Christmas with the "Neighbors"

We are blessed with neighbors who have become so much more than neighbors. They have loved and accepted each one of our children, caring for them for countless date nights, days at work, and sometimes just because we needed a break. Though they aren't family by blood, they have become our "family" here.  They are a special blessing to us and especially the children and we don't know what we would do without them here. Oh how thankful we are for Mr. Jay and Mrs. Nancy!

On Christmas Eve, they invited us down to visit for a bit before our service at church and they had lots of treasures and gifts for the kids!

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Mark, Mr. Jay and Mrs. Nancy's son-in-law, trying Tyler's new hat on Ryan. :)

 

 

 

 Love Morgan's face in this one :)

 new pink shoes!

 

 

 

 "Mr. Jeff" (Mr. Jay and Mrs. Nancy's son) helping Megan with her new puzzle

The gifts they received from Jay and Nancy are special for them but nothing will ever be able to compare with the love they have been given from them. They didn't have to say yes when we asked them to start babysitting Tyler for us 5 years ago. They didn't have to continue to watch him and each sibling that has been added in the meantime.  They didn't have to love them, dote on them, and care for them as if they were their own grandchildren, but they did, and they have and our children will always know that sometimes we can have family that isn't blood. Our children are loved by 2 wonderful sets of "blood" grandparents and have Mr. Jay and Mrs. Nancy as a complete bonus. I hope they learn to understand how special that is. 

Christmas Sunday

I know I shouldn't be, but I am so stressed about getting caught up on the blog that I have literally frozen all posts and almost seem to be avoiding posting instead of getting it done.  Sounds typical of me when I get stressed.  Putting it off even more... :P Sooo, here we are in almost February and I haven't even touched the surface with Christmas posts.  With any luck, the kids will be angels this evening and allow me to get at least December finished. :)

Our church did a simple kids Christmas program this year.  I actually loved the simplicity of it. Basically, each of the older kids had a couple lines they had to memorize that went with an ornament that they decorated a Christmas tree with, each ornament representing something having to do with Christ and His birth. Then the little kids joined in with some more traditional Christmas songs.  That's where I kids got to participate. :)

Megan was SOOOO cute!!!  I definitely had proud Mommy moments watching her get a little red in the face while she sang her heart out. I am pretty sure she watched me and looked for my response just about the whole time. Each time she looked at me, I would smile and just tell her to keep singing loudly! My heart beamed. :)

 Tyler did well too, it just wasn't his first Christmas program so I didn't get as sappy. :P And, he seemed to wake up on the wrong side of the bed this day and wasn't as outgoing as usual when it comes to singing.

Some of the big kids

Singing Away in a Manger...the motions are so much cuter done by little girls, I'm just sayin...

seriously, look at Megan and her friend Grace! :)

Toward the end, I could tell that Megan's attention span was starting to diminish and she started looking at Tyler like "what can we do besides keep singing?"  Thankfully, that was the same time it was over. :)

Mr. Jay actually came to church that morning for the kids program so we had to take advantage for a photo op with both him and Mrs. Nancy. 

This couple means so much to us. Not having any family in the area is tough. These two have adopted us as "family" and we are so blessed because of it, especially the kids!

Annnd, family picture attempt...definitely a fail (thanks to Ryan who was having none of it)

Or there is Megan who was also in a mood...or Tyler being goofy...or Morgan not wanting to smile...Ha!  It's us. :)

And yes, Tim and I really did and do smile through it all. We have our moments, but we love this life God has blessed us with!

Megan's Christmas Program

So, just get used to seeing updates about a month behind...or more...because that seems to be how I roll here lately. :) Sometimes it seems like I should just give up on posting past events and just get the present done, but this is basically my scrapbook and it has proven to be a great way for me to catalog my thoughts and pictures to look back on in years to come so just bear with me for the few of you who read the updates. :)

Megan's preschool class had a SUPER adorable Christmas program. They each dressed up as something different and entered the scene as their part was read out loud. Though I certainly would have preferred my little girl to be an angel (though I know Biblically, they are boys)or Mary or at least a sheep, someone has to be the adorable goat!! ;) At least, we think that is what she was. :P

there she is! The one in brown. :)

I liked it better when they took off their costumes and you could clearly see my beautiful girl. :)

She was shy, but she still sang and did the motions to the songs.

Love this little girl!!! So proud of her and how much she has grown the past few months! :_ )

This sweet moment with one of her friends from class just couldn't have been cuter! They were singing "Away in a Manger" and were at the "asleep on the hay" part. Her and her friend cozied right up.

Here's a little video for your enjoyment. :)

Stay tuned for our Christmas program at church, Christmas with family, and basically lots of fun December posts!! :)

Scripture Lullabies

Several of my friends have been talking about "Scripture Lullabies" lately and how they are really relaxing for both kids and adults alike. I listened to part of a couple and honestly hadn't taken the time to really sit and listen to the words until a friend posted the link to one of the actual videos, "Wonderfully Made." I was immediately drawn to the beautiful music but once the words started, I couldn't stop listening. It truly is a love song from my Savior. It moved me to tears. I have been looking for another song to sing to the kids at bedtime.  Tim has a special "Goodnight Song" that he has sung them but it just doesn't feel like my song for the kids. After hearing this song, I know for sure, this is MY song for the kids. What better way to fall asleep than to hear a love song from their Creator! Here are the words if you don't have a chance to listen to the whole song.  

