Sap for Christmas Tunes

There is something about Christmas songs that just brings all kinds of emotions for me.  Combine that with KLTY's Christmas Wish and the radio is pretty much off limits for me these days.  Every Christmas has to include some "Tender Tennessee Christmas" and caroling along with the Muppets, you gotta love some Point of Grace "Oh Holy Night" and I must confess that I've taught my 4-year-old to love "Baby, its Cold Outside". 

This year, I have two new (to me) songs that I L-O-V-E.  And listening to me ramble about one of them could (indirectly) help you WIN AN IPAD. 

HELLO.

First- Have you heard Travis Cottrell and Natalie Grant's song "Ring the Bells".  OH. MY. WORD.  Just try to listen to that one without throwing your hands high in the air and proclaiming EMMANUEL, EMMANUEL HAS COME!  I happen to know that it is simply impossible and quite embarrass myself everytime it comes on while I am running and I find myself with my hands high above my head shouting "RING THE BELLS".  It's just that good.

Have you heard Toby Mac's "This Christmas (Joy to the World)".  Somehow it landed in my Christmas playlist for running, although I don't remember hearing it before then.  I'll tell you what.  The first time it came on while I was jogging along, I found myself sobbing.  There are several families we know right now that have either already brought their adopted blessings home or are praying and planning for that amazing day.  I couldn't help but be overwhelmed at the thought that this may be the last Christmas that a sweet baby boy or girl somewhere has to spend without knowing their forever family thanks to the faithfulness of these families and those that are helping them bring their children home.  THIS IS TRUE RELIGION (james 1:27)...JOY TO THE WORLD!

You can be part of an amazing opportunity this Christmas to help bring one baby boy home to his family. AND have an opportunity to win an IPAD.  Visit Cheatham Chat before December 19th, and for every $10 you contribute toward bringing their baby boy home from Ethiopia, you can also win an entry into their IPAD RAFFLE!  But, I'm 100% sure that even if you don't win the IPad, you'll be blessed just by visiting their blog, reading their testimony, and following along on their adventure toward adoption.  Go. There. Now.

What are some of your favorite Christmas Tunes?

ABL

Girls should be shepherds...

At the boys' Christmas program tonight I learned another tidbit to add to my "the amazing things I've learned while raising boys" file.  Shepherds in a nativity scene should probably be played by girls.

But I'll get to that.

First- some pictures of my cuties in their "performance" tonight.

 KJ's class rang bells and sang "Silent Night" and he also got the honor of being a shepherd in the nativity scene. 

 

Cbug's class sang "Away in a Manger" and were dressed like animals in the stable.  Isn't my sheep the sweetest?

Our sweet friend KRF after the show.  She did an amazing job as the "S" in "C-h-r-i-s-t-m-a-s"

 And afterwards, as has become our tradition after school performances, we celebrated at Starbucks with "coffee milk". 

(yes, KJ is dressed like a dragon- thanks Uncle J).

So, not too long ago a posted a story about one of Cbug's not-so-shining-star-moments.  And it wouldn't be fair for only Cbug to be publicly humiliated on his Momma's blog.  So it's KJ's turn.  We are now to the part of the post where I explain why boys should not be shepherds. 

The answer is in one word. 

STAFFS.

Staffs that can be spun like batons. 

 Staffs that can be used as guns....and pointed towards the angels on the back row.

AND Staffs that can be used as swords for a fight with another shepherd and ulitmately shoved into the other shepherds ear...requiring one shepherd's mother to go onto the stage during the performance, scowl at said shepherd and remove the staff/sword/gun/baton from the shepherd's possession.  Leaving that certain shepherd looking a bit like this...

