Away in a Manger

Day 15
Luke 2:1-7
Suit cases were stacked by the door, house was miraculously clean, and we sat around the table making a bed for baby  Jesus.  Sweet baby Jesus.

Short and Sweet, cause I'm leavin on a jet plane people!

Day 8

Luke 1:57-80

Zechariah describes Jesus as the "rising son" coming from Heaven to "shine on those in darkness."

Day 9

Joseph

Matthew 1:18-24

Day 10

Josephs Dream

Matthew 1:18-25

We made a pillow and discussed the Angel coming to Joseph in a dream.

Day 11

Jesus' name

Matthew 1:18-25

His name shall be called Jesus. We made these cute little name banners, with Jesus' name in the center surrounded by other names. Talked about all the names for Jesus and their meanings.

Day 12

Census

Luke 2:1-7

I think this has been their favorite craft so far. We dyed rice and placed it in a jar. Hiding two glass beads in it to represent Mary and Joseph in a town full of people. They however were set apart because God had a plan for them.

p.s you will probably notice the kids wearing the same thing on day 11 and 12. Well, we all fall off the wagon at some point! We got right back on though. ;)

Day 13

Oh little town of Bethlehem

Luke 2:1-7

Totally forgot to take a finished product picture. Here are the kids painting their little towns.

Day 14

The Stable

Luke 2:1-7

Truth in the Tinsel, Virgins, Finals, Tension

Yes we are still going strong. Bed time is a bit later and messes are a bit larger, but we will craft on.

Day 4

Our Scripture was Luke 1:26-38 The Angel Gabriel. This was a great craft, beautiful and shiny. The girls learned a few new words too. Mommy what's conceive. Me (letting out my breath, thankful they didn't ask about the V word.) It means to become pregnant. Them: Oh... What's a Virgin? Me: (nice and simple, nice and simple, big breath-) Oh, well to get pregnant a woman lays with a man. If she hasn't done it yet she is a virgin. Them: Okay. Me- relief.

Day 5

Our Scripture was the same, you know in case the kids had more questions! ;) We talked more about Mary and her willingness to do what God had asked of her. Then we made little Mary clothes pins with felt dresses.

Day 6

Mary and Elizabeth Luke 1:39-45. Paper dolls and water colors! We attached the bellies with pop dots so they stick out. So fun. (doesn't take much to thrill me!) Also love the story Elizabeth's baby jumping at the sound of Mary's voice. Then we looked at pictures of me pregnant and they told me how fat I was. Beauty.

Day 7

Mary's Song, Luke 1:46-56 Beautiful scripture of Mary praising God for choosing her to do His will. How fitting that we made little cd's.

As I was saying doing the craft is wonderful. I love the conversations we have had and even that the boys have been involved. Leading up to the craft is another story. We are days away from Dad's first final and he has been preparing for a while now. I am worn thin let me tell you. My lists seem to be growing instead of shrinking. I keep HaViNg to DO Dr. visits INSTEAD of errands and TRYING to keeps nap regular AND pick up kids at the right time. I have STOPPED going to my workouts so I can get things done. Which is sTuPiD too, because I for some reason signed up for a 10k. What in the hell-O am I thinking!? DID I MENTION we are leaving town soon! Oh man, why am I even taking the time to write all this instead of getting something done!

(counting to ten)

Well perhaps it's because I smile when I see these pictures. Because when I am writing about everything other than my tension, I don't feel the stress weighing in on me. So I will blog on and craft on and keep chipping away and adding to my list, and in 8 days I will surround myself with the people I love most. It will be wonderful and yes this is all worth it... as long as I survive that race!

Truth in the Tinsel Day 2 and 3

Scripture for day 2 was again Isaiah 9:2-7, But we talked this time about our King Jesus. Wonderful counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace. Then we made crowns! Today did go better than day 1. I gave Ben a paint brush with a cup of water. Magic!

For Day 3 Our scripture was Luke 1:5-25. The story of Zachariah and his unbelief that he and his wife could have a child at their age and how he was struck dumb. Then we made Zachariah's with a bubble over his mouth!

