a character building experience

{sigh} The annual sibling Christmas photo was almost a fail.  After about 350 shots (REALLY!) we did have a "winner" but my people made me work for it!  :)   At 20 months...I'm pretty sure Millie is in photography no-man's land!   ha!

 Here are a few "highlights" from our little photo shoot for posterity's sake:

on the bright side, you can see clearly the qualities I love most in these precious people:

*independent                   *outspoken                      *dramatic

 look at those dimples  :)  nothing but sugar and spice right here....wait for it....

 oh no you didn't baby girl! one-one thousand...

 two-one thousand....{sweet reecie holding it together}

 OUCH!!!

dear daddy trying to get us all straightened out...baby girl's all done.  for now.

love this one! :)   

 Charly getting in on the action..."what's that on your face?"

 "oh yeah!  a little remnant of syrup from breakfast!"

furry girl found her happy place

and.......Round 2!

In a few days I'll post the winner shot!  :)

It's a Wrap! December Daily 2009...

Click HERE to enjoy our memories of December 2009...

December Daily: Day 18

Hannah Reece and I spent the day visiting some family and great friends. Relaxing, sharing lunch, good conversation and a hot cup of coffee with a precious friend while our children happily chatter and play...these are moments I treasure and anticipate.

I'm so excited Dan and Graham are on their way to Florida! Missing my fellas somethin' fierce! And of course, now that we're here in the sunshine .... it's finally snowing in North Carolina! :) Praying that you are well and experiencing God's abundant peace this Christmas.

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,"Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased." Luke 2:13-14

December Daily: Day 17

Today mom kept my niece and nephew, the kiddos had a big time together. Here are a couple of fun pics from the morning.

We hit the local library right away for books and DVD's...is it weird to miss a library so much? Reecie enjoys her books from the comfort of Nana's lap.

My nephew on my brother's (almost 30 year old) tricycle. His booty is pretty much glued to this thing when he's at Nana and Papa's house!

The kiddos lunching together ;)

Just look at those gorgeous curls...framing that mischievous little grin...my brother made over!

Graham had a "Polar Express" Day at school and told Dan his day was "SO good, I could just DIE!" I have no idea where he gets these dramatic expressions. ;) He got to wear his fuzzy jammies and slippers to school, drink hot chocolate, eat snacks AND watch a movie...a special day, indeed!

December Daily: Day 16

Woke up at the crack of dawn this morning to pile our sweet girl and our stuff into the car to head for Greenville, SC for a flight to Florida. When we walked off of the plane onto the jet-way (this little airport reminds me of that old show "Wings" where 2 people check you in, load your bags, and everything else!) the warm sun KISSED my face, and I wanted to kiss it back! ;) It was about a 35 degree temperature difference and it was GOOD, y'all. Even Hannah Reece was so happy that she could strip her outerwear and put on her sandals! I'm a happy prego today, all decked out in my shorts and flip-flops.

And as you can see above, Nana surprised Hannah Reece with a box-full of new dress-ups for she and her cousin Kailey to enjoy. She was thrilled with this bride number! Isn't she a sight? My momma's house is bliss-the decorations, the smells... I'm home.

December Daily: Day 15

Dan made a wonderful discovery this morning...a cheap flight for Hannah Reece and I to Florida...the only catch-we'd have to leave EARLY the next day. So, I scrapped the to-do list for that day, thanked my dear husband profusely for having mercy on his pregnant wife (13 hour car-rides just don't agree with me lately!) and laundered and packed for the rest of the day.

I also finished up a few last-minute projects like these gift-card holders for Graham's teachers (see above). Good 'ol M*rtha Stew*rt provided the inspiration here. Oooh and this site has some super last-minute gift ideas if you need 'em!

Realizing today that I wouldn't have time to do the "home tour" in full this year so I took a picture of my FAVORITE spot in the house this December. I scoped out this gem of a rocking chair (on left) at our local Goodwill. Dan picked it up for me as an early birthday present! I love it and can't wait to rock our baby there. We paired it up with Dan's chair, a hand-me-down from his parents and a little side table I picked up at a consignment sale. The toss pillows came from Nester's yard sale. Threw on a (folded) table cloth and topped it with a sweet red and white gingham quilt crafted for Hannah Reece by Aunt Carrie. I don't know if you can see it, but the little nativity to the left of the lamp is made of wood and crafted by Dan's grandfather. This cozy little spot just beckons me to sit and rest during this busy season. I found the stars last year at J*Ann's on clearance...and there you have it, my favorite little nook!

*I can't figure out how to drag these pictures around on my Dad's computer, so they'll just have to hang out at the top, for now! ;)

December Daily: Days 12-14

Friends, food and fun pretty much sums up the last few days. :)

Three of Dan's buddies from high school youth group and their (adorable!) families came over to play on Saturday night. When you mix pizza, brownies, old friends and their silly kiddos you get this:
While the wives sit and eat pizza and brownies like civilized humans...see!? ;)

These are the times I look most forward to during the Christmas holidays!


