In the Spirit of Christmas...

Thursday, we got up bright and early to drive 3 hours to attend Harold's Christmas Party for work.  It was just Harold and I and the two girls.  As we were driving, we were listening to KLove radio, and they were talking about the new Narnia movie schedule to open that night.  We had intended to take the kids to see it, and had talked about it several weeks earlier.  

We Googled show times and found that one was opening an hour and a half from our house at midnight (well, 12:01 to be exact).  But that hour and a half was the other direction.  First we would have to drive the 3 hours home after the party and pick up all the boys who had stayed with Mom and Dad.  

Later, while we were still driving to the party, Harold remembered he had had a message from Aunt Robyn the day before inviting us to come up to see the Christmas light display that was in her town, which happened to be the same town where we would be seeing the movie.

We Googled the city website to find out information about the light display and found out they were having "Pizza and Karaoke with Santa" as well as a trolley ride through the light display that evening--for FREE! 

Robyn had obligations at church, but Uncle Dale met us a the train depot where we were to see Santa and go on the trolley ride.  MaKenzie was especially excited to get to see Uncle Dale! 

This first part of the evening was a little less than exciting for the 4 oldest boys.  They were good with having free pizza, but didn't want anything to do with getting pictures with Santa.  That's okay.  We never have really "done" Santa, and I certainly don't intend to now, but it sure was fun for MaKenzie and Jared to sing with him.  (Lena enjoyed it too, but it wasn't quite as magical for her.)

Jared and Santa sang "Jingle Bells" and MaKenzie and Lena joined in to sing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."

For a second, we thought MaKenzie was going to break out into a dance and everything!  She was singing and wiggling all over the place!

Finally, MaKenzie decided that she should share the mic with Lena.  Before long it was time to board the trolley.  We were the last trolley trip for the night, so we didn't have very many others on board with us.

This display was my favorite of all of them.  "Peace on Earth."  Of course it made me think of Haiti and all the unrest over the elections--and reminded me that TRUE Peace on Earth won't be known until Christ's return.   

John Wesley (and his mom and dad) were having a hard time stomaching the money spent on these displays.  Each LED light bulb in every display costs $1.05.  So, in this next picture, you can see John Wesley counting the lights just in the letter "H" on this display.  Approximately 60 bulbs.  So, 60 X $1.05 means that JUST HE LETTER "H" cost over 60 DOLLARS.  Imagine the cost of the whole "Peace on Earth" display--not to mention that this was just one of about 100 more very similar and most were much more complex than this one.

In fact, there was one display that had been vandalized last season and to repair it cost $8,000.00  EIGHT THOUSAND dollars for a light display--just ONE light display. 

As the man who led the tour talked about each display and how much money had been donated by the people and businesses of the community for it, I had to just keep reminding myself that we had come to ENJOY this light show--not to think of how these THOUSANDS of dollars (and the tidy sum we spent later on the movie--which truly IS a rare treat for us) could be used to help people who have no money for food, who are living in tents, who have no money to send their children to school--or a COUNTRY who hasn't enough money to treat the thousands who are suffering from cholera and so many other PREVENTABLE diseases every day.  I kept telling myself, "Just enjoy it for what it is."  And for the most part--probably because for all my life I HAVE, so I'm good at it--I did.  But like they say, once you see and KNOW about the needs, it's hard to ever think the same again about the things we take for granted every day here in the land of plenty.

After the light show, we went to Robyn and Dale's church where they were having practice for their "Living Christmas Tree" program.  We got to visit with Robyn and Ari and Ray a bit.  Then we went to Taco Bell, cause we still had about 2 hours before we needed to be at the movie. 

We were all already SO TIRED.  But we were in hopes that we could stay awake through the movie.   We all did great through the previews and the first 30 minutes of the movie, but pretty soon, William elbowed me, rousing me from my own story line going on in my dreams.  I stayed awake with the help of popcorn and coke for the next little while, then dozed off and on for the next bit, waking at one point to see that William was asleep now, too.  So, without his disapproving jabs in my arm to shame me, I promptly fell asleep and continued to sleep until the ending scene of the movie.  Harold and MaKenzie were also dozing in and out, but everyone else, including Ari (who had to get up early for a full day of school the next morning), was able to stay awake for the whole thing.

We drove Ari home, and then headed for home ourselves.  By the time we got home a little after 4:00 am, everyone except Harold, me and Jonas was asleep.  The next morning, a very tired Harold made me promise to remind him never to go to a midnight movie again.  Are you kidding???  This is one of my favorite memories already! 

A Simple Girl With Simple Wishes...

A day or two ago, William asked MaKenzie what she wanted for Christmas. Luckily, she's a simple girl with simple tastes. All she wanted was a laptop, a cell phone, a Mustang (as in the car!), and a puppy. Good thing she doesn't ask for much...

