it comes to our menu's as you will see and I will explain below:

Christmas Eve Menu:

mushroom soup (a slovak Christmas eve tradition)

Blintzes with buttered bread crumb topping

(Blintzes, or 'Palacinta' are Polish crepes stuffed with ricotta cheese, green onions and topped with sour cream)

Lightly breaded tilapia

Small pot of shrimp scampi

Salad (to help digest all of these rich foods!)

This was a Polish tradition begun by my Great-Grandmother Tita (her name was Loretta) and Grand-pap Sonny that incorporated the idea of fasting on Christmas Eve and then feasting on Christmas day. It slowly evolved into a yummy, technically 'meatless' meal that now is a rich, yummy once-a-year tradition since seafood is so expensive. After we clean up ,we'll get comfortable, have a sing-a-long around the piano, and then light our Advent candles and Dad will read the account from Luke of the birth of Jesus by the fire. Then it is off to bed for the littles, and Sara and I enjoy "sister tea time" in our room, while Mom and Dad "hide" our presents...(we pretend we don't hear them...but we don't peek!)

Christmas Day:

We are instructed to not touch or look for a thing until Mum and Dad come to get us. We slowly wake up, get tea or coffee and sit down to open stockings and the gifts we made each-other. Before we search for our gifts with the previously written clues by Mum, we sit down to eat a small breakfast dessert to tide us over and sing Happy Birthday, Jesus. Following this, we search for our gifts from Mum and Dad that they hide all over the house, following rhyming clues that Mum writes. It is VERY fun!! We all bring our gifts back into the living room to each open one at a time....or in some semblence of order. :) We then eat our delicious Christmas Brunch, rest awhile, clean up and get ready to go to Ro-Ro's in the late afternoon. My favorite part is seeing my siblings and parents faces when they open their gifts I made or bought them.

Christmas Day Menu:

Some sort of breakfast coffee cake or strudel to sing 'Happy Birthday to Jesus.'

We light all five of the Advent candles and reflect on their meaning while Anna typically boisterously sings 'Happy birthday.' Then, our brunch consists of:

Home-made Kielbasi.

This tradition was also Grandma Tita's and it's interesting to make the day before...we buy ground pork butt and then mix a small amount of seasonings in it before sometimes stuffing it into the previously cleaned casings or making them into patties. It's somewhat slightly repugnant but tastes delicious!

Bobalki (small puffs of sweet bread dough smothered in butter and sauerkraut which is a slovak dish)

Sunny side up eggs and English muffins for whoever wants them

So there you have it folks! We had such fun making the blintzes yesterday and Sara and I got the hang of it!

The holiday of Christmas has been around awhile and certain traditions have come about as cultures grew and flourished. As we all practice certain traditions and customs (including foods!), and are enveloped in the love in the love and comfortable traditions of our ancestors, let us never forget the Ultimate Gift of Jesus.

Our Young Maiden's Christmas Celebration....

Not a lot of pictures were taken....too much talking and laughter going on!!! LOL We had our monthly Maiden's group meeting at our friends, the Porcari's home...and since it was Christmas, and some of our little group couldn't be with us, we decided to just have a short devotion and then a Christmas party! It was Rachel's birthday...and that made it extra special! We prayed together, studied God's word together,...and laughed together! It was a wonderful time! Such a great group of young ladies! Those who were able to join us were; Bella, Meghan, Sarah, Rachel, Sara, Morgan, Michaela and Arianna

I also took Anna with us to play with her friend, Sophia...our youngest Maidens! It was so nice to relax and enjoy a special time with good friends! Until our next meeting in January....

Over the river and thru the woods....to Grammy's house we go!

On Sunday, we celebrated Christmas with my family at my Mom and Step-Dad's home about an hour away...that song kept going thru my head, crossing the Monongahela River, traveling thru the beautiful snow...towards a warm celebration with my special family. We didn't have dinner...just lots and lots of 'finger foods'....along with hot sausage sandwiches...then, of course, lots of cookies and homemade candies! Everyone had a great time! My sisters, my mom and myself...
My youngest sister, Pam and her special guy, Frank.

