Family Photos

In early December we had these lovely family photos done for Christmas gifts. They never made their way on to Christmas cards because, well, we didn't do Christmas cards this year. So, if you're wondering why you didn't get one, please know you are still loved and we still wish you a blessed season and New Year!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These pictures were taken by 11 Sixteen Photography. I highly recommend!

Advent and Christmas

The last three days have felt both restful and overwhelming - is that possible?! Restful in the sense that we haven't had to rush around to a lot of places and overwhelming in the sense that all I can think is - what do we do with all these nice gifts?! I think the kids are a little overwhelmed with all the toys, so we're going to put some away for a rainy day and spread the Christmas cheer beyond 12/25.

 

We have really tried hard this year to help Mary-Michael focus on giving, but let's be honest, she's 2 years old. Despite our attempts to teach about giving and gratefulness she continues to ask "Is that my present?" or "Can we open that one?" as soon as she's tore the last piece of paper off the previous one. Sigh. Well, I guess life lessons aren't learned overnight and if we're focusing on giving and gratefulness throughout the year, at some point she will start to understand.

 

Our final days of advent were spent preparing a cooler full of pork (from our very own pigs) and a package of cookies to take to a family down the road that we know is in need. On Christmas morning, before presents, we all piled in the truck to deliver the goodies. When we drove up the children came outside curious at why this big white truck had come up their driveway. Mary-Michael and Daddy gave them the decorated cooler and cookies and soon after, a very grateful mother came out to thank us. She told Geoff how she was just trying to make ends meet working 2 jobs and that the gift was such a blessing. We really felt like we had chosen the right family.

 

I share this not to boast about good deeds but in hopes that we can pass an idea along for your family. I know the best way to teach my children to be selfless and raise them to not feel a sense of entitlement that I think plagues some of our youngfolk (including my generation) is to "do" our faith and not just talk about it.  So, let's do something!

 

We hope you and yours had a blessed Christmas and that you are filled with hope as we enter 2013!

 

Packing up the cooler with Daddy.

 

Merry Christmas from our farm!

 

 

Advent Days 18-23

Day 18 - Write a letter to Santa.

 

Day 19 - Make treats for Santa (and us).

 

 

Day 20 - Put together bag of food for the Pilgrim's Pantry at church.

 

 

Day 21 - Go look at Christmas lights. (we did this with Grandma and Grandpa on Frazier's birthday and then enjoyed dinner at TGIFriday's)

 

Day 22 - Have a Christmas party. (well...kind of...because of RSV we had to cancel the original Christmas party, so the Young's came over and Geoff's parents were here. We still had fun!)

 

Day 23 - Have a sleepover with Poppy and Mimi. (the original one was make a birthday cake for Jesus, but we have so many sweets, I couldn't bring myself to do this).

 

Christmas is almost here!!

A Powerful Quote

"God is not moved by our whining; He is moved by our faith." (a man of faith from our church who has lived through trials)

Happy Birthday To You!

Dear Frazier,

 

Man plans and God laughs - how true that is from the start of your life up until now. You were certainly a sweet and wonderful surprise from God. I think back to my nervousness about being able to find room in my heart to love another baby. How silly that was. I have been smitten with you from the beginning. You have filled our home with endless smiles, and it has been so sweet to watch you grow your first year. I pray your happy disposition stays with you throughout life.

 

God continued His laughing for your first birthday...we had grand plans to celebrate your birthday and then continue to celebrate with a Christmas Open House, but you, sweet boy, caught RSV, so we had to cancel everything. While we were disappointed to not be able to visit with friends and family, it allowed us to slow down and let you be the center of attention to just your grandparents. It was nice to be able to celebrate them, too, and all that they do for our family. So, yesterday, we enjoyed a slow day with a lot of food and finished the day with a nice bonfire in the evening.

 

It is hard for me to believe that a year ago I was home recovering from giving birth and you were a mere 7.5 lbs. Mary-Michael loves that you and Jesus almost share a birthday, and I agree. It makes my favorite time of year even better. When I was putting you to bed the night of your birthday I had to take a moment to rock you. I cried because I always do when I think how quickly our children are growing, but more importantly I prayed. I prayed that you would know Jesus at a young age, and that you would be fearless (like your Daddy). That you would dream big and make a huge impact on this world as a Christ-follower. I prayed you would want God to be your best friend because He will not lead you astray. And I prayed that God would equip your Daddy and me to be the kind of parents to raise you to love Jesus, love others and serve others. You are going to be an amazing young man - I believe it!

 

So, before I go off with more mushy-gushy stuff, let me share what you're up to these days. You are standing on your own but still walking with a hand holding on to something. You are a fast crawler and mostly still get around that way. You love to dance, clap your hands and are starting to point to things you want. We are working on baby sign language but mostly you just offer a shrill if you don't like something or need something. It is piercing!

