More December Pics

December was a busy month but lots of fun!

 This week we celebrated Christmas with my family!

"The Big Kid Table" about to eat a very yummy lunch:)

Of course everyone had a great time!

Baylee, Grace and Caitlin just came back from a Rhino ride.

The cousin's take turns reading The Birth of Jesus every Christmas. This Christmas was Caden's turn and he did a wonderful job! 

Uncle T.J. showing Grace her cute monogrammed  t-shirt her aunt Tennille made her. As you can see, she loved it!

My mom made all the grandchildren quilts this year..amazing that she was able to complete this with her shoulder surgery she had in September.

Every year we head to Santa Land the week after Christmas.

And every year we enjoy it as if it was our first time there! On our way home Grace said, " Wow those lights were sooo beautiful! Thank you Daddy, for taking us to see all the beautiful lights"!

I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Luke 2:10

Christmas Day

Christmas morning and all three were very excited! Jared told us that he was too excited to sleep and that he woke up at 4am and 5am and again at 6. He finally knocked on our bedroom door at 6:45 asking when we would open presents. We asked if Grace was up yet and he sadly said "No" because he knows we have to wait for everyone to wake before presents. He said, why is she still sleeping? She is always up early and way before me! I told him sweetheart it's not even 7 o'clock yet, she normally wakes up between 7:30 and 8:30. That didn't make him feel any better. Don't worry, he didn't have to wait long, we did go head and wake her about 7:15;)

Caden reading the Christmas Story.

This was his first year to read the birth of Jesus and he did an excellent job! 

Grace reading Jared's shirt...HA!  She loves angry birds :/

His new love...the love of football!!

Oh my, she is only 4 years old and she LOVES clothes!! Especially dresses!

And this little toy took over an hour to put together on Christmas eve. I was seriously thinking twice about this purchase.

But it is an absolute hit with all three kids!!! I have to admit it is very cool. And, it will never be taken apart if they want to continue to play with it. Well, I guess the boys could but it together by themselves! Ha!!  

 We didn't have extended family plans on Christmas morning so we were able to make it to church.  I took this with my phone just before Christmas Sunday service and I love it!

Also on Christmas day us along with The Roedel family were so blessed with the opportunity to serve others and give of our selves, by handing out Christmas cookies and cards to the residents of a local nursing home.

This was a good way to give the kids perspective in life. I'm not sure who was blessed more, us or them.

It may not be on Christmas day, but this is something we will continue to do every year.

Hope everyone had a very blessed Christmas!

'I'm telling the truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me—you failed to do it to me.' Matthew 25:45

“Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them...;'Don't be afraid!' he said. 'I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.”

Matthew 2:10

It's That Time Of The Year Again

For Christmas shopping...

Christmas Wrapping...

Ornament making...

Cookie decorating...

and Christmas baking!

Merry

Christmas!

“You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth...” Luke 1:14

The past few days...

have been very busy but lots of fun!

Caleb and Jared getting ready to perform at their first band concert!

It's amazing how much they have learned to play in such a short time! Great job 6th graders for an awesome job!

Our last Preschool Christmas party :(

Hanging out with great friends...

And Saturday at "The Barn"

I LOVE this one of Grace and my Dad!!

Rebecca, Rachel, Grace and Chloe

Christmas with the Cornett's

It amazes me how much the cousins change from one year to the next. This year someone said, Josh isn't quite so tall  anymore compared to everyone else." I was funny, but kinda sad too. They are all growing up so fast.

Not a whole lot to say about this one...

Apparentely, he was in a good mood when we went for a golf cart ride/looking around his parents property. Lol!  You. Are. A. Nut.

But, you sure do make me laugh!

And, I love you.

Jeff and I hanging the baby's ornament on the tree for the first time.
This week our best  friends gave us this precious ornament for the baby. We have a feeling it was a little girl, so the pink and white pocadots is perfect!

“Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!” 2 Corinthians 9:15

A Happy Birthday!

Well, I am one year older and I am blessed beyond measure!

Last year on my birthday things were very different. Jeff and I were dealing with a miscarriage and I can not tell you how often I think about that precious little one. This weekend was very busy and I think God planned it that way for a reason. I had no time to think and ponder about what I was going through last year on my birthday.

On Saturday after play practice and birthday parties Jeff got home from work shortly after we did and he handed me this little gift box

and he said I love you, Happy Birthday.

The loss of the baby and the amazing stress of his new job along with my health, this has been the hardest year on our marriage. Satan has tried his darndest but we've got news for him. Jesus Christ.  He said when he bought the ring he wasn't thinking about what we were going through last year, "the Lord must have been thinking for me. I just knew this is what I wanted to give you on your birthday." The Lord has truly blessed me with an amazing husband and I am so thankful for him.

And what could be a better way to spend my birthday than to enjoy these cute little preschoolers

singing Christmas carols!

Hi, Mommy and Daddy!

And to see these guys perform in the "finding Jesus" Christmas play at church! Mrs. Kim said, "you may want to comb Jared's hair back, he has a Justin Bieber look going on." Lol! He needed to look older playing the roll of Dad. He wasn't thrilled but was okay with it..he did wash the mustache off and tried to "mess up" his hair as soon as he got the chance;) You noticed I said tried, his hair has gotten so long I put enought gel and hair spray in that boys hair to last him a week I'm sure.

The family

Jared- Logan- AZ-Caylin-Caroline

Jared reading from Luke.

These kids have worked hard over the past several weeks and they did an awesome job! So proud! 

What a wonderful Christmas program, we enjoyed it so much!

Let no man divide what God has put together.” Matthew 19:6