Mommy moments...

A few days before we were supposed to leave to visit my family- I took the kids to see the Nativity with live animals near our house.  We had a great time visiting the animals.  The kids were starting to whine that it was cold and so I got them in the car and turned on the van so they would have heat.  Meanwhile all the doors shut and somehow locked me out.  I had only the coat on my back, phone and purse were locked in the car.  One of those crazy mommy moments.  And of course, I didn't know Michael's phone number- it was in my phone.  So I just stood at the window trying to get Jeremiah to unbuckle himself and unlock the door but he could not. I had quite a crowd of people around trying to help me out and finally a dear gentleman screwed off my antennae and put it through the window to hit the button to roll the window down.  At that point, it didn't matter if the car window area was scratched a little bit- I was glad to be able to get into the car.  Needless to say, my new years resolution is trying to memorize at least my husband's phone number.

Christmas Activities...

 Lots of Christmas activities this past month- Zoo, building Gingerbread houses, making lots of cookies, making ornaments and all kinds of gifts and crafts for the kids- they may be bored next month as Jeremiah keeps asking- what other activity are we going to do!

Caroling...

One of our special memories for the season was going Caroling at Twin Towers with the youth girls.  I took the kids and gave them fun hats to wear.  We had a great time singing to Gigi and some of the other residents there!  We gave them wrapped little plates of cookies and sang some of their favorite songs- a special memory the kids and I had this year.  One of my favorite memories growing up was going caroling and singing to neighbor houses and then coming back for cookies.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!!

Sweet friends...

 This week, we enjoyed a visit from our sweet friends- Michael and Anne Marrs.  I worked with Anne as a secretary in our Seminary days and she quickly became a great friend- a sweet encourager and patient listener!  It was so fun to catch up with them after 5 years and see what the Lord is doing in and through them as counselors in Montana!  :) 

Josiah- 9 months!

 Josiah is a happy boy at 9 months.  He started crawling a few weeks ago and is getting into everything!  He is starting to want to pull up and sit and rock on his knees but hasn't figured it out yet.  He is starting to eat solid foods pretty well and loves to wrestle and play with Daddy and the other kids!  He is very scheduled and when 8pm rolls around- he is a tired boy!  Still no teeth for this guy and I think right now he weighs about 16 lbs.

 Jeremiah & Lydia in their Christmas outfits!

Now that is the true boy right there- sticking out his tongue!

Sugar Cookies

 So thankful for a sweet friend to come over and help us make sugar cookies on Saturday! 

I could not have done it without her- and we even made them gluten free for Daddy too!

Tidbits

Encouraged today listening to Jani Ortland on prayer.  It is a great reminder for us as women to spend time crying out to our Father and to take time to pray!  Also I am really reflecting on this blog post today as well on whether to say "yes" to something or not.  It is easy to want to please and say "yes" and harder to say "no" especially this time of year.

Pilgrims...

 Laura and I are doing a little preschool co-op of our own this year.  We have a letter of the week and think of a main theme to go with that letter.  A few weeks ago, she did P for Pilgrims.  Being the History teacher that she is- she decided to have her students dress their part.  The kids even got to eat their lunch in big boxes (or boats). 

Gifts...

In the last week- we have received a few blessings, gifts from the Lord.  A couple in our small group offered us their brand new mattress for their bed after they decided to get another one.  We were thrilled and saw this as a blessing from God!  About a week ago, a woman that I only got to know a few months ago but who has moved overseas sent me a book.  She sent it in all her flurry to leave the States and that touched me.  I am looking forward to reading it- it is called The Invisible Woman- When Only God Sees by Nicole Johnson.  The title of it intrigues me and cuts to the heart of what God has been working in my heart lately.  Motherhood is a call to suffer.  It is a call to lay down our desires, wants and desires and serve our children and our husbands daily- over and over again.  It feels mundane- not glamorous and yet it is our calling.  Lately, I have been struggling with that calling- wanting to serve in a bigger capacity than what I have been called.  And yet my calling as a mom is the biggest calling and mission I could ever have on the face of this earth!  I am asking God to refresh this vision in me this year and thankful for those ladies who can mentor us young moms in these Titus 2 areas- to love our children and husband and to be busy at home!  So thankful for these reminders!

O Christmas Tree...

Guests...

The weekend before Thanksgiving we had some sweet guests come to stay with us.  Michael's roommate from college and his wife and 3 kids.  Jeremiah and I worked and cleaned and prepared the room across the hall for them to stay.  We enjoyed the visit with these sweet friends from Texas.  So thankful for kindred hearts and that they drove all the way to visit with us!  In the morning, Joseph and Michael took the boys on a hike and the girls stayed back and I decided to whip out a craft.  In the evening, we decided to have a little popcorn and movie time which the kids thought was so special and that way the adults could sit in the kitchen and talk for a little. :)  Having 6 kids in a little apartment kept us busy for sure!