Earlier this week, we had our first dusting of snow for the season. Even though it didn't amount to much and disappeared nearly as quickly as it fell, we were all excited and used the snow as a great reason to put school on a delay for the morning. It doesn't take much for us to find a reason to celebrate around here!

This day, MaKenzie was eager to try out her new boots. We had finally found a pair of boots that were actually made to fit over her braces, allowing her, for the first time, to join in the fun outside and still have the support of her braces! I think I see a job as a footwear model in her future!

I just love this picture of her reaching out to grab the snowflakes as they fell. Just like her, reaching out to embrace life with such a joyful enthusiasm like I have never seen in anyone else.   MaKenzie is the most postive person I know!

I loved watching her walk across the yard with Cody. She is getting so great at getting around, I didn't figure she'd need much help, if any, but I wanted Cody to be there for her if she needed him, and he didn't mind. In fact, I think he enjoyed this little victory of hers as much as anyone else! He played outside with her for quite a while, helping her make snowballs and just doing NORMAL stuff. There are lots of things that MaKenzie can't do because of her CP, and she never complains, never pouts or feels sorry for herself--but I know she is aware of the times that she isn't able to do what everyone else is doing. So, it makes me SO happy when she CAN do what the rest of the kids are doing. Makes me just wanna holler, "You GO girl!!!"

Jared is EIGHT!!!!

I can hardly believe that Jared has turned eight years old!  I know I say that about every birthday for every child, but it just seems like the world just moves so fast!  Before I know it, they're all going to be grown!  I'm so thankful to get to celebrate all their milestones and birthdays--so thankful they are healthy and happy.  I just wish it didn't all go so fast!  Anyway...Jared's birthday was a couple days ago and he was so excited about it!  This was the first year that he comprehended what it meant to have a birthday coming up, so that was a  HUGE milestone in itself--the fact that he UNDERSTOOD that "birthday" meant he could expect presents, a cake, and all that hoopla is a BIG DEAL!  YAY Jared!!!

When I got ready to wrap Jared's presents I realized I'd forgotten to buy wrapping paper.  So we improvised.  I had the kids cut up brown paper bags and gave them the orange duct tape.  I love it and of course, Jared could care less what everything is wrapped in--he just wants to know WHAT'S INSIDE! 

Jared was very happy to find that he actually HAD presents!  The night before his birthday, he was so afraid that I had forgotten to buy him presents.  As he was saying goodnight to John Wesley,  he said "John Lesley (that's how he says John Wesley's name), my birfday's amorrow.  Mommy got me no pwesents."  We all tried to assure him that mommy and daddy always get presents for birthdays, but he wasn't convinced.  Needless to say, he was excited as he opened his gifts!

John Wesley wrapped this present a little too tightly...he might have a little of his Grandpa Smith in him.  (wink, wink)  William made it easier on him and used only a little tape!

 Lena and Jared.  Love their smiles!

I think it's hilarious how Matthew is looking around John Wesley to see what's going on!  His eyes are looking a little mischievous, as if he has a plan...he just might.

Jared played with his trains for the rest of the day!  No kidding, when he gets interested in something, he doesn't quit!

I made the laziest cake ever!  I bought a cake at the grocery store and put a couple pieces of track on top, then put one of his trains on the tracks.  Add some sparkler candles, and Voila'...a festive cake!  Festive and EASY for me since I hadn't been feeling the greatest for a few days.

One of Grandma and Grandpa's gifts to Jared was the Misty Island Rescue movie that Jared had been anxious to see (and we've watched it now about a hundred times)!  That's actually another milestone.  Jared had been at Grandma and Grandpa's house and seen the commercials for "Misty Island Rescue" toys and actually said he wanted them.  He's listening and understanding so much more nowadays.  He hears the commercial and understands that perhaps HE can have that toy/see that movie/whatever.  It's not just something on TV anymore, he can relate it to himself.  That's progress!

Anyway...back to the birthday!  Usually Jared's the one who starts the "Happy Birthday" song when folks around here have a birthday, so without him singing we were a little slow getting the song started, but he enjoyed it nonetheless.  Jonas helped him blow out his sparkler candles.  He kept getting his face right down in the fire!  I was afraid he was going to burn his cute little nose off!

Jared sure enjoyed his day--and we all enjoyed celebrating him!  What better reason to celebrate than his precious eight years--even more precious when I remember what could've been had God not allowed him to survive and heal!  He is EIGHT years old.  What a blessing he is to this family--especially this momma!  Happy Birthday my sweet boy!  May you have many many more!

Thanksgiving 2010

This year's Thanksgiving was so relaxed.  There wasn't the time-crunched feeling that I have experienced in the past with the Thanksgiving meal cooking and preparations.  As Mom and I were talking about it, I realized why.  Harold deep-fried the turkeys this year.  That freed up my oven for the other things that needed to be baked and freed up my mind so I didn't have to do all the math required to figure out how long to cook a turkey that weighed X pounds then try to figure out how to fit in getting the rolls and stuff done.  (I often have used my stand alone roaster, but prefer the oven.) 

