11.30.10 - Advent is Here

 

"The coming or arrival, especially of something extremely important"

"A period of preparation for the birth of Jesus"

"A time of preparation for the Second Coming of Christ"

"The moment before the moment"

Download Sunday's message on the 1st Sunday of Advent - click here.

 

Today we pulled out our nativity scenes and read our first Christmas story of season.

11.29.10 - Half Full or Empty

Typically being half full is second nature for me but
the last month has challenged my norm.  Hopefully we're
through the worst of it and our immune system is ready for
anything.

11.28.10 - Quarantined

The boys were playing Sunday morning and Derk said quick lock the crate, let's quarantine them.  For a moment I thought, that's not such a bad idea after experience a month of sharing germs and nursing a sick family along. After all, we've had more than our fair share of bugs this winter.  UNCLE!

11.27.10 - Jalen's 1st Letter

Jalen was excited to open his first piece of mail personally

addressed to him.

11.26.10 - Sums up the Month

I'm surprised we have any left.  I've been disinfecting everything!

11.25.10 - Addressing Christmas Cards

Thanksgiving Day didn't go exactly as planned.  We had hoped to head over to my parents in the morning and then head over to Aunt Wendy and Uncle Jim's mid afternoon.  Instead with one sick little guy, we let him get a good morning nap before heading to my parents.  Only Derk and Jalen got to go to Aunt Wendy & Uncle Jim's but I did get a piece of her homemade Raspberry pie...a Thanksgiving tradition.

While we waited for Ty to wake up from his morning nap the rest of us started to address the Christmas cards.  Jalen has been into drawing pictures and sat next to me drawing on all the cards for family that we won't be mailing.  He was so cute, he would ask me who the card was for and then with such focus he'd draw a picture of them.  Addressing Christmas cards turned out to be special family time.  I loved it!

11.24.10 - Again, Come ON!

When am I going to feel good Mom?

11.23.10 - Toenails

These things grow like weeds...I wonder how long they could get.

11.22.10 - Proud Mom, Proud Son

 I know I've said it before but we love the preschool Jalen is at.  The best part is when he is proud to show me what he did and tell me about what he is learning.  They've been learning about what makes up a community.   Parents with jobs kids can relate to have been visiting the class to teach the kids about their profession.  He's had a nurse and dentist so far, at least that is what we can tell from the souvenirs he has brought home.  Today when I was leaving for work he asked when I was going to come to his school to tell his friends about my work.  Then he was careful to tell me that I needed to bring "stuff" to help the kids learn about it.  I always remind him of how proud I am of him, funny to see the reserve - my son expressing he is proud of me.

11.21.10 - Priceless Play

I love it that the boys play together so well.

 

The boys love it when Grandpa plays with them!

 I love to watch my dad play with the boys...special & priceless!

11.20.10 - Craft Show Find

Found this fun stocking stuffer at a craft show today!

11.19.10 - Operation Christmas Child

The kids were coloring and answering questions about themselves to include in the Operation Christmas Child boxes.

11.18.10 - Special Reward

Jalen and Derk have it worked out that if Jalen takes a nap at daycare and behaves well that Jalen gets to stay up a little later than Ty and play a game with Derk.  Our little guy happens to be rather competitive and the teacher in Derk comes out.  He is turning everything into learning, from numbers, colors, following game rules and learning about "sportsman - like" conduct.  They shake hands after each game and say "good game".  It's sort of funny to hear them do this because it sounds like what you hear after a sporting event among the teams.  Besides this, they are getting some special 1:1 time and we aren't hearing about him fighting with poor Adam from daycare when we pick him up.

11.17.10 - Christmas or Jesus Freaks?

When I got home Weds. night the Christmas lights were on.  I have to admit I was a little embarrassed by the glowing house.  Come to find out, Derk has them on a timer so we may look like Christmas Freaks but rather it's more about being to lazy or busy to unplug them.  I write about this post a day later and decided that I find it amusing to drive away and up to a glowing house...I'm sure the neighbors are talking about it.  You know, we don't celebrate the birth of Jesus nearly long enough!  Lets be Jesus freaks.

11.16.10 - Holiday Spirit

Step 1 - Buy a 32' ladder, convince Home Depot to throw in ratchet straps for free and strap it to the top of the car for you...helps to be a female and go into a "mans" store all by yourself.  Thanks for being in the holiday spirit Home Depot.

Step 2 - Pick a day when it happens to be above 40 degrees
Step 3 - Turn on Christmas music.
Step 4 - Convince your loving husband to risk his life.

Step 5 - Snap a quick picture then turn the lights off until after Thanksgiving so your neighbors don't think you're freaks.

11.15.10 - Only Play If I Win

This is what is circling around in that head of his..."Dad will only play if I play fair...how am I going to pull off a win because I'll only play if I'm winning."

11.14.10 - Mr. Independent

Some of the independence I've been pushing comes out.  
"Let me do it Mom!"

11.13.10 - Rise and Shine

"WAKE UP!  It's light outside...it's daytime!"
On the other hand,Ty says...
"Put me to bed, I don't feel good"

11.12.10 - Preschool Homework

About once a week Jalen's teacher sends home a homemade book for us to read together.  The book always has an interactive element.  I am so thankful for the preschool he is attending.  He really enjoys school and seems to be learning a lot.  Jalen and I have found a special "school night" routine of going through his "blue" folder and him telling me about what he is learning.  I didn't realize how special it was to him until he told Ty off for intruding on it one evening.

11.11.10 - I'm thankful for...

Slowing down and reflecting on the small stuff - "today I'm thankful for..."

11.10.10 - Wrestle Mania

It won't be long before the boys are able to "take" their Dad - Tag Team!

11.9.10 - Priceless Blueberry Smile

This age is priceless!

11.8.10 - Did we out wit him?

Oh, it's not that bad...well actually it was.  I put a tiny bit on
my tongue to see what all the fuss was about and lets just say
it is a good thing he only has to take it for 4 more days.  Our
formula that out wit him included teaching him how to plug his
nose and providing him two chasers - drink of water and a
piece of candy. 

  

11.7.10 - Peek-a-Boo or Prayer?

With both of our kids there came a "first", when
before we ate they covered their eyes.
This wasn't a practice that we taught them. 
We pray, but didn't necessarily include them
as babies.  I'm not entirely sure why because in both cases
they showed us someone else was.  Who you ask, 
Ms. Toni & Mr. Rex.  We are so blessed by these two
angels.  They love on our kids while we are at work
and help us teach them who loves them
more than anything - their heavenly Father.

11.6.10 - Happy Birthday Papa O!

Happy Birthday Papa O!

Jalen felt good for the first part of the day, enough for Papa
O to come over. Ty of course was showing off.
He loves to climb up on the mantel to reach
books.  He was too tired to read books
and decided to cuddle up with Clifford instead.

11.5.10 - Sick Jalen

11.4.10 - Lucy's Outside

11.3.10 - Ty's all Over the Place

This kid can get around.

11.2.10 - Silly but Pleasing Spice

Expectations exceeded...our builder came back and not only cut out a third of the middle shelf (which is all I requested) but raised it to ensured I didn't loose shelving.  The change request was made more than a year after we built.  I assumed they would want to charge me for the request but they didn't.   When they first reinstalled the drawer the shelf wasn't high enough so they took it back and made it right.  Talk about going above and beyond...simple but impressionable.  Silly but pleasing!

11.1.10 - Perfect Now, Perfect Then