Caleb's Christmas Song

Children's Caroling

Chris organized a RA/GA/ Church wide Caroling. We had a great time, and the voices, the children sang so sweetly! We went to the nursing home, where they sang and handed out candy canes. Then we went to see Mr. Sydney. He is sick and we were happy to make him feel better for a little while. It made me appreciate my family a little more!

Christmas Funny's

While we were taking the kids to the library the other day, I was reviewing the rules for whispering, to which Abigail replied "We can just talk in our heads." As if this is an everyday occurrence. Do you think it is a twin thing? Made me wonder.

Caleb started singing Alvin and the Chipmunks song to just about everyone who would listen. It started as a verse and a chorus. But by tonight, he has added the "hula hoop" part, and is swinging his hips to a fro. If I had video capability, I would upload it for all to see, cause it is a riot!!

This year, Abigail and Julia have LOVED their ornaments, and often go over to the ballerinas and just hold them gingerly in their little hands. Touching them with the ends of their little fingers. It really is precious.

As a family we are trying to memorize the genealogy of Jesus. So I love to hear "Abraham had Issac, Issac he had Jacob, Jacob he had Judah and his kin." It makes me smile!

This year, no one ate all the advent calendar's early. So that was a good sign, it means that Abigail and Julia are getting older. And we have really enjoyed chatting about the holidays over our morning chocolate. I am afraid that my kids now think that the advent is their "coffee". Can't make it through he day without my advent!!

Medieval Christmas Program

Chris and I were in the Christmas program at Church. Chris had worked very hard to learn a lot of lines. We were both busy with learning our parts, and keeping up with stuff going on at church, and I really wanted it to hurry up and get here. Well, it finally arrived,and the program was wonderful. I felt bad for being kinda moody about it. We had so much fun spending time with church friends and laughing at our costumes. The kids wanted to wear costumes too, so I decided it would be fun to make our Christmas card picture in costume. Chris actually thought it was a great idea. Isn't my husband swell?!

THANKSGIVING

I was going to share some wonderful Thanksgiving pictures and stories. However, I realized that I didn't have any of the pictures and I was feeling a little behind...so go over to
www.janbscott.blogspot.com

And you can read my mom's blog about the fun weekend!!

Feast of Thanks

Trim the Tree

Abigail's turn to put the star on top!

Mother's Mussings

I interrupt my normal blogging to share a change in my perspective. I realized today in a moment of sheer frustration that I had to change how I was looking at things. Before I take you on a tour of my home, keep in mind that we have just finished this major production at church and things have been more than chaotic. Now follow me through the house:

Walk in our front door and you will see 2 wreaths sitting behind the door waiting to be hung. They are actually waiting on me to go buy some hooks, so they can be hung. It is really annoying me that they are sitting there, no time to run to the store, and when I shift my view I see that one of them is a favorite wreath my parents bought when I was a little girl. It is a painting of Jesus in the hay with the animals all around him and a straw wreath attached to the painting. Now I am not so annoyed, this is important that I get his hung!

In my Living Room you will see books spread on the floor and on the end tables. Why? Well since there are no gifts under the tree, we put all our Christmas books under there and delight in reading them throughout the Christmas season. The books on the end tables are David's new curriculum (thanks to a sweet friend), and Chris has been going through them as they arrive. I am thankful that my kids want to get the books out and read them, and I am thankful for a husband who is investing in our Son's education.

In the Boy's room, from my view, it appears that there are toy land bombs exploding EVERYWHERE. But if I get down on their view I see Robinson Crusoe's tree house made out of Lego's, tomorrow's clothes laid out to be worn, money that was being counted to buy Christmas presents, and all the pillows they keep on their bed. Amazing, my frustration just melted when I changed my view.

In the girl's room, there are clothes on the floor and critters by the bed. WHY? Because they were trying to find matching outfits for tomorrow, when they get to help their brothers build a fort outside. And because they couldn't find the "right" critter, but then when they had touched all the critters they just had to have all of them in the bed (it wouldn't be fair to the other critters if they didn't have a spot on the bed). And then I looked in the bed, and realized how sweet they had been to help me when we had little time this week, or when I was so exhausted they sat and snuggled, or when they cleaned up everything in their room yesterday.

