Christmas 2010

This was our first year as a family to have Christmas with just us. I was a bit nervous about it, worried that we might feel lonely. But what a sweet time we had.

Andy kicked off Christmas Eve for us by allowing me to wrap him up in a Christmas bow. Doesn't he look thrilled?

Let me tell you something. The day of all three of my kids looking at the camera at the same time is over.

They came last year and then graced us with their beautiful presence/music again this year. I think this should be a Christmas Eve tradition...to practice music at our house before the service.

They love each other.

What did I tell you?

I tried to take a picture of the kids before the pageant, but this was the best I got. There were too many people there for my kids to stand still! Who wants to take a picture when there is socializing to be had?

Well, all but Josiah. He's his momma's child.

My favorite part was watching Josiah open his mouth WIDE to sing words he didn't know. His lips never touched.

And I loved watching Isaac sing so expressively. SO expressively.

Sweet evening

I sometimes see a picture like this and can't believe that this is me and that those are mine.

Christmas Morning!

Josiah and his art easel. He informs us that he won't become an artist, he already is an artist.

It's a toss up for Isaac. He's not sure if he wants to become a priest or a scientist. :)

Christmas morning cinnamon rolls.

Breakfast #1.

We eat like Hobbits around here.

I like sitting across from him.

Especially when our kids are fully entertaining themselves.

He has got the hang of it.

Lego's!

Josiah performed for almost every family member today. And enjoyed the spotlight.

Happy Birthday To You!

Olivia wanted to read her new book by her new lamp.

I made everyone hop up from the table so that I could remember what it looks like before clean-up.

We ended our dinner singing Christmas carols LOUDLY around the table. It was my favorite moment of the day.

Merry Christmas!!

Peaceful Chaos

Clutter makes me feel frustrated. When the house is out of order, I feel out of order.

But it used to be much, much worse. I used to clean every day (several times a day) just in case someone might stop by unexpectedly. If there were dirty dishes or if toys were scattered everywhere, I felt like a bad mom/wife.

But somehow that has all changed since moving to Florida. Maybe it's because people don't really just stop by here, or maybe it's the fact that I have more kids now who keep me too busy to worry about it? It could be all of those reasons, but I'd like to think that I've just let go a little bit and have decided to ease the pressure off myself. I'd also like to think that I have become more laid back and would rather spend time playing with the kids rather than cleaning up after the kids.

Whatever the reasons, if you would have just "popped in" today, this is what you would have seen.

unmade movie watching bed

kitchen table artfully littered with hologram stickers, baby doll, snacks, and crayons

cones from a creative game of bowling

and

dominoes used to build a tower

early morning cartoons

fire house pulled out from boys' room to be used as a doll house

games played over and over again on top of t.v.

books that made me laugh so hard tears were coming down

books that made boys laugh because Mom was laughing

socks used to warm feet and then removed because the feet were too warm

another table full of crafts

artwork hung in a very artful way

(This does make me cringe...but I'll deal with it.)

Josiah's perspective:

stockings that have already been filled, much to the delight of the junior photographer

What was once Jay's piano has suddenly become Josiah's. And the lid never closes anymore because those little 5 year old fingers stop and play about once every hour.

Josiah has been looking out this window all day, waiting for me to let him play with the neighbor boys.

But during this Christmas break, I want my kids with me making messes and lots of memories!

Now, if you call ahead, I'll most likely spiffy up the place a bit. But if you decide to not give any notice, come in and we'll make a craft together. :)

Isaac's 1st Grade Party

I was able to go to Isaac's classroom Christmas party with him on Friday. It's the first time I've really been around his friends besides a couple of lunches.

Isaac is very independent and isn't much for having his mom around while he is at school. In fact, I've been shooed away a couple of times when I brought him lunch, and I've even been begged by him to just not show up at lunch (unless I have a Happy Meal).

Why did I expect any different when I asked him if I could come to his Christmas party? He told me that he'd get plenty of time with me over Christmas break and that he'd rather just have this day with his friends and teacher.

Wow.

Well, he came back to me about 15 minutes after he told me all of that and said, "I've made my decision. Only you can come." Gee thanks.

But he later told me that the best part of the party was having me there. This momma went through a roller coaster of emotions during that 24 hours.