"Looking out into the night sky

A million stars shining down and

I can see how you'd feel so small

Don't forget I'm your Creator

You are Mine and I adore you

Nothing else moves My heart like you

You're not here by chance, you are My design

I did well to give you life

You are fearfully and wonderfully made

Long before you drew your first breath

I knew your name

Surely goodness and mercy

Will follow you forever

For you are fearfully and wonderfully made

Looking deep into your eyes

You're beautiful, like no one else

I smile when I think about your face

You were made in My own image

Carefully, My love would finish

Forming you into who you are

I won't let you go, I'm here with you always

I'll watch you grow strong because I know

You are fearfully and wonderfully made

Long before you drew your first breath

I knew your name

Surely goodness and mercy

Will follow you forever

For you are fearfully and wonderfully made

Surely goodness and mercy

Will follow you forever

For you are fearfully and wonderfully made"

I was listening to it this morning when the kids got up.  Tyler was off being silly somewhere and Megan crawled up into my lap and watched the whole thing. I was telling her what the song was about and that it talked about how she was beautifully made by God and that He loved her just the way she was.  I pointed to all her little parts, her nose, her eyes, her ears...told her that He thought SHE was beautiful and wonderful and that He LOVED her SO much. With this music playing in the background, she was seriously emotional. It was like she truly grasped that Jesus loved HER. She said through the sweetest tears, "me?" Tyler came over and wanted to see what all the fuss was about and Megan immediately got protective of the song saying it was for her and that God loved HER. While I did correct her and say that God loved Tyler just the way he was made too, it was seriously so precious to me that she grasped that Jesus loved her. In church this morning, she asked if we were going to sing her song. :) If she wants to claim this song as her own, a song full of Biblical truths of what she means to God, so be it.  I pray she does make it her song.  And oh how I pray that God protects her sweet heart so that she always knows and remembers that she is beautifully and wonderfully made, just the way she is.

I know I shouldn't be so emotional over a song, but this song seriously has me a completely wreck. Being home with the kids almost 24/7, with only an occasional day at work or a church outing, allows lots of time for me to feel so alone and unloved.  Hearing how important I am to God is completely changing how I view myself. This song makes me feel important, loved, beautiful, pursued, wanted, and protected. Every bit of which I have searched for in other ways, always coming up feeling empty and alone. The scriptures that are written all throughout the video are truths from the One who loves me more than ANYONE else on earth. Written by the very One who died for me.

"I did well to give you life..." That phrase alone has me baffled. It doesn't matter what I FEEL, God KNOWS He did well to give ME life. I am fearfully and wonderfully made, regardless of the lies I fill my mind with. Long before I drew my first breath, He knew my name...it doesn't matter how alone or insignificant I FEEL, THESE are the Truths I need to focus on.  I know I will never be able to adequately put into words how this song's truths have spoken to my heart. I pray that whoever reads this post and sees the video will know those Truths as well and apply them to their lives.

When Megan was twirling and dancing around to it one night while wearing her dress up clothes, I couldn't help but take a video.

Letting them be little

The Lord began working in my heart at the beginning of December to try to let loose a little on my controlling personality, especially in relation to the kids. I don't think Tim would say I am a controlling wife...at least, I hope not!! But, when it comes to the kids, I have always been controlling. I want behaved, well mannered, nice kids and while all of that is great, I have been going about it all wrong.  I've dictated how they should play and as a result, I feel as though I have somehow robbed them of part of their childhood. I am not proud of that...in fact, this post, along with many others that have both not been posted and others that I have posted, is among my list of posts I wish I could just keep hidden for my eyes only. It's that controlling side of me that was part of the fuel for my one-word "embrace." Being able to embrace the chaos of our life here with our 4 young children...soaking in the messes, the clutter, the mismatched clothes, and crumb laden floor.

The pictures below look simple and fun...two kids having fun jumping in puddles after a lot of snow melted back in December. But to me, these pictures represent so much more. I used to dictate which puddles they could jump in..."no, not that one, that one is too deep and you'll get too wet," "no, not that one, that one is muddy," "its too cold," "its too hot," you get the idea. I dreaded the cleaning up process afterwards so much that I made them even fearful of jumping in puddles. These pictures show the moments AFTER I assured them that it was okay for them to jump in the biggest one they found...

...perfect little wispy curls in a messy pony tail...

...long runs through the yard to be able to make the biggest splash...

...goofy little grins through the silliness...

...negotiating together, planning their next big splash...

...the chance for them to be just what they are...

...perfect little kids, unafraid to have fun and be themselves...

...messy hair, muddy boots, wet clothes, and all...

When I allowed myself to just let go, not only did the kids have fun, I did too. I enjoyed watching them soak their clothes. I enjoyed seeing their silly grins. I enjoyed watching them love each other with their play. And you know what?? Clean up was a breeze.