It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas!

Santa, I want a jump rope for Christmas.  Jentsyn's Pre-school Party.

Ring the Bells!

As Makinley's Homeroom Mom, I planned the 2nd Grade Christmas Classroom Outreach Project Party.

Making luminaries to give to another 2nd Grade Classroom.

The Christmas care package theme:  Classroom Camp Out  Hot Chocolate Party!

Makinley's 2nd Grade Class "Elfed" another 2nd Grade Class in Newtown, CT. to let them all know they are in our thoughts and prayers after the heartbreaking school shooting.

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Mark 10:14"

Over the weekend...



Jentsyn lost her 1st tooth! 12/7/12


On Saturday night, we went to the Christmas Parade of Lights downtown.  Micaiah is in the "dog house" because in our family someone is ALWAYS in trouble!



On Sunday afternoon, the girls wanted to bake and take Christmas cookies to their neighbors.  An ongoing family tradition. 

Jentsyn making Lemon Snowdrop cookies.

Micaiah always being silly!

Makinley is the artistic decorator.

Bundled up to give!

Remember the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Acts 20:35

Happy Thanksgiving

Give Thanks

This year was a gorgeous holiday with great weather for travel.  Granny and Grandpy made the long journey in their new RV.  We all were delighted that they came!  They were even more delighted that they got all the grandkids to themselves!  Baba and Papa could not make it this year due to Papa's chronic back pain.  : (  It was heartbreaking for all of us that they could not come, but we did our best to celebrate with thanksgiving.

Granny and Grandpy arrived on Wednesday and left on Friday.  Granny is always so eager to go back home! (Darn you, FOX NEWS!) haha!  Anyway, we soaked up every single moment together with loudness and laughter! 

On Thursday, Eric signed our family up to volunteer serving others' Thanksgiving dinner in our community.  The twins had a ball pretending to be waitresses.  Jentsyn was the main dishwasher and Eric and I were her helpers.  After she was done she looked as if she went swimming with the dishes!  The girls did a great job serving and even had fun doing it.  The girls asked if we could do it every year and I think it is the start of a great family tradition.  So instead of having a big dinner we changed our plans and had a big Thanksgiving Supper.  Everyone came over to our house for an evening of celebration.  Cheers to Thanksgiving and Traditions!

CHEERS!



Storytime with Granny




Salted Caramel Cheesecake...the picture says it all!



"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.  His love endures forever.  Psalm 136"

CARPE DIEM!

WAKE UP AND WALK!

I am so proud of my family!  We have found a way to include quality family time in our morning routine.  How? (You may ask.)  By walking the twins to school.  We all wake up early, get ready for the day, and begin with a walk. It does wonders to the body, mind, and soul!  We hold hands, play, sing, laugh, chase the dogs and pray along our way.  It amazes me how refreshed and blessed you feel (even when it is snowing, freezing, or raining)!   The dogs even do a dance when it is time to wake up! 

Our beautiful backyard trail



Micaiah and Makinley running through the field



Makinley and Mom walking backwards





 

 

 Scooting along



Twins walking twins!





Time for breakfast!  Woof!

 

 

 

 

"I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.  John 8:12"

Halloween Party

2nd Grade Halloween Party

I am the classroom Mom for Makinley's class and we spent the day decorating lanterns, pumpkins, and making homemade slime!  There was no "BOO"ing at this party! 

Easy and cute craft thanks to pinterest!

Great science experiment!  The kids LOVED getting their hands all slimey!

COPS AND ROBBERS!

Makinley-Cop

Micaiah-Robber

Jentsy Mouse as Minnie Mouse!

"Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord.

Lift your hands toward Him for the life of your young children.

Lamentations 2:19"

Making Music

Practice, Practice, Practice

The Girls and I started taking piano lessons in September.  We all love it, but can find it challenging at times too. 

Thanks to Jenna, our piano tutor, she helps us with tempo, practice and notes. 

Dad is also doing a great job with listening to the songs over and over, and still offers encouragement! He wants the twins to perform a Christmas song at church!

Micaiah  

Makinley

Mom     

"Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.  Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 5:19-20"

Our Spirtual Art Project

1000 Ways To Be Full Of JOY!

I have created a new page.  Click to the right to view and follow. 

As one of the ways to showcase thankfulness, we decided to do a spiritual art project.  As a family we are writing and illustrating a daily journal on joy and thankfulness. 

The journal is inspired by the book 1000 Gifts, my Bible study, and my life verse. (Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)  It begins with the first 6 entries and leaves only 994 left to go!  We hope it brings you joy and glorifies Our Father in Heaven. 

ENJOY!  :)

Shine like stars in the universe... Philippians 2:15

SMORES, SMILES AND STARGAZING

                                 Sticky silliness with smores!

                                          Jade is on clean-up duty! 

                                      

"He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name."  Psalm 147:4

After 5 years

I'm back... from bringing up babies and toddlers to building up youth.  Yes, I said YOUTH!  I almost can't believe it myself!  The twins Micaiah and Makinley are 8 and in the second grade.  Jentsyn is 5 and in her last year of pre-school.

Back to school

• Micaiah

• Makinley

• Jentsyn

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."

Proverbs 22:6