Oh My, My New Favourite Song!

Christmas Come and Gone

Wow, it always amazes me how quickly Christmas disappears. You spend weeks and weeks, preparing, orgnazing, shopping, baking, wrapping, decorating, for one day to leave for the next day before you know it. I have a slight sadness thinking of how quickly the time went by.
(Joel's first Christmas!)

We had a great time while it lasted though. The kids had a blast. They still are discovering the joy of their new things. In my eye (the parent's eye) the kids did great, we didn't get a whole lot of new toys. They got needed clothes and some movies, books and games. Amberly mostly got dress up clothes which she loves and Caleb got a the Leapster 2 which although educational, is also a new obsession! ha ha ha. I was spoiled too. My hubby got me a heated blanket and new Mary Kay products, his parents got me some socks, a book and a gift card to the mall. Sally had my name this year and she got me new pink pj's which I love, broke them in last night. The new Casting Crowns cd and more socks.


Today I was looking forward to such a nice quiet day. Caleb and Amberly were supposed to go to Christa's but she called this morning saying her daughter was sick :( I'm afraid I'm in for a long day here. Dave is heading to Buffalo for a World Junior game and probably won't be home until after midnight. Oh well. We'll see how adventurous I feel. I was going to go to Toys R Us today to pick something up for Joel as his uncle gave him a gift card for there, but doing that alone with 3 kids may just be a little insane!

Fun in the Snow

While out at my parents, the kids, big and small, got bundled up to have fun in the blustery snow. Drifts are the best for tunnel making. The big boys were digging the tunnels while the little ones enjoyed crawling threw.
This picture has a little story. Benji was working hard at digging a long tunnel. He was at one end while Dave went to the other and the 2 of them worked at digging to reach in the middle. Caleb went running to get to his cousin and fell through the tunnel onto his uncle Benji's head. Caleb was a little shocked and almost in tears while Dave killed himself laughing and Benji was confused!

Goodbye for Now

Goodbye Disney Car pull-ups. Caleb turned 4 and decided he didn't need you anymore to aid in his sleep. So long for now. (Maybe you'll appeal to Amberly one day soon - I hope)

Christmas is Coming!

Christmas is just around the corner now. I think we're pretty much ready. I still have a few things to make food wise, but other than that, bring it on. I love Christmas, the opportunity to see family, to give (I love giving) but most importantly, to celebrate the greatest gift God ever bestowed - His son. It's hard to teach our kids the real reason for Christmas and what is most important to celebrate, when our world we live in is hung up on the possessions that money can buy, and if you don't have the money, then the debt that it's o.k. to go in. I admit, when shopping I want to go overboard and spoil our kids because I can't help but love them so much and want everything for them. But this is the year it's going to count. Caleb is old enough to understand, and so it's time to set in place a standard when it comes to gifts. This year Dave and I got each babe 3 presents. After settling on this number, I heard a lady say that she always got her children 3 presents, just as Jesus received 3, and I loved that idea. This will be our standard. 3 is plenty.
The kids are excited for Christmas to come. They are counting down the sleeps. Below is a picture of my 2 little helpers baking some cookies.

Here are my 2 handsome young men!

Boy, is it ever hard to get a nice picture of 3 little ones all looking at the camera. It didn't happen, but this is sweet enough!

And here's my gorgeous girl. All dressed up in her Christmas dress.

Ooooh, it's just so soon! The anticipation and excitment is starting to fill my heart!

My Four Year Old

Four years have gone by so quickly. I can't believe I entered into the world of motherhood 4 years ago. It seems long ago but at the same time, looking at Caleb, it went so fast. He's my sweetheart. He's kind, and loving. Has the cute timid smile. He's all boy. Loves his monster trucks, Disney's Cars, is found constantly making boy noises. He teases and beats up on his sister. Wants to wrestle and asks to be tickled. Stalls at bedtime, and wants to sleep in. Asks me to carry his school bag, but once we turn the corner towards his class, he insists he carrys it. He excitedly shares what he ate from his lunch in a day. Repeats "I don't know" when asked about anything other than his lunch at school. Sings to himself his songs he learned at school. He eagerly asks to read the Cubbie bear stories (Awana) at night before bed. Puts on a shy smile when about to ask to play the xbox. All these and more are things I want to treasure in my heart always.

To celebrate Caleb's birthday, we split it up over 2 parties. We had one party with my side of the family in O'ville at Stephen and Sally's house. Then on his actual birthday day, we had Dave's side plus a few friends over. Caleb felt pretty special but was really tired when it was all over. He was given many wonderful things and enjoys all of them.
Happy Birthday my wonderful son, I love you so much!

Amberly's ABC's

This is so funny. Her face is the best, you can tell the concentration it takes to say the alphabet!

Caleb's Concert

I took a video of our performing boy. He's pretty darn cute. So is all the little ones! Don't worry this isn't one class, this is 3 classes of kids!

Busy Weekend Begins

Yes, I think this is our busiest weekend. Today we have my work Kids Christmas party, then we head out to O'ville for a combined birthday party celebrating Krista's and Caleb's. Tomorrow we have the normal church and in the afternoon we have a friend's Christmas party to attend. Monday we're having friends and family over to celebrate Caleb's birthday. I'm providing dinner, so I need to get the food all in order as well as clean up our house AND hopefully make enough time so I can go to my department Christmas lunch that day!

This past Thursday Caleb had his first Christmas concert. It was so cute. He got to wear a "blinkin' nose". We saw the pediatrician last thursday. Caleb had to get a chest x-ray done as well as blood tests. The poor little guy, he doesn't understand what's going on, but he's so brave. He didn't even cry when they took his blood. We go back on this coming Thursday to see what happens next, if anything. Some explainations were shared that left Dave and I worried for our little guy, so keep us in your prayers.

Joel is doing great, he's had 3 nights now where he slept 8 hours. I'm very excited about this, however, I have yet to sleep that. I kept getting up to check on him and then pretty much laid there waiting for him to make a noise or wake up! It will come, this is a good sign of long nights to come....right?!?!

Amberly keeps putting on her best show for Christa, doing the whole potty thing for her. But for us....not a chance! I'm still at the place where I don't care, I just don't have time or the patience (which is sleep related) to persist with her. I know she can do it, it's just a matter of her wanting to be a big girl for her mommy!

Anyway, I hear a little bit of chatter upstairs. I'm looking forward to our full weekend, I just hope I don't get stressed out about it all!

Depraved Indifference

If you have the time, I would encourage you to listen to this and ask yourself, what are you willing to do? Anything?



It brought tears to my eyes and broke my heart. We have to stand up. I have to stand up.