Sunday was a day for rest and re-grouping...starting to think about packing for our travels, plus preparing our home and my list for the busy week ahead. We went to church in the morning, and though it was SO hard to get going because the weather was wet and cold....we would've missed out on an awesome time of worship and reflection if we'd stayed in our jammies! So we went, came home, got back into our warm jammies :) and took LONG naps.


Today, Hannah Reece and I went to a cookie decorating party with some sweet ladies from church and their little ones. Look at this lovely spread!


And my sweet girl creating one of many delicious masterpieces (she had such a good time!):


Tonight we drove to this cute little town to look at lights. Our tradition began two years ago: bundle the kiddos up in their jammies, pile into the car with hot chocolate and a snack (popcorn last year, Dunkin' donut this year) and drive around listening to Christmas music while we "ooohhh and aaaaahh" at all of the beautiful lights.

I hope to post a Christmas home tour later in the week...stay tuned! :)

December Daily: Day 11

It's c-c-cold in these parts! On a grocery run to T*rget this morning, Hannah Reece chose this extra warm hat and gloves...since she lost hers in the toilet at S*a World. :)

Spent the afternoon cookin' in the kitchen with my yummy husband, er-I mean cookin' yummy food in the kitchen with my sweet husband! He can tame my "Martha-ness" when I start to get frazzled at the last minute before company comes. I am so thankful for him. In fact, my busy-body self was so tamed, that I actually left all of the dirty dishes out for later (the next morning!) so that I could sit and enjoy the wonderful company!

And though I do wish I had pictures of the spread, even better-I have a sweet pic of our beautiful friend and her new baby girl, who I couldn't resist photographing with her little yawns and smiles. Dan met her husband several years ago at seminary, and she and I connected through MOPS at the church we attend...and connected the dots that our husbands were already friends! We are grateful for provisions of friendship during this season of change and transition.

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time." Proverbs 17:17

December Daily: Day 10

In Graham's words when he walked in the door from school, "Cookies!!!!"

Today was no work and all play. :) MOPS cookie exchange...Dan's last day of class until the new year...the kids and I read Christmas books and played our favorite game until it was time for bed. It's a wonder they even went to sleep with all the taste testin' we did this evening!

December Daily: Day 9

*sigh* Christmas cards are in the mail....the last "major" project on my list of Christmas to-do's.

My mom brought a huge bag of pink grapefruit when they visited for Thanksgiving...so many that I'm still enjoying that sweet 'n sour juicy Florida bliss for my morning snack.

And while we're on pink happiness...it has been SO cold at night, and I'm outgrowing my jammies! So off to Goodwill I went...$1.99 for these fuzzy sweater jammie pants, y'all! I love how they're extra long and drape around my feet like a comfy house robe. A good thrift store bargain makes my day.

Made some cookies today...Hello Dolly's...layers of graham cracker, chocolate chips, coconut, pecans, topped with sweetened condensed milk. I promise, it's gooey goodness! I'll post a picture on day 10 of my MOPS cookie exchange haul. That is, if there's anything left on the plate to photograph. ;)

December Daily: Day 8

We are worn out. Graham went back to school this morning, and the rest of us...

Hannah Reece continues to enjoy our basket full of Christmas books. Today, I found her reading a book about Santa Claus to her baby doll. My late grandma made this Cinderella doll, on one side it's the "princess" Cinderella, with a shiny satin dress-when you flip her over, she becomes "maiden" Cinderella in her rags. This image warms my heart. So many of my Christmas memories as a child revolved around spending Christmas in southern Indiana with our extended family at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Grandma had some type of decoration or light in every nook and cranny of that house. It was a wonderful place! I miss her smile, her laugh, her attention to detail and the special way she tenderly doted on us grandkids. Precious, precious memories that flood my heart this time of year.

December Daily: Days 4-7

What a weekend. Even in the cold and rain, when you get 9 little kin-folks together at a theme park...there's fun to be had! Donned in our plastic ponchos and layers, we did Sea World. It feels good to be home...and I'm tired.

This post ministered to me tonight. This statement really struck a chord:

"Why is it so easy to forget that Jesus is our Emmanuel, the God who is with us? When life is loud, He is in the midst, and ever-so-softly, He calls to us to run to Him for patience and peace, for direction and strength, for deliverance from our own brokenness."

Jesus, Emmanuel, God who is with us...comforts my weary heart and body!

Without further ado, here's a little taste of the weekend in photos and stories. It did pour down rain at Sea World, so the only pics I have were taken at the hotel during fun and the gift exchange. Fun times together...

