on Christmas morning...

We had a marvelous Christmas morning! The kiddos were excited and eager to wake up and see what the day would bring. Our elf brought us some "Happy Birthday, Jesus" birthday party things to remind us of the REAL reason to celebrate!
The Bear got a train table for Christmas and was totally, absolutely engulfed in the world of choo choo's.... And, his big brother kind of liked it too.... Little Miss enjoyed exploring her gifts - she especially liked her walking puppy and her American Girl hair styling station! And, our big guy was just so fun to watch - he commented on how there was nothing he just had to have, he knew he would like what he got because Santa always brought fun surprises. But, he was a little excited to look through some new ball cards with his dad and read the instructions to play his new games! All in all, we had a beautiful Christmas. The Allens were here most of the day. We napped. We ate well. We laughed and shared gifts. We enjoyed a special church service. We rested in His love and enjoyed a day of nothing planned. Hope your Christmas was filled with rest and peace also!

Christmas Recap

As I stated in my previous post, we stayed home a good bit this year during the month of December. We did, however, still enjoy some very fun family get-togethers and special happenings. Here a few photos from our Christmas! Hope your holiday was filled with joy and sweet memories too....
My oldest had a great Christmas program at school. My youngest was toddler Jesus in our church's Christmas program...he looked too cute in his little robe. I took my Little Miss to see the Nutcracker Ballet for the first time. We will definitely make this a new tradition for the Allen girls!My kiddos had a ball with all their Stinson cousins at our annual day of fun! And, these two really enjoyed their cousin's trains.... The annual Smith grandkid Christmas tree picture...they are all getting so big but love being together!
Bear couldn't get enough of my precious niece! Mimi and Papaw came to our house for Christmas Eve and Day again - and, Papaw did the traditional Twas the Night Before Christmas reading....
And, my three blessings were warm and snuggly in their matching pajamas - ready to go to sleep and wait for Santa!

Our Unwanted Christmas Gift

Well, our Christmas was filled with lots of time at home this year. We did have our annual family get-togethers but we pretty much hung out at home as much as possible. You see, this year, we were attacked by a lovely little gift...a gift that did not want to go away. With a pretty bad epidemic at the neighboring schools of lice, my long haired daughter was graced with the gift. And, she gifted the rest of us before we knew what had hit us!

Let us just say that I was NOT expecting this to be our Christmas holiday's big gift!!! I was devastated. I admit it. I was totally overwhelmed by four heads having the creepy crawlers (you are itching right now, aren't you?). Instead of wrapping gifts, I stripped beds. Instead of baking, I vacuumed couches and carseats. My sweet hubby had to finally have a little talk with me about not letting the little beasts steal my joy this holiday. I was tired, sad, and mad, and overwhelmed with the process. But, it was Christmas. We were celebrating our Jesus's birthday. So, I had to have a little cry (or several) and get my attitude in check. As tremendous of a job as defeating the bugs was, we were all well and together and blessed to be enjoying Christmas together.

Well, after three weeks of treatment, daily laundering of sheets/coats/clothes/towels, and checking all four heads - every day....we won. We lost a few holiday parties and lots of hours of sleep. But, we won! And, I would never ever wish the little demons on anyone else!!! Yuk!!! I have now named them "the devil's minions"....yes, they are evil creatures, just plain evil. But, hey, my house is sure clean and so are our heads - finally!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

it's the most wonderful time of the year

Well, the Christmas season is upon us....music is playing, strands of lights are lighting garland, the kids' nativity set is on the hearth ready to play with, the Christmas books are in a basket ready to be read, and I am planning meals and making grocery lists. Gifts are being bought and wrapped. Cards are being opened on the way back from the mailbox in anticipation of whose will come today. This time of year is beautiful and special and amazing and fun!!! This time of year, I do NOT want to get caught up in the shimmering lights and jingling bells that I lose my focus....I want to enjoy all Christmas brings while focusing on family and friends.....and my Savior's birthday, the reason for this wonderful season!

Merry Christmas!

an unhappy debut

Bear was Baby Jesus at our church's Christmas program.....and, he did NOT like his "dress" at ALL!

We found a tree!

Our tree hunt was a success!! A cold, freezing success!

moments to hold

Some moments just grab me....moments that I know I want to remember as long as possible. Moments that inspire my day, make me so thankful for the moment I am in.

