Christmas at the Museum

In between Kendall's fevers (we thought the one during the night Friday was a fluke sort of thing - nope came back Saturday night), we celebrated Christmas at the Museum.  We heard rumors Santa would be there along with crafts, cookies and cocoa!
 

We went to see Santa first.  Kendall and Jackson were both super excited.  The excitement lasted for Jackson as he sat right down and made himself at home.  Kendall, not so much!  The "elf" is trying to coax her into sitting, but she's not quite sure.



And now she's REALLY not having it!  We finally ended up taking a family picture with Santa.  We'll see how that turns out...

Then we had hot cocoa and cookies.



Kendall enjoyed her cookie with Yommy as well, but did not take her eyes off Santa.  She wanted to make sure he stayed put and did not come any closer.

 

Santa got up to mingle a bit, so Kendall felt safe to sit with Bubba in the rocking chair.

 

L.O.V.E.



There were lots of crafts for the kids to make.  Jackson is working on a "scratch-art" snowman ornament.  He could have stayed at this table for hours.



 Kendall and I attempting to make a paper star ornament.  It was harder than it looked!



Yommy helping Jackson - he's still at the "scratch-art" table.

Stamping a bag to put his finished crafts in - concentration!



Finally finished - he scratched all the black off :)



Kendall still checking to make sure Santa is far, far away from her!
Kendall shirt is another Yommy original - Thanks again, Yommy!

Jackson and I attempting to make that same paper star - pretty, but difficult!

Our finished crafts - the beaded jingle elf ornament is my favorite.  Not sure how I missed taking a picture of Kendall working on it - she did it pretty much all by herself!  Our pretty paper stars got a little "smushed" by a certain little girl we know.

Verse of the day - "But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people."
Luke 2:10

Blessings,
Kelli

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Kendall's Christmas Program and Party in pictures...



All dressed and ready to go - she loves her sparkly shoes!



The sanctuary looked so pretty - I love Chrismon ornaments!

 

We didn't pick the best spot to sit - it was really difficult to see her, much less snap a good pic.



I was afraid that if she finally spotted us, she would run off the stage.  Instead we got this sweet smile and she kept singing!



Yommy got to come!  Thanks, Yommy...You really are the best!



We are not the least bit proud - can you tell?



After the program, we headed down to the party.  This is just about the cutest place setting I've ever seen.  Kendall has a wonderful teacher - What a great idea!

She wanted to show me how Mrs. Sherry traced her hands. 



Kendall also loves pancakes - a.k.a. cupcakes.



Completely wrapped around her little finger!



I apologize for the momma's head in the middle of the video.  She was trying to watch two kids at once!

I thought maybe I could make it through without crying - I was wrong.  For the last song, the kids sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus and I cried.  In Beth Moore's bible study, "Jesus, the One and Only", she had us imagine Mary holding Jesus for the first time.  I don't know about you, but when I held my babies for the first time I felt unconditional love, unimaginable joy, euphoric peace and indescribable happiness.   Now imagine how Mary felt knowing not only was she was holding her sweet baby boy, but the Light of the World as well.  Happy Birthday, Jesus!!!

Verse of the day - "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

Blessings,

Kelli

U-Can Share!

Food Banks are a great place to donate your time and money during the Holidays and throughout the year.  1 in 6 Americans go hungry EVERYDAY!  Go to the grocery store and count out six different people - chances are one of those people is struggling with the choice of buying enough food to eat for their family or paying the heating bill.  Food Banks serve your local community - you don't have to wonder where or how your donations are being utilized.

We are lucky enough to live in a loving, caring community with a phenomenal Food Bank - South Plains Food Bank .  This year marked SPFB's 28th Annual U Can Share Christmas Food Drive.  Schools, businesses and individuals raise money and cans for the Food Bank.  Our school raised over 2,500 pounds!


Ready for their television appearance -
the kids got to present our total on the 5:00 news!

  

Announcing the totals for the day...Skip Watson is a SUPER nice man!



Listening to the reporter...Jackson was very smitten with her!


Yay, Wheelock!!!  Zach and I are excited to volunteer at the Food Bank with Jackson this year.  Our hope is that our children will grow to be cheerful givers.

Verse of the day - "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:7

Blessings,
Kelli

Advent and Grinches?

Today was a wonderful day!  One of those days I'll look back on and smile for years to come.  One of those days where everyone got along (well, almost all day for a 6 and a 2 year old).  One of those days where I was constantly reminded of the true reason of this wonderful time of year!

Here is our day in pictures...



Our family was honored to be asked to light the Advent candle at church.  Doesn't the altar look gorgeous?  Jackson's choir also sang at both services.  They sang a beautiful song about lighting the Advent candle.  The middle school, high school, handbell and Chancel choirs performed as well.  It was an amazing service to prepare our hearts for the coming of our King!



How handsome are these two? 
After choir practice, we celebrated the second Sunday of Advent with a combined dinner, movie, discussion, and craft event.  We had a great time and got to spend it some of our favorite people - Ann, Caroline and John! 



Jackson and Caroline enjoying some pizza.  Caroline recently got those precious glasses.  I think she looks absolutely adorable.  She is a darling girl inside and out!

 

Joyful John!



I don't think anything beats the original "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas".  My heart immediately fills with joy when I hear the Whos in Whoville singing, "Dah who dor-aze, Fah who for-aze, Welcome Christmas, Bring your light".



