Our Ordinary Days

Christmas Photos

Ok, so we didn't get the best of photos on Christmas day, but I do have a few to share.

It snowed and snowed and snowed on Christmas Eve.  NOT the usual Fort Worth Christmas weather!

But while the weather outside was frightful, our fire inside was so delightful!

Then, we all gathered at my mom's for Christmas Eve.  We listened to the Christmas story from the book of Luke, and we sang every Christmas carol we could think of!

We even forced talked my nephew into playing "the drums" while we sang The Little Drummer Boy.

And Elliot drummed with force on Clint's back.

On Christmas morning, Zippy quickly dumped out his stocking, disappointedly announced the lack of gummy worms in there, and then settled for a Tootsie Roll Pop.

And the opening craziness began . . .

Chloe got My Pal Scout.  He is a dog who sings and talks.  You connect him to the computer and download songs and info.  So the very first thing he said to Chloe:  "Hi, Chloe!"  Wow was she ever surprised!!

She watched him closely, wanting to be his friend, but still a little frightened. . .

You can't be too careful about new friends.  You never know when they might suddenly dance or clap their paws or something . . .

Thankfully, Scout did neither so Chloe felt comfortable enough to move in for a closer look.

And even though we eventually talked her into opening some other presents, she never turned her back on that talking, singing dog who somehow knew her name.  (But she ended up loving Scout and has spent hours barking and singing and playing with him!

Elliot was happy with his Bakugan -- the one thing he asked for.

After the presents were opened, Zach came and sat with me and pouted that he didn't like the things he got and that he didn't get what he wanted.  Oh, me!  The build-up of the emotion of Christmas hits us with disappointment sometimes.  He did eventually warm up to his gifts and had a great time playing with them.

We had a great Christmas!  And I think everyone would agree that we got what we wanted and more!!  (Except maybe gummy worms!)

8 Years Ago

8 years ago today, there was a blizzard in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

8 years ago today, there was a proud mama and daddy sitting in a hospital room in Grand Rapids.

8 years ago today, there was a precious baby girl born -- just 5 hours after Christmas.

8 years ago today, there were 2 excited little boys coming to visit their new sister in the hospital.

8 years ago today, there was a baby girl with a tiny pink stocking cap on her head to keep her toasty warm!

8 years ago today, I was that proud Mama, and you, Chloe, were that little baby girl.

8 years ago today, I held a tiny miracle in my undeserving arms.

8 years ago today, I did not even fully know what a special blessing I held in my arms.

8 years ago today, we embarked on this thing -- on your journey -- together.

8 years ago today, I did not understand the challenges before us; instead, I was just thrilled to have you!

And today, 8 years later, I am more thrilled than ever to have you and to be journeying with you!

I love you, Baby Girl!

Some Children See Him

Wow!  How's this for a multi-cultural look at Christmas morning?!  Love it! It is titled "Some Children See Him."

Some children see Him lily white

the infant Jesus born this night

Some children see Him lily white

with tresses soft and fair

Some children see Him bronzed and brown

the Lord of heav'n to earth come down

Some children see Him bronzed and brown

with dark and heavy hair (with dark and heavy hair!)

Some children see Him almond-eyed

This Saviour whom we kneel beside

Some children see Him almond-eyed

With skin of yellow hue!

Some children see Him dark as they

Sweet Mary's Son to whom we pray

Some children see Him dark as they

And, ah! they love Him so!

The children in each different place

Will see the Baby Jesus' face

Like theirs but bright with heav'nly grace

And filled with holy light!

O lay aside each earthly thing

and with thy heart as offering

Come worship now the infant King

'tis love that's born tonight!

'tis love that's born tonight!

Christmas Alphabet

A for the animals, out in the stable,

B for the Babe in the manger cradle,

C for the carolers, happy and gay,

D for December, the 25th day,

E for the Eve when we're all so excited,

F for the fun when the Christmas tree's lighted,

G for the goose, so round and so fat,

H for the holly and Santa's red hat,

I for the ice on snow-covered hills,

where sledding is fun, in spite of the spills,

J is for Jesus, the Christ child so dear,

We honor His birth on Christmas each year,

K for the kitchen where Mom cooks the feast,

L for the light shining way in the East,

M for the mistletoe. Watch where it hangs!

