Merry Christmas!!

Totally Pathetic!

I'm thinking it was not such a great idea to plan on traveling across the country for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I can't seem to get a grip on things.  I even cried to my kids tonight....totally pathetic! 

Yes, he is sooo cute.....

But still a handful!

I wish I could keep the house decorated for Christmas all year long!

The Christmas decor of the house is giving me such a warm, happy feeling.

I wish this house gave me that warm happy feeling all year around. 

Maybe after Christmas I should get a palm tree and put it in the middle of my living room.

Here are a few shots of my warm, happy!

Christmas Traditions

So far this year we have completed two of the Christmas traditions that we have here in the Carolinas.  

First, Santa headed through our neighborhood last night.  I LOVE THIS!  

The girls were in their room and Jonah was scootering through the house when I heard sirens.  

I yelled, "GIRLS, SANTA IS COMING"!  

They came flying out of their room and we ran out the front door just in time to have several fire trucks pass us.....lights and holiday music blaring.....and there he was.  

Little Man had a smile from ear to ear.  

Santa tossed out candy while yelling his usual, "HO, HO, HO, Merry Christmas!"  

I wish I would have grabbed the camera to record the look on Little Man's face.

It was priceless!

  Unfortunately,  Ben was out of town. 

 

Tonight we attended another event that has become a tradition.  A local Methodist church in town puts on an AMAZING drive through Christmas story.  It started tonight and it goes through the weekend.  

Thousands  of people go through each year.  

SO AWESOME....it still puts tears in my eyes.  

You travel through the town of Bethlehem as the people are hearing the news of the birth of their Savior.  Your windows are rolled down so you can hear all of their reactions and interactions with each other.  There are hundreds of people involved, live animals, (sheep, cows, and camels) and it ends at the manger.  Big Sis attempted to take some pictures out of the window of the truck.  They are not the best photos, but you can get the idea.  It really is an amazing production.

Yes, I'm weird!

Yesterday I was talking to a fellow mom while our daughters were in gymnastics class.  She asked me if my kids (like hers) are begging for every toy under the sun for Christmas.  I told her that we got rid of our television programming in the beginning of October and I have been thrilled that my kids have not been asking for every trendy toy on the market.  The removal of commercials in their life has been AWESOME! 

She stopped.....then said.......You don't have a cell phone or a TV......What, are you Amish?

I cracked up.

Okay, so I'm weird.  I like being that way.  I like not doing what everyone else is doing. 

So, I am here to report that the dropping of TV service has been a great decision.  When my kids need to chill they turn on Netflix on the computer or in my bedroom.  (We have Netflix streaming though the Wii my bedroom.)  I watch the prime time shows I love on the computer and I don't miss watching all the other junk I wasted so much time on.  I don't miss commercials.  My kids are cool with everything too. 

How is hubby doing with it all.......he did go through a period of mourning at first.  He missed HGTV and watching football games on Sat. and Sun.  But several weeks back he told me that he was very thankful that I took the leap and shut off Dish Network.  He said he plays with the kids so much more on the weekends than he used to.  He said.....get this......that if I told him that I wanted to hook up the TV again, he would discourage it!  So....hubby is doing great with it, too! 

As far as the cell phone....I've been cell phone free for over 4 years.  (With exception to a "pay as you go phone"that I take with me when I travel by myself.)  I don't know if I will get one again.  I think about it here or there.....I have priced plans.....and then I walk away b/c I just can't get myself to do it.  I have went this long without a monthly cell phone bill....why start now. 

1.  I find it freeing. 
2.  It discourages me to watch every person on the road talking on the phone. 
3.  My parents did a fine job of raising me without one.....I don't see the NEED. 
4.  If I do get one in the future I think I will feel like I am giving in.  I know....stupid.....but honest!

I do not want to be Amish.  I would not live without my dishwasher, GPS, or hairdryer.  I just don't want to be like everyone else just because.  I bet I'll drive my kids nuts when they hit their preteen/teen years.

On the road....

I have the wonderful benefit of using Ben's laptop while in the car.  I have been searching Black Friday ads, searching baby names (we actually came up with a pretty fun list), and stalking my favorite blogs.  We still have 3.5 hours left so I decided that I would make a post about my favorite places to hang out on the net.

