Joyful Morning...and Night!

Yesterday was the church's annual Christmas pageant.  It is usually held in the evening but we opted for a during the service program this time.

The morning was extremely rainy and I was quite concerned about how I was going to get four children (one that can not walk and in a cast that can't get wet), my camera, and my salad bowl across Dauphin Street by myself.  (Chris was at work and meeting us at church.)  Just as the clock showed it was time to go, the rain broke giving us a little reprieve.  And the angel told Mary "for nothing will be impossible with God!"

Daniel was our shepherd and his little brothers were his sheep.  How cute!

Everyone did great.  Philip was a trooper.  He opted to not be in the show but he sat with us cheering everyone on!

We had a delicious potluck dinner afterwards and even had a visit from Saint Nicholas!

Proud of the boys for their great performance.  We hurried home for some down time before our Springfield friends came over for dinner.  I love how they picked up without missing a beat.

And now it's Christmas Eve Eve according to my boys and we have a little work to do to get ready!

Santa!

Today the boys, GranGran, and I headed to the Eastern Shore Centre to do a little last minute shopping.

We even fit in a little visit with Santa!

A lunch at Panera and home for a quiet afternoon.  Thanks GranGran for the extra set of hands...couldn't have done it without you!

And They are Out!

Just like that the Christmas holidays have begun!  I will be so glad to wake up in the morning and forgo the hustle of getting boys to school.  Just relax and spend time with my peeps!!

We've had lots of Christmas parties these last two weeks.  Here's some memories in the making...

Two went aboard the Polar Express in their pajamas...

Daniel's Gingerbread house party...where he and I ate more than we decorated!!...

Making cookies for all of our teachers...

William's Christmas party...

Daniel's Christmas program and Christmas party...

After all the happenings, we had to get out.  It is so hard to go anywhere with Philip in his cast and yet there are days when I know that if we do not leave the house everyone (including me) is going to lose it.  So today, we headed to the park for a picnic, playground time, feeding the ducks, and a long walk.

Just what the doctor ordered.  Wore little boys out...result being a quiet afternoon!

Wishing you a peaceful conclusion to this Advent season!

Mary's Left the Stable...

and I'm not sure I blame her.

When unpacking the Christmas decorations, I couldn't find Mary anywhere.  I don't remember her not being there when Christmas 2012 ended.  All I know is that she has left the stable...and I'm not sure I blame her.

Raising boys is hard...even if yours is perfect.  Mine are not.

While decorating the house, I began to feel somewhat guilty that we have very little Christmas decorations.  Like none.  Everything we have I think came from Chris' mom (thanks, Dee!) before we had kids.  It's pitiful.  But as I began pulling things out, look what I found...

A decapitated Crimson Tide Santa and a one armed nutcracker.  These peeps are hard on our decorations.  Take for example this one....

It was a beautiful bell with a Christmas tree on it.  I remember it being given to me when I was around Philip's age.  Every Christmas Eve, my family went to the Pierce's Christmas party after church.  Dr. and Mrs. Pierce are Mom and Dad's only closest friends.  For as long as I can remember, we went to their house for a small party after church on Christmas Eve.

Now Dr. Pierce is Elizabeth's godfather and Mrs. Pierce is Susan's godmother.  And every Christmas the sisters received a present at this party.  And every Christmas I was jealous.  But this one Christmas, this sweet couple had pity on me and gave me a present too!  The bell.  And ever since, I have loved it.

William's tears when he told me what happened were enough evidence that he need not be punished.  He knew I loved that bell and he felt terrible.  I reminded him that it's just stuff.  I told all of them the story of the bell one more time.  The memories live on!

But back to the stable.  I love my nativity set.  People if you have children, you need to get one and you need to let them touch it.  I love to see my children work with the figures.  Tonight, it was all John...or Batman.

He was concerned that the mother was missing.  I watched quietly from another room as he took the baby Jesus out to the "field" where he had the shepherd and the sheep.  He's heard the Good Shepherd lesson only once, so it may be chance but I couldn't help but think of the Good Shepherd in the field with the shepherd and sheep.  It just seemed so right.

I'm adding one more decoration that I know will be a treasure in the years to come.

My friend, Caroline, sent this one in a care package for Philip.  The angel is to remind us of this special Christmas in Philip's life.  I found this so touching and thoughtful.  Thanks, Caroline!

What are your special decorations and memories?  I'd love to hear them!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

First we broke out the festive clothes...

Fixed a little hot chocolate and drank it by the fire...

We picked out a tree...despite only about ten being on the lot at that time...we're easy!

And then decorated inside and out...

We capped the weekend off with William's Christmas program that is held during Westminster's church service.  Oh how I love to see him sing...he loves it!

A great weekend.  Loving our time of preparation.

A Week Off

It was so nice for the boys to have the week of Thanksgiving off from school.  It is always nice to have a carpool break, but given Philip's situation it was wonderful to have a carpool break!!

We didn't do a whole lot...given that we can't really get out and about much.  We did have some visitors (the McElvy's and the Weekley's) from out of town.  I didn't take a single picture :( !

We hung around the house and found ways to keep busy.  Here's a few...

loving the Rainbow Loom

when all else fails...a cardboard box helps fill some time...

Brain Quest is a new favorite game!

the weather was chilly and we loved having lots of fires

we tried to get out everyday...younger three would ride bikes while I pushed Philip in the stroller!

Chris did manage to sneak in two trips to the hunting camp.  First a weekend with just Daniel...

Uncle Cameron proudly supporting the Auburn bracelet that Daniel made him!

and then a night with William and John...

Daniel loved his weekend away and it was well deserved.  Of the three other boys, Daniel has probably been most affected by Philip's condition.  He's had to transition to going to school alone and being more of a help to both me and Philip around the house.  He has risen to the challenge and made us so proud.  He definitely deserved sometime with his Dad!

He was thrilled to report that on Saturday evening he chose the stand and they saw 19 deer!

William and John on the other hand simply love all things 'camp' related.  They love the woods, love hunting, and unlike their brothers really wanted their Dad to shoot a deer.  When a doe stepped out, they told him to shoot!  They had a great weekend away too and are already begging to go back.

Finally on Saturday night the McCalls came to watch the Iron Bowl.  What a game!  While the final outcome wasn't what we were hoping for, it was the first game of the season that actually held my attention.  The boys loved having their cousins around to play with!

It was a great week and I sure will be sad to see my boys off on Monday morning.  In a blink of an eye, though, they will be out for Christmas!!