Happy New Year!

Thought I should get in my last post for 2009! Hope you all have a safe and blessed new year! I pray that you recognize all of the blessings that God has given you!

Happy Birthday Jesus! (our devotion and cake)

Yes, I know...I'm a little late with that title but this is my post to tell you about/show you our birthday party for Jesus. I ordered a chocolate cake with white icing and saved some time. I had them decorate it to look like a gift and write "Happy Birthday Jesus."

Dark Cake: Before knowing Jesus, our hearts are like this dark cake, and we couldn't get into heaven with our hearts so full of sin (Romans 3:23)
White Frosting: (If you bake your own cake you frost it as you talk about the meaning of the white frosting) God did a wonderful thing when he sent his Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. Now all the darkness is covered up, and Jesus washes our sins white as snow. We are pure white in the sight of God. When we ask Jesus to forgive all the bad things we've done, we are white like this frosting (Romans 6:23)
Angel decoration:(Place the angel on the cake or have a child do it) The angel reminds us of the good tidings that were brought to the shepherds that night. It also reminds us of the good tidings, or good news, that we can bring to others (Luke 2:10)Star:The star reminds us of the star in Bethlehem and how the Wise men followed it and worshiped the Lord Jesus. It reminds us that we should worship and follow Him everyday. We can do this by praying, reading our Bibles, and going to church.

12 Red Candles: The red color reminds us of Jesus' blood that was shed for the forgiveness of our sins. Because He died and rose again, we can have eternal life and go to heaven if we believe (Romans 5:8
Light the Candles: Jesus can shine in our hearts if we just ask Him to be our Savior. The 12 candles remind us to let His light shine every month of the year, not just at Christmas time (Matthew 5:16)

Evergreens: (Place around the cake-we chose to put them in a pile...kids decorated it!) Evergreens around the cake remind us of something living and growing. If we have accepted Jesus into our hearts, we are going to grow and get to know Him more. How can we grow to know Him better? By praying, going to church, reading our Bibles, and sharing Him with others (John 15:5 or 2 Peter 3:18)At this point we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and then the kids blew out the candles.

Some people do this in the morning but for the sake of saving ourselves from a sugar high right before opening presents and then a serious meltdown, we chose to do this in the evening after we were done with all of our other activities that way when they came down off the sugar and fell apart, we just put them to bed.....well, that would have worked except Grace fell and tore her face up....check previous post if you missed that story. We began our morning by reading the story of Jesus' birth after the kids joined us in bed and then went out and opened presents. This actually turned out to be a good way to bring the focus back to Jesus by having our cake in the evening!

What did your family do to celebrate Jesus? Leave a comment and let me know...just curious for new ideas!

Injuries

Well, we had an eventful weekend! I still have a few pictures to upload on here from my new camera but I really haven't had time. Christmas was very exciting and the kids were very spoiled and they still have money to spend. I think we are going to hold off a while and let them either add to their wooden train set they got or let them get digital cameras for kids. They love taking pictures with mine and I have been letting them with my old one but they ARE NOT touching my new one. On Christmas I would lay it down next to me on the table (or anywhere) and then I couldn't find it. David kept moving it to the counter so nothing would happen to it. That man is silly.....maybe he should have gotten me a nice case to store it in! hint hint! Anyway, we opened our presents which took a few hours considering the breaks for dress up and playing with toys and also breakfast! How many kids stop opening presents to eat breakfast? Anyway, then we had lunch with Papa Wayne and cousin Althea. Later in the evening we had our birthday cake for Jesus which went very well. I will definitely be adding pictures from that for everyone to see! In the middle of all of this Grace and Andrew had been fighting over a matchbox car and for a minute they were fine so David got up to do something else and Grace took off running with Andrew very close behind. She fell and he fell on her legs meanwhile she slammed her chin and mouth into the wood floors busting both lips, her nose, and chipped a tooth. The chip is very small and only her mommy notices and no damage to teeth....praise God! This is the second time she has had a big mouth injury with no damage to teeth. She looked pretty rough and today it is finally healing and looking much better. Poor baby! We called the neighbors who came to our rescue yet again and had popsicles that she could eat.

Last night, the kids were running around and Andrew ran into my office and past me so I couldn't grab him and he tripped and fell behind my chair and hit the corner of his eye on the sharp corner of my computer stand. He was as close to his eyeball as he could have gotten. We put ice on it immediately and today the cut is there but no swelling or black and blue....yet. Not sure how he missed his eye or getting stitches...it was really close. Praise God again!

