Making Christmas cookies with the whole fam!
Caleb painted on the icing...it's so fun to have him old enough to do some help!
My sister and I always made white chocolate dipped pretzels, and it's so fun to see the tradition continue with my boys. Have you ever seen anything cuter? (Caleb had a diaper rash and Michael decided to let him "air dry" for awhile. I seriously did NOT even notice until after I had taken the picture. I decided it was cute so it stayed!) :>
Working together. Unbelievable.
Benjamin and GG.
More Ben and GG
Ben and Big Daddy.
Caleb painted on the icing...it's so fun to have him old enough to do some help!
My sister and I always made white chocolate dipped pretzels, and it's so fun to see the tradition continue with my boys. Have you ever seen anything cuter? (Caleb had a diaper rash and Michael decided to let him "air dry" for awhile. I seriously did NOT even notice until after I had taken the picture. I decided it was cute so it stayed!) :>
Working together. Unbelievable.
We flew to Houston on the 25, and the boys opened their robes our first night there. Good job Puddin!!! Caleb seriously has not taken it off since getting it. Not only does he wear it to bed and all around the house, it's also been on the trampoline with him and to Chick-fil-a twice.
Benjamin and GG.
More Ben and GG
Ben and Big Daddy.
Caleb got woken up from a nap (BOO!) so we all took turns walking him up and down the street.
Malee and Ben
OOPS!!!!! Pappy is on poop patrol!!! Ahhh...the joys of newborns! :>
Caleb and Malee helping me beat Jonathan in a game of Uno.
I can't believe I didn't get any pictures of the Canadian cousins!!! I will HAVE to do better next year! We had such a great trip. I loved showing Benjamin off and I even got to see my Louisianan cousins. Thanks Mom and Dad for hosting everyone and working so hard to make Christmas so special.I just had to post this picture. My mom made the boys tool belts complete with safety goggles. Here is a picture of them, upon returning home, of putting them to good use.
New Year's Eve the "young staff" (us, the youth minister's family and missions director's family) got together. I'm so grateful to be in a place where we have loving, supportive friends/staff. We had such a great night of talking, letting the kids play and reflecting on the year. We all went around and said what we want to change/do differently in 2012. I said that I want to be a more grateful/thankful person. I'm doing a pretty good job of keeping up with my 'thankfulness' journal entries, and I've been amazed at how much thinking about blessings really does alter my attitude:
191 Ice Cream at Coldstone with a friend and her two girls
196 Energy despite a rought night
196 Energy despite a rought night
202 Fun making fudge with Jonathan
209 Freakishly easy plane ride with the boys
211 God's gift of his son Jesus to us
212 Wonderful family to spend Christmas with
220 Playing with the boys on our new trampoline
227 Spending New Year's Eve with friends
Sunday morning was a little rough because Jonathan was so tired. The whole morning I was so stressed out and feeling frustrated with Jonathan and his abundance of energy. I'm always so concerned about what people think, especially at church. That afternoon after church, Michael took the boys and let me rest (can I get an AMEN!?). I was reflecting on the morning, and I felt God impressing on me that I need to delight in Jonathan's exuberance. I would rather an energetic, full of life preschooler, than a sullen, depressed adolescent. If I continually try to squash his exuberance, who's to say that he won't turn inward and become sullen? I'm sure that during the moody teenage years I will miss his running, laughing, delightful spirit. And again, I was reminded that the main focus is on Jonathan and what he needs and NOT on making a good impression on others (though the two aren't necessarily mutually exclusive and it sure would be nice to make a good impression from time to time...it's about where the emphasis and focus is). My calling is to train up Jonathan in the way that he needs, not to worry about what other people think. I got up from my "rest time" with such a lighter heart!
That afternoon I made some resolutions and here goes:
1. To appreciate my husband
2. To bless my husband with a happy, light heart (as much as possible :>)
3. To create a restful home environment
4. To respect my husband's leadership
5. To support my husband in front of the kids (sadly, I haven't been doing a great job of this)
6. To really, truly ENJOY our boys and this stage of life and not be burdened with "teachable moments" at every turn (though we certainly need to be ready for teachable moments)
7. Appreciate our boys' God given personalities and the uniqueness that they bring
What about you? What are some of your New Year's Resolutions?
1 comments:
I love the pictures of the FAM! It is amazing to me how the boys change so fast in just a matter of weeks. I know it was a blessing to go home and spend time with your family and extended family in Houston. I loved the pictures of Jonathan and Caleb "working together!" As far as new years resolutions I've made two important ones: first- to do a better job of staying connected with friends and family (I've gotten back on facebook)- and second- to honor the Lord by not defiling my body (the temple of His Spirit) with junk food. That last one is a "daily renewing" for me, because I love junk food...(alot).....love Mimi
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