Christmas Day Evening

Lots of grand boys running around!

The sisters

looking at paper dolls

 Lots of fun.

A late snuggle with dad.  They were watching Iron Man 2.

Merry Christmas to all!

Happy Christmas Morning

We are so happy that Uncle Bob was able to come. He arrived SAFE on Christmas eve, just in time for the tasting of the soup.... which was BAD!!!!! and I do mean BAD! Something didn't taste right, and after one taste, I felt nausea...... UH OH!  I dumped it all out.  I hate wasting, but this was a major health issue.... I still don't know what was not right, but I suspect it was the  Chicken Broth.

So, we ordered Pizza. Thank you Little Caesars for saving the evening! LOL

We stayed up late and watched Prince Caspian.  I actually went to bed before everybody else, as I had to get up early.  But early get up time didn't happen! They were all still asleep at 7:00!  Wow, that is a first.
Even Sarah, who was beside herself with excitement slept until 7:30.
I awoke in the middle of the night to put out the stockings, and then went back to bed.
It was GREAT!

We had some breakfast and then, the girls each opened gifts that they had given each other.
Mike and I both recieved some darling coupon books from the girls with tickets for foot massages, filing, washing a car, manicures, a trip to the dog pound, and go out to get a coke.
They were all decorated with stickers and colorful, loving words. Thank you girls!

We enjoyed making a seek and find morning out of the girl's main gift. They received a video camera.
It was a small package, so we put envelopes with different clues to the next envelope and the next until it led to a wrapped  LARGE box  under the tree. It contained a word find puzzle that held the secret message of where the real present was.

 They all ran to the wood stove in our room. At first they thought it wasn't there because it was so small. We sent them back and then heard the proper "Sarah Squeal of delight".  They FOUND it! :)

We enjoyed the Brothers spending time together and listening to the Mike and Bob Show.
How many cat jokes could they come up with?  They never stopped! :)
I loved their morning hairdoos.

 Speaking of cats:

Anna LOVED her new cat shirt.

Erika was surprised with an ATM bank.

She also enjoyed giving gifts to her sisters. :)

We had a great morning.  We will have visitors tonight and we can't wait to see them all.
Time for a nap!
Merry Christmas Everybody.

Little Truman

We have not been able to hold True yet, but that day WILL COME!  :) So for now, he gets to hang out on the Christmas Tree.
Thanks Joe and Becca.
Give Sam and True a big hug from Papau and Ya-Ya. :)

It's Muppet Christmas Carole Night

Every year we watch "The Muppet Christmas Carole"

The guys used to watch it too, and it is funny to see that the

girls get freaked out by the "Ghost of Christmas Past" too. :)

 Anna and Sarah set themselves up on the floor.

 Anna arranged for a few friends to join the party.

 I think Woody was pleased with the arrangement. :)

I can't believe today was the first day of Winter! It was 81 degrees today! :)

I Wonder Who This Gift Is For?

 This little girl LOVES her daddy!

I think she did a really good job wrapping his gift!

Mary Did You Know

 Here is another all time favorite Christmas song, written and sung by Mark Lowry.
Music by Buddy Greene.

If Jesus Had Been Born Today

Another December Funny

I was reading CNN this a.m. and Sarah was standing next to me.  We looked at the awesome snow article about Europe.  Sarah saw the picture and said, " That building looks like it is about to fall over!"
I replied, "Sarah, that is the Leaning Tower of Pisa... we studied that last year. "  She said, "Well, it still looks like it is going to fall over."  :)

It does! But it never has, YET. :)

Halelujah in the Mall

 I finally watched this. It was amazing to see.  The first thing that came to mind was how THANKFUL that I am that we can still Publicly Proclaim King of Kings and Lord of Lords in Public without prosecution. It isn't that way in many MANY parts of the world.  Sometimes I think we, as Americans, don't know what we have. 

Documentary on Arthrogryposis

Margaret did it! Here is the trailer.

Something Is REALLY Wrong With This Picture!

I was sick all day yesterday, and the girls took liberty to help with cleaning and decorating. :)
When I woke up, I was in the bathroom and came upon this scene!  AHHHHHH!
American Christmas vs. The True Meaning of Christmas right in my bathroom!

So, I didn't ask who, just did anybody notice the bathroom manger scene?  Anybody, can you tell me what is "off" about that?
Immediately Sarah said, "Yes mom, it looks like everybody is worshipping Frosty!"
BINGO!

Frosty has been banned from the bathroom counter. :)

Christmas Program

We attended our older kids Christmas Program tonight.
This is the Choir with our sweet Daughter Ivy singing the solo part.
Her daddy is the Choir director. Our daughter Emily is in the choir along with
several other family members. It was a beautiful night.



