Happy Easter

Happy Easter to everyone! We were so blessed to spend the weekend with Rosie, Jonathan and Ian. The kids enjoyed playing in the river on Friday, having a yummy Easter dinner on Saturday made by Jonathan and Rosie, and all of us worshiping together at church on Sunday. It was so wonderful t0 have the kids with us in church and us all being together.

Special times and special moments. Rejoicing together that Jesus really loved us THAT much and sacrificed himself so we could be united with him forever...then he came back to life on Easter. How amazing. I'm so thankful.

Thanks, Rosie and Jonathan for such a special weekend! We really missed Aunt Charlotte and Mom, I hope you feel better, Charlotte! The girls LOVED seeing Papa again! Thanks for coming! More pictures to come of our weekend!

Christmas Bears

In downtown Charlotte last year we took the girls to see this life-size orchestra of bears, playing Christmas songs and singing. We took them again this year and the girls absolutely loved it. They both wanted to wear their tutus and they put their tutus to good use as they danced and did ballet to the music while the bears sang. It was adorable!

Visit to Virginia

We visited our families in Virginia BEFORE Christmas this year, since I am on call right now for a birth with a mama due on Jan. 7th. The girls had a great time going to look at the lights in downtown Richmond and getting some time with their aunts, uncles, and grandparents.

Pete and I enjoyed a nice afternoon to ourselves on day and we both went to get our haircut at a nice salon in Carytown that my sister (and fashion consultant) recommended to us :-) Our new "dos" and afternoon out was a nice Christmas present from mom and dad, thanks!

Creating an Advent Tradition

Last night Pete and I were talking about what we want our children to remember about Christmas. So, beginning one week late we are going to start celebrating the season of Advent by lighting candles representing hope, peace, joy, love and then finally the Christ candle on Christmas.
On another blog I even read how there are even Advent spirals that you walk around which represents the journey Mary took as she carried baby Jesus inside her womb. Children walk around holding candles and when they get to the center of the spiral, they place their candles on a piece of wood. I thought that sounded so meaningful and something that would definitely leave lasting impression in a child's mind.
The last thing we want is our children to think Christmas is about getting toys. I will be the first to admit it is fun to buy the girls toys. A few good quality toys that spark the imagination can become heirlooms handed down the generations. Handmade toys are great or toys that are made from workers who get paid a fair wage. What saddens my heart about the season is the commercialism. I will never understand how people wait in long lines to save money on gifts on black friday. It is so sad to read the story of the Walmart employee that was trampled to death in Manhattan. And, then another story of someone who was killed at Toys R us on black friday. Someone's life was taken away and all because of a bunch of people wanting to be first and hurrying to buy the latest plasma-screen TV or iPod.
Could you even imagine if everyone just slowed down and spent more time with their family baking Christmas cookies as their gifts for friends and neighbors? What if everyone turned off the television so all of the ads for toys and various gadgets were not being thrown in their faces?

In the mornings we get our little nativity set down and I tell the girls the Christmas story as best as I can so they will understand. I asked Kyla why do we give a gift at Christmas time? And she said "because the wise men brought gifts to Jesus when He was a born baby."

So, that's what it's about.

May you enjoy your family traditions this Christmas, and enjoy creating new ones!

"Look what I made!"

I saw on another mom's homeschool blog some of these very easy button ornaments she made with her kids. So, Kyla made one today and had the best time threading the buttons on the wire!

Then we finished it off with a sparkling bow and ta-da!
A pretty ornament for the tree!

Kyla is a Poet

On our long drive to Richmond, VA for thanksgiving we were listening to Christmas carols on the radio. Both of our girls are loving Christmas carols and are picking up the words very fast!

Kyla told us while we were driving, "Mommy and Daddy?" she asked, "Yes, Kyla?". "When I listen to Christmas songs my heart feels like snow."

Do we have a young poet in our family? :-)

"Mommy, I'm Mary and this is baby Jesus."

I had two Marys in my house today :-)

And this is baby Jesus!

I've been thinking a lot about how amazing it is that our God came to us as a helpless baby born in the most humble of places. A King. Our Savior. I wonder what Mary felt and was thinking as she brought Jesus into the world.

"Here with Us" by Joy Williams

"It's still a mystery to me
That the hands of God can be so small
How tiny fingers reaching in the night
Were the very hands that measured the sky

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Son of God, servant King
Here with us,
You're here with us

It's still a mystery to me
How His infant eyes have see the dawn of time
How His ears have heard an angel symphony
But Mary still had to rock her saviour to sleep

You're here with us

Jesus the Christ, Born in Bethlehem
A baby born to save
To save the souls of man

You're here with us."

Kyla's 3rd Birthday

On February 24th, we celebrated Kyla turning 3 years old! We had carrot cupcakes and lots of yummy treats for her and a few of her friends. Kyla told mommy that she wanted a flower birthday party. So, I went and bought a bunch of pink and red Gerber daisies and Pete bought some Gerber daisy napkins and we had pink flowers on her cupcakes! She had a fun day and we have been blessed with her these past 3 years!

Kyla is now 3 years old! We celebrated her birthday yesterday with some of her friends and carrot cupcakes with cream cheese frosting!

Kyla had so much fun playing with her friends and coloring on the sidewalk with chalk.

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