Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Well today is Christmas! The day we spend weeks and weeks preparing for....that is over with within a half hour...:P lol

The kids were of course spoiled. I am hoping that no matter what they do and don't get, that they always know and understand the true meaning of Christmas. I worry sometimes, no matter how hard we try, they always look SO forward to the presents the most. Although, I remember feeling that way as a child, and I turned out ok...didn't I? lol

As an adult I MUCH prefer to give then receive, and hope my children will grow to have the same feeling at Christmas time. We are celebrating the birth of Christ, a time for giving and loving and sharing. This needs to always be foremost in our minds at this time of year. It is SO easy to get caught up in the hullabaloo of buying and spending and over-extending ourselves !

This afternoon, we lit our advent candles. The three purple ones and the pink one were re-lit as we lit out white Christmas candle. We talked about the true meaning of Christmas and what it meant to us. Nathaniel shared that Jesus wanted to die with those bad guys on the cross, so he could save us and go prepare houses and places for us in Heaven. Corbin shared that he wants to share the word of God with others if they do not know about God. :) My children amaze me, and warm my heart more and more with each passing day. These are our advent candles sitting in a wreath that my mother made. :)

I am really happy we got to get a recent picture of the kids together. It is amazing how HARD it is to get them all sitting together long enough to get a good shot where they are all at least looking at the camera! lol But this year, we got a few really beautiful ones. I think this one is my favorite! :)

I am truly grateful for my children, my husband, and our family and friends. Especially at this time of year, when we see so much more of each other and make sure to take the time to stop and be together. Even with all the running around, preparing, baking, cooking, cleaning...etc.... it is worth every single moment, when we sit down and be together!

Now, Dave and I am the boys are going to play some more games and have some nice homemade turkey soup for dinner! YUM! Then, when the children are all tucked in safe an sound tonight, Dave and I will play a game of scrabble by the tree. Have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas everyone!!!

God Bless!

Three down...best one to go!

We are home, kids are snug in bed, and I am sitting down for a change! lol What a day!

We went to my parents house for Christmas dinner. We had a lovely time! The kids and Dave and i were spoiled again! I also got some new kitchen, cookie sheets, and measuring cups..etc...after all this baking this week, getting new things makes me want to start all over again! :P

The kids had to leave their stuff in the van for now. After three Christmas celebrations and being spoiled at every one..I have NO idea where we will be putting all these new toys!!!!! But I am sure the boys will make sure to make room. ;-)

It is so wonderful to have Owen with us this year. We miss him terribly when he is not here. He is getting older now, and likes to spend his weekends with his friends. SO having him for this past week, has been SUCH a Blessing! Knowing he is here for Elliott's first Christmas too, makes it that much more special! It will be hard to say goodbye to him tomorrow. His brothers are like glue to him when he is here..lol..sometimes too much for Owen...lol

I am sitting here now uploading pictures, and sitting beside my husband. :) The kids left their cookies out for Santa, and they are nut-free. For some reason, Corbin was very concerned and wanted to make sure they were nut-free, as he is sure Santa has a severe nut allergy, and he wants Santa to be safe. LOL During nigh time prayer, Corbin asked God, to please make sure Santa made it to every child's home safe and sound tonight. I love how loving and caring my little ones are. Makes me smile and beam with pride!

Time to check on my little loves, make sure everyone is sound asleep, and set everything up for tomorrow morning! I am looking forward to french toast tomorrow morning after presents! Also, lighting our advent candles at the table while we eat. Merry Christmas to all!!!

Two down...two to go!!!!!!!!!

I am on VACATION! Wooohooo! lol:P

We just had a wonderful evening with my father in law and his wife. :) We had a great evening! The boys, and Dave and myself of course, were spoiled beyond rotten! They even brought dinner!! What an evening! It could not have come at a better time. I am really not feeling well, and neither is Dave. Since I am still nursing, there is nothing I can take either...so i truck on! Sick and miserable, and cranky! HA

(This is what the tree looked like when they brought all the gifts in! I think there is far more there then there will be Christmas morning! LOL)

They brought dinner, but I made dessert! :)

SO, now we have had one wonderful early Christmas with my mother in law, then another one tonight with my father in law. Tomorrow we have Christmas eve with my family, where we shall no doubt be spoiled again, then Christmas morning, with all the boys! :D But more then anything, more then the gifts and the food, I get to be with my family. :) What more could I ask for. We have our ups, and our downs, but in the end, we have Love! I am grateful to be a mom, a wife and a Christian! This time of year is always to special and wonderful!

Now that the kids are in bed...I need to wrap the last few gifts! I think that my bed is calling me...so hopefully I can get them done pretty fast, so I can go and snuggle up in my warm bed and get some sleep! We plan on giving them an early gift tomorrow morning, a new board game, so we can have some family time together playing before our busy afternoon and evening arrive!

SO off I go....oh and did I mention...I am on VACATION!!!!!! :P lol