The kids gathered on the floor for an adult/children discussion of Biblical and real-life Grinches.  King Herod was the original Christmas Grinch.  I was humbled to remember that every Grinch can be saved (like Paul and Zaccheus) and we should love the unlovable.  Encourage the Grinches because even they can change.  Not always easy, but something we should strive to do especially during this season of Love!

 

After the discussion, we made Advent wreathes. 




Thanks to Ann for snapping this picture right before Kendall had to leave the party. 
No nap + early morning + busy day + activity that required some adult help = bottom out for Kendy Kane :( 




Action shot of Ann, Caroline and John - She is the most amazing mom, ever!  Their sweet family is celebrating Advent daily with a fun activity.  I want to be her when I grow up - I am so blessed by her friendship!!!



Seriously, can they be any cuter?  Mamas watch your daughters!



Our finished wreath - the greenery smells so good!!!  We are truly blessed to go to a church that cherishes children and builds a foundation for them to grow into adults that love and serve the LORD.  Jackson will always remember making this wreath - we will have to start making a real one every year.



Caroline putting the finishing touches on her wreath.  Jackson and Caroline were so cute pointing out bare spots to each other and giving advice.  I'm really glad they have each other!



I wonder what's in this HUGE stack of presents?



Why, these three of course!  Don't think I could think of a better present!

 

Jackson lights the second candle of Advent - the "candle of preparation".
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE reading each day's devotional with him.  Sadly, sister fell asleep before we left the church and didn't get to hear tonight's verse and story. 



Sleep in Heavenly Peace...

Verse of the day -

⁴ As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
   “A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
   make straight paths for him.
⁵ Every valley shall be filled in,
   every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
   the rough ways smooth.
⁶ And all people will see God’s salvation.’” Luke 3:4-6

Blessings,
Kelli

My little Bobcat

Basketball season is upon us.  Jackson is playing MOB this year... a little different pace of ball than he's used to, but he is catching on really fast.  His team is the Bobcats - which I find secretly funny for some reason.  It's kind of hard to yell "Let's go Bobcats!" without wanting to giggle.  If your home team is the Bobcats, sorry if I have offended you or your love for Bobcats.
 

He looks like a Baylor Bear in his break-away pants and warm-up jacket.
I had to crop Kendall out of the picture, she's going through a "I'll wear socks and shoes but nothing else" phase.

 

Kendall is ready to coach - bring it on!

 

Action shot

 

Hang on to that rebound!

  

One day soon he'll grow into that LONG last name and my heart will break just a little.

Why is this happy girl smiling?

Because Yommy is playing hide the "inuhsaur" (dinosaur) in her shirt sleeve!  She's just not that into watching the game.  Thank goodness for Yommy and Papa!!

 
Verse of the day - "The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." Exodus 14:14

Blessings,
Kelli

Never too late to be thankful

So, my camera broke!  Was it the best in the world? No.  Did it take amazing pictures? No.  Am I sad? Yes.  Thus the reason for my lack of blogging recently. Well that and a certain two year old I know who has been under the weather and not wanting to sleep.  Her sleepless ramblings are a post I'll save for a rainy day!

I'm over a week late with this one, but we had a great Thanksgiving!  We went for a LONG overdue visit to my grandma's house.  My kids love going to see Memaw and getting to see lots and lots of cousins!  My grandma was blessed with 5 children and now each of those children has at least two children and those children have....well you get the picture.  My sister-in-law and I laughed hysterically when we added up all the people we were expecting for lunch on Thursday, 33 in all, and my grandma said it would be a small crowd this year.  There would be over 50 if we all could be together at the same time.  I remember the first time Zach came with me to a holiday event at my grandma's, he asked me "Could you make me some flashcards to remember everyone's name?".



My mom made the kids cute turkey shirts. 
Sadly, they were acting like turkeys and I couldn't get a good picture!



Dressing Bowl - Enough cornbread and biscuits to make 4 large pans of dressing!

  

Timothy doing some mighty fine stirring -
he was mixing in the eggs and sauteed veggies, YUM!


 

It looks so easy when grandma does it (with some help from Jessica).



My grandma making her FAMOUS macaroni and cheese! 



Cutest Thanksgiving treat ever -
Nope, I didn't make these - they wouldn't be so cute if I did. 



LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my grandma's house.
 So many wonderful memories from my childhood and now my kids' childhoods!



My sweet sister-in-law listening to Jackson practice his piano.  He brought his little keyboard so he could play a song for my grandma.  Love that boy!

  

Not as random as it looks...This is a page from Jackson's "My Thankful Book" he made at school.  It says, "I am thankfull for God and Jesus."  So that part already had me on the verge of tears, then I asked him why God had spiky, blonde hair.  Notice God's hair under his label -  we studied labels as a text feature at school a few months ago, now all his pictures have labels!  He said, "Mom,  that's not his hair, that's his crown!  He is the King of Kings, you know!"  I REALLY love that boy!



I was going to take our Christmas Card picture Friday morning before we left.  But, Kendall was not feeling well and was very uncooperative.  I took one real quick picture of their cute GRINCH outfits from Yommy.

I am thankful for so many things this year...My God, my family, my friends, my church, my job, my home, my "extras"!  I am constantly reminded how much I have and how I should be in constant praise to my Heavenly Father. 

Verse of the day - "That my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!" Psalm 30:12

Blessings,
Kelli