I think this picture of Harold is so funny.  I had taken like 3 pictures and he either turned away or hid his face, finally I said, "Would you please just stand there and smile?"  So he did--I love it.  Even though it's a very sarcastic smile, it makes me laugh.

So here is one of the turkeys after it was finished.  Man, were those turkeys GOOD!  And I was surprised at how little time they take to cook!  This one looks a little charred on the bottom part and under the wings, but it was amazing how moist and tender the meat was--and so flavorful!  This is definitely how we'll be doing turkey from now on!

William and Cody are delivering the finished turkeys to Grandma & Grandpa's house, where we'll carve them and EAT!!!

Mom and I split up the cooking, so she made a few dishes and I made a few.  It was all so good!  By the time we all went through and ate what we wanted, there was still about 2/3 left in all the dishes.  I think we got about two more meals each out of all of this.  This picture doesn't show the salads and desserts.

The kids waited patiently while Harold cut up the turkey and Mom & I put last minute things together.

Of course, I didn't pick up the camera again until a few hours later when we were ready for dessert.  Nobody could even think of dessert until quite a while after we ate because we were so stuffed.

Mom's pretty pies.

This picture is a perfect example of one of the things I'm thankful for this year and always.  Notice that there are about 4 different ornaments on that one branch!  That's because my children (mostly the younger ones) decorated my tree.  And I'm so thankful for my children!  Yes, sometimes things are imperfect; sometimes my house is messy and there is mud on my carpet; sometimes things are noisy and hectic--but ALWAYS there is LOVE.  When I think about WHY things are imperfect, messy, hectic, noisy--I wouldn't change a thing.  When my children grow up and move away (some of them anyway--some of my children will likely always be here), my life will be more leisurely and my house will be cleaner and my tree can have all the ornaments perfectly spaced.  But you know what?  I bet I'll be wishing things were exactly the way they were "back in the winter of 2010."  When that time comes, I may just have to put several ornaments on the same branch just for old times' sake.

Our Thankful Tree...

Last year was the first year we had ever put up our Christmas tree before Thanksgiving.  I loved having it up during Thanksgiving as a reminder of Christ's birth and how very THANKFUL I am for God sending us His son.  So with Thanksgiving quickly approaching, I wanted to get the tree up, so we had our traditional Christmas-tree-putting-up-party, which includes loud Christmas music and all of our favorite snack foods while we decorate the tree.

I love this picture of Jared!  He was so proud that he had helped decorate the tree!  John Wesley had toe surgery this morning, so he didn't take charge like he normally would.  William's allergies always bother him a lot when we get the Christmas tree out (because of the dust from storage, I suppose), so he guarded the snack table.

Since John Wesley was out of commission, Jonas took charge of organizing the whole shindig.  I think John Wesley, Cody, and William were still eating all the snacky food--little smokies, cheeseball, chex mix, bagel pizzas--fun foods that we don't have every day.

Lena (in her orange tutu) brought the right pieces at the right time, then helped Jonas fluff out all the branches.

MaKenzie and Matthew helped unload the bins, too.   Matthew threw the tree topper across the room!  It will be interesting to see how long it takes him to dismantle the tree this year...

With so many helpers, the tree went up in a jiffy!  It seems like the ornaments flew onto the tree!  I turned around 5 minutes after the tree was up and they were all on!

Perfection!  At least for me anyway.  I love all the handmade ornaments.  Every year I love taking them out and marveling at the tiny handprints and the child-like coloring on the ornaments that the kids have made.  I also have an ornament with a picture of Katy Lu on it, as well as a few ornaments that friends have given me over the years.  My little box of sentimental and construction paper ornaments is precious to me!  They remind me of even more reasons I am so thankful this season!

It's TWINS!

This picture just doesn't do justice to this huge, turquoise americauna egg! John Wesley came in from gathering the eggs yesterday as I was reading with the other kids. He thrust this gigantic egg at me and we all couldn't help but marvel at the sheer size of it. It's about twice the size of a regular egg. In fact, the egg next to it is one of our larger eggs from our light brown leghorn. (Also notice the dark, olive green egg on the bottom right--I love the colors!)

Tonight when we cracked it, we found out it was twins!  Wonder if this chicken will always give us double-yolkers?  This farm stuff is so much fun. 

Lena's New Do...

Lena decided she was ready for a change! She had been talking about getting her hair cut for a few weeks. We finally got around to it last week. I love that she is able to be more independent in doing her hair now! She loves that it's not in tangles in the mornings! We both love that Locks of Love can use it to make a new "do" for someone who needs it!