In the den, I was so mad! I mean really MAD! The den was clean yesterday and as we were walking out the door last night, all the dress up clothes were strewn all over the floor. And then I held my tongue, thought about why, and realized that we had panicked looking for a princess hat we needed last night. Julia had been diligent and looked through each drawer until she had found it right before we left. So it wasn't her fault we didn't have time for her to clean it up. However, it was my fault for expecting her to look through each drawer like an adult would.

So on my way to church tonight I realized that I do want my house neat and tidy, but do I really look at the situation or just get overwhelmed by the sheer volume? And I need to take a step back and look at my family. We have all had a crazy week, not just Chris and I, but all of us. the kids spent A LOT of time at the church this week, and they needed to crash, unwind, and be kids! So tonight they are getting a PASS on their chores, and I am loving how God changed my view!!

Caleb's Birthday

When Granny Sue died, I got her mini bundt pan. Caleb has wanted to make these pumpkin cupcakes form the moment he saw the pan in the cabinet (I think he was 3). So this year, he choose these as his "birthday cake". We iced them in orange and added little green dots to make the stems. He LOVED them!!

This year's theme was AGENTS.

So we played "master of disguise" relay race.

The movie producer, David, capturing all the birthday memories

The Laser game in the den! A yarn maze.

Chris reading about the Special Agent Caleb is named for.
I really like to incorporate our faith in their special days.
So reading about Caleb from the Bible just made Caleb smile all over!

About to blow out all the candles.

Enjoying opening the presents!!

A package arrived later int he afternoon. 2 presents and a shoe. This one is for you Grant!!

Thrifty Moment

Since our home stays cold on wintry days, I decided that the kids needed some fleece clothes. David had a couple of pairs of fleece pants, but Caleb and the girls didn't have any. So when I was at a yard sale the other day, they had a large fleece baby blanket for .50. I was so HAPPY. So today in about one hour, I made one pair of pants and 2 nightgowns. And everyone is warm, snuggly, and happy! And I feel good for being so thrifty!

Pumpkin Day - Guest Photographer

Today we cooked our pumpkin. We bought this pumpkin last week at Farmer's Market (I am loving my local CSA Organic Market). It didn't cost but a few dollars and we had hoped it would make a fun exploration and a whole lot of yummy foods.

It's nice to be in a picture.

We drew what we thought the inside of our pumpkin would look like, what it smelled like, if it reminded us of another fruit or vegetable, and if we like the final outcome..pumpkin puree.

Caleb showing off the inside of the inside of pumpkin that we pulled out. This was referred to as the "pasta", the "lobster" and the "hair". Interesting exploring!

Our Guest Photographer, David showing off the seeds. These are currently being dried to be made into Cinnamon-Sugar seeds tomorrow.

We had the most delicious pancakes I have ever put in my mouth and I am not alone in my assessment. I did substitute the flour for my fresh milled flour, so they were mostly healthy! The boys said they tasted "like heaven". David flipped the pancakes tonight. A hard thing for his mother to let him do, but he really liked doing and I think he grew 2 inches.

Eating it Up!!
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pumpkin-pancakes/detail.aspx

Thank You David for making all these pictures of our fun afternoon. You are a great son, and I am glad you like letting all our friends and relatives check in our blog! You are growing into a fine man, and your Father and I are so proud of you.

End of The Homeschool Co-Op

We have had such a great time. It has been a growing time for us as we have tried to find new home school friends. David took 2 classes 1. The Human Body and 2. Bubbles, Explosions, Science Fun. Can you find him - waiting in the corner for his lungs...they made a full size body poster of themselves, and finished it on the last day.

Julia and Abigail took Preschool Bible time. They have enjoyed Bible stories, Coloring, making friends, and playing on the playground.

