Christmas. . . Eve

This year, for the first time in a VERY long time, Shawn had to work on Christmas. We didn't mind too much because we are just so thankful he has a job, but it did kinda bum us out that he wouldn't be around Christmas morning to enjoy the tradition of watching the kids find their stockings with excitement. So, we decided to call Santa and arrange for him to make an early trip to drop off the stockings. We also gave the boys the presents from us as well.

Malachi initially did not earn a place on the "nice" list so he didn't get a stocking. . . thankfully though, Santa brought it a little bit later.


He got a LOT of cows!




The boys really wanted Ningago Legos. I don't know much about action figures.

Zach is also very inquistivie and wanted a microscope set. Hopefully this cheaper version will hold him off until his birthday when we can get him a nicer one.


We made him close his eyes for the big gift.

He was thrilled!

We've had beautiful weather now, so he's enjoyed riding his bike about every day.

I have a big project that I'm working on for other teachers. I hope to get my teacher website running again before break is over. I've decided with my transition and moving along, I'd like to become more marketable and display my talents for ALL my blogging friends. I'll be working on the new Common Core standards and sharing links and files for specific ones that teachers might find difficult to teach. I'm really excited for this project and also my new direction. We've been exploring options for housing in the country and also what life holds for us next. It might be nice to get out of wildcat country for awhile. Prayerfully, we are seeking peace in all our decisions and know that our God is an amazing one that will guide us through His will.

Milford Christmas Program

Christmas eve Eve is here and we are scrambling around trying to get last minute things done. I can't remember ever being out this early from school so its really cut down on the chaos of last-minute trips to the store. We are fortunate to have such a nice store here in Riley to be able to do most of our shopping and only have to brave the crowds every once in awhile in Manhattan.

The boys are getting so excited for Christmas. Its difficult to contain their excitement. I hope to get some fun pictures this Christmas. I know that I want to be in more of the pictures with them. Some recent things have made me realize that I want to be "seen" in their lives much more and for them to realize how much I was a part of their lives.

I took the boys dress shopping with me yesterday and it was quite hilarious the dresses that they think that I need to have. I'm not throwing a costume party! :) We also made lists of special people in our lives (well the boys wrote the people they thought of) and they shopped at McKinley Mercantile for those special people. Then they came home and wrapped the gifts. Its amazing how thoughtful they are when picking out gifts. They really know what their recipents would like and they took time to think it out. I learned a lot just helping them.

Milford had their Christmas program last week. It was adorable. The entire school was cast in a play. Each year it is a different production, but it is so neat to see the kids memorize their parts and take part in the whole show. As you can see, Logan really gets to moving with the music.

This break has been nice. I've had a lot of reflection time and realized that God really does have a plan in things, even if he works through what I consider evil. He has a divine plan and I am beginning to see a bigger picture. We also are considering moving . . . . again.  . . .looking so that when houses start to go on the market in the spring we are ready for action. Shawn loves his job(s).

Now, onto the program:
Here is Tarin waiting for the program to start. We got their 15 minutes early and the place was PACKED! I am so impressed at the parent participation and how much it has grown in the past few years.

Treya is such a bundle of joy. She's usually always just so happy!

Here are most of the kids. Some were "back stage" for their parts.

This was Taige's first program since he's a kindergarten.

Logan is on the front row in the light blue superhero pj's.

He was rocking to the music!


Zachary had quite a few speaking parts. I'm so proud of my boys!



Logan's still MUCH shorter than anyone in his school, but we've had many talks about how "cool" that is to be little.





Logan and his BFF Hunter. They had a sleepover a couple nights already. They are 2 of a kind! :)

Taige Lyn:

While the parents were discussing holiday plans, boys took to the opportunity of being "unsupervised" and having their pillows. :( ah. . . . boys.



More than likely, I won't be back on here before Christmas, so I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

Snow Day

We got a lot of snow and the boys enjoyed it. They played for about an hour so peacefully. I got laundry done and some cooking while I watched them from the window.

Nutella cake

Today we had so much fun cooking. The first part of the morning we made 90 second Nutella chocolate cakes. Yes, they only took about 90 seconds and yes, despite many cooks in the kitchen, they turned out heavenly. I will share more pictures and details tomorrow.