We all have those days when the phase of life or the schedule of the day is overwhelming and exhausting. In the midst of days like those, God blesses us with moments to remind us of His love, His gifts, His purposes, His plans. He reminds me that those three sweet little blessings He gave me....gave me to train, to grow into people who praise Him are HIS, not mine. He loves them even more than I do. He knows them better than I do. He knows the trials they will face. He knows the victories they will have. He knows their hearts and holds their days in His hands. So, in the middle of the chaos of life, the runny noses, the dirty diapers, the temper tantrums, the nightmares, the sibling feuds.....I pray I take those moments (good and bad), the precious conversations, the art projects, the pretending, the fort building, the snuggles.....for what they are.....each are gifts, to remind me that He has us in this phase only for a short time. Because, these days are flying fast and these phases are slipping into the next so very quickly....

Thanksgiving 2011

Here a day, there a day - that was our Thanksgiving holiday!

We enjoyed a quick little trip to see family in MS over the break. There was hunting, there was game playing, and there was tractor riding. Just a normal Thanksgiving in Mississippi..... My niece and C-man hit the woods with my older brother. Miss Priss enjoyed playing games with all my cousins' children. And, the Bear rode tractors at my brother's greenhouse/farmer's market with my dad, Pop.

Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

A Weekend in Nolensville

Last weekend, a group from our Sunday School class went on a mission trip to Nolensville, Tennessee to put on a Fall Festival for a little church. The church's minister used to be the Junior High minister at our church...and, we all adored him! So, for the second year, we took a group up to help with this festival, their largest outreach event. We had an AWESOME weekend together! Here are a few pictures from the trip:

Oh, How He Loves Jesus!

This is our "night night" song....and I caught him singing it in his room while he was playing. So, I grabbed the camera - Yay - he kept singing!! I might just keep this forever....and maybe show it at his wedding one day.

Room Time

Sooo, I sent Bear upstairs today for some much needed Room Time. He had been up there 15 minutes or so and had gotten VERY quiet. If you know Bear, you would know to be scared. I had been doing laundry and decided to go check on him and take a load of clothes up with me to put away. My sweet Bear. This is what I found....AWE!

One Great Fall !!!

This Fall has been so great! We have really enjoyed the laid back atmosphere of off-season baseball and Upward football. We took full advantage of the carnivals and festivals and parties. Fall is such an exciting time - my husband's favorite season. With the leaves changing and temperatures cooling off, being outside is a must - being aware of God's artistic hand is inevitable! The blessings God has blessed us with are amazing....and we are so thankful...especially during this special time of the year! So, here are a few random pictures from some fun times:

My sweet hubby and my Bear riding the train at a pumpkin patch - my little guy loved it!! I know you can't see his face here...but I just love this picture. I stood there taking this picture and watched him work sooo hard to pull that wagon two inches. He was determined! You can almost hear them saying "cheeeeze!"
Another fall ball tidbit: you get to try out new positions! C wanted to try catcher and really liked it! He has gotten so tall lately - about to my chin!! He looks huge on the field here!
C finished up the season this past weekend - whew! He had a great time but.....Now, home for Sunday afternoons for a while!
And, a picture of my kiddos trick or treating - C standing back and observing while S charges in to say hello...and Bear ready for the candy...that is my gang!

Happy Halloween!

A week late...but here are a few pics from our fun and spooky night.

Neighborhood Halloween Parade

Our neighborhood hosts a fun little gathering the Saturday before Halloween each year. We meet in a random driveway, eat donuts, drink juice, meet some neighbors, take a few pictures of all our little dressed up munchkins, and wait for the fire truck to come our way. When the truck arrives, more pictures....and, we are off on a costumed pint-sized parade around the block. The kiddos love it! And, it is a fun way to get to know who lives down the street....

My army man did not want to dress up. But, my Little Red Riding Hood and Cowboy were ready to go!! And, if there was any question....my cowboy liked his donuts!

Sweets for Seniors

Every year at Halloween, our preschool ministry at our church plans a morning where the Mom and Me music class visits a local nursing home. The kiddos dress up in their costumes, we sing and do our little movements, then we trick or treat with all the elderly people sitting around the room. We have so much fun! I really do not know who enjoys it more....the kids, the residents, or us mommies!

My cowboy had already taken off his hat and vest. He was more in the mood to be a candy eater than a cowboy. With one of his favorite people, Miss Sae Sae! He loves this lady!!! With his friend, the Candy Corn, sweet Caroline! (please notice the fruit snacks still in his mouth!) Mommy and her sweet little buckaroo!