HAPPY BIRTHDAY SERENE!

Our little Christmas / New Years baby!!

tThree amazing years have been spent with this precious child.... What a joy and blessing!

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Christmas Eve morning

Snuggling sisters!!

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It was a different season

This Christmas season was different for Jimmy and I than the others we have spent together. Usually, our Christmases are full of trips to North Park and fancy dinners with our children, a date to the Dallas Symphony, lots of shopping with the children,etc. etc... However, this year we had to do things a little different and it was not an easy adjustment for either of us.....

I guess we are finally experiencing the "pinch" of having all these babies at once. Let me just tell you right now, when you have four children (three of them under the age of three) you are suddenly very limited in your social outings. It is VERY hard to get children that age to sit quietly at our own dinner table, much less a public dinner out. Have you ever tried to take four children to the mall...a single stroller, a double stroller and one little boy with the energy of ten and some seriously strong lungs?? =)Oh and the list of difficult public outings goes on and on.

What about a babysitter? Well this is something we do occasionally but this being the Christmas season we want to spend it as a family not farming our children out to babysitters so we can enjoy the season without them. Of course even in the case of babysitters time is limited due to having a nursing baby so things like the symphony will have to wait till next year. This was our first year not to go to the symphony for Christmas in 5 years and admittedly it was sad but on the other hand it was missed with a greater good in mind.

We all know parenting requires sacrifice but it seems for Jimmy and I we are in a season of serious sacrifice when it comes to our children. It seems as though we are sacrificing a lot right now... a lot of the things WE want to do. But, as we do this we are finding that our lives are being enriched through giving of ourselves for these small people. Life is never truly fulfilling when living only for yourself and we are finding that parenting many little ones is the antithesis of living for yourself.

Contentment is being taught to our hearts right now... and we are learning slowly but surely. Probably more slowly but nonetheless we are getting there. We are learning to be content with simple nights spent by the Christmas tree talking as a family.... YEAH RIGHT... more like Jimmy and I trying to shout conversation across the room to each other while children run and play around us. Conversation stopping every five minutes to answer a question, get someone a drink of water, change a diaper, get something someone can't reach, break up a fight (it is always Serene and Ben), etc. etc.

I started this Christmas season with the expectation of Christmas looking like it always has for us. I got about half way into the season and went through an irritated angry phase trying to figure out what we could do to get "our usual Christmas" back. I ended the season with a new perspective on what life looks like for us now and how I can embrace the change and the difference and find new ways to celebrate this amazing time of year.

With each child we have I find myself a little less interested in me and my "rights" and a little more interested in the broader eternal picture of life. There will come a day when my children will grow bigger and I will have that "usual" Christmas season back but I don't want to lose all the years in between hoping for them to pass quickly so I can get back to what I want to do. Instead, I'm trying to embrace these years, not just making the best out of a "bad" situation but making these the best years of our life so far.

Christmas for us

Over the 6 1/2 years that Jimmy and I have been married we have struggled many times to know just how to properly celebrate the season with our children. While we both want the true story of Christmas (the birth of Jesus) to be the supreme focus I also want to make Christmas a childlike magical time for my children. While our children know that Santa is not real we do watch movies that have Santa. Just like my daughters dress up and play princess while knowing they are not actual princesses I believe it is ok for them to watch the make believe world of Santa on movies knowing full well a jolly man in a red suit does not pass out gifts to the nice and coal to the naughty! =) Make sense?

When I was a child Santa was kind of forbidden. My mom specifically had a very good reason from her childhood for not allowing any Santa in her own house as an adult but for me now I am at least hoping to find a balance of including the fantasy of Santa (movies) and yet the reality of St. Nicolas and who that man really was. While I do know that the more modern version of Santa tends to indulge human greed and selfishness, I also know that stories of pretend and make-believe allow children to be just that... children.

I of course want my children to be responsible and have chores and jobs and know how to work hard and help their family and so on.... BUT soon enough they will grow up and work will be their entire life (whether it be at home or in a traditional job).
I want them to experience the wonder and innocence of childhood. Part of that is hearing my girls upstairs pretending to be princesses and mommies. Part of that is letting watch Santa and snowman movies at Christmas.

At the end of the day JESUS is why we celebrate Christmas and WOW what an amazing gift to receive in to your life. There is never any doubt what our central focus of the season is in our house but we also love to make a big pot of hot chocolate and watch The Santa Clause or turn on the music and dance around the house listening to Jingle Bell Rock!

I love this life we have here. Our home is a haven from the rest of the world and the yuckiness of it. We don't get it all right but we are trying to learn how to keep it all in perspective. It will be a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas with family

I'm reflecting today on Christmas and remembering that it's not about being with family or not being with family. It is about celebrating the amazing gift of Jesus to an undeserving world. While I will struggle this Christmas with family missed I know the real reason for the season and will choose to joy in Christ! Being with family at Christmas is just a bonus!