10 Years 10 Things

When Todd and I were married we said to one another. On our 10 year Anniversary let's go back to Tahiti, the place he asked me to be his wife. Well we didn't quite make it back. As amazing as that place is with it's crystal clear water, thick jungle mountain peaks, warm breezes. I didn't need it. What I have right here within my reach is everything I will ever need as long as I have my husband to share it with.

I woke up this morning with rats in my hair and death on my breath, to a kiss from a prince. He told me I was beautiful and he sang me a song.

i've got an angel

she doesn't wear any wings

she wears a heart that can melt my own

she wears a smile that can make me wanna sing

she gives me presents

with her presence alone

she gives me kisses on the lips just for coming home she can make angels

i've seen it with my own eyes

you gotta be careful when you've got good love

cause the angels will just keep on multiplying

but your so busy changing the world

just one smile can change all of mine

we share the same soul

oh oh oh oh

we share the same soul

Can i just tell you that while he sang to me I could feel the warm breeze, the sun on my face, the sand between my toes. I have everything.

Christmas wishes

About a week ago the kids woke up and didn't bother waking me. They were busy making a list...

Olivia's

Dear Santa I want a icey maker But I need a Bike!!!! I tryed to Be nice all the time But now one can Be nice all the time except Jesus can I please have Both. I need a Bike Because I lerned to ride it with out traning wheels and it is to small for me! From Olivia My stocking green red green red padorn

Paige's

Santa all I want for christmas is my two front teeth and a -> snow globe and a cotten candy maker. tern --> and a amaracin girl from Paige

Claire's

all I want for christmas Is my Two front teeth an Amaricin Girl Claire

Aaron's

dictated by Aaron written by Olivia

A few things you need to know before you read it. fack=fake picher= picture. You should be able to figure out the others

1. Scooby Doo Movie

2. fack computer

3. fack piano

4. picher

5. picher fram

6. stuft animal

7. fack tv

8. desel ten movie

9. fack food(do not forget pizza)

10. a scooter(with traning wheels)

from Aaron

fack! ha She get's it from me.

Truth in the Tinsel Day 1

I came across this e-book, on black Friday and it was 2.99$ Score! So here we are on our first day. Our Scripture was Isaiah 9:2-7 and we made a little candle. It was nice and peaceful at first, taking turns reading the scripture and talking about what each verse meant. Then the boys finished their bath and wanted in on the action. That's about when my days allotment of patience ran out, and I am sure I robbed them of what was meant to be a joyful craft time.

They are still smiling though! Hoping day 2 will be more joyous, and that they will start talking a whole lot more about Jesus and give Santa a little break.

Running

Todd had the crazy idea to run a Half Marathon. 13.1 miles. That's far, too far. He is a go getter like that. We made the trip into Richmond to be supportive. I missed him crossing the finish line. I'll take the sopping wet clothes and salt crystals on his forehead as proof that indeed he actually did do it! We are proud of our daddy!

Fall

Nothing warms my heart more than these faces. My big kids. Including Ben, he refuses to be my baby. He has places to go and people to see. Cars to watch, cats to chase. Sisters to avoid and a big brother to wrestle with. Life is good. I am blessed beyond words.

Grandma and Grandpa Baker came to visit us during the month of October. It was wonderful as usual.

Grandma always has a craft stuffed up her sleeve, and this year it was in the form of a Scarecrow.

He did his job well. It took me a week before I could go outside without jumping at the sight of him. I heard a little girl cry pointing to him in fear. Our neighbor told us the story of walking one afternoon, puzzled that we wouldn't say hello back or wave to him.

Greenfield farm with the family

This year is the first time in 8 years that Todd and I snuck away from the kids for a few days. We had so much fun. Acting like kids ourselves. We watched the sunrise and hiked till my legs hurt, did a little spelunking, and ended the day watching the sunset.

This Halloween we had some groovy costumes. I spent plenty of time digging in thrift stores to find the perfect matches for our mystery gang, and Jeepers what do you know?

Raking mounds of leaves is nothing when you have helpers like mine!