Graham getting a whoopin' from his Uncle Matt...
Cousins excited to exchange gifts with each other...
The whole gang!

I just have to tell you this story...and those of you who know me well will get a good laugh!

On one of many potty stops (mostly initiated by my big pregnant self!) Hannah Reece accidentally dropped her sock-cap in the public potty there at Sea World. She cried pitifully and was just devastated...I almost fished it out...what is WRONG with me?? I can no longer call myself a germ-o-phobe, I think I've officially OVERCOME! ;) I came running out and said "Dan, the hat is in the toilet, should I get it? He looked at me like I was positively insane and said "NO-OOO!"

Grandma and Grandpa read this story to the kiddos on Friday night and presented them with a little bell, just like the one in the story. Then, they marched down the hotel halls together tucking each child into bed. This was a highlight for Graham and Hannah Reece.
Oh, this totally cracks me up. We dropped Miss Charly off a the doggie camp in Orlando and this is what they presented to us when we picked her up:
The kids just were so tickled about this photo! They are so proud that their puppy got to meet Santa. ;)

Tonight, we read Luke 2: 8-10 as a family and lit the "love" candle. I loved how Dan described the shephards visit to worship Jesus in the stable like "a party in the stable"....a birthday party for Jesus! :) This passage in verse 19 stood out to me tonight:

"But Mary kept all these things like a secret treasure in her heart. She thought about them over and over."

Even Mary, mother of Emmanuel, God with us...treasured these amazing, holy, precious, moments with her son...God's Son.

December Daily: Day 3

Zzzzzzzz....oh, wait! It's not time for bed yet...gotta get that December Daily post in! Ha ha!!

Today was BUSY. We're looking forward to our little getaway this weekend, but I am moving sl-ow-ly. I can definitely tell that my energy is waning after 3 days of going strong this week. Anyway, enough about that...

Did a little sewing today, but this project's still a secret... that I can let you in on after the weekend. Just in case any of my family-type of readers are trying to peek. :)



So we're off to celebrate Christmas with Dan's side of the family this weekend at Sea World. There are many cousins on that side (almost 10 kiddos under the age of 9). Last year, someone had the brilliant idea for the cousins to exchange names and gift each other for Christmas. This has made it extra personal for our kids, they take a lot of time and thought choosing a gift that is just right for their chosen cousin.

Keeping it real here with the next photo...we whipped out the boob-tube babysitter tonight...the shame! ;) Packing can be a real challenge with this cute little blonde around that we lovingly refer to as "Taz". She just loves to come "help" and remove things from our big bag and distribute, I mean "pack" it into her purses/bags/laundry hamper...you get the picture! So movie night, it was.

That's all for Day 3, folks. Off to catch those Z's, gotta get some rest for the long journey tomorrow.

December Daily: Day 2

This is the way we "count down" to Christmas around here...sleeps are easy to grasp when you're 3 and 5! ;) Although Graham did mention to me tonight...."23 sleeps is a LOT, Mom!" This is a platter we received as a wedding gift that had a giant scratch down the center. I painted the middle with chalkboard paint, and voila! From serving platter to Christmas countdown chalkboard. ;)

We broke out our Christmas book collection...some I had as a teacher and others we've picked up at school book fairs, yard sales and the sale rack at B & N...this is our first year to have a full basket with enough for each day. In the years past, I've checked out many library books to fill-in so that we'd have a new book to read for each of the 25 days leading up to Christmas. Hannah Reece spent a lot of time in the rocking chair today either reading to her dolls, or to Charly, or with me. This is the first year that she completely "gets" Christmas, and is THRILLED about it...all of it!



We're headed to Sea World this weekend with the Oedy bunch...this is Grandma and Grandpa Oedy's Christmas gift to all of us. I made some muffins to freeze and take along for breakfast, plus working on laundry as I prepare to pack...looks like it's gonna be cold down there.

Reading, baking, laundering, preparing gifts, staying warm inside...that's day 2 in a nutshell.

December Daily: Day 1

A staying-busy-at-home kind of day today...started off with mugs of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream!

Graham's homework assignment and suggested activity on the advent calendar was to make a Christmas card for someone special...and so we did. We love a good excuse to get out stickers, glitter glue pens and such.

Our evening ended with a dog pile on top of our sore little pup...doesn't she look pitiful? She had 3 vaccinations at the vet today.

My heart is content, and longing to experience Christ afresh....Emmanuel....God is with us.

Preparing Our Hearts

Advent. Paper door calenders filled with chocolate morsels? A religious holiday? A calendar? A countdown? No, yes and kind of......

From Wikipedia: In Latin adventus is the translation of the Greek word parousia, commonly used in reference to the Second Coming. Christians believe that the season of Advent serves a dual reminder of the original waiting that was done by the Hebrews for the birth of their Messiah as well as the waiting that Christians today endure for the second coming of Christ.

