Christmas Time

These are always our best gifts! We are so blessed to have 4 beautiful healthy kiddos and for that we are grateful! In this pic Jesse and Lucy are wearing the shirts Grandma Sherri made for them. She is such a talented seamstress. Jesse picked out the fabric when she was here and was ecstatic when he got the shirt in the mail a few weeks ago.



These two probably look the most alike out of all the kids. There are times I see each of them in each other, but these two have the same coloring and eyes so far. He is so good with her, gentle and patient. He loves to make her laugh.



Santa brought the girls a doll house and Jesse a train set. He left a note saying that the dollhouse was for all 3 girls to enjoy for years to come and that if they let their brother play with them sometimes he might just let them play with the train as well. I'd say that the kids were super-pleased with their gifts! Shelby also got a Liv doll and some wigs and clothes to go with her. Lucy got some more Littlest Pet Shop toys and she loves to play with them in the dollhouse. They are the barbies' pets, I guess.



Jesse also got some cowboy gear from us. Guns, ammo, handcuffs and a badge. The works. All of the kids are having fun with these. I was so excited to get them for him b/c they remind me of when I was young. I love the smell of those caps.



Here is the festive foursome in their Christmas Eve jammies. It is a tradition for Noni and Papa to get all of us Christmas Eve PJs. The kids always look the cutest, all cuddly and sweet. James and I love ours too b/c we are PJ kid of people, but we didn't get any pics.



Jeka got Shelbo a giant cupcake maker and made on with her. It was HUGE!! They had so much fun baking and decorating and Shelby stayed the night with Jeka on Christmas night. We were sad that Matt Price couldn't come, but we'll have many more years to come to celebrate with him once he is officially part of the family.
, which should hopefully happen some time this year. : )



Here is the lovely creation!



And for one of the most favorite gifts of the year, the award goes to Matt Price for the Whoopy Cushion!! This thing has provided hours of laughter and good times. Here is Lucy trying it out and then her making her new baby doll toot. Pretty Cute!



This last pic is of a game Matt Jones played with the kids over and over Christmas night. Not sure what they called it, but they'd lay down while he dropped tons of ribbons on their heads and then they'd break free from the ribbons and dance around the room. Cheap entertainment! They have gotten so close to their uncle over the past several months. I am so thankful for that!!

God Gave Us Love

We have all of the "God Gave Us..." series by Lisa Tawn Bergren. They are the sweetest books! When Shelby was 2 God Gave Us You was her absolute favorite. Each night she'd chant, "Read God Gave Us You!!" over and over. We even have it on video.

This new one just might be the best. I need to go get it for our family. Here is a description:

As Little Cub and Grampa Bear’s fishing adventure is interrupted by mischievous otters, the young polar bear begins to question why we must love others… even the seemingly unlovable.

In answering her questions, Grampa Bear gives tender explanations that teach Little Cub about the different kinds of love that is shared between families, friends, and mamas and papas. Grampa explains that all these kinds of love come from God and that it is important to love others because…

“Any time we show love, Little Cub, we’re sharing a bit of his love.”

This sweet tale will warm the hearts of young children as they learn about all the different sorts of love, while the gentle explanations of each provide a valuable opportunity to encourage children to share with others a “God-sized love.”

can i have a do-over day today?

I just want to go back to sleep and start today over...this post is my brief escape from the craziness of this day and it is only 10:26. I do not believe in venting, b/c it never makes anyone feel better, but I am going to do it anyway, so that when my kids have kids I won't have unrealistic memories about how easy it was and think that they are overreacting when they come to me.
I do love being a momma, but I don't love this day so far. Why?

1) I was woken up too early by kids blowing whistles downstairs.
2) As Shelby was drawing a picture of a girl with freckles she asked me why I have so many and then proceeded to tell me that my face wasn't very pretty with all of the brown spots I have on it. (gotta love the honesty of kids)
3) I found Lucy on the cabinet eating sugar by the spoonful out of the canister and getting it all over the counter and floor, again. I moved it. (I was only upstairs long enough to brush my teeth.)
4) Jesse left an entire pack of gum in his jeans pocket and it ruined a bunch of clothes in the dryer. It may have broken the washer too...we shall see.
5) I put stamps on the wrong corners of some family Christmas cards and had to readjust them ruining a few in the process. (who forgets what corner to affix a stamp to?)
6) We are out of good water to drink and have to go to the store before I can quench my thirst. (the water in AZ is some of the worst in the country.)

