A Look Back and A Look Ahead

It's hard to believe that today starts a new year.  I always find myself filled with mixed feelings as one year closes and a new one unfolds.  Sad, on one hand that time continues to march forward despite me wanting to slow it down, and yet excited and a bit apprehensive that there is newness on the horizon. 

2010 was a great and busy year for our family.  With Kev in school full-time and having two under two for most of the year it was quite busy.  Some days just getting out the door by 1:00 was a big accomplishment...and I am not kidding! 

I am sure that 2011 will bring is share of fun, busyness, and challenges.  All I know is that I am thankful that I have the Lord's Grace and Mercy that follows after me as I run this race of life. 

Christmas Picture Overload...part 1



This Christmas stuff is exhausting!



This was the best of many attempts!



Eliza and her cuz!





Christmas Eve Jammies!





Ella and her tree on Christmas morning!




Eliza and her tree!




Daddy reading the Christmas story from the Bible.  There was a lot going on!



Eliza preferred the gift bags!!



Eliza's gifts from mommy and daddy!




Ella's gifts from mommy and daddy!





We have two new cooks in the kitchen!!





My little Sweet pea!



My big girl!!



Merry Christmas Everybody!



It's here!!

Well, it is 11:10 on Christmas Eve and all my to-do's are finally done.  Well, actually that is not true because I came upstairs to quickly sew some cute little aprons (a project that I have been putting off) to add to the girls Christmas loot.  They are getting a new kitchen tom. and doesn't every cook need a apron?  Instead I am still procrastinating!!

We have had a wonderful week finishing up our Christmas traditions.  Sometimes I feel like I about kill us in our merry memory making.  Today our family delivered a ton of very special gifts to a family who is very in need this year.  Our sweet Sunday School Class was so giving and Kev, Ella, Eliza and I had the privilege of seeing the giving in action.  It broke our hearts as the mom who is 31 like me, was missing all of her front top teeth and wore the physical signs of a very hard life.  The dad must have thanked Kevin a million times as they unloaded the boxes.  Ella was very curious and asked a million questions about the kids and family.  I was so thankful that she got to be a part.  Last night as we were wrapping the gifts she was coloring.  When she was done she stacked her picture with the gifts and said, "Mommy this is for the kids that don't have."  I pray that we can teach our girls to be giving. 

Tonight we enjoyed a great Christmas Eve service and a wonderful dinner out with family and friends.  We drove around and saw a few more lights and headed home for the girls to unwrap their Christmas pj's  and get in bed.

I cannot wait to see their little faces in the morning. 

Thank you Jesus for coming, living, dying and walking through this earthly life with us.  Happy Birthday Jesus!!

Is Christmas really almost here?

I think I am setting a record this year with my lack of Christmas posts.  It has already been a very busy month despite my efforts for it not to be.  I am more behind in my shopping than I have ever been.  Seriously, I like to have things bought and some years even wrapped by Thanksgiving.  Not this year!!  I think since we've done some major cutting back in buying this year, it has left me confused or maybe just unmotivated. We also haven't "seen the lights", baked our cookies and goodies, wrapped a single gift, finished mailing my cards, or done the first advent activity with the girls like I wanted to do daily.  I guess that qualifies me as a bad mom.  Sometimes I can't seem to get it all done, and I am trying more and more to let some things go.

If you saw my downstairs hardwood floors this morning, after I cleaned it thoroughly yesterday...you'd know why some things you just can't keep the way you want them.  It really is disheartening...but it light of things not such a biggie and I know this is something the Lord is teaching me.

We had family photos made a few weeks ago and I love them.  It was such a fun and beautiful day spent together, that ended in a large scoop of peanut butter and choc. ice cream from Baskin Robbins!  Yum!

We had a blue balloon in honor of Samuel.  We knew two little girlies would be fighting for it so they got red ones too!



My little sweetie!





More fun and colorful bribes that resulted in Eliza's new found love of a sucker...and also a big mess!





Oh how I love those little girlies!

Hopefully next week we can finish up our shopping, baking, light seeing, and enjoy some lazy days at home together!  Hopefully!!!

Don't you ever grown up!!

Apparently, growing up is par for the course, which means today there are 31 candles on my cake.  How in the world did I get to 31?  I really feel about 24.  My twenties went so fast that I am hoping that my 30's will be slow.  I am guessing that won't happen either.  I am not a big Taylor Swift fan, but I heard this song this week for the first time and it left me in tears.  Probably because I have two little girls that I really wish would never grow up and because at times I wish I wouldn't either.  What would I give to be about 7 years old again, with not a care or responsibility in the world.

My Little Turkeys

I am catching up with posting some Thanksgiving pictures.   

 Ella is three years old and two months and Eliza is 14 months.  This really is a fun stage for both of them and is much, much, much easier than last year with a two year old and a newborn.  Ella is well....Ella.  She is full of life and fun!  She loves people, animals and is bossy!!  Oh my goodness, she is very into playing school right now and bosses poor Eliza to death.

 I hear at least 50 times a day..."Eliza, sit on your mat!"  She will turn anything into a mat and wants Eliza to sit there for the instruction!  I see a little teacher coming out of her and it makes me laugh!  I used to do the same thing to my poor little sister, Jess.  She has quite an imagination and loves to play!  She is a smartie and never forgets...anything!! 

 Eliza is still our little sweetie.  She is still tiny...growing at her own little pace!  She is generally very laid back and easy going....unless she is bossed too much and holy cow the little missy can wail!  When her feelings get hurt, it takes her a bit to recoup!  She is also quite the climber and fast!  We really have to keep our eyes on her.  She also loves to find an open potty!  Needless to say, we have learned to close the bathroom doors!

 Ella loves to go to Mother's Morning Out at our church, and Eliza loves to go and pick her up!  I love to see them get excited to be back together. 

 I love having two girls.  I love everything about it!  We do have some drama...which I am sure will only get worse as they grow. 

 Every night when I go into their rooms to check on them before bed, I feel their little tummies going up and down, with each breath and I thank the Lord for their precious little lives.

 I will never get over the blessing of having children to fill our home!

 And the amazing blessing of being a mother!

 I sure do love my little turkeys!