Filling the Pages...

2013

Amazing,

filled with blessings.

 

I'm so busy planning for the new year that I hadn't stopped to think about the year we are leaving behind.

 

The pages of this chapter have all been turned.

 

So I'm writing like mad.

 

Planning for our family for the new year.

 

I've started my daily checklists.

 

And plan to spend part of each day reading

 and playing games with the kids.

 

 

I've picked out Bible Verses for each child.

 

 

And of course...I'm wearing my new Fitbit,

 

 

buying goodies like this,

 

 

and eating meals like this.

 

 

Yes, it is gonna be a good year.

 

2014 we are ready to write your story

& fill your pages with sweet memories and adventures.

 

The only thing that could make the new year

better is if I could afford a cleaning lady. 

But then Kit would be sad cause

I then I wouldn't need him to vaccuum.

 

 

Hey, he turned 1 two weeks ago,

he's not a baby anymore,

& he dropped the cereal anyway :)

 

So, even though tonight I'm staying in since Annie is sick,

I'm having a good time reflecting on last year,

planning for the new,

 and finishing my checklist for the day :)

 

 

 

Happy New Year friends! 

It's been a crazy week but I'll be by to visit next week I promise!

 

Snow Magic

Our 6' 4" soldier came home from

boot camp right before Thanksgiving.

(My nephew)

 

It was a celebration!

We had missed him so much!

He is such an important part of my family & Bo's best friend.

 

The other day he came over just to play.

 

He took the boys outside to make a Boman.

But, apparently Bo was too tall & the snow was not sticky,

 so they settled for a Roccoman...

...not quite the same ring to it but cute nevertheless :)

 

I walked by my window & saw the business outside

& grabbed my camera.

 

 

 

This is FOR A FACT the longest Rocco has ever stood still.  Ever.

 

 

And he LOVED it!

 

 

I was the crazy woman running out to take some pictures,

 

 

and back in to check on Kit.

 

 

Out,

 

 

and in.

 

 

Kit and I thought we were the smart ones staying warm inside.

 

We also thought we were the best looking

& that we could crush them in a singing competition any day. 

Guess that makes us a triple threat. 

BUT the boys outside were pretty cute too.

 

And before we knew it branches were jammed in for arms

and Roo was sticking on the buttons.

 

 

They had turned my boy into a snowman.

There must have been some magic in that old silk hat they found.

 

 

Or maybe it was a cousin investing in the lives of my boys.

 

 

Either way...

It was magical!

Imperfections...

This is my favorite night of the year...

...Sunday School pageant.

 

I love it so much cause this is what it is really about,

celebrating with our families the true meaning of Christmas.

 

I love the imperfection.

 

Rocco the donkey was singing too loud, and dancing away.

 

 

 

And the suspense...will my other donkey say his line?

 

 

He did.

 

I even love the photo shoot after with the cousins

& trying to get everyone to look the same way.

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday school is such an important part of our kids' lives.

 

I am soooooooo thankful for the amount of time

their teachers pour into my children.

 

Bible stories spill out of my kids all week,

as things we do at home trigger memories

of what they learned in Sunday School,

& my heart leaps with joy when they know things

I didn't teach them...about God.

 

That's why buying teacher gifts is one of

my favorite things to buy each year.

 

I like to get them something I would want.

 

This year...

 

journals.

 

 

We will let them choose the one that speaks to them.

 

 

 

(this one is a planner)

 

Each teacher is so different.

 

But I want each one to know how much I appreciate the time it takes away from their families...to bless mine.

 

The cards are simple card stock,

not anything pretty that you'll see on Pinterest.

 

Just hand cut trees,

 

 

 

The message is simple & handwritten.

 

 

 

And even though it's not much...

 

 

I hope they know how much they are loved.

Teachers.

Thank you.

 

 

 

 

BTW the lil' trees are in high demand

if you have a pack of little boys.

 

 

 

Oh & here is a little blooper reel from my picture taking :)

 

Kit

 

& then  Roo.

 

 

 

 

Roo

 

and while I was taking the picture of the stack...

I was lying on the floor with Kit sitting on my back :)

 

But it's all good cause if he wasn't there...he was here: