Sweet, kind heart

Justus the other day was noticing the difference between his Little People nativity and mine. He noticed that mine did not have a camel, whereas his did, as well as all the other same animals. So he was so sweet and brought me his and put it up with the rest of mine. He is so sweet with such a kind heart!

For the birds

Just a little while ago I had an extreme battle of the will with Justus. He is normally a fairly easy child but when he chooses to be difficult, it can become extreme! Lately I have been having issues with him obeying in general. It may take me 3 or 4 times to get him to do what I want. Or even this morning I left him in his room to make his bed, only to come back 10 min later and he was playing. And he knows better.

So I put him in room time and he was not having it. He fussed and cried. I went in there to explain the rules to him yet again that he needs to play by himself quietly. If he needs help with a toy he will have to wait until later, put it aside. Usually he is really good. Not today. Fuss after fuss. Finally I went in there to tell him that if I came in there again we would put up his toys and he would have to lay in his bed. So I left, only to hear more crying. I waited hoping it would go away. NOPE. So in I went - I am one to do what I say. And in to bed I said for him to go. But he fought me and fought me on it. I think I punished him like 5 or 6 times. Finally I got him calm enough to sit quietly so I could explain to him that if he was quiet in his bed for a length of time, I would come back in and he could play. So he did as I said.

But my goodness! All that fighting and crying and punishing is for the birds!! Just obey already! :)

Trim the Tree

Justus helped us Trim the Tree on Friday afternoon. At first Neil and I were going to put up the lights on the house. We have to put those hook thingys on first since we didnt do it last year and the people who had the house before us didnt ever do it. So we got the drill out but the battery was dead so we opted for indoor decor instead. So I pulled J out of quiet time to come help. I actually felt kinda bad cause I didnt let Haven help (she was asleep). I feel she is old enough this year, but we were ready to get it done, ya know? So J helped us out. He was really good at putting all the ornaments at his level. But you know that is so cute!

When Haven woke up I took down their Little People nativity sets and let them take them out of the box and set them up. That was really cute. I read the Christmas story to them out of Luke chapter 2. As I read we identified all the people in the nativity so they understood and helped to make the connection. It was good times!

Thanksgiving Day 2009

We had a great, fun filled Thanksgiving. Neil was awesome as always and got up with the kids to make them breakfast while I slept in a bit. Then he made his traditional sausage balls - yummy! After that he went and played flag football with a few friends out at Harlan Ranch. They had 19 teams and his team came in 3rd, or was it 4th? I dont recall. Anyways, the kids and I went out to watch one of the games but then we had to go back home so I could get my green bean casserole put together.

Then off to Gigi and Papas for our Thanksgiving feast. Very yummy! After our lunch we stayed and hung out for a bit but then it was time to get Haven home for her nap. So off we went.

Once Haven woke up we went over to my sisters in-laws so we could hang out with Katie and her fam. That was fun. We ended up playing a game of Trivia which I thought was a blast and my team won (and we got real prizes) so of course I was all over that!!

Talked with my mom for a little bit after their crazy day had died down.

It was a great Thanksgiving with much to be Thankful for. I do Thank my God for being an amazing faithful and true God. I am blessed!! Thank you Jesus!!

Justus' Thanksgiving Feast

Today we got to celebrate Justus' Thanksgiving Feast at Preschool. All the parents brought yummy food. The kids sang some super cute songs that they had learned and then Miss Kathy read the answers to the questions about what we do at Thanksgiving that she had asked the kids.

A great bonus was she had typed them all out and laminated them so the parents got to keep it. They also had made fabulous turkey hats to wear - so cute!! And they each made a candle and pumpkin that were used as the centerpieces for the tables. What a great time of togetherness, sharing and being thankful!

A Family Classic

Today I had the kids help me make Eskimo Cookies.

This is a very special (and yummy) recipe out of a cookbook that my mom got when she was 8 years old. Ive enjoyed making these cookies since I was a young girl and somewhere in my adulthood, my mom passed this cookbook down to me. Now I am privileged to share it with my kids. I love the the look of the cookbook and the classic 50s feel of it. It truly is special in many ways!

A family classic!

Take up your mat - its your responsibility

John chapter 5 talks about the "Healing at the Pool." Jesus goes up to a man who had been crippled for 38 years and asks if he wants to be healed. The man did not answer very decisively. But Jesus ready and eager to heal him said "Get up! Take up your mat and walk." The man did and was healed.

The part that really got me was the "take up your mat" part. The lady who gives the lectures for BSF said that taking up his mat was his responsibility. In essence it represented all that he was accountable for. So tonight Im sitting at church and it finally clicked. The Pastor said he spends time with the Lord through prayer and bible reading every day and has not missed a single day in like 8.5 years or something ridiculously long like that. He said it was his responsibility. Ok, I get it. Just like I pledged some 14 years ago to make my bed every morning because I wanted to be a lady of diligence (and Ive only missed a handful of times). That was my action to being responsible. But God is calling me to be responsible in a new way. I must spend time with him daily. It is my responsibility in Faith action. I must take up my mat and walk. Walk with Him.