It sure has been crazy around here but the kids are happy and healthy and we are so blessed with all that God has given us and the opportunity to spend time with our family during this wonderful season! I pray the rest of you feel just as blessed!

Pictures

Lots and lots of pictures! To see them click here and it will take you to our newest Picasa site. I still have to upload the pictures from my new camera that my awesome hubby bought me that was definitely beyond our Christmas budget this year and I am so thankful! Enjoy the pictures, I added 4 or 5 albums with lots of pictures from December. Of course I don't expect you to look at all of them but I know some people-you know who you are-will look at them all! Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Ours was great til disaster struck at the end of today. Stay tuned tomorrow for a full report!

Cookies for Santa

I don't do a lot with Santa but we do have a tradition of leaving milk and cookies. He visits Grandma's house on Christmas Eve. Since we have to leave so early today to go to church (2:30 service) and then head to grandma's house, I put their Christmas pj's on them last night and took the pictures. We will leave the plate out when we leave for church. Beyond that and going to see Santa, we don't focus too much on him. This year we are starting a new tradition...a birthday party for Jesus. I ordered a cake to look like a present and had them write Happy Birthday Jesus on it and then I have a devotion that adds elements to the cake as we talk about each one. I'm excited to add this to our Christmas Day activities. I've also thought about setting aside an evening a few days before Christmas to have our party but what better time to have a party than on Christmas Day. Hope yours is happy and healthy! Merry CHRISTmas!

Wordless Wednesday-Library Day

No title!

Well, we've been super busy around here but I don't have any pictures to prove it!  Saturday we went down to see Christmas lights with family.  We all piled into a limo (owned by David's cousin) and went to see the lights together.  It was a large group so it was hard to keep everyone together with all the other people that were there.  There is a neighborhood that every house is decorated and they block off the streets so there is only one way for cars to drive through.  We walked through.  I can't imagine driving through with all the people that were on the streets.  I know a few of my friends were there and they all saw each other but I didn't get to see any of them!

On Sunday we went to Church and Costco and then came home to cook lunch and I baked cookies to take back to church last night for all the people that worked for me.  After church we were going to watch the movie "Elf" but since most people couldn't stay b/c it was too late 3 of us decided to go to "In and Out" for a late dinner.  It was fun to just sit and talk to people that I normally don't get to hang out with.

Today I have been busy cleaning and trying to get ready for baking but my kids have had other plans.  I decided to make them banana muffins (not planned for today) and they were excited about that.  They were especially excited to help me which is not something I am good at.  I like to just get it done and cleaned up.  The next few days will be busy still but I will try to get something on here for you.  David and I have to finish Grace's presents.  We are repainting the baby beds that my grandpa made for me for Christmas when I was little.  She is also getting the high chairs that he made me.  I don't remember getting the beds but I remember getting the high chairs and a cabbage patch doll was sitting in one on Christmas morning....at least that is my memory.  My mom and dad may tell me otherwise but it's a good memory!  I'll show pictures when they are done....or better yet when she gets them for Christmas which is literally a few days away.  Can you believe it?  I have a few things left to do but nothing that absolutely has to get done.  I'm off to get Grace to bed and start baking!  Have a blessed day!

More pictures...too busy!

Here is a picture of my kiddos along with the 3 that I babysat for last Friday.  They are coming to our house tomorrow while mommy works again.  Andrew and Ty are best buddies when they are together.  Never a fight or crying.  Last Sunday night at church I don't think they ever let their shoulders stop touching.  They were right next to each other the entire night.  During worship time I even saw them holding hands.  

I have been incredibly busy around here so for the next few days my posts will be short and sweet and maybe even just pictures.  We have lots going on and next week I will baking....a lot!  Hope you are all enjoying your season of joy!

Wordless Wednsday

 

 

 

We actually put this up the weekend after Thanksgiving but thought I would share pictures today!

Handmade

Here are a few of the things I have made lately.  I had help with the wreath and the bow on the pine cones but most of it was done on my own.

 

 

These are magnetic boards that I made today for some gifts.  Not for any of you so don't worry, I'm not showing your gift before you get it.  I don't love either one of them which is probably good b/c then I would want to keep it.  I don't know what I was looking for when I started but didn't get the look I wanted.  Each one has a magnet with a flower on top to hold notes of things to remember.  

Yes, I'm still here!