 

You eat fairly well and lately, you are really enjoying clementines and butter beans. I am still nursing you and had planned to stop when you turned a year old, but with all your illnesses these past few months, I am going to continue to nurse you twice a day to get through the winter. Hopefully, this will help prevent some illnesses.

 

We went in for your well baby check up last week (you actually weren't well - you had RSV), and here are the stats.

 

22 lbs 2.5 oz - 56th percentiles

2.5 ft. tall - 63rd percentile

94th percentile for your head

 

Frazier, we are so incredibly fortunate to have you in our family. I can't express how much love is in our hearts for you. You are truly a treasure. And besides a winning personality, you have to be one of the most handsome baby boys that ever existed (Ok, I get it - I'm your mom, but come on, look at these pitcures below?!). We love you little man.

 

Momma

 

Butter beans for birthday lunch.

 

Birthday cake and Frazier's own cupcake.

 

Mesmerized.

 

Apparently, he heard there was a cupcake eating contest. No hands allowed!

 

The inside of the cake. (thank you Pinterest)

 

Boxes are way more fun than the toys inside.

 

So happy! 

 

Sweet long eyelashes on my handsome boy.

 

Such joy and look at that smile.

 

I'm praying he loves to read like his sister!

 

Thank you to everyone who has supported us during his first year of life. We will continue to need your prayers (especially once he starts walking because he is ALL boy!).

Since I Can't Find the Words...I Appreciated This Poem's Perspective

Written by a Gentleman in Southern Pa

Twas 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38, when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.

Their smiles were contagious.
Their laughter filled the air.
They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
They were filled with such joy.
They didn't know what to say.
They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.

"Where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"This is heaven." declared a small boy.

"We're spending Christmas at God's house."

When what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their Savior.

The children gathered near. He looked at them and smiled,
and they smiled just the same.
Then He opened His arms, and He called them by name,
and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring.

Those children all flew into the arms of their King,
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
as if He could read all the questions she had.

He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of Mom and Dad."

Then He looked down on earth, the world far below.
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe.
Then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand.

"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"
"May this country be delivered from the hands of fools"
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"

Then He and the children stood up without a sound.
"Come now my children, let me show you around."
Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.

I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Advent Days 13-17

The days are going by faster, and I'm falling behind in my posts! But at least this calendar and our daily Scriptures help me to spend quality moments each day with the little ones. Here's what we've been up to:
 

Day 13 - Make a special treat (i.e. craft for Momma). I am SO glad I decided to do this one when I went up to Northern VA for the day on Thursday. Grandma watched the kids while I enjoyed lunch and cookie backing with my dear friend, Ash. Before we got back on the road, I enlisted Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Kam to help me make Mistle"toes" and Angels with the kids hand and feet. Mary-Michael was completely into it. Frazier screamed, like really screamed. They didn't quite look like the ones on Pinterest, but with a little more paint from me, I'm hoping you'll be able to tell what they are.

 

 

Day 14 - Unwrap The Story of Christmas to read (one of M&M's first Christmas books). We also enjoyed a yummy dinner with the Beethoven/Baird family.

 

Day 15 - Help Momma make dinner and Christmas treats (Enchilada soup and Jello in Christmas molds that Grandma passed down).

 

She loved making JELLO.

 

Can't forget the destroyer of my kitchen.

 

Day 16 - Visit Santa. This actually meant wave to Santa as he drove around Nonnie's neighborhood on the fire truck. I love that the community fire stations in Hanover do this every year. So nice!

Advent Days 9-12

Day 9 - Open a special ornament to add to the tree.

 

 

Day 10 - Open a Christmas book to read (we bought this book last year because I'm kind of obsessed with the Llama Llama series).

 

 

Day 11 - Purchase a gift for a child in need at the NOC and deliver it to church. (I took Mary-Michael to Kohl's and after changing her mind half a dozen times she settled on a VTech Talk and Text toy. She was a very good girl and didn't have any trouble delivering it for another child to have, and it gave us a good conversation starter about giving).

(I forgot to take a picture!)

Day 12 - Have hot cocoa.

 

Advent Days 6, 7 and 8

Day 6: Unwrap a special Christmas book.

 

 

Day 7: Have a family Christmas movie night. (Can you tell we raided Family Christian Store on Black Friday with all of this VeggieTales stuff?)

 

Day 8: Read the story of Jesus' birth (from the Bible).
 

Praises

Every day we have much to be thankful for. We are alive, breathing, loving, warm, well fed and redeemed! Thank goodness! Yesterday, we had a lot of extra things to be thankful for.

A new baby calf came into this world to join the herd (and Geoff was able to see the birth). If you're brave enough, here's two unedited videos. The first one is not for the faint of heart and probably not for kids to see unless you're ready to have THAT conversation. The second one is the baby girl walking for the first time (within 10 minutes of birth! Can you imagine if it worked like that for humans?!).

