I'll be Home For Christmas

We had a sweet little Christmas at "home." Christmas Eve Riley and I (I'd like to encourage you moms with little ones "helping" you in the kitchen, one day it will be worth the effort, I promise) cooked Chex Mix and Chocolate Bon Bons and Peanut Butter Fudge (my Granny's recipes full of sentimental memories)and delivered them to other friends that had to be "home" for the holidays. We went to a Christmas Eve Service at our Church and then to Mimi's for Dinner and presents.

We were "home" all Christmas Day singing "Happy Birthday to Jesus" eating His Birthday Cupcakes, Sausage Balls (Granny's recipe, of course) and other high calorie treats sweet friends brought over! Opened Presents, took out the trash and I witnessed Riley do her first load of laundry from sorting to hanging up (Hooray!!!).... Then got together with three other families to eat a wonderful Christmas Dinner. It is amazing to me how Christians can feel like family when you are away from your flesh and blood. We have experienced this amazing blessing every time we have moved.

That's what we've been up to lately. Now to the ice skating rink to burn off some of those Christmas Calories!

Why GOLD, FRANKINCENSE, and MYRRH?

*Born a king on Bethlehem's plain, Gold I bring to crown him again, King forever, ceasing never, Worship Him, God on high.

Gold because He's King of Kings

*Frankincense to offer have I, Incense owns a Deity nigh: Prayer and praising all men raising, Worship Him, God on high.

Frankincense because He is worthy of our prayers and praise. Our Prayers and Praise rise like fragrant offerings to Him.

*Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume, Breathes a life of gathering gloom; Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, Sealed in the stone cold tomb.

Myrrh because He came to Die. Myrrh was used as an embalming Spice.


WHAT AN AMAZING KING WE SERVE! MERRY CHRISTMAS
*We Three Kings of Orient Are

People Say the Darndest Things!

I got tickled the other day just thinking about the funny things people have said to me since having five kiddos...

This summer our air-conditioner went out. The nice man who came over to fix it asked me if I was running a day-care? Yes, I take CARE of my children every DAY.

We had another nice man over to our home who asked if we had a blended family? Yes, God blended Brady and I's DNA pretty well, don't you think?

Every now and then I hear... "I have to ask, are they all yours?" Yes, would you like one?

And last but not least I hear this one at least once a week (I know you hear it too) "Boy, you've got your hands full TODAY!" Yes, EVERYDAY!!!!

When we go out to eat we are automatically considered a PARTY!! And when I order take-out Chinese food the sweet lady always asks "You have big Party?" Yes, we have big party everyday!!

Punk The Halls

Brady took the girls to "Punk the Halls" last night! They saw Stellar Kart("Me and Jesus"), Eleventyseven, Our Hearts Hero, ManaFest(Rap), and Nevertheless. A back-stage pass allowed them to get pics and autographs during a question and answer session with Stellar Kart. They had sooo much fun! Their ears are still ringing with Christian Punk Rock! The Boys and I got to play at home, because Charlie needed the nifty nebulizer for breathing treatments and Jay has a fun new rash!

Remember Christmas 2004

PACKING PEANUTS ARE PURE EVIL

So living in the Middle of Nowhere, MT requires one to do a bit of online shopping. We have packing peanuts a plenty around here. Let me set the stage.... The house is clean meaning vacuumed, swept, mopped. We get a large box of the dreaded Packing Peanuts delivered to our doorstep. I, in an effort to avoid Jay and Charlie having a Packing Peanut Party, immediately take the package to the garage!!! I carefully take out the contents and carry them to the kitchen. Return to the garage to find Jay inside the box swimming in the wonderful white whatness that they are and I hear the tiny torrents laughing at me, their teeny little laughs!!! So you say what is the big deal? Well, they have ingeniously electrostatically attached themselves to my sweet, innocent, blue-eyed boy. I begin brainstorming on how I am going to get Jay to his room and down for a nap without allowing the enemy to break my impregnable fortress of cleanliness!!! And then it hits me. The vacuum cleaner is still plugged in. Yes, I vacuumed my sweet little blue-eyed son head to toe and won the battle against the evil packing peanuts. HA HA HA I get the last laugh, at least for today.

Baby It's Cold Outside!!!

I thought those of you reading from warmer climates might get a kick out of this note Bailee's sweet teacher sent home on Friday. I'm quoting word for word here...."The weather is getting colder now and most days we will be going outside for recess. Have your children wear gloves, hats, and boots (if it snows). However, when the weather is below zero the students will stay inside." Isn't that incredible. Coming from Texas where P.E. teachers couldn't take their kids outside if it was below 45 degrees!!! We are adjusting to it but, I was in shock last year! The kids wear their snowsuits on top of their clothes and take regular shoes in their backpacks. I really do think it is good for them. Whatever doesn't kill us only makes us stronger! It was 11 degrees this morning when we were going to church and it didn't seem that cold! It must be the lack of humidity!! (tHIS PICTURE OF jAY IS a cHRISTMAS cARD REJECT, BUT i JUST LOVE IT!!!)