We have returned home from two days away. We celebrated Thanksgiving with my wonderful honey's wonderful family. Six adults, five children (all 7 years old and younger) and more food than we could eat in three days (and we did try!).
We are now preparing to put away the fall decorations and get out the Christmas ones. The boys have jumped in and put away their thousands of legos, unpacked their duffle bags from the holiday travels, and are willing to help with whatever I have asked them to do.
The kitchen is neat, the living room has actually been swept, and the pictures have been dusted.
Why this sudden desire to clean and help? Where did this wonderful behavior come from? Did someone mention Christmas? Presents?
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!
I just wanted to share a few of the things I am thankful to GOD for this Thanksgiving.
My son experiencing a turkey leg for the first time.
My family at the dinner table.
My son loving karate (and earning his orange belt).
Both my guys, enjoying Star Wars, halloween, and being brothers.There are many more things I could picture and list and still leave many things out. I am also grateful for my extended family and friends whom I lean on constantly. May each of you have many blessing to count this Thanksgiving.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Operation Christmas Child
Today was the deadline to turn in our shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. A few weeks ago, we went and purchased our plastic boxes (they last longer than the cardboard ones and the child can use it to carry water later) and decorated them with stickers.
Not forgetting the lids!
Then, we filled them with toys, clothes (socks and t-shirts) and candy. My boys went to the store with me. They picked out the things they wanted their shoeboxes to carry. The needed very little guidance from me. Being boys they wanted to add some toy guns or soldiers, but this was vetoed by Operation Christmas Child since some of the children live in war torn areas of the world. I wholly agree with them. The guys understood this and chose many other things to stuff in the boxes. They even picked out two HotWheels cars apiece to top off the wonderful gifts.
Then we added our labels so that we can track them as they are being delivered to a child who may never have had a Christmas present before. For the first time in the few years we have participated in OCC, I added a picture of each boy in his box with our address.
Then as we sent them out the door, we prayed that God would bless our small gift into the larger and more glorious gift of salvation. Samaritan's Purse (which sponsers OCC) adds a booklet with the presentation of the Gospel in the language of the child to each box.
Our small boxes are now in God's hands. I will let you know where our boxes end up and if we receive a return letter.
May Christ always remain the center of CHRISTmas.
Not forgetting the lids!
Then, we filled them with toys, clothes (socks and t-shirts) and candy. My boys went to the store with me. They picked out the things they wanted their shoeboxes to carry. The needed very little guidance from me. Being boys they wanted to add some toy guns or soldiers, but this was vetoed by Operation Christmas Child since some of the children live in war torn areas of the world. I wholly agree with them. The guys understood this and chose many other things to stuff in the boxes. They even picked out two HotWheels cars apiece to top off the wonderful gifts.
Then we added our labels so that we can track them as they are being delivered to a child who may never have had a Christmas present before. For the first time in the few years we have participated in OCC, I added a picture of each boy in his box with our address.
Then as we sent them out the door, we prayed that God would bless our small gift into the larger and more glorious gift of salvation. Samaritan's Purse (which sponsers OCC) adds a booklet with the presentation of the Gospel in the language of the child to each box.
Our small boxes are now in God's hands. I will let you know where our boxes end up and if we receive a return letter.
May Christ always remain the center of CHRISTmas.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
My Birthday
My birthday was last week.
After decorating cakes for my boys:
This is my oldest son's cake from June.
My youngest son's cake from August.
They enjoyed their cakes so much they wanted to make a cake for me. As a surprise. My fabulous honey approved. And the planning began, weeks in advance.
The day arrived to decorate my cake. After equipment was gathered, the spreading began.
The guys really got in to it. They had planned their work and now they were working their plan. 
My ever patient husband oversaw the process and helped with the writing (and did the clean-up). The boys were not done this was not enough. They needed flair!
Ta-Da!! Do my boys know how to decorate a cake or what! I couldn't have done it any better myself. Can you see how well they covered it in love?
After decorating cakes for my boys:
This is my oldest son's cake from June.
My youngest son's cake from August.They enjoyed their cakes so much they wanted to make a cake for me. As a surprise. My fabulous honey approved. And the planning began, weeks in advance.
The day arrived to decorate my cake. After equipment was gathered, the spreading began.
The guys really got in to it. They had planned their work and now they were working their plan. 
My ever patient husband oversaw the process and helped with the writing (and did the clean-up). The boys were not done this was not enough. They needed flair!
Ta-Da!! Do my boys know how to decorate a cake or what! I couldn't have done it any better myself. Can you see how well they covered it in love?
Monday, November 16, 2009
Being a mom to boys
After dishing up a wonderful spaghetti dinner and calling my boys to the table, I uttered a phrase I never even dreamt I would say:
"Okay guys, that's enough. No War at the dinner table."
I grew up with two sisters, no brothers. War at the table was never a thought, unless you count the arguments over clothes.
I am living in a different world.
"Okay guys, that's enough. No War at the dinner table."
I grew up with two sisters, no brothers. War at the table was never a thought, unless you count the arguments over clothes.
I am living in a different world.
Monday, November 9, 2009
What's That?
While playing with my youngest today, I noticed the mole on his arm suddenly had a friend. When I rubbed it, it was solid and bumped up.
"What is on your arm?" I asked him as I scraped off the mysterious dried spot.
"A boogie, but I don't know how it got there."
"What is on your arm?" I asked him as I scraped off the mysterious dried spot.
"A boogie, but I don't know how it got there."
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Karate Kid
Last night was exciting. We attended our first karate test. Mikey was testing for his orange belt. The test began at 7:30. Mikey joined the group and lined up (according to belt rank, not height)
Then the whole group was dismissed and the judges called each rank up to perform their "forms". Mikey took this very seriously (as he should have).
Reverse Punch.
The end of a round kick
Double Outer Forearm Block
Orange Belt Success
The next test (for a yellow belt) will be in January. I hope I make it that long. Mikey was cool as a cucumber for the whole testing. I was a nervous wreck.
Then the whole group was dismissed and the judges called each rank up to perform their "forms". Mikey took this very seriously (as he should have).
Reverse Punch.
The end of a round kick
Double Outer Forearm Block
Orange Belt Success
The next test (for a yellow belt) will be in January. I hope I make it that long. Mikey was cool as a cucumber for the whole testing. I was a nervous wreck.
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