Christmas Memories 2011

My brother Mark came over a couple of weeks ago and baked cookies with Jacob and Jenna (Josh was at a friend's house) and Jack and I got out for a night. I didn't get too many pictures on Christmas morning.....mainly because there is something about getting up at 4 am:). Yep, the kids were up at 4 am. (better than 3 am last year). They opened all their gifts and then Jack and I went back to bed (and Jenna did too). It was a very nice Christmas. I'm like the kids though.....it goes by way too quickly:)

Halloweens from the past

We are not trick or treating this year because it falls on Monday. I know for sure Joshua will have a Latin quiz the next day, not to mention other homework so we thought we would stay put. The kids did get to go the church fall festival and I bought some candy for them, and I have some other treats in store for them. I thought it would be fun to post some old Halloween pictures.

Christmas Memories.....

We had a wonderful Christmas. Some of my favorite memories were watching the kids opening their gifts, watching Joshua's reaction to an unexpected gift, time with family, Joshua reading the Christmas story, and the beautiful snow. I love to see the snow, however, I hate feeling cooped up. I really needed to do some exchanges, but I guess that will have to wait until later on in the week.

Christmas Stuff

Even though I run around like a chicken with my head cut off, I love this time of year. Last Friday we watched "The Nativity Story". I love that movie and we have made it a tradition to watch it. Every year I notice more and more how my kids understand and it always makes me realize how Joseph and Mary must have really felt. We are still looking forward to going to Meadow to see the lights. We couldn't go last weekend due to all the rain. We also try every year to give to a family in need. I think this shows the kids how much we really have.

I also want to "brag" on Joshua's class. I know some people think Christian schools are just as bad as public schools. I know they aren't perfect, and neither are my kids, but I love this school and I know this is the best thing for my kids. Josh's class adopted a family and went shopping for them. It was a great outreach project. I was touched by some of the girls who wanted to give up their lunch money (they were going to McDonalds after this) to buy more stuff for the family. They ended up with several bags, and I felt like God stretched that money. In addition to the things they could get, they ended up with $25 cash, a $10 gift card and some stamps for the family.

Today is the last day and Christmas break begins!! It should be interesting as we are delayed two hours and then get out at 11:30.

Mothers Day

I hope you all had a nice Mother's Day. Mine was great. My kids and husband gave me breakfast in bed. I don't think I've ever had breakfast in bed, so it was a real treat. The only thing was that we still were rushed to get to church and I couldn't enjoy it more. It was nice to have someone cook and cleanup. They served me pancakes, eggs, bacon and toast, and diet coke!! I also got a top of the line can opener, which I desperately needed. We went to church and I was disappointed that once again, I missed the mother's day message. Seems like every year I have children's church, but I enjoyed being in there with them anyway. Later that day Joshua, Jenna and I went to Kohl's and I stopped by coldstone for my free mother's day ice cream.......I LOVE coldstone! I wish mother's day came more than once a year because it's nice to get pampered like this!