Celebrating Home

As many of you already know, I'm a holiday girl. I love celebrating, decorating, and preparing our family for whatever holiday is coming next. But, I'm especially fond of all things Christmas (as are so many of you.) Every year, I find myself trying to "fit it all in" (especially when I come up with way too many new activities to add in each year!), so that my girls, as well as Mark and I, can have as much fun and meaning in the Christmas season as possible. This year, I have stepped back from that....not necessarily willingly. But, because of time constraints, and lots of traveling, we haven't had time for as many activities as I could have planned. :)

What I have found is that I am absolutely content in what we have done instead. Many of my ideas would have been fun...and were fun last year, in fact. But, the girls haven't missed them at all. What they have enjoyed instead is being home. Sure, we've done the light tours, and the mall Santa, and the school parties, and some baking. I've run around with my head cut off with the rest of the shoppers trying desperately to finish the Christmas list. But, overall, it's been a much quieter season than in years' past. And, it's been nice to just be home.

We've had movie nights, game nights, and nights where we read stacks of books before bedtime. We have cranked the Christmas music in the house and in the car, and we all belt out our own favorites. We've enjoyed our Advent Calendar and Book, and have taken time to really remember what each night teaches us. (Our advent calendar teaches a "name of Jesus" each night. Such a unique perspective on the advent, and I had no idea that's what it contained when I bought it 60% off last year!)

We have spent hours playing playdough, and even making the nativity scene from purple and hot pink! We made our gingerbread house...and then Daddy and girls have continued to snack on it every day. :) The girls have acted out the nativity scene again and again, with Kendyll telling Carlie what she should say next as "Mary" or "the angel". The girls have had good playtime with each one of their sweet grandparents, giving their parents wonderful breaks! And, most of all, we've just had time at home.

It's a good thing, I guess, because the busyness of Christmas week is about to begin. I have honestly already began praying about it. I get a little anxious as the schedule gets packed. And, even though every single thing is fun, it is sometimes hard to just relax and enjoy wherever I am in that moment. (But, God already knows that about me, anyway!) The girls and I have been praying nightly for our attitudes this week, that we may be joyful givers, and content with what we have. That we will not be greedy, or want more and more, as the presents come, but that we will be thankful for each and every blessing we receive. Man, I hope that works! Ha ha.

Anyway, that was a bit of rambling, but I am just trying to count my blessings as I look at the original list I made on December 1st of "Things I'd Like to Do with the Girls for the Holidays". So many things remain "unchecked" (including Kendyll's cookie party, a visit to the nursing home, ice skating as a family, and visiting the Gaylord Texan...) But, this time around, I realize that God did that for a reason. So that I would slow down and just enjoy being home.

But, don't get me wrong....the slowing down has still been at an extremely fast pace, if that's even possible! It seems this month is always full from beginning to end.

____________________________________________________________

Here are a few updates on our last week or so....

Mark returned home last weekend and we all rejoiced!!! The girls and I prepared a surprise night for him to jump right into the Christmas spirit (he has been gone most of December, so this was a must!). We decided to do our traditional late-night lights tour with hot chocolate. Of course, Kendyll remembered that we went to Bubba's for chicken before our "lights night" last year. So, that got added into this year's tradition too. (Have I said before that she doesn't forget a thing?!) Here is the list she made Daddy to give him hints on his surprise:

(It says: "You will need: a blanket, crismiss songs, PJ's, lites, A Dark Sky, Bubas, Starbuks, Car")

And, Carlie made a "list" too....

We picked him up at the airport, and gave him the list....

He got excited....

And, we were off to Bubba's to eat at 9:00 p.m. before the lights tour...it was certainly worth the wait.

Then, this is how we spent the next day, recovering from our late night...

Sunday, we also had fun making our gingerbread house, with all the candies and icing we could pile on! Here they are, getting ready to begin the work...

A few licks of icing later...

Pure creativity, and pure sugar...

And for those of you who are still reading this forever long blog...here are the girls' Christmas parties from the last couple of days.

Kendyll's class performed their memory work from the fall (Psalm 1 and "The Cow" by Robert Louis Stevenson), sang King David's City, Little Drummer Boy, We Three Kings, and Away in A Manger....and did a very sweet play of Jesus' Birth. Kendyll practiced all week for her role as Gabriel, and did a wonderful job belting out her lines. :)

It is always fun to be in her class, especially with the other parents, watching these sweet kindergarteners and again thanking God that we are there. Here's Mommy and my biggest baby girl (also known as Gabriel). Carlie had her party today too, full of fun crafts and yummy treats. She LOVED that Abby Kate was at her party too, and pushed her up and down the halls. Obviously, Abby Kate was equally as thrilled, seeing that it made her late for naptime. :)

We have our first Christmas celebration this weekend, along with a hopefully exciting celebration of our sweet nephew Caleb's birth. We'll keep ya posted!

