Christmas Morning

I jusr loved the tree last night after everyone else went to bed. I watched 'The Nativity Story" last night by myself and it was so nice to have peace.

Christmas morning...many happy faces!

Merry Christmas

Zoo lights rescheduled

We had plans to do Zoo Lights with the kids Monday but God decided His plants needed water instead. The kids were a bit disappointed so we invited Grandma Self over to play games in hopes of getting over the distress...and it worked! As you can see Jacob had something happen to him. I think his reaction is priceless and I love that this pictures tells a great story of the game time. We then decided, after watching the weather that we should jump at the chance to go last night because it looked like there would be a chance of rain the rest of the week. It was CRAZY!!! So many people, but we planned for the crowds and had a back up wagon to haul some kids. They all enjoyed it and I do have to say it is a spectacular sight equal to that of our church!

PS: Just a side note, Nathan is wearing a beanie that Jacob had as a toddler...I had a emotional mommy moment, but I am fine now! He is just as cute in it too although you can't really tell because he liked the lights more than getting his picture taken!

Proper Perspective

I think every parent wants to try and give their child the proper perspective of this season. Our kids are overwhelmed with the idea of wants turned into absolute needs and how do we possibly combat that? How do I, as a parent who desires to grant every wish, bring to light giving rather than receiving, and a joy filled heart? This year Shane and I felt convicted that we needed to try something, and Nathan's dear Aunt Tess is the "go to" woman when it comes to community outreach so we knew we could find something. Every year Tess helps collect for needy families, then with volunteer help spends the 3 days before Christmas wrapping and delivering gifts and food. We jumped at the chance to take the older three in hopes of showing them that they are blessed and in turn this is how to bless others. While we did not hit the nail on the head, in fact we had to have a moment in the car of blunt truth....saying "These families will not have gifts under their tree if we do not help and how does that feel?", I think if we continue to model this type of behavior God will work on their hearts. We delivered to 7 very poor, and needy families a basket full of gifts, a box of food for a king and a turkey for their holiday meal. We are blessed!!! They smiled and greeted us with such joy and humble hearts how can we not feel overwhelmed at the gift God gave to us? And the most touching moment was at the last house when the kids came out with homemade cards and colored pictures saying thank you. All I wanted to say to them was, "No, thank you for showing me your love!"


This is Tess with all of us before we got started today.

Many, many baskets of gifts!

Samantha and just one of several boxes of food.

And the greatest gift of today...our thank you cards!!!


Thank you LORD, for this gift of giving. You bless our hearts daily with your provision and we were blessed today by all the little, happy faces you provided for this Christmas. Thank you for your unbelievable gift...amen!

Cookie Party!!

We had a blast today! We invited several friends over to decorate cookies. The kids really showed their creative sides. Of course there was frosting and sprinkles in abundance and the smiles shinned brightly!

Busy few days...more to come

We have had a few busy days as the last week of school before Christmas break came to a close. Samantha had a small dance recital and of course hammed it up the whole time, and she has improved dramatically. Jacob decorated gingerbread houses at school and I was invited to go and help. I enjoyed this special time with him and we went out shopping for Dad after. Asjiah has been begging to get her ears pierced for weeks now and we just got permission from her Mom so off we went last night. She was excited until it came time to actually do it, then she fought and kicked. The girls managed to get it done and she was pretty mad at me for about 15min. but then was fine once we got home. Then finally, Samantha had a little program in her class today. They sang a song and recited a poem, plus we made a gift for Dad. It is these moments that I love for as a Mom! More fun in the days to follow until Christmas!

Gotta love those blue eyes...

That is his creation and yes, that is also a rug burn on his forhead...don't ask! (hahahah!)

Asjiah's new earings...so beautiful!

Samantha and Ethan today in school...

My sweet girl being her goofy self!

Not even close

Ok, so having a large family, and 3 of the 5 kids being African American, of course I get a tons of second looks, we just laugh sometimes at what people must be thinking, but today trumps all other trips out. Amazingly, I only had Nathan and my friend Suzy's son Evan, who by the way is 3 and could easily fit in to the family with his coloring; blonde, blue eyes and fair complexion. The older kids were all in school and I ran a few errands, (wanted to buy new jeans with my bday money!!). I was waiting in line at Macy's, JC Penny's and Costco today and all three times I was asked if the boys, (Nathan and Evan) were twins. Ummmmm, yup they sure are...don't they look exactly alike?
Ok, please telling me you are laughing right now because I have been all day. Seriously people, do they look like twins...their skin is completely different colors? Funny how when people aren't sure what to say that this was the best they could come up with. Oh well, chalk this one up for one of the funniest things we have heard all year.