But you know what? I'm so glad that he loves school as much as he does. He's doing so, so great academically and is well loved by all of the kids in his grade.

Isaac and a couple of buddies.

The boy on the right is his best bud.

games

He was laughing at a joke that a dad was telling him.

If you could have seen the food...

Seriously, we got a cookie for our Christmas parties in elementary school. These kids chose whatever and as much as they wanted of doughnuts, cookies, fruit snacks, cheese, crackers, fruit, candy, chicken biscuits, drinks...They were bouncing off the walls!

A dad reading a Christmas book to the kids.

This work of art was drawn by Isaac. Please make sure and read what he wrote on the top and who he drew in the picture.

Do you think he's maybe needing some alone time with his parents? haha

Before Daddy Goes To Work

Fun, magical things take place.

Christmas is Coming

It's that time of year again!

All of us are super excited!

The kids were anxiously awaiting the moment to open their ornament boxes.

Isaac's first time to read scripture out loud was during Advent this year.

He was proud.

Josiah also read, and fixed his hair in a special way for the occasion.

I'm so proud of both of our boys and the love that they have for God's Word. Their daddy is the one they look up to.

This is our Jesse Tree, made by a sweet friend.

I tried to take Olivia's picture by the Christmas tree, but she said it was "too spiky."

Merry Christmas!

Homeschooling Again

Josiah is home with me again. After lots of prayer and talking it through with some wise people, we feel that we have made the perfect decision for Josiah. I do have to admit that the first week back was rough and had me second guessing bringing him home, but a trip to Texas and back and a case of strep could make anyone have a difficult start.

Josiah is so smart and really catches on to every subject so easily. We soar through his lessons which gives him lots of time to play (something he was lacking in public school).

Josiah has proven to be a very artistic little guy. He loves to play the piano, is always painting or creating something, and constantly amazes us at the way his brain works.

Olivia goes to Busy Bees on Monday and Friday, so Josiah is home alone with me on Mondays and alone with both Jay and me on Fridays. He is eating it up. Olivia also loves having someone else to play with when she is here. Isaac seems to really take to being the big brother and leaving the "little kids" behind while he goes off to be Mr. It in 1st grade.

All in all, I'd say that this year has been a year of testing, changing, growing and shaping.

While I know that most families are full of tons of different personalities, ours has two of the same. Josiah and Olivia are so much alike. Of course, this may change as they grow older, but it really is funny to watch them together.

Josiah was photographer of the day.

He also mastered the monkey bars for the first time. Yay!

He makes me smile.

I love that as soon as I started homeschooling him again, he decided to wear whatever clothes he found first.

Sugar Bear

Olivia has always wanted the box that is in the top of her closet. She just knew that it was filled with treasures. Josiah climbed for her and she could not have been more excited. She never even used a pacifier, but I think she would love to be the first to become addicted at 3 years old.

??

Thanksgiving 2010

Thanks for not pressuring me to blog. With that said, here I go.

We were able to travel to Texas for Thanksgiving again this year. It's a long, hard drive, but totally and completely worth every single mile. My only regret? That I didn't take my own camera with me. Why? Because I don't have any pictures of Jay's family. That's it. Instead of saving up for the camera lens I've been wanting, I'm going to just buy a point and shoot to take with me everywhere. If not for Mom, I wouldn't even have pictures of my side of the family.

My kids with some of my cousin, Jeff's, kids.

(from my Dad's side of the family)

Dad and the 3 munchkins

This is what I love about my family...we just sit and visit.

Olivia talked Mum-Z into reading to her. He's such an animated reader that Olivia called for encore after encore.

Again...talking and laughing.

My grandma with a lot of her great-grand kids. 7 were missing!

Play, play, crash.

I love this picture of Olivia and me. Thanks, Linds!

My mom's side of the family also came over for Thanksgiving. Granny bought all of the great-grands (and 1 grand) singing reindeer. Cute.

Some of the gals

Mom, Liv, and Me

Love him.

My only girl cousin on my dad's side of the family. We have plenty of stories.

My cousin, Jeff, who is "Uncle Jeff" to my kids, and more like a brother to me.

Well, that's about all I've got. Sorry that most of the pictures include me...maybe that makes up for me always being behind the camera. :)