N is the noel the angels first sang,

O for the ornaments trimming the tree,

P for the presents, for you and for me,

Q for the quaking of shepherds in fear,

when the bright angels brought them the words of good cheer,

R for the reindeer, leaping the roofs,

S for the stockings that Santa Claus stuffs,

T for the toys, the tinsel, the tree,

U is for us- the whole family,

V is for visitors, friends far and near,

W is for welcoming wreaths on the wall,

X is for Xmas, with pleasures for all,

Y is for Yule logs whose bright sparks fly high,

to give a warm welcome to friends passing by,

Z is for zeal we show at this time

in giving to others and loving mankind

Out of the Mouths of . . . Preteens

A 12-year-old neighbor girl who lives with her dad and grandparents celebrated Christmas with them this past weekend.  Today when I asked her what she got for Christmas, she excitedly replied that she had gotten a TV/DVD player for her room.

As she passed the football back to Elliot, she casually commented, "I used to always eat at the table.  But now I just take all my food to my room to eat.  Now there's no reason for me to stay out there."

"Now there's no reason for me to stay out there."

I collapsed into a heap in the front yard as I heard those words come from her mouth.  If I hadn't been so paralyzed at the truth and tragedy of her comment, I would have dashed across the street and begged her grandparents to move that new TV into the living room!

This sweet, sweet girl who has already had quite a trying 12 years -- her parents divorced when she was little bitty, her dad and step-mom divorced this past year, her father was away in Iraq for a couple of years -- is now bound to spend her teen years in her bedroom by herself, isolated, instead of out at the table with her family.

Am I the only one who feels the need to scream, "NO!!!!!!" at the top of my lungs?

Is it possible that the simple act of letting a child have a TV in their room contributes to the deterioration of her relationship and her openness with her parents?  Are parents just handing over the nurturing and bonding opportunity with their children by sending them to their room with their own TV?  I think it is possible.  And I'm guessing most parents are doing it without even realizing the impact it has on their children.

I am a little sick to my stomach.

I hope I remember this moment when my boys ask for a TV in their room in the next couple of years.

Christmas Photo

Here's a photo to make you laugh.  It is from 2 years ago.  Santa, again, looks pathetic!  He needs some glue or something to put his mustache in the right place.  Ugh.  But my kids are cute!

(I've been out of town while these last few days' entries have posted!  I scheduled them before I left.  Cool, eh?  I'm on my way home now. . .)

Winter Wonderland

Chloe's Christmas program was darling.  She did <em>such</em> a good job!!  She had a chair to sit in right beside the risers.  She participated and did the motions to all the songs.  Yea, Chloe!  Too cute! Notice when the children get messed up on "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" -- the kids get ahead of the music.  Chloe knows they are messing up, and she freaks out a bit, putting her hands up over her head and arching her back.  The boy directly behind Chloe thinks she is doing some song motions so he throws his hand over his head for a minute!!  Funny!!  Didn't know Chloe was such a leader, did you??

Preparations

Today:  Grocery shopping and baking, baking, baking!

I made the gingerbread men for Zippy.  He begs for them year-round.  I have some icing and sprinkles to decorate them with.  But when he saw them he was less than thrilled.  I wanted to tackle him or punch him in the gut!  (NOT REALLY!!  But how dare he not go nuts for the little guys!  I would've preferred a different kind. . .  .

Another Christmas Past

This is the same year as the one of Chloe from yesterday.  Precious boys!  Now THAT'S a handsome Santa!  I'd have to tug on that mustache to prove that it's not real!!

A Christmas Past

Ooooo.  I found a precious photo to show you from a few years ago.  Believe it or not, Chloe was only a few weeks shy of being 2 years old!  She looks like such an infant.  Precious girl, totally taken by handsome Santa!