Christmas

I love Christmas and I'd say it's pretty safe to say that the kids love it as well. I love the hype and anticipation of waiting for Christmas mourning to see what will be under the tree. I love to see all the smiles from ripping open the presents and moving onto the next  And then once all the presents are open its time to play! The house is just a plain mess for hours, that's about how long I can handle the mess, and then we get ready and head of to Nanna's and Grandpa's house for breakfast/lunch.

And, we had a white Christmas!

I have to add as the Christmas season started on the 1st of December we went to a nativity scene and I loved it. I cried because the spirit was so strong, I think it was the singing that got me. I love Silent Night. 

Spending time with Dad

Isaac wanted to do some whittling with Dad for his "spending time with Dad" and if you can't tell from the photos but it looks like he loved it.

These kids have such a great daddy!

They are all growing up

You know they say how quickly they grow. It really is true. Gabe and Bryn are now 12 & 13...teenagers. They are into all things teenagerish. They have such a special love/hate relationship and I just needed to capture them together at this moment.

Love these kids to pieces

Every night when Dad and I go to bed we talk about how AWESOME you kids are. All the goods things you have done for the day or even the accomplishments you have made. We want you guys to know that you are so loved.

(by the way, not sure how to write this blog in 1st person or 2nd or 3rd but hopefully the point gets across).

Blessed

Today I sit here looking up news feeds to see if I can find out any more details about the Gunman who killed 20 kids ranging from 6 to 7 and 6 adults who must have been in his way.

I read one story of a Hero (Victoria Soto, 27) who put all her students in the cabinets and told the shooter they were in the gym and then he shot and killed her. She is a Hero she saved their lives. After reading her story I found all the names of the victims and there ages. I'm so thankful to have my little Isaac, who is 6, still with us here today. I can't get over how scared those kids would have been. I hope the children that saw what they did will be able to be okay and those that lost their loved ones will be assured with peace thru our Heavenly Father in some way that they will be blessed to see them again or to have peace with their loss.

Not only am I blessed to have Isaac here but the rest of my children. I love them SO MUCH!!

I found this poem & photo today about all the children and brought me peace.

twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38

when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.

their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.

they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.

they were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.

they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.

"where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.

"this is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."

when what to their wondering eyes did appear,

but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.

He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.

then He opened His arms and He called them by name.

and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring

those children all flew into the arms of their King

and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,

one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.

and as if He could read all the questions she had

He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."

then He looked down on earth, the world far below

He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe

then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,

"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"

"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"

"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"

then He and the children stood up without a sound.

"come now my children, let me show you around."

excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.

all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.

and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,

"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA

The Wake Up

Beckam will usually knock on the door when he first gets up in the morning, so that he can be unleashed. Well, this morning was a special one. He had no PJ's on and no diaper. His bed was soaked with pee. My first thoughts were he must have been freezing all night and I felt bad not knowing he was naked. Poor little guy.

Later on he decided to spray his go-gurt all over his bedroom wall. While cleaning that up I put him in the bath and then he dumps all the water out of the tub. Later he dumps his milk all over the table. I was tired by then and got a little mad and then he says to Elyse. "Mom, is so mean."

**I'm laughing now that its all over.