Last Week's Celebrations

I'm sitting here literally watching the clock. Mark arrives home in two more hours after a 3 week traveling schedule. I have spent the afternoon trying to "pass the time" by cleaning my house, making welcome home cards with the girls, watching Oprah, and reading WAY too many blogs (including my own from last year). When it dawned on me....I haven't blogged about our last week! That's a GREAT way to pass an hour at least!

So, here we go!

Last weekend, we got to see our Mark Daddy Daddy for 36 hours. And, it was literally wonderful from beginning to end. The girls were so excited to go INSIDE the airport to surprise him. And, here they are hugging his neck, after running to him through the entire baggage claim area screaming! (sorry it's a bad picture....I was far away....because I didn't run. :)

We were all so glad to see him, and it was adorable to watch the girls react. Kendyll is always the most emotional when he leaves and the most excited when he returns. But, this time, Carlie gave her a run for her money. All weekend, she couldn't stop smiling and hugging on Daddy. She said countless times on Friday how she couldn't wait for daddy to be home. She prayed for him the whole week, and asked him how his work was when he got back. You could really tell she had missed him....he has never been gone that long since she's been alive, I don't think!

And, the cutest was Abby Kate. She's too little to ask "Where is my Daddy?", but she literally was laughing, hugging him, and patting him with the biggest smile when she finally saw him. Her heart broke when she had to sit in the backseat and not see his face while we drove. Pure sweetness.

We were very thankful that he got to come home....and we're very thankful to Uncle Joe and Aunt Nancy for being the reason he was allowed to leave his training. :)

Christmas with the "California family" had been planned for months, so Mark's new company allowed him to leave for the weekend to celebrate with us.

We had so much fun at our first Christmas celebration (even though I was awful at taking pictures!). Some Babe's Chicken, a wonderful Christmas breakfast and steak dinner prepared by Grandma, football in the backyard, and lots of visiting time with cousins and family. Here are a few of the very little pictures I took! (shame on me!)

Doing the hokey pokey at Babe's....

Sophie was the best 21 month hokey-pokey dancer I've ever seen! She LOVED it!

One of the biggest highlights of the weekend was Uncle Chris! The girls had so much fun playing with him, and being crazy with their cool uncle. This is one of my favorite pictures ever of Chris and Kendyll....

Doing some dancing, posing for some pictures, and playing around with cousins...

These "littlest" cousins are yet to really discover each other...but, when they do, it's gonna be pretty fun!

Both Sophie and Carlie were wanting Pops to hold them, so of course Pops said "Somebody take my picture!". And, we did as we were told. :) So cute!

Kendyll and sweet baby Ty. I think Kendyll would take him home if she could...
It was a great Christmas to kick off our season...and Kendyll and Carlie have been highly entertained by their new gifts. A magnetic princess set for Carlie and a special big-girl treasure box with lock and key for Kendyll!

We are now looking forward to repeating the above "airport" pictures in two hours, when our Daddy returns yet again. Right now, I'm repeating my prayer over and over for a safe arrival of his plane and a wonderful reunion with our little family. :) We'll be back tomorrow to blog about our surprises waiting for Daddy tonight!!

Is Santa Real?

I don't know if I'm glad that my kids aren't wanting the entire Toys R Us this year, or if I'm sad that there isn't anything "big" on their wishlist. But, either way, we finally made a Santa list this week. What's funny is I've had to "plant" ideas in their heads, so they will be excited on Christmas morning. (Is that sneaky or what?!)

Cassie, this picture is for you.

We love our Santa plate you gave us. And, I love looking at Kendyll's cute handwriting every day. :)

And, here's a translation of what is written, just in case you need it:

"Please bring me:

*A Birdhouse (This was news to me!)

*A big tent (This might have been a tad-bit "planted" by her mom & dad)

*Ornament for Abby Kate (Kendyll is very bothered that I haven't ordered or bought Abby Kate any "first ornaments" yet for this year.)

*Games (Another encouraged addition from her parents)

*A Doctor Suit (Cortni, did you read that?! You're a likely winner for "favorite present" this year!)"

Carlie's list consists of: NOTHING. Seriously, that's what she says. Or, she says "I dunno". She has nothing that she really wants, even after perusing the toy aisles! I guess I'll count it as a blessing!

