Doll Photo Shoot

I have no explanation for these pictures except that she asked me to take them.  These were all her ideas.  What you see here are 7 of approximately 40 pictures that I took during this session!  There were lots of different set ups and costume changes.  

So funny how a 4 year old little girl's brain works!  

Look Mommy, we match!

Some Christmas Happenings

We've taken it much slower this holiday season...on purpose!  I've loved the new, slower, less stressful pace I've chosen for my family, and plan to continue it for years to come!  It's given us more time together, and more time to focus on the real reason for the season, while really enjoying the activities we have chosen rather than rushing through to move on to the next one!  

A local volunteer does a fantastic Christmas celebration at the Elementary School here.  She's done it for the last 8 years,and I hope to see it continue for at least that much longer!  This year the theme was The Grinch.  She transforms the gym into a winter wonderland and the kids are transported by grade level into a different world!  I've taken Gray with me the last two years.

All smiles with her cousin Baylee!  

Having a little sugar cookie, popcorn, and hot chocolate snack.

She wouldn't go near Santa, but she would stand by his reindeer...see him in the background?

We also had a PJ day this week and made gingerbread houses with some friends!  Brittany brought over Ally and Mya, and Sarah brought over Jackson.  Unfortunately it was right during Jackson's nap time, so his Grandma came and picked him up early. Last year I bought a gingerbread house pan and I am so glad!  We made four last year, and have made three so far this year, so it's definitely being used!  It's nice to use a cake mix and have something that we will really eat rather than that horrible gingerbread stuff!

Gingerbread house decorating with two of her favorite girls, Mya and Ally.

It was boys vs. girls!

The final products...boys on the left, girls on the right.

The kids and I also loaded up one evening with hot chocolate and drove around town to look at Christmas lights.  We spent about an hour in the car just driving through neighborhoods discussing what lights we liked, what we didn't.  What was over the top, what was just right.  That evening every year is one of my favorites...there's just nothing better than your family together in a car, drinking hot chocolate, looking at magical Christmas lights and having good conversation.

More Words of Wisdom

Today the words that lifted my spirit first thing this morning and set me on the right track to have a day full of praise were from Sara at Every Bitter Thing is Sweet (who is the momma to four adopted kiddos - 2 of which were adopted at an older age like my boys):

My whole day changes when I spend it focusing on what He’s done, rather than what I’m not, or what she’s not, or our “not yet”. Her whole life changes if, by watching her mommy, she learns how to live a life of praise, adoring Him for who He is and what He has done.

I want the banner over her life, no matter what hurdles she will encounter — because all of our daughters, in this world, are bound to encounter great hurdles — to read: the Lord has done great things for us.

But first, that must be my banner. And there’s a God who is working to ensure that this happens.

NOISE

Brianna, of Just Showing Up said something that I think it worth quoting:

"That's when I realized that all the NOISE was really just LIFE.  

That's when I realized that even on hard days when I want to hole up and hide and just take a time-out, life marches on in its imperfect, messy, over-the-top-loud sort of way." 

That really spoke to me. I am, by nature, an introvert, quiet, and and calm. I like small gatherings with just one on one conversation. The funny thing? I have 3 (soon to be 4) sons and 1 daughter. Sometimes (okay, a lot of times!) I wonder why in the world God saw me fit to mother these 5 very loud, active, smelly children... But you're right. All the noise is life. I think it will help for me to think of it that way next time I fee the anxiety rising!

My favorite children's Christmas Book

Well, you know, besides the Bible!

This is a book about Santa who shares with some forest animals that Christmas really isn't about presents or him, but about Jesus!  

"And that is what happened in Bethlehem when the Christ child came.  It's my favorite story because it reminds me why we are so happy at this time of year.  Love was the gift God gave to us on the first Christmas, and it still is, you know.  And this love is far better than any presents I can ever deliver."

I want to do Santa with my kids, but I also want to make sure that Jesus is the center of the holiday.  I love that this book combines the two, putting the emphasis where it should be!

"Santa was sure that he had the nicest time of all, though, because he remembered that the best present ever is Christmas itself."

Our visit with Santa

Each year the Wal-Mart Distribution Center (where Lincoln is employed) holds a Family Christmas evening.  It's a very nice time where they do building tours for the families (so they can see where their loved ones work since there is no visitation any other time of the year), they have all kinds of games set up for the kids, snacks, and of course, Santa!  Santa even gives each child a gift!

 I was thrilled with the picture I got of the kids with Santa this year!!  