Caleb studied Animal Habitats and Bug Safari. He loved his class every week, especially the week his class studied ocean animals and he got to show off his jellyfish sting. Just like a man, still showing off his scar and bragging how he can now swallow a Benadryl whole!

What To Do

So while everyone (including myself), has been sick, I have spent a lot of time sitting at the computer. So I thought I would share a few pictures with you.

Here is the picture of our mantel. I have always wanted a mantel to decorate. I used my new chalk pens to write on the mirror. Nancy showed us these pens a while back and I love them. If you love them, you can find them at Michael's in a ton of colors.

Another fun thing....My CROP A DILE. I used it to make a sugar shaker. I needed to sprinkle sugar on top of some blueberry muffins. So I used my Crop a Dile to punch holes in the lid of my jar, a perfect sugar shaker! WOO HOO!

If the muffins look yummy read the recipe at
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/08/dairy-contest-finalist-recipe-the-awesome-est-blueberry-muffins/

ELECTION NIGHT

Coloring our Maps along with ABC news website!
I will be interested to see how the night plays out!

ELECTION DAY

We went to vote today. And since we had Grant's Flat Stanley we decided to let him go with us to vote. Flat Stanley got to meet Mrs. Peggy Martin. She is the former Mayor of Phenix City and was running for Russell County Commissioner (R). So Caleb and Flat Stanley got their picture made.

Flat Stanley must have been nervous, he didn't say anything to Mrs. Peggy.

Then we waited in line. Flat Stanley was very patient.
He didn't say a word the whole time we were in line.

After putting our ballot in the box, we all got our "I voted" stickers.

Caleb and Flat Stanley showing off their stickers.

Ben & Jerry's is giving away Ice Cream tonight, Krispy Kreme is giving away doughnuts, and Starbucks is giving away coffee, all if you have your "I Voted" sticker on. We were going to take the kids out, but Chris has drama practice tonight. Abigail said we didn't need to go out, we have ice cream in our freezer!

Funny political talk
Abigail - "Mom I know who Aunt Judy is gonna vote for." How do you know?" "I asked her!"
Abigail - "Mom, let's not vote for Obombo okay? I want McCain to win"
Julia - "I like them giving you a sticker. Voting is nice."
Caleb - "So that's it?' - sounding rather disappointed. I think he was hoping the nominees would be there.
David - "It was cool. I don't know how those machines read those papers though."

How the Lord blessed me....painfully!

I have been wanting to give up my desire/addiction to Coca-Cola for a long time. When we were in Colorado for our Cadence training, we had to drink water because of the altitude, so I gave up the Coke. Not to mention, since we weren't in the South, Coke wasn't readily available. When we got home though, there was an ice-cold 12 pack waiting in my fridge. So right back to the Coke drinking I went. Well, here I am trying to change our diet, and I have to get rid of these cokes, but my heartburn kept getting so bad, that I kept drinking them. Since I seem to forget to talk to the Lord about these issues, I finally decided to talk to the Lord about it. And that night, after drinking the last coke, I got so sick. My heartburn was horrible. I was up all night, took 3 Pepcids, 2 LARGE glasses of milk (I hate drinking milk), and a half a bottle of Pepto Bismol. None of which brought relief. I even had to sleep propped up on some pillows just to rest. It was a long horrible night. The next morning my throat was so raw from the acid reflux that I could hardly talk. My PRECIOUS husband got up and fixed me some of his wonderful Sweet Tea. That was the last time I have had a Coke. It has been several weeks now, and I don't know if I will drink one any time soon. I am praising God for that long night. It truly broke my desire for the drink I wanted to get out of my diet. Please don't be foolish like me, remember to talk to the Lord about everything!

Fall Festival 2008

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood
Little John, Maid Marion, Lady in Waiting, and Robin Hood

The Pringles Can Quiver

Little John's Pillowcase covering

The Lady in Waiting

Maid Marion

Checking out the inside of the fire truck.

Indiana Jones...Sam Beman