It has just been incredibly busy around here.  Thursday the kids and I had lunch with my small group from church and then we went to Costco where I lost my membership card on the way in and immediately went to find it and it was gone.  Now I have to get a new one printed but did not have time that day.  That night I went with a wonderful group of ladies that I work with at church and we had a craft night.  Peggy was so generous and  allowed us all into her beautiful home and helped us create wreaths, centerpieces, and pine cones hung with ribbon.  I chose to make all 3 thanks to Karen for bringing extra wreaths.  We had so much fun and ate lots of yummy food and laughed a lot!  I'm so thankful for these ladies as they add so much to my life.  I thank God every day for bringing them into my life.  

On Friday the kids and I headed over to another friend's house to watch her kids for the day while she worked.  I loaded up a huge bag full of crafts and off we went.  She has a little boy Andrew's age...they even share a birthday.  Her twin girls are only 3 weeks older than Grace.  The kids were all so well behaved.  No fighting over toys...well, except Grace.  The boys kept trying to take her necklaces that she insisted on carrying around all day and then she would throw a fit but other than that the day went really well.  When I got home around 7 I baked Mexican Wedding Cookies for my friend Leigh (she insists that she loves them and mine supposedly turn out the best).  Looks like I will have to mail them from now on rather than give them to her in person since she is moving far, far away.  That leads us to today.  In this terrible weather...high winds, constant downpour and low visibility I drove to her house.  My hubby (whom drives the pass everyday) didn't warn me about what it would be like to drive in this weather.  I rarely go down the pass, especially not in bad weather so I forgot.  Anyway, we (all the cars on the road with me) drove down very slowly with our emergency blinkers on.  I wanted to stay the night but was afraid tomorrow wouldn't be any better so I made the trip back and I don't think I even took a breath until I was more than halfway home (at the scales for those of you that know where that is).  But I am home....a lot of prayers were said in that truck today for safety for me and all of those around me.  Anyway, I finally got to see the twins, Gwendelyn and Elaina, the girls that my friend had in October while I was away.  She was in the hospital for a little over 10 weeks waiting for these miracles to get here.  They are so precious and doing so well.  They are also sooo tiny.  They are technically 7 weeks but had they been born on time I believe they would only be about 2 weeks old so they sleep a lot.  Well, at least a lot in the daytime...I've heard differently about nights.  I went down to see the babies and help her pack as she is leaving us soon and moving to the East Coast for her husband's job.  I'm hoping to get down there one more time to see her and the girls before they leave.  I tried to help her pack a few things and hold babies.  I finished a couple pages in her scrapbooks for her so she didn't have to worry about it later when she ever finds them again.  She also gave me some dresses, one of which I am going to wear to the Christmas Party this week.  I'm sure I have probably bored you enough about all of this but I plan to upload some pictures soon.  I am actually running out of space on here so I have to either clear out some albums or break down and purchase more space.  Have a wonderful Sunday and stay warm!

Elf Yourself

I hope you enjoy the video at the top!  I might try and pick better faces next time.  I didn't realize how few pictures I have of Grace looking at the camera and smiling until I was making this.  Oh well.  I'll keep looking and update it later.  This is done by office max and you can go to their website and make your own video....but please do share!  We all want to see your family acting crazy as well!  Andrew and I have laughed and laughed at these videos!

Not much

Not much going on around here.  We have a lot going on daily but nothing too exciting.  Today we went to the library and learned about the letter O.  The kids had fun but it was really cold while we were out.  The temperature was supposed to get down to 24 last night.  The kids and I went to a Christmas concert last night during the terrible winds and rain which turned to snow for a couple minutes.  By the time we left the church the rain had stopped and the sky was clear and we could see the stars.  We were super cold though.  It's supposed to be warmer the next few days. 

Tomorrow Andrew has a friend coming over to play after he gets out of school and thankfully that is all we have going on tomorrow.  Thursday we are going to have lunch with the girls from my bible study and then that night I am going to a craft night with the coordinators I work with at church.  They are such a great group of ladies and I am so blessed to be a part of the group.  Like I said, not much to talk about!  Hope everyone else is having a good week! 

Not Today

Ok, so I did not just give in when Grace pointed to the menu at Wendy's and said "I want that!"  Especially not when she was talking about a frosty.  I got Andrew a plain cheeseburger and Grace some chicken nuggets which probably will not get eaten but at least they will have something in their tummies.  It's cold and rainy..in fact my van said it is 38 degrees at my house but hey, why not have a cold frosty?