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My happy boy

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2nd

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1st and 3rd

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1st and 4th

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Happy 18 months!

You are all a mom and dad could ask for in a little boy! We love you beyond words!!

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Sweet snuggling brothers

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Tea time

My girls were invited to another birthday tea party this weekend for their friend Rachel. They had a lovely time!

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Happy Birthday to our first baby!!

You are pure joy and make everyday amazing! I am enjoying more and more getting to know the young lady you are becoming! I love you Annie!!

photo by: www.mistycolvardphotography.com

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Before and after canvas

I had this old framed canvas and I thought a little "upcycle" was in order.... so here it is...

Spray paint (I already had) and a $2 letter from hobby lobby... cheap and awesome!

PS, I'm linking to I Made It Without My Hubby from Shanty2Chic (please follow the link on my sidebar to see this awesome site for lots of fab ideas!)

Put your heads together

This is how they were sleeping tonight!

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My boys... wrestling

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A tea party birthday

We had a beautiful birthday tea party with amazing friends and family this weekend. We enjoyed yummy food and crafts and lots of visiting.

I hope this starts a tradition and we are having these parties when the girls are teenagers!

A BIG thank you to my mom and dad and Jimmy for all your help in pulling this off with three small children!

The only thing we lacked.... Aunt Jennifer and Cousin Ella. We hope one of these years you can join us!

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Thanksgiving table

This is the centerpiece Anna created for Thanksgiving... All by herself! Lovely!

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An interesting piece of trivia about me...

Yesterday was the first birthday and Thanksgiving in THREE years that I was not pregnant! :)

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25 days of blessings #25: too many to name

Between hosting Thanksgiving, my birthday and being sick I forgot to blog yesterday.

As my final thought to end these 25 days I have to say that I can't pick just one. I am really beyond blessed in my life for hundreds of reasons and 25 days is not nearly enough to write about them.

Thanks be to my God who has blessed me countless ways.

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25 days of blessings #24: our little Serene

This little girl is one of the kindest, gentlest, most loving child ever. We are beyond blessed to have her in our life!

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25 days of blessings #23: my mother-in-law

Happy Birthday Judy!

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25 days of blessings #22: my Granna, Aunt Toni, and Cousin Wendi

I am so excited to have my family in town for Thanksgiving! I love being with my family so much!

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25 days of blessings #21: our pond

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25 days of blessings #20: cousins

Thanksgiving with family.... Dark + indoors = craft time!!

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25 days of blessings #19: encouraging words

Thank you Judy for your kind encouraging words! They meant A LOT to me!

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Always into something

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25 days of blessings #18: a God who loves me

His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.

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25 days of blessings #17: an incredibly thoughtful husband

Not only is he hanging curtains for me he also hangs those Christmas lights on our ceiling of the living room every year. It was his idea as something special for the children to enjoy! He is such a fun dad!

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25 days of blessings #16: my mother

My mom dropped everything to come be with me today when I needed her.... But that is old news really. She has been doing that for 34 years!

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Cupcakes

Just for fun!

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25 days of blessings #15: my Anna

This girl is so special to me and I am so grateful that she is the one who made me a mommy. I can't begin to explain how precious her heart is. She loves to do special things for those around her whether it be cleaning my room and making my bed as a surprise or drawing special pictures for her grandparents or always helping meet the needs of her little sister and brothers.... This girl has a huge heart!

I'm so blessed to have this precious little lady in my life!

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25 days of blessings #14: amazing friends

Thank you to our amazing group of friends who have been so supportive this week!

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25 days of blessings #13: my first son

I love this child so much. He has an endless need for adventure. He keeps us incredibly busy but I love it.

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25 days of blessings #12: my dad (the babysitter)

My dad came through in a pinch today and watched the children while we took serene for her annual NF visit!! Thanks dad!

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My latest project

This former mirror made an awesome chalkboard!

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My little Rivers man

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25 days of blessings #11: veterans

Thank you to all who serve. I know my freedom is not free.

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25 days of blessings #10: good doctors and nurses

Today was one of those days where you greatly appreciate those in the medical profession who care for children and really enjoy what they do!

MRI day

Our sweet baby girl is having her annual MRI today. They have her back there right now. She did so good.... Everyone commented on what a sweet girl she is... Yes she is!!

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25 days of blessings #9: an amazing husband

This was an obvious one but after last night today is clearly the day to voice my appreciation for my husband.

Ben has an ear infection and was up screaming and crying off and on until 3:00 this morning. Ben is a daddys boy and wanted only daddy and daddy was there for him.... He walked him around, sang to him, prayed for him, he held him and loved on him until he finally fell asleep.

He is such a good daddy and I am so blessed that he is the father of our children!!