Our special "little man", Ty, wasn't feeling well...but perked up after a while...he is so funny with Christmas this year! It doesnt' matter what you have on top of your tree, he gets so excited, points and yells "Star!"

Sara did a little bit of charicature drawing....above, is my niece Olivia on the left and Anna on the right....they had so much fun together!

Here they are reading a princess rosebud book together.

Our Meghan...watching the little ones and enjoying the festivities!
Our annual "sister " Christmas picture!
The Gorecki children (and my nephew, Justin resting in the background)...right before they opened a 'Wii'! They were so excited....thanks, Grammy & Buppy!!!

This has become a tradition that my mom and I started and have passed onto the kids....acting out the twelve days of Christmas! Sara and Tina act it out, during the 5 golden rings, Anna & Olivia danced across and when we sang '10 lords a leaping', Ronnie leaped across....we laughed so hard!

My sister, Pammy, and her twins Tina and Justin
Me and my very, very tired hubby! We had about 8 inches of snow thru out Friday night and all day Saturday....he worked all night Friday night and Saturday morning, driving a big truck thru the snow...came home in time to clean off the suburban, shower, put on a suit and drive us thru the snow to the wedding....then work again all night Saturday in the snow, sleep and drive us to my moms....seems all he did was drive thru snow for 2 1/2 days..with a little sleep in between! He never even shoveled our snow until Monday...and he has been working ever since. I think he is finally caught up on his sleep, and will be off until 2am Saturday morning! Hooray! We had a wonderful time at my mom's house....I am very, very grateful that we can all be together....at Christmas and all thru out the year! (we have frequent get-togethers!) More Christmas celebrations to come! Merry Christmas!!! ~Sue~

The Wedding!!!