As I read over the list I just made I can see that I am being a brat. It is actually helpful to see it in black and white...read it, laugh about it, and move on...start over. I am breathing deep now and ready to jump back in.

How blessed am I to have such trivial problems to deal with today? I love my life!

the tent and stuff

We set up the tent a few days ago and let me just say that it has been a wonderful thing. The first night, we had family worship in the tent and sang Christmas songs. The kids almost slept in it, but came in at the last moment. They have been in that thing almost every waking moment since we put it up. That means clean house, entertained imaginative kids, and peace and quiet for my frazzled nerves this busy busy time of the year!





Here is Lucy Von Beethoven at the piano. Jeka is loaning us her piano and we are so grateful. Shelby will be taking lessons soon. She has already taught herself several songs and written a few originals that are actually pretty good.





James went to check on the kids before we went to sleep the other night and this is what he found, Lucy asleep under Shelby's bed. So cute, that little stinker! What must she have been doing/thinking? Glad there were no scorpions under there. That is what I am always afraid of under the beds in this house.

Christmas choir program

Jesse was a shepherd...the most adorable one there if I can be so bold! The first thing he said to me was, "Mom, I've got lipstick on!"



Shelby had two lines in the program and she said them perfectly. Her facial expressions and motions while singing were priceless! The stage is her friend!



Here is Jesse with his good buddy Joshua who was also a pretty cute shepherd!



Here, bowing to the baby Jesus in the manger is Jesse and the other shepherds while the angels (who we so lovingly called ghostbusters b/c of their costumes) and other performers sang praise.

Shelby and Jesse have been taking choir lessons every Thursday at a good friend's church, Standing Stones. It is the most amazing and affordable program. The kids get top-notch instruction and love it so much! They will be doing it this spring as well.

couple more kc pics

I am so happy that Janell got to see Preslie last weekend. This is the first time she has met her. I only wish I would have gotten to spend time with her too.



I spent the afternoon Saturday with Carrie and her family. We went to eat at our favorite place, Jose Peppers, and then hung out around the fire. We always pick up right where we left off. Our time together is always so relaxing and encouraging! It was so great to catch up and get hugs from those kiddos. The boys were so excited to tell me everything that has been going on. They were allowed to stay up from their naps to talk to me and James. I wish Shelby and Jesse could have been there!



Angel picked us up from the airport and loaned us her van for the weekend. She is my much more like family to me than a friend. She is always taking care of me, even from a distance. I truly can't (and don't want to ever) imagine my life without her! We might even be closer now than we were in Kansas. Thank God for the telephone and internet!!

Wonderful Weekend in KC

These kids are three of the best things about getting to go to KC last weekend. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest when I first hugged these little pumpkins. OH how I miss them! I so loved getting to stay with Jenn and Tray and get lots of time with Mason, Mya and Kenna. Kenna was so helpful with Preslie. She shared all of her blankets and Mya shared a bear fairy for her to chew on. We had such a great time. I am hoping for someone to send me some pics of the wedding and my friends to remember it by.



Sherri drove into town to spend a little time with us. So glad she got to see Preslie because she is changing so fast. The kids were so jealous that PJ got to see her and Janell both.


Grandma Sherri made this adorable pinafore for Lucy and brought it with her this weekend. I love the fabrics she chose. It is beautiful!! She is so talented. (She and Shelby are in the doctors office here so that is why she doesn't look too happy.)

Pawgie DePawgio

She officially has a nickname. Thanks to Lucy, Prelsie is now Pawgie. I like to call her Pawgie DePawgio. She is really coming into her personality!



She is no longer being swaddled because of this. She was rolling over onto her stomach while still swaddled and that just isn't safe. It took a few nights, but she is doing well. Still wakes up at least once to eat, but goes right back to sleep. Chaundra gave me an awesome sleep sack for her that is fluffy cozy and warm. Her sister got it for her in London. I guess you can't even find them here in the states. PJ loves it, almost as much as being swaddled, so I am so thankful! Since it has been below 40 overnight we have actually been enjoying cozy pajamas and fuzzy socks! Jenn said it was colder here the past couple of mornings than in Kansas. So, I guess we do get to experience the seasons a little more than I thought. Still wish it would snow...maybe this weekend in KC.