We are also celebrating because a court battle my Nana and our family have been involved in for over 6 years is complete, and she won!!! After a routine hip surgery, her bedrails were not put up, and she fell out of the hospital bed, which caused a broken femur and a stroke that completely changed her life. In short, she lost her independence. The last 2 weeks different family members have been in and out of court testifying or just sitting to represent her. I had a chance to testify on Monday. My Nana and our family are really thanking Jesus for what seemed impossible at some points.

And lastly, while we know good health is priceless, we know that good healthcare costs money! A lot of money sometimes. When Geoff and I decided I would step back from my full-time job after Frazier was born that also meant we were giving up my very good benefits and moving to his small business benefits. Over the last 9 months we didn't have any real medical needs other than check-ups, normal illnesses than could be taken care of quickly and our shots to go to Niger. That was until Mr. Frazier and his kidney infection. I won't lie and say I wasn't anxious about the bills I knew were coming. I probably wouldn't be known as the Budget Nazi to our family and close friends if that were true.

We have worked really hard since we've been married to get rid of "dumb debt" (Geoff's name for it), so that we only have a house payment, and I let myself fear that the 2 ER visits and overnight hospital stay would wipe out our savings. I can't tell you what relief I felt when the first ER bill came, and we only owed a little over $100. We haven't received the bill for the overnight stay yet, but now that I know how they processed this first one, I don't think it will be several thousand dollars like we had feared. That is a big answer to prayer. I guess when I stepped out of my role as Director of BENEFITS, I really stepped out of it because clearly I didn't understand we wouldn't get charged the same for in-network expenses. Whew.

Advent Days 4 and 5

Day 4: Unwrap a new Christmas CD (benefits International Justice Mission)

 

 

Day 5: Decorate Mary-Michael's pink Christmas tree.
 

 

We are having so much fun so far, and I am taking all week to decorate (and I don't even do that much), but it's been much more enjoyable to not rush myself. Hope you are getting in the true Christmas spirit!

Advent Days 2 and 3

Day 2 - Pick out our family Christmas tree.

 

 

Day 3 - Decorate our family Christmas tree.

 

 

 

 

 

Advent

I really love this time of year, especially with little ones with eyes full of wonder. I never realized how exciting a single strand of Christmas lights could be to a 2 year old. Mary-Michael gets SO excited to see lights on houses, and she asks me every day if we're "going" to Christmas yet. I love that she is old enough to begin to understand why we really celebrate Christmas and that she tells me baby Jesus is in her heart. Such sweet words to a Momma's ears.

 

I love the idea of family traditions, and coming from a split family where it can be hard to keep traditions alive, it's always been important to me to create meaningful traditions for our family. So, to enjoy Christmas and prepare our hearts for the season, we're doing the traditional advent calendar with an activity each day that Mary-Michael gets to discover each morning. Some of the activities are ones I want to make sure we do every year, and others are fun ones where the kids get a little treat. Here's our list (in no particular order, and actually, I move the slips of paper around if we can't do the original one I planned for that day!):

 

Wear new Christmas pajamas
Pick out our family Christmas tree
Decorate our family Christmas tree
Decorate Mary-Michael’s pink tree (for her room)
Make an ornament
Purchase a gift for a child in need for church
Unwrap a Christmas book to read
Have a family Christmas movie night
Unwrap a Christmas CD
Choose a special treat
Write a letter to Santa
Have a Christmas party
Make a birthday cake for Jesus
Make cookies for Santa
Go look at Christmas lights
Read the story about the birth of Jesus
Go to Christmas Eve service at church
Purchase food for the Pilgrim’s Pantry at church
Unwrap a special ornament and put it on the tree
Unwrap a Christmas book to read
Help momma make dinner and Christmas treats
Have hot cocoa
Visit Santa
Unwrap a Christmas book to read

 

And at dinner time, we are doing an advent Christmas paper chain with a lesson through Scripture each day.  

 

Here are the kids last night in front of the calendar and paper chain with day 1: Wear new Christmas pajamas (thank you, Nonnie!).

 

 

 

 

 

And on Friday night, we went to The Diamond (baseball park where our local AAA team plays - the Flying Squirrels). The Legendary Santa was there along with a band and Christmas crafts for the kids. The Legendary Santa is awesome and quite authentic (but he is normally pretty expensive to visit, so we've never been; he was free here!). Mary-Michael was pretty petrified as you can see below, but he kept telling her that Santa loves her, and she calmed down (though still no smile).

 

Tears as the Snow Queen looks on. 

 

A little calmer - this is a picture of the one they took for us.

 

Frazier was pretty neutral about the whole thing. I think he was more curious than anything.

 

May your celebration of Christmas be filled with joy and hope! What a wonderful time of year it is!