Where to start?! Friday night was a whirlwind of preparations for the wedding of our special friend, Courtney Goettel (now Courtney Hayden!) the next day. After being postponed for 2 hours due to the snow,the wedding ceremony was beautiful. The pastor, Dan's dad, explained how the relationship commenced and how the Lord brought these two people together to become one. He specifically explained that, though they termed the relationship as a betrothal, and it began 'officially' with a marriage proposal, it was not an arranged or forced marriage. They were told to hold hands for the very first time and after the "I thee wed's," the pastor gave a message on marriage and this particular wedding day. He explained how the love between the bridegroom and bride is an example of Christ and the church and also intertwined the Gospel through-out as their whole relationship had. The next day at our church, one of the last verses of a song went, "As the bride runs to her bridegroom's arms..." Mum and I both got "teary-eyed" as we thought of the wedding the day before. This wedding was so beautiful, so Christ-centered, it was hard not to cry as you marveled at their love and God's sovereignty. I was rejoicing with Courtney and my joy went into tears as I witnessed her special day. Anyway...they then exchanged rings and then came a beautiful prayer for their future life. Dan was then instructed to kiss his bride for the very first time. (just wanted to explain...neither one of them have ever "dated" anyone...everything was not just the first time with each other, but the first time, truly!) It was truly beautiful.

~~~

So, here are many pictures of the beautiful day and the wonderful time we all had.

"I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine."

Mr. & Mrs. Dan and Courtney Hayden!

Morgan, one of Courtney's sisters and another little girl from their church throwing silk rose petals that the family had made...they all did so beautifully!

Julianna, another of Courtney's sisters and a little girl from their church showering the path with flower petals


Little flower girl! Aren't they precious?!


Her face says, "I can't believe I'm getting married!" Isn't she beautiful??
(a cute side note...Courtney was bare-foot walking down the aisle, because Dan always teased her about never wearing shoes...and told her she had cute feet!)

The Wedding March

"Who giveth this woman to be married?"

As a side note, I always thought it would be romantic for the groom to lift my veil at the end of the ceremony...but how precious for the father to lift his daughter's veil as he hand's his precious daughter over to another?

Prayer for their future life together

Isn't her dress amazing?! It was completely hand-made by the bride and her mom...complete with hand beaded lace!

The beautiful, blushing bride.

Their wedding vows were so touching...maybe because we have been particularly close with Courtney, we were all overcome with emotion at this point...ok, most of the day!

"You may now join hands..." (For the first time ever, I might add)

Their first kiss ever!

They're finally married!!!!

Michaela!

Morgs-I think we were all laughing about something. :)

Bella, Phia's big sister.

Phia, Anna's little friend. :)

Anna Peony Lucy Girl!!

The picture Courtney water-colored to hang above the area for gifts. Courtney and Dan are both artists...and the entire wedding had their personal, artistic touches...

The beautiful tables...

The beautiful cake that Courtney's sister Hannah baked, and Courtney decorated...finished with real, creamy roses....simple and perfect!

Mum, baby Abigail and Mrs. Goettel at the reception...Mum had 'baby-duty' all day, allowing one of her dearest friends to enjoy herself and attend to all the "mother of the bride" duties that every mother looks forward to!

Courtney and her sister Hannah-best friends.

All us 'girls' at the reception. :)

Lastly...right before we were leaving, I was able to steal a special moment with my dear friend....it was a day that will be special to me always!

God bless you, Courtney and Dan!!!!

In closing, to date this has been the most beautiful wedding I've ever been to. Their whole testimony to the Lord's leading, the Gospel and the Lord's sovereignty up to this point is amazing. They prayed through every decision in their relationship and wedding day and followed the Lord's plan for this day and their relationship-even though some things might seem unconventional . The Lord made His will clear in every aspect of the wedding and their betrothal and He has and will continue to bless these two dear newlyweds as they live out their marriage in the Lord. ~Meghan~

Busy as elves...

I kept meaning to do a post....I would think of it...then the thought would be gone...then I would sink into bed and remember I wanted to do a blog post....(sigh) oh, well....more important things going on around here! LOL Busy with 'life'....discipling, relationships, schooling....as well as cooking, baking, more baking, making crafts and gifts and of course....just getting ready for Christmas! Here is a sampling of what has been going on....I will have more time, and LOTS more pictures after this weekend....Saturday is the long awaited wedding of our dear, dear friends Courtney and Dan....then on Sunday, we're celebrating Christmas with my side of the family at my mom's house....after that, the rest of the week of Christmas looks pretty calm! LOL May you all be blessed this Christmas season....Jesus loves you so very, very much! ~Sue~ ~Christmas cards made, printed and mailed! (Sara designed these on the computer...I am so proud of her! The picture of Meghan was from her 16th birthday, Ronnie wanted his with the Stanley cup, and the one of Ron and I was from his brother's wedding...20 years after our own on the same alter....Sara and Anna's just looked cute!)
My kitchen at the moment....eggnog bread made, cinnamon swirl muffins waiting to go into the oven, butter softening for cookies, cherries waiting...and a LOAD of dishes awaiting a 14 year old to finish her algebra! LOL

"paintbox" cut out cookies we did the other night with our good friends, Jamie & Elissa...it has become a tradition for us to do these together...the kids got so creative!
Bobalki waiting to be mixed with browned butter and sauerkraut....yum! If I have time, I'll post the recipe next week when we finish making them. Christmas wouldn't be the same around here without our favorite foods....we'll also be making some homemade kielbasi next week as well.
And, of course....a handsome young man playing his guitar in front of the fire....we're hoping for a fire tonight after all the baking is done....my little 5 year old daughter is making dinner tonight....her "speciality" pizza bagels and cucumbers...she is very proud of herself that it is her turn to make dinner! LOL

Ok...relaxing time is done...off to make Baba's orange cookies and cherry surprise cookies....then it is on to fudge, peppermint bark and oreo bombs! Can anyone say "sugar overload"?!?!