My favorite blogs and why:

http://thepioneerwoman.com/

Oh how I love The Pioneer Woman.  I love her food, her pictures, and her kitchen.  I have made several of her recipes and most of them have been keepers.  As I stated on facebook not so long ago, I would love to be her friend.

http://resolved2worship.xanga.com/

This blog is written by a mother of 7 BEAUTIFUL children.  She is a photographer and and her blog is Christ centered.  I enjoy reading her perspectives and looking at her pictures.  I often have much to reflect on after looking her up.  I have tried to figure her out...but I can't seem to.  I love this blog!

http://www.southernsavers.com/

This woman has saved me HUNDREDS of dollars.  She tells you what is in the ads, where to find the coupons, and even gives you scenarios to save the most money.  I love this woman and I feel like I need to send her a Christmas present for all the money she has saved me this year.  I realize that most of the grocery stores are only located in the South....but Walgreens and CVS are two that are all over the US.

http://allrecipes.com/

I rarely use my cookbooks at all.  This site has it all.  If I have chicken and spinach at home and don't know what to make....I can go to this site and type in my ingredients.  They will come up with the most wonderful list of recipes that contain those ingredients. If I want to make sugar cookies...type it in....change the list to the best rated....and thumb through to find what recipe you want to use.  I use this site at least once a week.  LOVE IT!

Okay, I guess that is a good list for now.  I am finishing this post a day later.  The laptop pooped out on me yesterday.  We made it to IL in record time yesterday.  We got a 14 hour drive completed in 15 hours.  I think that is very impressive considering Little Man does not usually like to sit down. 

I am thrilled to be here....but it's cold.  REALLY COLD!  And windy.  Cold and windy isn't my thing and it really makes me think fondly for my Southern Home that is 40 degrees warmer right now.  

So in closing I would like to make a small list of the things I am thankful for:  I am Thankful for my God that has mercy on me and has blessed me with so much.  I am thankful for my husband and these little people that are a result of our amazing marriage.  I am thankful for our families.  They always welcome us in and love on us, each in their different but special way.  I am thankful for our church that has helped guide and teach us about the things that Christ died for and what God expects out of us.  We are so blessed and I hope in the future that we can do a better job of blessing others. 

Happy Thanksgiving!  Don't eat too much!

YES!

I am sure there is only one in there!

There is no need for everyone around to take a vote....I'm sure!

I tried to fight it......

But it was no use.  

The boy is happiest when he is on the move.  And man, can that kids moved fast!  

I never thought of myself as a "scooter in the house" kind of person.  

It's funny how rules and ideals change over time.

4th grade musical

The show was sooooo good!  

I think I had a smile on my face the whole time!  

Big Sis is a performer.  

I wonder where she gets that from?  

Actually I think both Hubby and I contributed that gene.  

She did awesome!

Randoms

-I am in the holiday spirit!  I'm ready to decorate!  The totes will hopefully be coming out of the attic in the next few days.  Hubby will be getting a tree this week when he heads to the mountains, but we will not be putting it up until the week after Thanksgiving.  Soooooo Excited!!

-Another excellent sermon at church this week.  It's up on the website now:  Click Here  It's titled, The Finish Line and Jody gives an amazing message on forgiveness.  It is still sticking with me in a major way. 

-The small group that my girlfriend and I are facilitating covered the topic of Sex.  I was not sure how the women would contribute to such a "hush hush" subject.  As for me.....I loved talking about it.  The chapter was VERY CONVICTING and we had a ball covering it.  I think every hubby got a little lovin' that night!  I wish it was a subject that was talked about more.  God's purpose for marriage is so clear in the Bible....yet it's such a taboo subject.  Women struggle in so many ways......yet we stay quite.  I was so pleased with the openness of this amazing group of women.
BTW:  The book we are covering is Strong Women, Soft Hearts. 

-Hubby started a new job yesterday.  Yes, AGAIN!  An amazing opportunity opened up and Ben fit the role.  (Same company, different position.)  So that means his "jet setting" life is over.  He will be back home with us again with a small amount of travel.  (I am THRILLED!)  He will be working out of the same office and it looks like we are here to stay for awhile.  Over all, I think I did well with his regional job (all 8 or so weeks) that took him from California to New York.  I had some rough spots....mostly due to first trimester yuck.....but I think I did a pretty good job stepping up to the plate.  (And now it's over....WOOHOO!)

