Christmas catchup

It never seems to slow down!  So it's mid January and I'm just posting a few pictures of our Christmas whirlwind.

Andrew's Christmas program at preschool was a success. 

Our family after the show

Santa visited our neighborhood.  The kids and I even got to take a carriage ride.

Lila enjoying a story with Mrs. Clause 

Lila taking Ainsley for a ride in her new Jeep

Andrew and Luke testing out the "fast" jeep

Celebrating Christmas in MS.  Mom, MawMaw, Lila and me.

Cheese!

Nana had to have a picture with all the grandkids. 

I'm quickly learning a game of football is necessary for any family gathering.

Emma, Andrew, Lila, and Sara making cookies for Santa in LA on Christmas Eve.

Little Miss Priss 

Drew & Andrew testing out a RC helicopter.

Encouragement

Holidays are filled with hustle and bustle...filled with good tidings and cheer...filled with STRESS?!?! ...TEARS?!?!...stress about STRESS and TEARS?!?!  Whether you're juggling a dozen "light" loads or buckling under one life-or-death burden, Matthew 11:28 reminds us that Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  This is not the time of year to set aside quiet time with the Lord but the time to meditate on  His Word.  Even when it is not easy, thank God for what is good (the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ for starters) and cry to Him about what seems unbearable.  He knows all about submitting to the will of the Father when the flesh wants an easier way out (Mark 11:35-36).  Last week when I was struggling with a bit of the blues, a few things happened to pick me up.   One, I received the news that cancer had returned to a young child from my hometown which  gave me much needed perspective in dealing with the mundane of motherhood.  The other thing was a mentor friend of mine suggested that I just cry out to God for some help to lift my spirit and return the joy to my soul and be encouraged by the Psalms.  When looking for some guided reading I stumbled across a book on our shelf, Streams in the Desert. (this is a link to the free ebook version) I sat down with it and began to read a few days at a time, looking up the devotions that were based in Psalms and then finding myself just reading on.  I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this devotion book for you or as a gift for anyone who may need to be encouraged or just gain a bit of perspective. 

Here's the entry from December 8 which has stuck with me.  
As God's chosen people...clothe yourselves with...kindness.  (Col 3:12)
There is an old story of an elderly man who always carried a little can of oil with him everywhere he went, and when he would go through a door that squeaked, he would squirt a little oil on the hinges.  If he encountered a gate that was hard to open, he would oil the latch.  And so he went through life, lubricating all the difficult places, making it easier for all those who came after him.  People called the man eccentric, strange, and crazy, but he went steadily on, often refilling his can of oil when it was nearly empty, and oiling all the difficult places he found.
In this world, there are many lives that painfully creak and grate as they go about their daily work.  Often it seems that nothing goes right for them and that they need lubricating with "the oil of joy" (ps 45:7), gentleness, or thoughtfulness.
Do you carry your own can of oil with you?  Are you ready with your oil of helpfulness each morning?  If you offer your oil to the person nearest you, it may just lubricate the entire day for him.  Your oil of cheerfulness will mean more than you know to someone who is downhearted.  Or the oil may be a word of encouragement to a person who is full of despair.  Never fail to speak it, for our lives may touch others only once on the road of life, and then our paths may diverge, never to meet again.  
The oil of kindness has worn the sharp, hard edges off many a sin-hardened life and left it soft and pliable, ready to receive the redeeming grace of the Savior.  A pleasant word is a bright ray of sunshine on a saddened heart.  Therefore give others the sunshine and tell Jesus the rest.


We cannot know the grief that men may borrow;
We cannot see the souls storm-swept by sorrow;
But love can shine upon the way.  Today, tomorrow;
Let us be kind.
Upon the wheel of pain so many weary lives are broken;
So may our love with tender words be spoken.
Let us be kind.


Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Romans 12:10

Thanksgiving Feast

Andrew's preschool offered us the opportunity to visit his class of a Thanksgiving Feast (that is, before Thanksgiving, just a wee bit behind).

Andrew's art work says "I am thankful for my family."

Lila's artwork from Thanksgiving says "I am thankful for ARIEL."

Tremendously thankful for the little people in my life!

Lila's 3rd birthday Part 2 (Disney on Ice)

For Lila's birthday, we took the kids to Princess Wishes (Disney on Ice).  When we first told them about it, Andrew asked if he could stay home with Dad.  Lila, of course, was thrilled and asked if she could wear a princess costume.  The kids were already worn out a bit from birthday festivities so I was a prepared for the possibility of moodiness.  They did great!  Lila like all the princesses, especially Cinderella.  When she rode by on her carriage, Lila stood up and waved screaming "Hi Cinderella, hi Cinderella!" over and over.  Then she turned to me and said "She doesn't see me!"  When she passed by a second time, she waved in our general direction and I suggested that I thought she had waved at her. (wink, wink)  Andrew really liked the battle scene between Prince Phillip and the dragon.

Cinderella waving to Lila

 We let the kids pick one item from the show.  Lila came home with a light up Ariel wand while Andrew picked the light up dragon.

We changed the kids before we buckled them back in the car.  They were out cold in no time.

Lila's 3rd birthday Part 1

Lila began her birthday celebration at preschool last week with cookies for her class.

Lila's third birthday party was Saturday so we treated the day as if it were her actual birthday. She woke up and opened a few gifts and then we let her have her big birthday gift (from family and friends) since it was hard to hide.

Lila running to her dollhouse.

Putting Rapunzal straight to bed.

Lila's birthday celebration was at a gymnastics facility in town.  She was so excited to run and jump and loved leading the line of her friends around the gym.  My camera settings were off and I failed to capture some of her favorite moments.  It's so hard to balance capturing memories with taking them all in.  She was hilarious break dancing on the trampoline and also seemed to love running around on the parachute.

Receiving her gold birthday medal from her "coach".

Getting ready for "Happy Birthday"

On the way home she declared "Now I'm 3!"

Andrew picked out a little puppy to give to her.  He was so excited for her!

That night we took the kids to see Disney Princesses on Ice.  Post coming soon!