Speaking of Santa, Kendyll has been asking quite a few questions this year about his existence. The first question came after we talked about the movie, Mr. Magorium's Magic Emporium, which we saw with Grandma a couple of weeks ago (very cute movie, by the way). I was explaining that there was not really a magic toy store (she still has a hard time distinguishing pretend from reality in movies...really she just automatically assumes that it's all real) So, I was explaining that nothing is really magic, because only God has power like that to do miracles or "magic". A few days later, she asks "So, mom, if God is the only one with power to do miracles, then how can Santa do all that stuff that he does?" Wow. Good one. I told her she is absolutely right. God is much more powerful than Santa. How is that for a roundabout answer?!

The other day she said "Mom, is Santa real, or do you and daddy just put out those presents?" Wow...again. I said "Well, what do you think?" (thanks, Nicole, for that advice!) She said, after quite a long pause: "I believe he is real. But, I just see presents from you and wonder if you just do all of them." So, we talked a little more and she finished the conversation still certain that Santa is real. We'll see how long that sticks. :)

Since then, we've seen a dozen different Santa's, and I have told her that they are just people dressed up like Santa, because she has definitely figured out that Santa can't be everywhere and look different every time.

But, we went to see North Park Santa the other day, and she is absolutely convinced now that she has met the one and only real Santa. And, why is he the one? He had a REAL beard and he knew their names! (I didn't mention to her that her name was on her shirt...see below. :)

Here they are smiling away. Even Abby Kate sat there with no tears!

Kendyll talks the day away to Santa about her Christmas plans....(she told me later that she snuck a feel of his real beard...you can see her fingers inching that direction in the picture.)

Meanwhile, Carlie fidgets with her fingers and says nothing to the man in red...(even though later she said that "Santa was so nice and she liked him so much!")

Grandma accompanied us on this fun outing, and bought us tickets to the famous train exhibit too. It was VERY cool and the girls loved it.

We'll most likely be visiting Santa again with Daddy when he is back, but our first trip was an overall success. And, Santa definitely won his way back into our kindergartener's heart...for now, anyway. :)

Deck the Halls with Pink & Silver....

Last week, we decided to add a Christmas tree to the girl's room this year. Kendyll and I used her "school day" to shop for what we needed, and she had a grand old time picking it all out. I sneakily put my input in on a few things, but for the most part, she picked it all herself.

Since I'm a bit on the anal side (hush, sisters), I decided to stay back during the decorating and let them go to town with Daddy. They loved decorating with all pink, and thought it was so funny that Daddy had to decorate such a girly tree. They made up a funny song about "Daddy's the only boy and he has to have a girly tree". Of course, he would have it no other way, which is also the funny part....

Now, the tree sits on their stage in their room, and is the brightest night-light they will ever get away with having. :) Kendyll says that she watches her ballerina ornament until she falls asleep each night and she has thanked me countless times for letting her get this tree this year. Come January, we might have a hard time taking this one down! And, of course, she has already planned Abby Kate's for next year.

Getting back into it....

I don't know what's happened to me, but it has been extremely hard to sit down and blog! Okay, maybe it's because I'm taking care of our three kids alone, or maybe because I have a mental block about blogs right now. But, either way, here I am, with some kind of update....

We have been desperately trying to stay as busy as possible, to help us pass the time while Daddy is in training. The results have been: 1) lots of fun activities to blog about 2) a very tired mommy and three very tired girls, and 3) the realization that all the activity in the world doesn't bring Daddy home fast enough. :) We miss him greatly and look forward to hugging him very soon.

So, here's a few new funny things about our girls...

***** Kendyll *****

1) She continues to be the bubbliest girl I've ever known....well, maybe except her Aunt Cortni. :) This week has been a countdown to the big day---the day she starts her first piano lesson. It has been cute to overhear conversations with countless people this week about her big news. Everyone from the entire team of kindergarten teachers at her school to some random lady at McDonald's, to her entourage of church friends....she is excited and it shows.

2) Along the same lines, she has really peaked in her interest in piano over the last few weeks and months. She plays every day, and knows the first four songs in her beginner book (thanks to Gammy!). She is so proud every time she plays, and of course, we are building her up (maybe way too much) about her ability---although we always phrase it as something she is blessed with from God. The day Mark left, he told her how proud he was of her using her gift for music and that he really could tell that God had blessed her with this talent. It was so cute to watch her smile from ear to ear and completely take that in to her heart as truth.

