Meet Bobby

So, as promised months ago, here is Christian's video! Starting way back in the early 90's. Wow, he sure has grown. I love looking back and remembering each stage in his life. I love the baby stage and I laugh when I think about how I thought then that it would be the hardest stage. I had no idea what having a teenage boy would be like! And, honestly, it really is awesome, but a little overwhelming at times.

I am happy to report that we are letting him drive to school sometimes and have even let him drive his sister and brother on occasion -short distances and you better believe I prayed the entire time. (I was at work, it was a little awkward ☺) I must admit, it has been nice a few times to have him go to the store for me while I was working. There are only so many things I can do in a day! So he is always happy to help out. I wish his car was finished to show you a picture of it. It just has one more day of work and then it will finally be painted and finished! Unfortunately, Michael is very busy this month and they haven't had a day to get it done yet. Hopefully over the break!

Back to the video! This song just seemed to capture everything that I wanted to say to him at this point in his life. The funny thing is that Christian hates country music...but when he heard it, he was ok with it! 

If you missed the other two vids, he are the links: Trinity and Dylan

Advent Conspiracy

This Christmas season, this video is what is on my

mind. After all, most of us have everything we

couldever really want anyways right! I am not

trying to suck the fun out of Christmas....just

trying to be more aware. I love giving gifts

and have been looking for the perfect gifts for

everyone on my list.

But lets get creative!! As our crazy lives try to pull

families apart, lets give the gift of time to each

other.

Let's refocus on the meaning of Christmas before

we forget it all together.

I know somewhere my mother is reading this and

saying "I have been saying that for years!"

Well, Mom, your girl is finally growing up! Ha ☺

And somewhere else my kids are reading this

and thinking "Crap, I guess we aren't getting

anything good for Christmas!" Dont worry kids.

There is still a huge part of me that just loves

to see your faces light up when you open gifts!

I love that!

So, I guess I am just trying to find that balance.

What are your thoughts on this?!

Also...

I received this in the mail a short time ago. Isn't it always nice to hear that other people think your kids are as great as you do! 

A Christmas Carol

The entire second grade went on a field trip today to the Dallas Theater Center to see a production of A Christmas Carol. I love going on the kids field trips but since this one was a musical, I was especially excited. And it was awesome! We were lucky enough to get seated on the front row in the center. And the kids sat there the whole time and loved every minute of it. Trinity got a little scared when the different ghosts arrived but only because sometimes they did so in a loud and abrupt way. We were not allowed to take any pictures at all inside the theater but I snapped this before they made that announcement. Oops!

If you live in the area, go see it!

Trinity and Christa (and Alesha apparently eating in the theater!! Again, it was before the announcement!):

The stage before they added the rest of the props to it (and light obviously!):

It's Beginning to Look a lot like CHRISTMAS!!

Well, it is official! Dylan got braces! He thought about what color bands he was going to get and decided red and green for Christmas. I offered to let him stay home from school afterwards but he declined and couldnt wait to go show off his braces to all of his friends! He didnt make it easy for them though....when they asked to see his braces, he said "Say something to make me smile and then you can see them"! They have been a little sore and he is having a little trouble eating so we have stocked up on mushy stuff to help him survive. Now, let the payments begin!!
On Saturday, Trinity had her dance recital. She danced two different routines, one for jazz and one for hip hop. Because of the holiday and being sick, she only got to practice these routines 4 times (and there were two!) so she was a little nervous that she wouldn't remember them but she did great! The big recital is in the Spring and they allow plenty of practice time for this, it is a much bigger event. Trinity said the best part of the whole thing was getting to hang out in the dressing room backstage and getting to come out and watch the older girls dance! 

The first video is jazz...she starts out front and center and then you will have to follow her from there because they are all dressed the same. I had to record this with my actual camera instead of the video camera so the quality is a little low....I brought the video camera and thought it was still charged but naturally, the battery was dead.

The next one was hip hop. I had moved seats so the light is shining right into the camera and it came out horrible! Ugh. And the sound is bad too. I wouldnt put it on here at all but it is all I have and grandparents who were not there will want to see it! Again, she is front and center at the beginning:

Michael had Sunday off so we decided after church to go downtown and and go ice skating! Our town has a little outdoor ice skating rink on the square. It is not real ice as it could never survive Texas but something called EZ Glide. I had never heard of it but it was actually kind of cool! You wear real ice skates and the feel is almost the same (very scary if you ask me!). Everyone went around a few times holding the rail but then one by one the kids took off and were skating on their own. Not me, however. I continued to hold the rail and skate behind the little 5 year olds. Gravity is just not your friend as you get older!

Holding on for dear life!!

Getting Brave!

Literally "Saving Face"

Ok, so I let go of the rail once but I am holding onto Dylan for support!

From there we went to Bethlehem Revisited which is a production that a local church puts on every year. It is very cool. It is like stepping back in time and walking the streets of Bethlehem on the night that Mary and Joseph were there and Jesus was born. There are live animals and people. I think we may go back next week!

Making Wine:

Trinity helping to make olive oil:

Mary and Joseph looking for an Inn:

Christmas Notes

We woke up Saturday morning and found this on our bed......A card from sweet little Trinity

And this is what was on the inside of the card.....

Ugh. I hope Santa has been saving up this year. ☃