Today

Today I hugged you a little bit tighter as you got out of the car at school.  I know what happened last Friday; you do not.

Today I said more than my usual prayer for you.  I prayed for your safety at school...it never occured to me to do so before.

Today I prayed for your teachers. While I am confident each would protect you to the end, the thought of them doing so makes me sick.

Today as you cried that you didn't want to go to school because it was raining and there would be no playground time, I thought about those with no more playground time.

 

Today I thanked God for the gift of your life.  A gift that I certainly take for granted from time to time. 

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything with prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." Phillipians 4:6

Joyful Night

Good news, my friends.  If you have been reading our tales for a couple of years now, you might know that Philip is the only Gill boy to participate in Joyful Night, Trinity's Christmas pageant.  The other two tend to get cold feet at the last minute.

 I'm pleased to tell you that all three of the big boys made it down the aisle.  They stood stiller during the pageant than I have ever seen them be in the church!  Precious, precious little boys!

 

After a great dinner with Dee, GranGran, PopPop, Aunt Susan, Uncle Rob, and Campbell...

 

 

Saint Nicholas arrived with goodies for all...especially those that say "Roll Tide!"

 

Great night...special memories.

Christmas Cookies

Okay...so it's not very "adventy"...but what I love about Christmas season is cooking...especially cookies...for absolutely no reason.

 Today we did just that.

             

Philip asked, "Why are we making cookies?" 
I replied, "Just for fun."
"No who are they for?"
"Us, silly."

 

 

I guess we usually don't bake cookies for no reason...my waistline doesn't allow that.  But every year at Christmas I try to keep something just for us in this cookie jar given to me by Dottie years ago.

 I picked up these Hershey's Peppermint Candies and used the recipe on the bag.  Delicious and fun!

When Life Hands You Lemons....

Or really, when your neighbor and mother-in-law hand you home grown Meyer lemons....make this...Lemon Yogurt cake by Ina Garten.  While you are at it, make 14 for your boy's teachers...

Then attach a super cute sticker like this one...

made by my college friend, Eleanor.  Check her out at Pink Peppermint Paper!  Thinking about planting a Meyer lemon tree to make Christmas baking even easier next year!

North Pole Stroll

Santa...

Snow...

Letters to Santa...

Stories with Ms. Val..

Four, happy little boys!

A Response to Persistant Questions Regarding the Elf

Dear Philip and Daniel,

For two Christmases now, you have asked me where our Elf on the Shelf is.  I tend to respond with non-answers...I don't know, maybe he's lost, etc.  Last night, you asked if we could leave out cracker crumbs in hopes of attracting an elf.  It was then that I realized it was time to answer your question with some real answers.

Here's what you know from the book, the movie (that Daniel, you watched at school), and your friends.  Santa sends down an elf to watch you.  In addition to playing tricks around the house and moving around, the elf reports back to the North Pole each evening telling Santa whether you have been naughty or nice.  Right?

Well, your Mom and Dad told Santa that they did not need such an elf. 

For two main reasons. 

First, we, your parents, are here with you...watching you, if you will.  We see you when you are nice...we see you when your naughty.  We guide you...help you make good choices.  We praise you when you do good.  Correct you when you slip up.  Mom and Dad think that is the most important job they have as parents, and well, they just aren't willing to leave it up to an elf to take care of.

Plus, the Santa that we believe in is one who bows down at the foot of the manger.  He knows you are not perfect because he knows the One that is.  He knows that you will be naughty some of the time (but, boy, he sure is impressed by how good you typically are!).  He is a man of grace...a believer of forgiveness.  He brings you gifts in rememberance of Jesus' first gifts from the wise men.  He does not bring you gifts for being good for one month.

So, please do not think that you are missing out on any magic of the season.  An elf that flits about a house from room to room making messes for you to clean up has no magic compared to the baby in the manger.  The true magic is that today 2000 years ago, barn animals were eating hay out of an everyday manger.  That manger would become a crib to a tiny, helpless child.  A helpless child that is the Son of God...a Mighty King...a Wonderful Counsleor...a Prince of Peace.  That, my precious boys, is truly magical.

This Advent season, let's keep our eyes on that manger filled with hay.  Let's wait together to see the true magic happen on Christmas day.

Love you more than you will ever know,
Mom

PS - To prove that we do love elves...just the ones that make toys...not the ones that make messes and observe behavior...I'll include one pic...

December 1st

Today has been full and fun.  We started early with pancakes cooked by Daddy.  The boys all slept in and Chris and I enjoyed some time alone in the kitchen.  We dressed and headed out for errands.  The first...haircuts.

Chris has been begging me to cut John's hair.  So today we entered Mayo's with five heads to cut.  We create quite a waiting line when we walk in the door.

John was fabulous...sat pretty still in his Daddy's lap.  His hair looks great!

Can't help share this shot of William getting his curls trimmed.  He's reading a hunting magazine!

Next we got our tree and headed home for some decorating. 

We started outside.

This "yard art" belonged to Phil.  Dottie gave it to us the Christmas after he died.  Chris and I weren't too into "yard art" at the time, so it has stayed in the attic.  Several weeks ago, Dottie told me that the Santa needed to go up or go to Cameron and Heather.  About the same time, our neighbors put up two inflatables.  Cele convinced me it was time to join in the fun.  So here it is...Santa, a penguin, a palm tree, and some fruity drinks.  A bit tacky, maybe, but as Cele said, "what yard art isn't?"

I finished up this sweet dress for an even sweeter baby niece!

Then we began to tackle the tree.  It was somewhat comical.  Chris strung the lights, but a few strands didn't want to perform at the lighting.  The SEC championship game was about to start and the boss was getting frustrated.  Daniel was so excited and so eager to decorate.  We postponed and went next door to watch the first half of the game with the Camerons.

At half time, it was home to cook dinner and take baths.  Chris continued to watch the game and we decided to let Daniel and William decorate a little even though the lights were not done.  Some fourth quarter snuggling with Daddy...

and then off to bed for little boys.  Such a fun, productive day!