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25 days of blessings #8: homeschooling

Being the one to teach my children some of the most important things in life.... Why would I ever outsource such a special privilege?

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25 days of blessings #7: my brother and my cousin Wendi

Happy Birthday to you both. You are both a special blessing to me and my family.

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25 days of blessings #6: Saturday morning breakfast

My favorite breakfast of the week. Daddy is home, we are all in pj's and we sit and enjoy good conversation with lots of little people!

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25 days of blessings #5: a healthy baby

After a long seven week bout with RSV, I am so grateful for a healthy little man!!

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25 days of blessings #4: little girls

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Chocolate milk switcharoo

Ok, so if your kids are junk food junkies this might not work. Otherwise, this is a tasty and nutritious alternative to chocolate milk.

Milk, a drizzle of unsulphered molasses, stir and partake! Also, as a treat on a cold night try this heated with an extra dab of sugar or honey. Much like hot cocoa without all the caffeine... Afterall, no caffeine means no little people up til all hours! ;)

Enjoy!

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25 days of blessings #3: gifts from my children

Priceless treasures

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The Z's

I had this old canvas and frame and thought a little redo was in order.... so here it is...

Spray paint (I already had) and a $2 letter from hobby lobby... cheap and awesome!

25 days of blessings #2: the right to vote

Exercise your right!

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25 days of blessings #1: November

My favorite month of the entire year. The icky Halloween season is gone and the three most glorious holidays are on the horizon. I love this time if year. Inevitably the temperatures will fall at least a little this month, we get to see lots of extended family and out of town friends, we celebrate a beautiful holiday centered around being grateful and I have a birthday. I just love November.

What do you love about November?

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My big boy

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25 days of blessings

Starting Monday I am going to be doing a series of blogs I'm calling 25 Days of Blessings. I plan to post everyday until Thanksgiving (my birthday) one thing I am thankful for. They won't be in any order of importance just what strikes me that day as a blessing from the Lord.

Tis the season to be thankful!

Hello World Series....this ones for my hubby

Friday night Jimmy and I witnessed something we never in a million years thought would ever happen... our Texas Rangers won the pennant and they are going to the world series. Back up a minute and understand that our Rangers have never won ANY post-season game, much less advanced this far. In fact, there have been stretches where wins of any kind were hard to come by for this team. Yet Jimmy has remained a faithful fan since he became interested in baseball at 7 years old... that's 27 years people. Jimmy has waited a long long time for this.

As for me, I became a baseball fan back in the early 1990's and have waited out many long and losing seasons with the Rangers hoping that maybe someday they could play in October.

Somehow Jimmy knew this was the season. He told me on opening day that if they ever had a team that could go all the way, this was that team. I had my doubts and everyone knows that the Rangers always slump after the all-star game. So after coming out strong after the break I started believing we had what it took to get to the big set of games.

Well sure enough, here we are. After a third strike looking to our nemesis Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez,(it doesn't get a lot better than that), taking down the evil empire, proving money can't buy everything and showing that God does honor those who honor Him (thank you JH).... the world series is coming to TEXAS!!

I guess it's time to get out our claws and antlers and cheer on four more wins! We've waited a LONG time for this one... GO RANGERS!

Can I call him beautiful?

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Riding with Pop

Thanks Pop for the ride!!

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Trying to get out to help Daddy mow

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Don't grow weary

If there is one thing that is easy for a mom to do it is to grow weary of the job of mothering. Please don't though. Don't long for other things...

If you are a mom of a new baby don't wish for them to get older so they will sleep longer... embrace holding and feeding them in the wee hours. They are yours and yours alone in those moments and you will never get that time back with that child. The calendar will quickly tick the days away and they will be too busy crawling and walking and running and playing to sit and rock and cuddle.

If you are a mom of a busy toddler who gets into everything and you feel you can barely keep up and you wish they would just get a bit older so they can play without getting into too much trouble.... embrace the wonder and excitement of their world at this phase in their life. Really take the time to see the interest and pure joy in their eyes as they unravel the toilet paper. Laugh with them in that moment.... don't freak out. I mean come on, you can always buy more toilet paper but you can't buy back that moment if you flip out and get mad at an innocent 18 month old.

If you are the mom of a sick child and you aren't sure you can go another sleepless night dealing with coughing or runny noses or the always fun stomach bug.. remember Jesus said "when you have done it unto one of the least of these, you have done it unto me"..... think about that.

Don't grow weary, grow in joy and peace as you embrace what is right in front of you. Don't wish for "better" days... these are the BEST days of your life!

Daddy's little league jersey

"It's baseball time in Texas" MH

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ALCS... Go Rangers!!!

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It's fall

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Ben and the goats

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Fall Friday

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Christmas gown

Yes... Serene is wearing her Christmas gown! She wore it all day. She doesn't follow the rules... She is a free spirit that marches to her own drum. Fashion what? ?

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