Today we went to church for my coordinator meeting and the kids had a lot of fun playing with their friends.  Tonight our plans are to go back to church for a Christmas Concert that Sonshine Choir is putting on for their parents.  Next year Andrew can join the choir so I want him to see their concert, plus it is something at church to celebrate Christmas.

That's about it around here.  We are just hanging out waiting for the snow to possible come down to our level.  The forecast said it is supposed to come down to 2000-3000 feet and we are around 3500 so we'll see.  I will have my camera ready if it snows.  Well, better go check on the progress of lunch time snack time!!!

Grace showing off for the camera

Tree Lighting and Santa

Tonight we went to the tree lighting ceremony in our town.  I have to admit that I was a little disappointed at first b/c the tree was kind of small but this is only the second year that they have had the new park so it will take a while to have a huge, grand tree.  It's definitely bigger than any tree that would fit in a house.  Anyway, I just didn't realize it would take so long for the lighting to begin and was a little irritated and then we walked around and got free kettle corn and free hot chocolate which definitely helped my mood a little.  Andrew said he wanted to go see Santa because this was the real Santa.  Now, this is Andrew, the little boy that refuses to talk to most people, even if he sees them every week at church.  He has cried every year when going to see Santa and the only time he sat on Santa's lap willingly was last Christmas Eve when we went to grandma's and Santa made a surprise visit.  He sat on his lap while he read "The Night Before Christmas."  We saw a Santa at church the other night and he refused to get close.  Anyway, we get in line.  I called David who was on his way home from work and asked him to meet me.  My mood was going downhill again because I was certain he wouldn't sit on his lap and the line was looooooooooooong!  Well, we waited a little over an hour and can you believe he actually sat on Santa's lap?!?!?!  And, Grace sat with Mrs. Claus.  I have proof!  Well, you saw it already but here are the other pics as well.

 

After the visit with Santa, we stopped for some pictures by the tree.  And yes, it was very cold out there....my kids were crazy not to have their hoods on.  I sure wish David would have told me to take mine off for the picture! 

One thing that was really great about the ceremony is that they actually said Merry Christmas before saying Happy Holidays.  I was really surprised b/c of how much people focus on not saying Merry Christmas. The speaker even mentioned that we need to remember the reason for the season, a little baby that was born so many years ago.  I was extremely impressed that the leaders of our town would say that during the ceremony.  It's so easy to focus on presents, lights, decorations, parties and not on Jesus.  It's His birthday after all and we should be celebrating that all month long.  I know I always say my birthday is the whole month and His should be as well.  We have an advent paper chain that we made at church the other night and each day it has us either read a verse or do a family activity.  On the 25th it says to have a birthday party for Jesus and I'm excited that we are going to do that this year.  It's His birthday and we get the presents.  We could at least have a cake and sing to Him that day and praise Him!  I challenge all of you to have a party for Jesus this year as well.  Remember in all your shopping and parties and decorating that Jesus is the Reason for this Season!  God Bless!

(Almost)Wordless Wednesday...cookies!

 

 

Look at that concentration...with her tongue sticking out!  LOL!  I caught myself doing that yesterday so now I know where she gets it....sure hope I only do that in the privacy of my own home b/c I'm sure it looks rather silly!

She did this at the church the other night and I had to get her a new knife a couple times....no double dipping with other people around!

Whew!

It has been so busy around here since my last post.  We decorated our tree and the outside of the house on Friday and Saturday.  I also baked about 6 1/2 dozen cut out sugar cookies on Saturday and then worked all 3 services on Sunday.  Yesterday the kids and I decorated at church for our volunteer appreciation we had last night.  It was awesome.  They had photographers there and the volunteers were able to sign up for a time and have their picture taken for free.  After the pictures we had snacks and crafts and a movie playing.  I think everyone really enjoyed the evening.  I can't wait to get our pictures back next weekend.  They are putting them on a cd and families can take them somewhere and print them out and use them however they want.  Such an awesome gift during this time when so many families can't afford to have their picture taken.  There were even families that had never had a family picture.  What a great way to appreciate the people that make our children's ministry possible.

Now, onto what the kids and I have been doing.  We actually made our gingerbread house the day before Thanksgiving but I waited to share the pictures.  Andrew and I made 4 of the little houses in our village and Grace got to do only 1.  She was asleep while we did the others and really her attention span is still short so one was good for her.  I think she would have been overwhelmed with all of them.

 

 

 

Grace enjoyed eating the candies and licking the icing off her fingers more than putting the candy on. 

 

 

  Grace preferred piling all the candies on top of her house.