For our Georgia friends

Today I was going to post a collage of pictures from Christmas, but we got a very fun package in the mail today and I couldn't resist putting this on here. We also got a new camera that takes pretty good video that helps too. I couldn't get them to move around so please click the video on the bottom first and it will make more sense. And don't forget to scroll down and pause the music on the bottom of the blog.
John, Mary, Laura and Carol- Thank you so much for all the fun gifts, I hope this makes you smile.

Mrs. Claus

Yesterday, Jonah and Lydia were playing so nicely in Jonah's room, I had no idea what they were doing, but they were quiet so I figure that was good. I saw Lydie typing on her hamper like it was a computer, she went in the bedroom talked to Jonah then came out and asked me,

"Mom, does Mrs. Claus work? Because Jonah says she doesn't!"

I assured her that Mrs Claus works.

She then answered," Good because I am being Mrs Claus and I am sending toys to the kids in Africa because they don't have toys!"

(Thanks Nicole!)

Inspiring

Through our adoption journey, God has blessed us with many people along the way who have been there for us exactly at the time when we needed them, and some even some when we didn't even know we needed them. God always amazes me with his timing! Anyway get to the point ... I need each of you reading this to check out my friend Nicole's silent auction over at her blog.

She is an amazing women and the adoptive mom of 3 princes from Africa. She is raising money for a very special children's home in South Africa (where one of her sweet boys stayed).

Please check it out. There are some awesome items and all the proceeds go to the children's home.


Please, please, please check it out. It's done on Friday.

What do you do on your storm day ???

So we are in our first real blizzard for the winter of 08-09. There is just something about not being able to go anywhere that is just comforting. I love storm days and it reminds me to thanks God for my nice warm house. Here's what we do on storms day.


Gymnastics off the couch --- T says this one is "10"!




Blowing snow
frosting Christmas cookies.


read some books
it was a good day!

Trying to get in the sprirt.

Ok I must be getting old because Christmas is totally sneaking up on me this year. I love Christmas and all the good food and pretty lights and time with family, but this year I"m a little bit in denial that it's really the middle of December. Anyway, we have been a bit sick with colds around here and just a few days down seems to keep you about 5 days behind. Maybe that's how the middle of December snuck up on me. Anyway, here are some things that happened this week that helped me get in spirit of Christmas.

*The first real snow for this area and I got to watch a certain Georgia peach have her first experience with snow. She loves her new light up snow boots and loved stomping in the snow. Then we were trying to walk on the sidewalk she stops and was very determined. I soon found she not only wanted to stomp in it but needed to put her hands in it. Luckily she had her nice warm mittens on.

*The kids bringing home Christmas ornaments from school.

*Watching the Charlie Brown Christmas special. I don't know the official name, because there are a few but it's the "real" one where they actually read the Christmas story from the Bible. I love that!

*Listening to little kids hide out in their room being soooo sneeky only to find them very lovingly playing with my nativity set. It is now J and L's favorite toy and the angel made it's way on top of L's bulletin board to watch over her.

So what has helped you get in the Christmas spirirt this year?

there's no place like OHMMMM!

Just a quick cute story. Princess T is starting to say more words and her latest is OHMMMM (home).  It's the cutest thing, she says OHMMMM and puckers up her lips and holds out the M, oK I really should just have a video of it to do it justice instead of this pathetic explantion. 

And there is just something about her saying "home" that is special. Never before did that word have such huge meaning!!!

thanks for praying

Aaron and I talked about T's adoption on Wednesday at our church. It was the Thanksgiving service and it went well. I made it through without crying, just a little choke up. And even though I got down from the stage I thought of a 100 things I should've said. I have to keep telling myself that God used my words even though I can hardly remember what I said. So thanks for praying for me, I felt your prayers for sure!

Thanksgiving - So there were tons of things that happened in the past 5 days of turkey day festivities which at the time I thought, oh that would be a good blog post, but this is the only one I can remember.

On our way home from the church service, Lydia starts telling me out of nowhere what she's thankful for. I'm feeling all proud for taking her to the service and thinking wow she really does listen when we talk about what the meaning of Thanksgiving is. So here's what she says,

"I"m thankful for aunties and uncles, for mom and dad, Jonah and T, Grandma Linda, and Grandma Linda(she really has 2 grandma Lindas) Papa Steve, and Grandpa Jason, Bjorn, and Leighton, and God and Jesus and Santa . . ."

So there you have it, what can I say.

Hope you all had a Happy Thankful Thanksgiving.