My Gorgeous Little Ladies

Of our 9 kiddos, only 2 are girls. And I'm not exactly a big-time girly-girl. Oh, I wear make up and like my purses; but as far as spending much time on my hair or nails or wearing pretty clothes, it just doesn't happen. And sometimes I forget that my girls ARE girly-girls and love it when I do things like that with them.

So, today, they were on their way to go listen to a band with their Daddy and I decided that we would spend a little time getting pretty. Lena had gotten some hot rollers for Easter, and MaKenzie had just gotten a few new outfits, so we played around with hair stuff and nail polish. The result? Daddy had 2 beautiful little ladies to escort to the singing.

Christmas 2012

 For years, since our oldest boys were very little boys, our family has celebrated Advent.  Sometimes more faithfully than others, but every year we have an Advent wreath and an Advent devotional.  Our kids represent a wide range of ages and understanding, so it has always presented a bit of a challenge to find a good intellectual fit for everyone, thus the variability in faithfulness.  This year, I found Ann Voskamp's Advent Devotional.  It includes printable ornaments to be hung on a Jesse Tree.

We weren't really familiar with the idea of the Jesse Tree, so we didn't know how it would go, but I committed to giving it a try.

Each night, as we gathered around our table or in our living room by the fire, we read the stories from Scripture--the stories that show us WHY we need a Savior, the stories that remind us WHO we are, and more importantly WHO Jesus (descendent of Jesse--thus, the Jesse tree) is.  Each night, as we read, we remembered.  We revisited HIS story, and thereby, our own.  Each night, we lit the candles and hung up the ornament that corresponded to the story, and each night we prayed. The time we spent together as a family each night is truly my favorite Christmas gift!  

 

Here is a link to Ann's Advent devotional.  It's free and printable.  I would recommend it without reservation.  It was a great fit for everyone in our family.  Our littles enjoyed reviewing all the Bible stories, our biggers got the benefit of Ann's commentary and a deeper understanding of how all of the stories, individually, are great, but when  you put them all together--WOW--what a tapestry of mercy, grace, and redemption.

(http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/11/free-christmas-family-devotional-jesse-tree-ornaments/)

John Wesley turns 17!

 John Wesley is 17 and all I can think is, "He's ALMOST 18!!!!"  I have to remind myself to breathe, that he is God's, not mine, and that he is growing up and growing in the Lord, just as he should be, and that instead of dreading that I only have a few short months before he is ready to find his own way, I need to treasure every moment that he is HERE with me.  And I do.  But there are moments that all I can think is, "He's ALMOST 18!!!!!"  Oh, how I love this young man!

 For his birthday, he told me not to make a cake because he wouldn't eat it.  He has more self-discipline than anyone I know.  So I made him a big bowl of fruit and bought a pound cake for those of us who like having so many birthdays because it makes for good cake-eating excuses! 

 



Cody is 16!!!!

 Look at this grown-up young man!  It is hard for me to believe that he is the little chubby baby that God gave me 16 years ago!

 This year Cody is looking forward to finally getting to drive his Suburban.  When we retired our big green suburban (that was made before he was even born), he immediately claimed it as his own.  So it is.

 I'm not sure how my mommy heart will take having two boys on the road.  I know I have to "let go" sometime, but gee, they're still just babies, aren't they????

No, I know they aren't.  I have always said that we are raising young men, not boys.  I am so proud of the young man Cody has become, and so blessed that he calls me "Mommy."  

Decking the Halls...

 It's our tradition.  Every year, when it's time to put up the tree, we make it into a party.

We have finger foods, 

 snacks,

and Christmas music. 

We sometimes eat more than we work. 

 And that's okay.

 Because, (as Jared is demonstrating in this picture) decorating can be overwhelming.

But eventually the tree goes up. 

And the lights go on. 

And some years, when we're lucky, they actually WORK and I don't have to make a trip to the store to get more. 

 Everyone has their favorite thing to do.

 Some like to assemble the tree.

 Some like to pretend they're choking to death to provide comic relief from the stress of decorating.

Some like to hang the ornaments. 

 Or make sure the lights are spaced just right.

 And some like to manage the whole affair.  Wonder who?

 Everyone has their favorite ornaments, as well.

All of them are special. 

 Most of them have a story.

 These were mittens my older boys ACTUALLY wore when they were babies.

And these are the handprints from those sweet little hands. 

 Here is the ornament I always make sure *I* get to put up every year.  My sweet Katy.

 And these were the shoes I wore when I was a baby.  The moose is the hand and foot prints of my once-littles and their artwork of trees and reindeer and hats and candycanes.  It is less of a decoration and more a collection of keepsakes, our tree.

 And this year, we've added Chuck's seashells.

 Alas, the finished (for now) product.

 Atop the armoire is Chuck's nativity along with the framed print of my brother's wise words as a backdrop for the wise men who looked that night at the babe who became the Savior whom Chuck now sees face to face.  And this year, more than ever, I'm so glad for the babe in that manger.  For the sweet hope that first cried in the hay.  How grateful I am for that baby hope--that tiny would-be Savior who loves those I love even more than I can.

 Old jars with winter scenes on the shelf of the hoosier my honey gave me just 'cause he loves me so.

 Soldiers guarding hope and peace that I so desperately need every day.

And stockings ALL hung by the chimney with care. 

 Traditions.  Stockings from our childhoods.  His.

And mine.  And all of ours.

And a little boy too tired. 

 Losing patience with the too-long day.

Looking forward to bedtime. 

Waiting for rest. 

Needing comfort. 

Wanting peace. 

Like all the world. 

Come, Lord Jesus. 
We all are waiting, sometimes with joyful anticipation,
but sometimes too tired and out of patience, like my sweet tired boy,
 needing the peace only you offer.