I was brought up in a tradition of Protestant Christianity that yes, focused on preparing our hearts for Christ's birth. Now we belong to a tradition with the same focus, but in addition, advent is presented as a conscientious celebration, a four-week season, focused upon each week in corporate worship and as a means for individual meditation, as well. This season is full of traditions, with the aim of affirming Christians in faith by remembering God's promises in the Old Testament, relating to the prophecy of Christ's birth...and in the New Testament by prophecy of Christ's second coming.

Each year I grow to enjoy and anticipate the season of Advent more and more. Dan received an advent devotional book as a gift from Gordon-Conwell this year. It contains a daily devotional and scripture passage. There are many other Advent-related devotional books and even daily e-mails available online. Tools like these are excellent at helping to keep our family focused on Christ during this season of Advent. There are many resources available like this one and this one that our family has enjoyed working through together.

This year, I decided to bring the tradition of the Advent wreath "home". I picked up some little votive candles and placed them in some sand on a plate.

*The wreath (or circle in this case) represents ongoing, everlasting life

*Five colored candles:

1. The 1st purple candle, or the "Prophecy Candle" represents the HOPE or expectation of the coming Messiah
2. The 2nd purple candle, or the "Bethlehem Candle" represents the LOVE of God in sending a Savior...and in his provision of an empty manger awaiting the Christ-child
3. The pink (or rose in this case) the "Shephard's Candle" represents the JOY the shephards had upon receiving the news of Christ's birth
4. The 3rd purple candle, or the "Angel's Candle" represents PEACE and is lit on the 4th Sunday of Advent
5. On Christmas Eve, the white center candle is traditionally lit. This candle is called the "Christ Candle" and represents the life of Christ that has come into the world. The color of white represents PURITY. Christ is the sinless, spotless, pure Savior. Also, those who receive Christ as Savior are washed of their sins and made whiter than snow.

*The candle flame represents comfort of light in darkness, or in a time of waiting

Once a week, we will light the appropriate advent candle and read and discuss a passage of scripture (I'll list them below) together. I really like the website I mentioned above, because it contains activities and coloring pages that help extend the scripture lesson.

Here are the scripture passages we'll be reading each week of Advent:

1st week: Luke 1:26-38

2nd week: Luke 2:8-20

3rd week: Luke 2

4th week: Matthew 2:1-12

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On a different note, I'm going to try to post every day in the month of December....as a way of documenting this season of our lives during the celebration of Advent. I did this last year and spent a LOT of time making a special book to hold these memories. This year I plan to simplify the process somewhat and document our days with a digital scrapbook album, in hopes that it'll be less time consuming.

I can't believe it, but as of today, we are FINISHED Christmas shopping and (very simply) decorating. I still have a few little crafty projects to finish like Graham's teacher gifts and gifts for the women at my table for MOPS. I tire easily these days...it seems like it should be the third trimester already...I'm feeling so worn out! I'm actually only 23 weeks along today. Maybe that's just how it goes with the third pregnancy...not enough energy to go around. ;) Lord, give me strength and the ablility to prioritize what's important and needed.

My hope and prayer is that this season will be enjoyable and reflective of the HOPE, LOVE, JOY and PEACE that Christ intends to manifest in our hearts!

Lately...

...our days have been full, and I'm pooped! Now that Graham's almost 5 and Hannah Reece is 2, they are a becoming more self-sufficient and able to entertain themselves for a nice little chunk of time. I've been able to work on a few extra home-made projects (sometimes at the expense of clean floors and laundry!) Trying to pack just a few too many things into one day, which also means going to bed WAY too late. My goal is to be in bed by 10:00 tonight. :)

Lack of sleep+too much on the to-do list=tired, short on patience, grumpy momma

I had so much fun making these little treats for Graham's classmates! We were out and about last night and I stopped by D*nkin D*nuts to pick up a box to contain the goods:

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The last few days have been spent playing at the playground...

....trying to stay warm at the playground by cramming ourselves into daddy's jacket......partying at Graham's buddies Madison and Kiara for a gingerbread house party...he was totally thrilled to play with all of his school buddies in their decorated yard after dark! With this huge grin, he kept saying "Don't worry, Mom, I'm not sleepy yet!"

...and cooking up yummy Christmas meals and treats!

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Last year, I was on the hunt for an age-appropriate advent devotional and found this at W*l-M*rt for $10. The kids have really enjoyed working through the book together and opening the "surprises" that contain a piece of the nativity each day. The nice part is that there are only 7 boxes, so you can do one every few days or do it several times throughout the month.As I tucked Graham into bed several nights ago he said:

"Mom, Dad told me what God wants for Christmas!"

"Really? What's that?"

"He wants ME!!!" :)