Christmas & Holiday Celebrations at E's school

The blanket I made Mrs. Daniels

E had also had a very fun time in the month of December in Kindergarten. She learned about Santa, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. She had a Caroling Program and sang songs with hand motions from all different celebrations without incorporating God. (Not to worry we covered that home and Church.) We had a pizza party to celebrate the holiday break. The most special even though was the baby shower some of the parents through for Mrs. Daniels E's teacher. We played baby bingo and pin the bottle on the baby; ate treats and opened presents. It was such fun honoring her! One of our neighboring churches hosted a Day in Bethlehem and was able to attend. She learned hands on about the birth of Christ and what happened and how to make bread. It was so incredible. S was not old enough but will definitely go next year! It was fabulous!

Christmas Celebration at S's preschool

S had an awesome month at preschool celebrating Christmas and the birth of Christ. We made a manager and a reindeer cookie. She had a little program, too. She sang two songs...Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and Stable. It was so darling!

Happy Birthday Day Hubby!

We had a wonderful celebration for hubby's birthday by making his favoirte pizza. Somehow we did not get a picture of him, but he had lots of fun!

Our Family Thanksgiving

The girls thanking me for cooking them a great meal!

We had a GREAT Thanksgiving! It was so relaxing and enjoyable! We decided to stay home and celebrate just the 4 of us. It has been a very busy year already and with basketball in full swing we have been ships passing in the night. The girls helped me cooked all day. I was so surprised that S was so interested in cooking but she really enjoyed herself. She helped me make the homemade pie crusts. Even though it was just the 4 of us I made a huge dinner! I decided that I was going to show my girls what it is like to be a MOM. The menu: ham, black olives, deviled eggs, green bean casserole, candied yams, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, bread stuffing, rolls, pecan pie, pumpkin pie and it seems like I am missing something. I used the kids crafts from school for the centerpiece. We just hung out all day and enjoyed our sweet family. We spent the day being very thankful and appreciative to our Lord Jesus Christ for all the blessings He has given us.

Thanksgiving Lunch with E's Class

We had a Thanksgiving potluck lunch with E in her classroom. It was very special! Dad even got a sub for one hour and was able to join us! S was in preschool so E had us all to ourselves! We brought the famous green bean casserole and it was a hit!

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over
Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all harm
he will watch over your life;

the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Oh to feel your feelings....

The holidays are different since mom passed away. The just are; and even though I try my best to have joy around this time of year...my heart is heavy this year with grief. That is the thing about grief it comes out of no where. Sometimes it is the holidays, sometimes it is a memory, sometimes it a birthday, sometimes it looking in the mirror and seeing my mom in me, my hands are looking more and more like hers, my mannerism are hers. When I discipline the way I hold my finger or tone of voice...is her. It just depends. Sometimes when you think you are going to grieve or have a rough time, you are fine. Then their are times when you just get hit with it! Then it never helps to hear my Dad cry and say, "I miss Mom so much." That is a delicate moment and is very sad to hear. I am grateful he can share and be vulnerable but I am also sad for him. I know he will be ok, that we will all be ok; but oh to feel your feelings. Honestly, sometimes I would rather not.

Question of the day?

Why do the kids sleep late during the week? To the point where I have to go in and wake them to go ready for school? BUT....on the weekend they think 6:20 AM is a GOOD time to get up? What is that about?!?!

Random thoughts...

So do you ever just enjoy the little things in life? I am teaching E my oldest how to tie shoes. I think it is funny that she wants to learn because all the shoes these days have Velcro! So, we practice on mine and I wish for the life of me I could remember the bunny song that goes with tying shoes. I'll google one day when I have time! ;) Anyway, it is fun to see her try over and over again. It is amazing to see how teaching her persistence with shoe tying has so much to do with teaching her to be persistence with her walk with God. "Don't give up" I whisper in her ear, "you can do it", I say, "you're almost there!" Isn't that what God tells us!

S the youngest; the girl is a ball of energy! Have I mentioned that she is dropping her nap??? God blessed me with this girl because she has been the best napper and sleeper since about 6 weeks old. Thank you Lord; good times! So here my life is changing again and I am reminded how my baby isn't a baby anymore and that I have no more babies coming at this time. I do have to admit I can see a light at the end of the tunnel in regards to not having to be home when it is nap time and having more flexibility with the schedule; but, oh how I like to have a little peace and quiet in the afternoon and just a few minutes to myself. Oh well ,I guess I can have that when the goes go to college ;0 I will enjoy them for now! Until then quiet time will just have to wait!

When E was three we decided not to put her in preschool, it was a very special time for me and her. After S would lay down for her nap it was our special time. I would get out a workbook and we would work on letters, numbers, patterns, etc. Basically, I home schooled her that entire year. We enjoyed this time so much and even though S went to preschool this year I have been praying about how to spend sometime with her; especially since we need to practice some speech techniques. So I bought her very own workbook and we have begun to spend just a little bit of one on one time together. She loves it! She tells me everyday how much she loves it and thanks me for this gift and spending time with her. I am so pleased that I am meeting her love languages and she feels loved. It is easy to feel over shadowed by another sibling. The other thing I have learned is how smart she is! I can't believe some of the things she knows...that must be from being the second child. Anyway, what a treat! Special memories I will cherish!