Santa asked each of them what they wanted for Christmas this year and here were their responses:

Silas:  A black car that he can drive

Hunter:  A blue mini computer

Graysen:  A pink puppy

Blake:  For everyone else to have a nice Christmas

I have a feeling only one of them will be getting what they want!  As you can see, Blake has become a different child in the last few months.  I am praising God daily for the work He has done and continues to do in Blake!  

Hunter's letter to the Elves

"Dear Elvs,
I hope you are feeling well.  I would really like you to give Silas and Blake better toys  than me.  Do not wrap your self to be a present.  Tell Santa I believe in him.  Love, Hunter"

This child, this first born son of mine, is my heart walking around.  It's amazing how God does that.  I will thank Him all the days of my life for this son He's given me.  He continues to teach me something new every day.

Highs and Lows

Every night that we're able to sit around the dinner table together Lincoln and I try to ask our children about their "highs and lows" for the day.  I want to start recording more day to day things here, so I thought I would start with last night's highs and lows.

Graysen:

High:  School!  (She's attending a fabulous Christian Church pre-school two mornings a week that we all love!)

Low:  "Nicholas kept saying fart today in circle time".  (This is a word we don't use in our house - we say toot - and she was very disgusted by this little boy saying it!)

What you learned in school:  About baby Jesus...and we got to see hay.  It smelled GOOD!  But not when animals pee in it!

Hunter:

High:  Brenden coming back to school from his trip.  

Low:  Watching Beauty and the Beast at recess.  It wasn't the Disney version.

What you learned in school:  Number families and how rearrange number sentences and still have them right. (The example he gave me was:  6+5=11, 5+6=11, 11-6=5, 11-5 =6)

Silas:

High:  Playing on the computer.  I got to play the monkey game.  It's an adding game, but getting past level 4 is really hard.  (You should hear him say monkey...the Ethiopian accent makes it one his cutest words!)

Low:  Not going to recess because it was raining.

What you learned in school:  How to label my math work.  (The example he gave was 6 bananas + 5 bananas = 11 BANANAS)

Blake:

High:  I got 4 penny and a tiger paw (yes, I left penny singular because this is how he speaks and I want to remember that at this point Blake still haven't figured out plurals)  He got the tiger paw for cleaning the centers even wasn't his mess.

Low:  No recess either time.

What you learned in school:  If you want the vowel to say it's name, put an e at the end.  I asked for an example and it took him a very long time, but he finally came up with "make, lake, and time"!

Also, last night was about as perfect a night as we've ever had.  There was absolutely no whining, pouting, complaining etc.  Everyone was very cooperative, had great attitudes, was kind to each other and me, and showed grateful attitudes.  I really hope this can continue!

A different kind of list {from Jack and the Kumquat}

This time of year always feels like so much pressure!  Do this, do that, be here, be there!  I love that Melissa, at Jack and the Kumquat posted a list of things you don't have to do this time of year!  Check out her full post HERE.

I'm going to just post her list and then my own thoughts with each one!   (Her words are italizied.)  

1. Christmas Cards. 

(Gasp!)

(source)

I never do Christmas Cards!  But...I do New Years Cards.  I think it's a nice way to recap the whole year, and I LOVE getting Christmas Cards from others.  I especially love it when I get a letter from them with an update on their family, or new pictures.  This year I have created a box that we're going to keep all our cards in, and we're going to use it to pray for those families throughout the whole year!  

2. New Christmas party attire. 

(source)

I don't know many people who throw Christmas parties...especially ones that require dressing up.  I guess I'm lucky we just don't really associate with that kind of a group!  

3. Cookies.

I don't go all out, but this is something I really enjoy.  Usually it means an afternoon in the kitchen with my mom and sister and kids.  Getting messy, taste testing, and enjoying company.  We will be doing this this year!

4. The "to-do" list.

You know what?  I made one...then wadded it up and threw it away!  Can you believe it?!  It had things like drive around and look at lights, make gingerbread houses, string popcorn, etc. on it.  But, if the mood hits and we do them, great, if not, I don't think we'll be any worse for the wear.  

5. Elf on the Shelf.

(source)

I've never really gotten this guy.  I mean, I get that he's cute, and maybe it's a fun tradition for your family this time of year, but I just wonder why kids need an elf looking out for their good behavior this time of year.  I'm confused, and I could never remember to move him every night.  geez.

6. Christmas parties.

Like I said earlier, we just don't get invited to many of these.  Thank goodness.  But, I also like what Melissa has to say about them:  

If you want to go, go!