Anniversary

March 10th, 2001- Shawn and I officially started dating.

November 10th, 2001- Shawn proposed, and of course I said Yes!!!

August 10th, 2002- we tied the knot!

Now, the exciting news: today is December 10th, our 129 month anniversary. In the past 10 years we have been through many joyous and sorrowful times. We have grown, lived, laughed, cried, loved, and forgiven many times.

On August 10th, 2012 we plan to renew our vows amongst family and friends that may have stuck it through with us and some that may not have been in our lives 10 years ago. We are excited to celebrate live, love, and friendship in a festive way and amongst those we cherish so much.

(save the date pics and invitations to be sent later)

Confronting

Today was an "interesting" day. . . I say that not meaning it good or bad. It had a lot of interesting things happen. I did a lot of thinking, pondering, and deciding. I also confronted a person that bullies me and made it through without crying! I have an optimism that carries me these days because I know that better things are ahead. I've been feeling terrific lately with the new medicine changes and it is an absolutely surreal feeling. I know that nothing is forever, but I will still take it day by day, knowing to not take health for granted.

I'm going to have new pictures soon, hopefully. This weekend is full of festivities around Riley. My friend just started her photography business so she is going to help me debut a greatly exciting announcement that I have. I have kept my poor Facebook friends in suspense but I do have reason. . . there is a BIG event coming up in August that I am ecstatic about and ready to share. . . soon. . . very soon. . . as soon as I have a picture to go with the announcement! :) (and, maybe a few more details!)

Supper

We made a new recipe for supper tonight- sour cream chicken. It was a recipe from my newest addiction with pinterest. It turned out well and was a huge hit so it looks like another one to add to the recipe binder.

We got a frozen mouse for Tipper today and were letting it thaw out on the counter. Malachi found it, which only means one thing- trouble! Malachi just had to sit by the mouse at suppertime. That abruptly ended our supper. Yuck!!!! This child and his disgusting activities. ..... You can be sure that he does love ALL of God's creation.

Georgia

Stay warm this weekend.

Just 1 more Chapter

Zach has started to read the story Shilo. He wanted to read just one more chapter tonight but didn't quite make it. I love that almost the most about him- his love of reading.

Thankful

This month has flown by. Tomorrow will begin December! Wow! I am so thankful that this month has brought health.... At last! The boys are much better also.

Brienna's 1st Birthday

Brienna celebrated her 1st birthday a few weekends ago. It was a fortunate time since the K-State game was away and our family could travel up to KC to see them. Her whole life has been themed around Eric Carle. I am sure she has NO clue who the fantastic illustrator is, but nevertheless, she has adorable decorations in her bedroom and for her 1st birthday party. My brother decorated for the party, including the cake.


I had to get my shot with the birthday girl:

She is very attached to her mommy and enjoys having Jarin hold her.


Jarin dressed her in a cute outfit.

The balloons behind are supposed to be in the shape of a number 1.


Brienna sometimes cries when she isn't next to mommy. Brady just so happened to be the culprit. It was adorable though.

Grandma Pam is ok to hold her too.

We took a lot of outside pictures before the chill really started to set in for the evening.


Here are a few of the grandkids. We're just missing Treya.

Today, the boys stayed home sick. It was utterly exhausting and such a draining day. Malachi woke up at 2am puking. I got him all cleaned up and was sick myself (which is normal) and tried to lay back down to get him back to sleep. He did finally fall back asleep around 4-5ish, just in time for our alarms to go off. Logan came upstairs and said he had a terrible dream that he was throwing up. I wondered if he was making that up since he might have heard all the commotion during the night with Malachi. I told him to go get dressed for school. Well, he came up a short time later and said, "I guess it wasn't a dream. It's all over my bedroom!" :( Zachary had gone to bed not feeling real well, but he's starting to try to see if he can get out of school, so I didn't give it much thought. I decided to let him sleep in and keep them home to let the "bug" pass. All the grandkids at grandmas last weekend had a great time, but they also shared germs that they aren't all used to, so its always around this time that my kids catch sometime. Ugh!