(Note the tipped poinsetta to the right that was a casualty during the "amicable" sword fight)

I so wish that the fact that I went on stage during the preschool performance to take away my son's weapon was the end of the story.  But it is not.  The director of the preschool, KJ's teacher, and the chapel teacher (coordinating the show) ALL missed the shepherd nonsense.  Each class was performing their songs in front of the nativity scene- and that was where their attention was focused.  So, when KJ started crying, the director of the school noticed and thought KJ was crying because he missed singing with his class (yep- he'd been so busy with his staff he forgot to go to the front of the stage with his class to sing "Silent Night").  When KJ realized why she thought he was crying and discovered that despite his inappropriate use of the staff, she was actually apologizing to HIM for the oversight...she was like puddy in his hands.  He totally pulled out all of the pouty-lip-pitifulness-drama he could muster and next thing we know they were letting his class come back on stage to redo their entire (two song) performance just so he could be part of it.  SERIOUSLY.  And after the show he had all of the ladies of the school staff swooning and apologizing. 

He's good.  He's real good.

UNTIL he got a very stern talking to about how shepherds should and shouldn't act and how he might have them all fooled but his momma wasn't fooled in the slightest.  Yeah, then he changed his tune.

I must say, though, I wasn't too hard on him. I try to have reasonable expectations for my kids.  And asking a four-year-old boy to sit still with a stick (excuse me, I mean staff) in his hand for 30 minutes is anything but reasonable.  So we moved on to praise of his amazing singing talents and bell-ringing skills.  And did a lot of giggling behind his back and making mental notes not to forget how much I genuinely love this age and making these memories.

And next year- maybe, just maybe, the Shepherds should be played by girls.

ABL

Dance until you drop

So, sometime soon I really need to write a post (with lots of pictures) about all of our 2010 weddings.  KJ has been a ringbearer four times, Cbug twice plus once a "bell ringer" and this weekend Lou made her big wedding debut as a flower girl.  That post is coming.  To hold you over there are lots of pictures on facebook...and....

YOU MUST SEE THIS!

The kids had so much fun on the dance floor at my cousins wedding this last weekend.  Cbug especially just danced his little heart out.

Some of my favorite parts (because who doesn't love a good spoiler)...

1) KJ's rag doll and spin moves

2) The "princess" in her gorgeous white dress...picking her nose in the middle of the dance floor.

3) Lou getting quite disgruntled that another little girl would dare step on HER dance floor...and Cbug breaking up the potential cat fight

4) Cbug having a blast on the dance floor until his big brother walks through...then he has to stop and follow him (I see this being a dangerous trend in their relationship for years to come) 

5) Cbug "getting down"

Get ready, all of that and more will be packed into the next two minutes of your life.  You. Are. Welcome.

ABL

A different sort of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving for us this year was different from any holiday we've experienced as a family.  We planned to be with my family the next weekend for my cousins wedding so we didn't travel for Thanksgiving and RRL's family was in South America visiting his sister.  So it was just the five of us.  A couple of months beforehand- when I knew this was how it was shaping up to be- I really had to start working on my attitude.  Thanksgiving is typically one of my very favorite holidays for one reason- so much family time.  I wasn't sure how I could possibly enjoy it without my family! 

(Insert here speech to self about the Lord's constant provision, amazing ability to know exactly what we need, and perfect timing with all of His good gifts- and consequently a conscious decision to have  good attitude no matter how much I HATED THE IDEA.)

It turns out, though, that this will be a Thanksgiving I will always treasure. 

We had such a fun morning doing the neighborhood Turkey Trot- and at the last minute got the amazing NEALS to make "Team L" shirts for us.  So.Fun. (and a little cheesy- but that's the way we roll).  That morning when we got up it was bitter cold thanks to gusty wind and drizzles.  But our team is fierce (and a little ignorant for not checking the weather better) and decided to brave the weather.  The picture below, shows quite well what KJ thought of the whole thing and Cbug cried nearly the whole race despite his layers of clothing, blanket and cozy stroller ride.  We survived.  And got the metals to show for it- even the stroller-riding members of our team got medals, so I think that changed their perspective on the morning (a little).

Not only did we get finisher medals, I actually got a third place medal, too...for my age division...in which there were apparently about 4 people.  But hey, I EARNED it!

Then we spent the whole rest of the day with some amazing friends from our Small Group, also "geographically orphaned" for the holiday.  I sadly have approx ZERO pictures of that, but take my word for it- the food was AMAZING, the friends were the sweetest, the games and conversations were super fun, and the children played so well it was like a Thanksgiving miracle!  I loved every minute of it.  It was a wonderful surprise blessing to just be able to enjoy relaxing and being with people we love.