If you don't, don't!

We're grownups. 

We get to decide things like this.

"I'm sorry I can't make it. Thank you for the invitation."

"I wish we could, but we have a prior engagement that evening."

Your "prior engagement" could be sitting in your pajamas, watching Elf with your family.

That's legit.

7. Travel.

We're very blessed to live in the same town as most of our extended family.  We're kind of in the town that's considered "home base" for both of our families.  That takes away a lot of the out of town traveling, which is awesome.  But, we still have the across town travels and it's becoming important to me that we spend some time at our own home on Christmas.  Again, I like Melissa's take on this:  

People understand that...or at least they should.

You get to call the shots for what works best for your family.

(source)

8. Shopping.

I've done the Black Friday thing for a few years now.  Not sure I'll do it again next year.  I'll have a baby who is still nursing, and I doubt that I'll feel caught up enough on sleep to waste a whole night of it!  We also don't have TV, which helps curb that "Wants" from the littles greatly.  

9. Christmas music.

Oh, but I like it!  I started listening to it way early this year!  This isn't pressure to me, it's soothing...if only my kids would learn all the words and stop making them up as they try to sing along.  (one of my biggest pet peeves...)

10. Pinterest.

I've read about several ladies lately who are "fasting" from Pintrest.  They are starting to feel inadequate, etc.  I don't struggle with that.  I guess I don't spend that much time on there, either...

You can choose not to open it.

Or choose not to type "Christmas" into the search bar.

Choose not to feel like a crafting failure for not making your own pine tree and Christmas lights.

Choose not to feel like a bad mother for not implementing 5 new Christmas traditions this year.

You can choose to keep it simple.

Isn't that what Christmas should really be about?

Simplicity?

Silent night, Holy night.

All is calm, All is bright.

Fall on your knees!

Oh hear the angel's voices.

Oh night divine.

Oh night when Christ was born.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

I hope this is a blessed time for you and your family!

What is on your "not to do" list this season?

Girls Weekend to Branson

Kara, Aunt Kim, Mom, Gray, and Me...
off for a girls weekend to Branson!

We're there...first order of business...
JUMPING ON THE BED!

but it's not fun to jump by yourself...
so Aunt Sis and Aunt Kim join in!
(I was sad I couldn't jump this time...next time!)

she loved that our hotel was PINK!
ps - when did she get SO BIG?!

Dixie Stampede.
Grammie carried her the whole way in so she could see all the horses and say hi.

Mommy and Gray on the way out.
She LOVED the show!

Cuddling with Aunt Kim and Grammie.  She was in hog heaven!

Sweet bed head during breakfast at the hotel.
She was enthralled with the group of singers that came to perform for us!

On the way to the Dutton's.

Pretty big stuff in control of the remote all weekend!

I had an amazing weekend away with some women in my family!  Thank you ladies for going with us and investing in our lives.  You are each so precious to me!

taking care of momma {when there's been a tragedy}

A woman emailed me and asked me "for any tips or advice" for helping her friend who had a still born baby.  Here's what spewed out of my mouth in a matter of seconds:

Ah, it’s so hard.  I would just tell you not to feel any pressure to say anything.  Just BEING there with her is perfect.  Sometimes words ruin it.  Light a candle for her, clean her house, take care of her other children, make a meal, run her a hot bath.  Just baby her…she probably can’t even take care of herself right now, let alone her other family members.  If she has other children try to keep their lives as normal as possible, if she will let you, take them to your house to play, if she wants them close (which she might), bring a craft or board game over to play with them.  Also, write down her baby’s birthday on your calendar for next year, and even if she doesn’t talk about it much at LEAST send her a card or flowers next year.  Just acknowledge it in some way.  That’s SO important to me.  We still celebrate Claire’s birthday as a family, but it did hurt after the first year when people started forgetting it each year.  Maybe take balloons out to the baby’s grave site.  Let her cry, sleep, wallow.  She’s never felt as low as she does right now.  

It's a subject that's not talked about much.  Losing a baby.  It's strange, foreign...it's not how it's "supposed" to be.  Unfortunately, it does happen...and it may happen to someone you know...

Pete's Pumpkin Patch

Not sure why I didn't share these pictures back in October, but I've found lots of things in drafts lately that I want to make sure are recorded!  

My friend Heather and I took our kids to Pete's Pumpkin Patch one afternoon...it was great fun!

getting nice and dirty in the corn!

Ah, my heart...

The whole crew 

ready to go into the pumpkin patch!