Discernment, Christmas Program, Friends

A few days ago I mentioned the blessing God has given us with new friendships. It is an answered prayer for sure. One of the ways I met some new friends was in a moms club. One of the moms was talking on facebook so I added her as a friend to get to know her better and we eventually started talking about pacemakers and such. Her husband has a form of dysautonomia and recieved a pacemaker. I was just astounded. I have searched online many times and also scoured the dysautonomia forums to see how people with pacemakers function with the rest of their symptoms. It was such a God-send, goose-bump, amazing blessing to meet someone who not only knows what I go through and UNDERSTANDS but also has experienced her husband going through the pace maker surgery and can testify about its effectiveness. I had doubts but have been more certain lately, however I have continued to pray for discernment and I feel as if God spoke through her and placed her in my life for a reason. I am such a strong believer in staying in faith and believing in the power of prayer (even if the answer is not what I am hoping). :)

We decided to meet up to chat more and Malachi hit it off great with her daughter. They loved the snakes at the museum and played really well together. We came to find out that we actually attend the same church and Malachi is in the same sunday school class as his friend! Amazing how God works! I felt so uplifted after meeting her.

Our friend from the museum, Curtis, got out the chuckwalla for the kids to hold. They are nice lizards that are from Arizona I think.

Here is another answered prayer: (my son sleeping. . .. during the day!) I woke up at 3:30am yesterday morning which was frustrating, but I try so hard to find the positives and you know what, I was almost over my sickness by 6am, so cooked the boys a nice breakfast before school (which they usually just have cereal or oatmeal). We sat down and had a good morning chat which was memorable. They asked if I could wake them up early again, but its not preferable for me to wake up at 3:30am. Thats just another part of my body that just doesn't function correctly. So, thankfully, Malachi took a long nap with me and it was actually restful sleep.

Last evening, we had our first experience with a LARGE school Christmas program. We are used to the cute little plays that Milford put together. This was mainly just singing Christmas songs. I also had the wrong lens on my camera, so its hard to see the boys that well. Logan and Zach both earned a position "on the floor" to play the instruments.

Malachi LOVES the museum. I haven't been feeling very strong this week. I am not sure if I'm still fighting something but I know the sinus stuff really kicked me down Sunday.

My veins are shot. :(

I might add this picture. Shawn tried to help the boys rest one afternoon so I could get some much needed rest also. I LOVE my comfy bed for resting so he took the couch. What a sweetie he is!

Last weekend, they had a lighted parade downtown. Zach and Malachi were grounded so Logan and I went to it. It was fun. I probably wouldn't go again if it was cold, but otherwise, it was interesting and pretty.

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.

Church Christmas Program

Tonight was the Christmas Program at church. Zachary was a shepherd.

Logan was an innkeeper.

I have to be a bit biased and say that they were both looking pretty spiffy!

My adorable cherubs:

And, a picture of the holiday baking we did Friday night and Saturday. Sugar cookies, peanut clusters, peanut butter balls, chocolate dipped oreos, pre-packaged sugar cookies, and caramel pecan sticky rolls, and caramels.