A Beautiful Christmas Morning

                                                             
Many of you know I have been struggling with how to make Christmas less about toys and more about Christ and family and generosity. Today was our Christmas.  We decided to celebrate early.   I think Michael and I did a good job balancing our values and beliefs with tradition this year.  We emphasized the reason for Christmas by making a birthday cake, reading the nativity story, doing crafts, and acting out the story of Christ's birth.  We also allowed Clark to ask questions about Santa and do some Santa stuff without compromising.  We will reevaluate for next year, but today was a beautiful Christmas morning.

In the morning, the boys woke up super early filled with excitement.  They enjoyed their three gifts from us and one from Santa!  Then we had a yummy breakfast of homemade cinnamon rolls and jalapeno sausage rolls (I tried to copy Max's Doughnuts from Allen, TX).

The huge bouncy horse was a last minute surprise for all of us.  Last night, we got the horse for free!!  They loved the horse and the garage sale gifts more than their other store bought gifts"!  That is a good thing since we try to be thrifty. 

 

Here the boys are digging in their stocking to find flashlights and airplanes!

The Christmas Miracle

 Michael and I usually don't do gifts for each other at Christmas.  If we do, it's something to replace something broken.  This year, I got sneaky and surprised him.  I put back some extra money I made from babysitting and bought him a Wii!!!  He's been wanting one for years denying the indulgence.  I think I saw tears in his eyes as he opened his present.  It was priceless to see my husband so happy!!!  (His love language is gifts btw.) 

 Our boys enjoyed the day in pajamas and sharing all their new treasures.  They were angels and even shared with our babysitting friend all day!

Christmas was simple, relaxed, fun, and meaningful.  Just the way it was supposed to be.

A family Sunday photo shoot

 

Here's a picture of me at 26 weeks!

I look more like 40! :-)

We have the hardest time getting the boys to look at the camera now days.  We had to work so hard to get these few photos.   If you know any tricks, let me know.

A walk down memory lane--four years ago

 Just for fun, I was looking through our old photos.  I couldn't help but walk down memory lane.

 

It's so hard to believe that four years ago, it was just Michael and I.   Wow, four years later, we have three children!!!  And we look so much older!!! ;-)

 

Four years ago, Michael had a great group of guys in Texas who held each other accountable, and we were part of an exciting church plant. 

Four years ago, we lived in McKinney, Texas.  Michael had to commute about an hour each way in our vehicles Freezer Burn and Madame Blueberry.  I taught second grade, and I loved it. 
Little did we know that we were on the verge of a new and exciting adventure in Tennessee!

Four years = a lot of change and adventure!!!  

Pirates and Cowboys Oh My!

The boys enjoy playing dress up.  I keep a box of old Halloween costumes and dress up clothes available for them. Today he decided he wanted to be a cowboy and ride his horse around the house. The other day he was a pirate the whole day.   It's nice to always have cowboys, fire fighters, pirates, and dinosaurs at my house.
These are the days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday to my Amazing Joel!

 Newborn Joel

 

Now he's a big boy :-(  

It's so sad how fast they grow.

Construction Zone Party!!!

                                              
This cake was easy and fun to make--my favorite kind!


Saturday was Joel's birthday. We had a little get together with family and friends.  We went with the construction truck theme because Joel loves dirt, digging, and trucks.  He loved it all!!!





                    10 Reasons Why We Love Joel:

• He wakes in the morning requesting cookies
•   He is persistent--He'll ask for something one million times.
•   He loves to give hugs to everyone.
•  He is as tough as nails.
• He loves so passionately.
•   He needs his boo boos kissed even if they are make believe boo boos.  He'll use anything as an excuse for a kiss.
• He loves to joke, "tell" knock knock jokes" and make people laugh.
• He adores his big brother.
•   He is brave and adventurous.
•   He loves to join in and help with everything. 

 

Here's a picture of Clark and his very pregnant mom at the party.