Basketball is in full gear and hubby is really enjoying being an assistant coach. It was quite an adjustment for me, actually. That was a little surprising. He was no longer in charge of his schedule and now we are under the authority of someone else. Very interesting. Truly there have been many positives and blessing. Games begin pretty soon and then the season will be over before we know it!

So I finished Shepherding a Child's Heart and that was an amazing book. I cannot recommend it enough. It was the most spiritually challenging parenting book I have picked up. I evaluated my parenting from every level and have made some incredible changes!

Happy Halloween!

The evening sky!
The girls with Cindy!

The girls with Avery and Payton

The girls with Caden and Tyler

The girls with Noelle

The kids has a blast on halloween and I think we have candy for two years! We enjoyed the Fall Carnival and Trunk or Treat at church! When we got home the kids wanted to trick or treat the neighborhood, so we did a few houses on our block; and if that wasn't enough...they wanted to pass out candy at our home! So we flipped the front porch light and passed out invite cards to Church along with candy the kids who came by! It was a fun night! A little spooky when we woke-up to no power!

Girl's Night Out!

A girl's night out! What a blast! We went to Santa Fe to have dinner at a restaurant that performs Broadway Musicals while you eat! Great fun!

Soccer Season!

Watching the game!

E's first soccer season is over! She had a great season...and so did MOM! It was a real treat to watch her play and learn the game of soccer! Having played competitively for 18 years...it wasn't as hard as I thought to just sit back and enjoy. I actually did much better than Dad...the professional coach who I thought at times was going to take over practice or games ;) S was a great little sister cheering her sister on, too! We look forward to March with the Spring season!

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip with E's Class!

I truly enjoyed chaperoning E's pumpkin patch field trip! It was such a blessing. We enjoyed having one of E's closer classmate in our group; EVA. We had to figure our way out of a corn maze, pick a pumpkin in the patch and pet a very friendly goat in the

petting zoo! The best part for E she got to ride the school bus- that is! S loved being with her sister! What a great time!

Pumpkin Winner!

It was a surprise to hear that E won first place in the Character Pumpkin Contest out of the entire Kindergarten...that is 8 classes! We decorated her pumpkin to look like Sister Bear from the Berenstain Bears Books. What a treat! Congratulations, baby, we are so very proud of you!

Fall Carnival

E's school had a little fall carnival! We had a trial run for Halloween and they looked precious! E is Dorothy and S is a Cowgirl! We had lots of fun as a family enjoying the different booths and just watching them! Life is so enjoyable! We are looking forward to more holiday events: Pumpkin Patch field trip with E's class, Fall Carnival and Trunk or Treat at Church.

Like Fall...the leaves of our life are changing...

Wow, as life settles into routine and our schedule becomes more and more familiar... I can only stop and realize (as well as ACCEPT) our life is changing. I used to be a stay-at-home-mom of infants and preschoolers, then a toddler and a preschooler and now a kindergartner and a preschooler! Having a kiddo in school is exciting, challenging, difficult and wonderful all at the same time.
I have seen E change so much in the last two months...change in ways like her face looks older, her vocabulary is getting more mature, her spiritual walk is growing tremendously, she is also breaking out of her shyness and her comprehension and desire of learning blows me away. I am watching this premature baby grow into a beautiful, God-fearing little girl.
Not only have I seen E change but S has been changing too! It brings good tears to my eyes...as I watch her grow as a preschooler. This darling 3 year old is old and wiser in her ways. Sometimes when I look at her I have to remind myself that she is 3.5. I do forget...that she is 3. She is so bright and her memory is unbelievable. Her love for the Lord is growing and it is so awesome to see her submit to His ways.
So as the leaves begin changing during this fall season...so the leaves of our lives are changing during this season. The colors of our life are beautiful shades of the fall. God is so loving to us!

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip with S!

The Goldfish Class

S is loving preschool! It was such a debate back and forth....do we send her? Do we wait one more year...and on and on our prayers went as petitioned to God for His guidance and wisdom. She has such an amazing year and it is only October! The Lord has a big year for her. We are excited to see how He continues to teach and develop her.

We had so much fun on her field trip to the Pumpkin Patch! We enjoyed a story and learning all about how a pumpkin grows! We also learned that Pumpkins have cousins. It was a special day just me and her. What a treasure of a time!

Open House!

Her friend Noel

(she invited her to church and they are coming regularly!)

It was such a treat to go to E's open house in her Kindergarten classroom! We enjoyed her showing us all of the "special things" about her class...where she sits, her pouch she has the back of her chair with all her supplies, self-selection area, computer, how to use the Smart Board, and much, much more. It was a joy to meet her special friends and their parents, too! I think our favorite moment was reading E's special journal. She is learning so much and loves her teacher! She loves everything about school! We are so thankful the Lord is blessing her year!

Mommy Date!

Last Friday E and I had a mommy date! S was home sick with the Little Piggy Flu. E picked Fuddruckers for lunch and we sat in the golf cart! Then we went shopping! After that we went to the Balloon Fiesta with Cottrell Family! It was a great time just mommy and oldest daughter. We did miss Daddy and S!

Special Moments!