So, the next morning on the way to school, she was talking about her piano lesson. And, she said this: "Mommy, you know that a long time ago I wasn't sure what my gift was, but it is so great to know now that God has given me the gift of the piano!" So precious. I sure hope she is right (and not sorely disappointed). But, I thought, man, I wish I knew with certainty at age 30 what she does at age 5. She is absolutely confident that the Lord has given her a talent, and she is ready to find out exactly what it is and use it. May I follow in her footsteps. :)

3) She has also suddenly become quite picky on her clothing. Not necessarily fashion (although that does come up from time to time), but primarily on comfort. The most important part of her entire outfit is the socks. (Cassie, does this sound familiar??) She can't stand for the line on the toe to hit her the wrong way. She can't stand for them to be too tight...or too loose....too long or too short when they fold over. And, shoes---I won't even start on the shoes. Let's just say we have perfected the toilet paper wad in the toe of her shoes so that no part of her foot "wiggles" inside. Other phrases we hear now is that "she feels like she has sand in her toes when her socks are too tight" or she "has rocks in her elbows when she bends her arm in this shirt", or that she "feels like her arm is going to be cut" by a 3/4 sleeve. Quite frustrating, since she has never cared before. But, I guess the day was coming.

(Another new opinion is on bows....Mommy's sad about this one, but I guess it's time to say goodbye to hair accessories. She is into headbands now and they drive me crazy. Her hair is all over the place! So, we're going to have to come up with something that is a compromise.)

****Carlie*****

1) Oh, man. Where do I start with this girl? The other night, she was picking her praise song for bedtime, which is ALWAYS "Oh God you are My God". But, she changed it up and picked "O Lord our Lord, how majestic is your name". So, we're all three singing away and she is looking up toward her ceiling the whole time. (Kendyll does this sometimes and even puts her hands out as she is "praising"---you know, a little dramatic flair shouldn't surprise you from her.) But, it surprised me (and made me smile) from Carlie. So, I said "Carlie, what are you looking at?" ---thinking she's going to say "God" like Kendyll does. Instead, she said "What are you talking about?" I said "Are you looking up to God when you sing?" And, she said "No, (with her "you're so weird" look), I'm just lookin' at the fan!" Oh, of course.....

2) The other day in the car, we were driving to her school. We had some music playing pretty loud and Abby Kate was also screaming pretty loud (because of a dirty diaper). Carlie says "Mom, Mom!" I turn around and say "What?" She says "Umm, can you turn that baby down?" Totally cracked me up. She had her "I'm trying to be serious, but I know I'm funny" look. It worked. It caught me completely off guard.

3) She is REALLY into singing these days, especially Christmas carols. The funny part is the absolute butcher job she does on the words. Here are a few of my favorites:

"Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree, your leads are so untangling",

"Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, all the way to Christmas, uh wuh fuh uh ee i a sleigh today" (the sounds are truly indistinguishable...they are not words.)

"Away in a Manger, no crib for its bed, the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay", then repeat, and repeat, and repeat. (she is getting better at this one if we give her a word or two to get her past the hump she gets stuck on...)

"We wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas, and a happy new year. It's exciting new year and all of our friends, we wish you a merry Christmas, and a happy new year."

I know there are more that I can't think of right now...

*****Abby Kate*****

1) Abby Kate is officially my first child who actually has to be caged. She has a "baby jail" in our living room, that is a large gated play yard where all of her toys are contained, and so is she. Otherwise, she is gone in a split second. Tonight, I left her "out" because she was tired of baby jail. I ran (literally) upstairs to get her some pajamas and came back to see no baby in the living room. I ran to the kitchen and to the dog food (where she prefers to go first), and no Abby Kate. I start calling her name (which usually just makes her crawl away faster), jogging from room to room. Finally, I find her all the way in my closet. That is quite the trek in such a short amount of time! She is one busy bee. And, she thinks it's completely hilarious. She starts giggling as soon as she sees me.

2) She is full of tricks these days and I really believe she loves showing them off. She shows anyone who is "new" how she waves bye-bye and then she claps for herself. Of course, she is always showing her family too, and we rejoice with her each time. Her new trick is peek-a-boo, but it took me a little while to figure out what she was doing. I play with her all the time by covering my eyes with my hands---you know, the typical way. I discovered the other day that she is playing back. The difference is that she just turns her head away from you and looks behind herself (kind of over her own shoulder), until you say "Where's Abby Kate?" and then she turns around really quick and starts laughing. It is the most precious thing I've ever seen. I think she's getting tired of me asking so I can see her do it!

Well, I promise to be back very soon with lots of pictures. We really have been doing quite a bit that I need to catch up on---including Braden's big TWO YEAR OLD birthday party, fun days at home with friends, and a visit to Santa. Back with more later....first, I must go start the search for Christmas cards before it's too late!