We came home and finished our Thanksgiving tree before bed, adding the last of nearly 100 leaves on which we wrote all that we are thankful for during the month of November.  We are truly so very blessed.

 

 

The day after Thanksgiving, KJ asked to do his "Thankful Leaf" we tactfully explained to him that Thanksgiving was over...of course we were always thankful and so very blessed, we just weren't going to write it on leaves anymore.  He was NOT THRILLED.  And how do you argue with your four-year-old that "No, absolutely not, we are not going to continue writing down what we are thankful for" so we've moved on to a Thankful Journal.  KJ actually brought the little book home from bible class and we've been writing in it together.  We don't do it every night now, but I love that we have gotten in the habit of taking time to remember all of the ways we are blessed. 

And I love how much we are learning from our children!

ABL

Proof

Apparently the boys' school thought I needed proof that these two are absolutely adorable, have the sweetest dimples, can show off melt-me-whydontcha smiles and are growing up way too quickly.

I didn't really NEED proof (I knew it already),

but the proof came home with them today anyway.

I might be slightly biased but I'd say the proof they brought home pretty well seals the case.
These two could steal your heart without even trying.

Do you need to see some proof?

Told ya so!

ABL



The imagination of a 4-year-old

KJ has quite an imagination these days.  So good, it sometimes gets a little creepy, especially when he talks about imaginary friends.

Most of the time when he talks about pretend people it is in reference to his "soccer team".  All of the players on the team are named for some of his favorite real-life-friends...and my brother's dog sneezy.  The unfortunate part about the soccer team is that they never get to play any games because they forgot (or lost or broke- depending on the day) their soccer ball.  But coach KJ is making sure that, in the meantime, the teams has lots of fun and gets lots of exercise.  I guess the team is hanging out at our house until they find a ball because KJ sometimes interacts with them or tells me things they are doing.  Its not real, I know that, but its still a little creepy.

Last night, KJ told me about another "pretend world" that I hadn't heard him mention before.  Apparently, sometimes when he is in bed he has to teach class.  He is the teacher and I've been finding out a little bit about his students.  His favorite student is a little girl named "Kribagayle"...that is my best effort at spelling it based on his pronounciation.  When I asked him how it was spelled there were lots of Ws and Ys and Cs and of course it starts with K.  I also asked what he teaches them, and we had this interesting conversation:

Me: "So, what do you teach your students?  Good manners?"  (he nods, yes) "Being kind to others?" (nods, yes) "Being respectful?" (nods)
KJ: "Yeah, I teach them all of that stuff.  But sometimes, if I ask their moms and dads first, I teach them how to paint their hair.  Like if they want Purple or Pink or Blue hair, I can teach them how to paint it."
Me: "Oh, but you make sure to ask their parents FIRST, right?" (I couldn't think of any other way to communicate that if he decided to paint Cbug or Lous hair in real-life he should definitely ask an adult first)
KJ:  "Right.  But if their parents say it is ok, I have to help them paint it because their hands are so short they can't even reach their hair"
Me:  "Ummmmmmmmmmmmmm, Ok.  Goodnight sweetie.  I love you!" (I mean, what was I supposed to say to that?)

So, yeah, its pretty interesting to hear the things that are going on in that little imagination. 

I do love this age and I'm so thankful for our 4-year-old.  Now I just need to find a way to convince him to stop growing up and stay home to play imaginary games with me forever...

ABL

Pictures of Joy!

I love moments like we experienced last weekend.  Moments where we get to see our children experience pure innocent joy.  I couldn't help but smile as I experienced JOY with my family.

JOY as we cooked our dinner and s'mores by the fire!

JOY while fishing

JOY in the "princess carriage"

JOY while they got undivided attention from parents and friends!

 MUCH JOY over rides in the Rangers (big and small)!

JOY during their own private hayride!

JOY over getting to feed the cows!

JOY while just getting to be a BOY!

So much JOY, there was nothing left to do except dream about it...

After several weeks of craziness around here, it was great to kick-back and just experience JOY!

Thanks, friends, for sharing your farm. We sure love spending time with you guys and it was a much needed get-a-way for our family!