sweet little boy

This sweet little boy shares a room with our Paulina.  We've not met him but we've been praying for him for over a year.  He is months away from being transferred to an adult mental institution and needs a family.  Please join us in praying for him!  Here he is, rubbing Paulina's back.  Melt my heart. 

For more information check out these two blogs of mama's who've brought their daughters home from this same room. 

http://danielandabbysoldhouse.blogspot.com/

http://orbitofthemooneys.blogspot.com/

a good word from a friend

Go this message from a sweet friend this morning. 

"So we do not lose heart  Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.  For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.  For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Merry Christmas

We had a great low-key Christmas Eve & Christmas Day.  We make homemade pizzas and open jammies, we sleep in (actually this year they didn't wake up until 8!), we open stockings, make breakfast, read the Christmas story over our meal, and open gifts.  We have several traditions we are trying to stick to and our biggest is that our kids only have one gift to open Christmas morning, and it is from us.  All other gifts are given either in the days before or after (or at grandparents houses).  We loved watching them this year learn more of the story of Christ and watching their excitement grow over celebrating His goodness and the gift we receive through His birth.  I love that they don't get overwhelmed with crazy excitement over what they are "getting" for Christmas but instead we have a relaxing morning in which they receive and are thankful and enjoy a gift as well as remembering and acknowledge the gift of Christ and His love that gives us all reason to celebrate. 

 

Christmas pj's

looking like dad

 

thinking about these stockings :)

Simeon opening his stocking...shin guards & batman slippers.  He was happy.

Anna was so cute this year.  Lots of Elmo in her stocking & she loved it!

Madeline was so excited to get a new cup in her stocking.  She had been wanting one to take to school, as well as an ice pack.  She was thrilled!

Daddy & Madeline opened Paulina's stocking...can't wait until next year!

Anna got a purse that she carries around now regularly!

Simeon got a basketball goal...he has been loving it!

And Madeline got an art desk made by our friend, Josh Hall.  It is so great & she crafts every day!

Getting ready to play in the little snow we had...Anna doesn't like the cold!  Madeline loves it!

Seriously the cutest.

 

Anna got this fun chair from her Podge & musical toys from her Nana.  She loves them both!

Madeline & Simeon got new lego sets which they love.  Simeon is a whiz at putting them together!  It is so fun to watch.  And of course Anna can't be left out of the fun!

Anna pretty much believes Elijah is her personal play doll. 

This girl cracks us up all the time.  Here she is dressed in her swimsuit top, Simeon's shorts, and underwear underneath. 

Ren makes our home so cheerful!  My kiddos love, love, love her.  And so do we!

random photo memories of 2012

these last weeks have flown by!  we really enjoyed our Christmas & family time.

photo overload from November & December...

 

 Anna at the library...she thinks she is big.

 

Making our own Christmas cards...Madeline & Simeon loved it!

 

One cutie pie little boy.

 

Hanging our stockings this year was so fun...can't wait until our 8th stocking holder is home!

 

 Anna really loves Elijah!

 

These 4 sweeties make our home so fun.  Crazy.  But fun. 

 

 Christmas crafting...we made wreaths, ornaments, gingerbread houses, and had a blast.  Madeline especially could craft all.day.long.

 

 Every year we head to Tim's & then check out the lights.  Anna was very interested in the camels this year and we let them all ride the ponies-which they loved!

 

 A little Wii fun.

 

 A great kids pic...they love cooperating with smiles!

 

 Anna has been giving me this sweet face whenever I say, smile.  I love it!

 

 Good daddy.

 Getting geared up for some Christmas baking.

 

 Madeline is super creative and imaginative in her play time.  She can take any doll, toy, or random piece of paper & play for hours.  I love watching her little heart & mind play out. 

 

 These two were cracking me up this day.  They are Jedi warriors in case you can't tell.

 

 Madeline had a pre-school Christmas program and it was great.  She dressed up and sang several songs with her class.  She loves singing and is pretty much precious.

 

 Norah & Hazel go to pre-school with Madeline & our families are friends.  It is so fun to watch them play together & have so much fun. 

 

 My sneaky, sneaky girl. 

 

 These two are good friends...they definitely have their moments but they do love each other!

 

 These three having a meeting of some sorts. 

 

Andrew can make Anna laugh anytime!  She loves his crazy-ness!  We all do.