Then, our grandson Mr. Will, was in his First Christmas Program...... I think he had speed for dinner. LOL
He is the one..... yes, THAT one, who is being Oh so silly. :)

 Here is a pic of Tim and Joey after the program was over. :) So sweet!

Here is a pic of Mr. Will before the program started. :)

Just For Fun

Serious Study Takes on Different Forms

 Today, Sarah preferred to study in a tree. 

 Erika decided to sit on the porch and use the Old Trunk for a Chair.

 It must have taken Sarah's Barbie a long time to join her!

 

Somehow, I don't think these girls will get any smarter by just sitting on top of the math book. :)

    It is always nice to study with some friends.

Today has been a gorgeous day! Upper 60s and Lower 70's..... Tomorrow is our last day before Vacation! YEA!

December Funnies

Anna is allergic to Milk, so she drinks soy or rice milk. This week I surprised everybody with
Chocolate Milk.  The regular stuff for Erika and Sarah and Silk, for Anna.
She was reading the carton this a.m. and read, "This milk contains 25% more Calories than regular chocolate milk".  I said, "Wow, that is an advertisement on the side of the carton! Not a good selling point..... She read it again and it said,  25% more CALCIUM..... now that sounds better. :)

Erika was describing her cleaning job she does for her daddy.  She said, "First I clean the sinks and mirrors, then the toilet, and then the "baby toilet".  Everybody was puzzled.  What baby toilet?
It was the smaller toilet on the wall.  (the urinal) LOL  We let her know it was not a baby toilet and she nearly died! EWWWW! I cleaned That????     LOL

Dangerous!

If you want to walk the dangerous path of fudge, try this recipe....That is all I have to say!

A Date With My Boys

The other day the guys called and said they wanted to take me out to dinner just to spend time together.
I'm telling you, we had the sweetest time!  I didn't bring my camera, but just sat and enjoyed listening to my boys talk and laugh about things they did in childhood, talk about their own boys and hear their hearts on spiritual matters too.  It is so fun having adult children.

I really enjoyed it!  I even got  bonus flowers!  The waitress thought it was my birthday but we said it wasn't.  She kept giving the guys a thumbs up. :)
I'd say they hit a home run!

Thanks so very much Tim and Marc!
Thanks Em's and Ivy too!  :)

Discernment

A while back I wrote this post on the difference between teaching truth vs brain washing.

Recently, we were at the Library and the girlies were off deciding what books to get for the week. They are all very good readers, though Erika would prefer to knit than read. :)

The question came up from another mom, "How do you monitor all that they are reading to make sure they are allowed to read it?"  (paraphrased) 

The Answer is,   I don't. Now that is not to say I am not interested in what they read. I am. Much of the time they come and tell me anyway.   We also have a pretty good library at home with wholesome books to choose from.  There are times when I pick up a book and open it and check through it abit.... but pretty much, what I see from my girls is that they are good and determining if they should read something or not.

There is no way I could read ahead 20 plus books a week and keep up with my own life. Instead, we have given our children the tools to discern if a book is not appropriate.  This is a tool that all children must take and practice using in order to move into adulthood. 

If I continued through out their remaining years at home to monitor everything they read, how would THEY learn to use self control, wisdom and personal discernment?

There are many things we HAVE cut out of our daily lives that they will make decisions on at a later time, such as Television and Cable. Those are not available here, so it is something I don't worry about.
Because they are not bombarded with too much outside garbage from TV, they can focus more on books and what is a proper book to read.

Several times this year, I have been handed a book where our daughter says, "I don't think this one would be good to read because....."   So we don't shelter them from the because, but it brings up an avenue for discussion as to WHY it isn't good to read.

In flexing their little discernment muscles, we expect, that as their brothers did, they will leave with a strong sense of moral guidance and common sense.

Speaking of our older kids. Not everybody has the same tastes or ideas, but has picked a comfort level for themselves that fits.    Some of our boys are more conservative than we are in viewing material and reading material, some more liberal.  We are ok with that! After all, they are adults!  The big thing is, we want them to think, observe, disect and decide based upon truth what they choose to expose their minds to.

Our newest discussions are surrounding music.  It is fun watching Anna, who loves the sound of Country Music, look up words to decide if they belong on her MP3 player. She is very good about making sure what goes into her heart is not garbage. I think we were too strict in this area with our boys.  So we have loosened up a little bit, and it is fun watching the kids try to find quality music.

Of course Mike LOVES rock and roll..... I always tell him maybe the kids will rebel and listen to classical. :)

My All Time Favorite Christmas Album

And this is my favorite song on it. :)

The Phone Call

I got a phone call yesterday.  It appears 2 of our sons,  are going to take me on a date Monday night! :)
I am going out with Timothy and Marcus..... What sweet guys!