-We are still toying with the idea of finding a new home.  I thought this home was everything I could have wanted....but it's everything I am not.  It's too big.  I don't like to clean....so adding an additional 1,000 sq. feet from our Illinois home was a mistake.  (Not to mention two additional bathrooms.)  It is not cozy.  The grand room does not feel so grand to me.  I need smaller spaces.  I need it to feel a little more modest.  I need to feel like we are closer in space.  I still don't feel like this house is my "happy place".  (Except my bedroom.....I feel very happy when I got to bed :)  Sooooo the question is:  Do I have the energy to keep this house clean to put it on the market.  Do I have the energy to pack my own boxes and load our own trucks.  Especially with the "mini mountain"that we live on.  I'm still working on that one.  The answer may just be no.

-I have a doctor's appointment this week.  I hit my 16 week mark.  I'm not sure I am feeling baby move.  I think so....but it could be gas?  You would think by baby #4 I would know...but I don't. 

-Big sis has a school musical tonight.  I will get some pics and put them up soon.  She is very excited.

-Middle Sis has been demanding some pretty time consuming hair styles each morning.  So far I have contributed my own version each day.  It's so funny how different she is than her big sister.  Big Sis hates when I do her hair. 

-And Little Man....he's still obsessed with skeletons and other Halloween characters.  I am very anxious for Christmas decorations to appear b/c I am hoping it will stop him talking about the other stuff.

-It looks like Hubby will be heading to Peru with a group from our church on a Compassion trip this summer.  He will be able to spend the day with our sponsored child, Angela, as well as work on other projects while he is there.  So exciting....and I am a little jealous b/c I would love to go but I know that I won't be able to leave our new little one.  We are now trying to decide if Big Sis goes too.  She wants to and she will old enough after her birthday.  I know this will be amazing for her and she will grow so much.  The momma bear in me is just a little worried that she will have struggles after.  (loss of sleep, ect...)  I'm seeking advice on this one through other church members who have been on Compassion trips.  I will be praying about this one!

Happy Tuesday!

Shoe Boxes

 This is the last week to turn in your shoebox for Operation Christmas Child.

The girls and I shopped and packed yesterday.

(I packed the box from Jonah b/c I knew he would want to keep all the stuff for himself.)
You can drop your box off here. 

This video says it all.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WujyVxRZqJM

Help spread the Love of Jesus!

Choosing to Cheat

Last month when I posted a link to our church I hoped that maybe one person would be moved by the teachings of our pastor.  I didn't know if anyone would listen.....but I wanted to put it up anyway.

I was thrilled when I got a phone call from a friend that I have not talked to in a long time and she thanked me for putting that link up.  She has started downloading all of the sermons and listening to them on the way to work.  She asked me if I knew how lucky I was to have such an effective teacher?

YES, I KNOW.....and that is why I want to share!

Then, I was contacted by a few others that said the same thing.  I was SO EXCITED!

So....I'm going to keep it up.  

Jody, our pastor, has really been hitting it out of the ballpark with this series.  

This last week was no exception.  

Choosing to Cheat.

Check it out!

http://chapinumc.com/learn-grow/sermons/

(If your computer has buffering issues with it....pause it, and let it sit for about 5-10 min. while it downloads.  That seems to solve the issue.  Also, the listening and downloading options will come on in a day or two.  For some reason you can always watch before you can listen or download??)

Awards Assembly

Yesterday was the first quarter Awards Assembly for 3rd-5th grade.  I was informed that big sis would be receiving a special award and that Hubby and I should be there if we could.  

That girl....she is so different that I was at that age.  I was much more into my friends are how I looked than my grades.  I was not irresponsible....but I was not out to better my fellow student the way she is.  

I am very proud of her!  

Here is a few pics from the awards assembly. 

Halloween 2010

Again this year we had beautiful weather and a ton of fun.

My little guy was a hoot.  He couldn't get enough.  The scarier the house decor the better.

We made cookies in the afternoon and ended the day trick-or-treating.

Good thing I'm not on a diet!

I really love trick or treating.  It's so fun to live in an area where the masses come out and walk the neighborhood.  To see all the kids and parents out at the same time having fun is one of my faves!

And to answer the question:  Which pumpkin belongs to which child?

The top one belongs to the oldest, 

the middle pumpkin belongs to my middle child,

and the bottom one belongs to my little man. 

Wow...it's November now!

3 Little Pumpkins

We carved 3 pumpkins this year.

Each child designed their own.

Can you guess who's pumpkin belongs to who?

I've been letting my fam down....

I have not been taking many pictures lately, so I don't have much blogging material.  I think I have been letting some members of my family down.  So.....I'm reaching into the archive and seeing what I can throw up.  Some of these pics are a few months old.

I hope this makes you happy....you know who you are!  Love you!