A VERY Belated Christmas Post

It's March and here's a post full of Christmas pictures. I did it on purpose so that the joy of Christmas could be stretched further into the year. Like, into spring even. You're welcome.

We celebrated Christmas at home with my side of the family (my parents, my grandma, and my brother) and then we all drove to Tulsa. We went to be with John's side of the family and my parents went so they could continue on into Dallas and Austin to be with family there. So yes, there is a picture or two of my family at John's family's house. Confused yet?

Pictures were taken here at our house, but my dad took them with his camera and I don't have them. (Dad? That's your cue!) Some more posts will come later on in the day with some videos.

If you are a grandparent then you will probably love this post. If you are anyone else, run! =)

Julia helped decorate the tree at home.

John David was mighty helpful too. (Until he went scissor happy wanting to "trim" the tree a little too much!)

John made "Bananas Foster" for our Christmas dessert.

He set each batch on fire as he brought it to the table. It was hard to capture that action!

All the babies loved on Mimi.

John David roasted some marshmallows in the fireplace on the back porch.

Every time we turned around Aulora was dancing in one of the living rooms. Dodie was dancing with her this time while Gran played the piano.

We had a birthday cake for Jesus. It was SO good! (and chocolate!) Thank you Jesus for being born! ;)

Julia worked hard with Aunt Kara on a gingerbread house. I think she was mostly busy eating it though.

Aulora has that look on her face because her mouth is stuffed with candy.

That's more like it.

There they are dancing again and this time Joshua is trying to join them.

On Christmas morning John David received a note to let him know that Santa was too lame to bring his present inside.

He ran outside and discovered his very own go kart!

Aulora got her first bike!

A family meal

Gran and D at the head of the table

Uncle Zach gave Aulora a Memory game.

Not sure of the reason for the kiss but it's still sweet.

Joshua was the first allowed to run in and see what Santa brought. He got a Buzz tricycle and a big dinosaur.

There's Aulora finding her bike.

Julia is always happy for another Webkinz and she also got the Tangled doll house.

Thanks Gran and D for my Christmas Barbie!

The girls were each given a new Madame Alexander doll.

John David had his new lego set built in no time.

Reece, one of the dogs, was busy inspecting Joshua's new things.

I should probably explain to Aulora the difference between a pretty laugh and an ugly laugh. ;)

Julia's First Art Class Picture

Julia was so excited to start art classes today for the first time. There were about five other kids in the class that she will be attending every Thursday. I can't wait to see what she will learn as the weeks go on.....

Whatever you're dreaming......

...make sure it's God's dream.

Any other dream is just too small.

Aiming for Kingdom Life

I read a moving blog post recently titled, "My Life For Yours: A Mother's Pondering About Her Body". Kelly, the author, was inspired to write the post after reading this quote from (at the time, pregnant) musician Alanis Morissette:

“I see my body as an instrument rather than an ornament.”

Motherhood is not without cost and, while I don't see this as an excuse to "let go of myself", it is very freeing. It's freeing to be okay with what my body is (and isn't). This body that I get frustrated with and would sometimes like to trade in for a thinner, more perfect version, is the same body that gave me four beautiful children.

Kelly also includes this excerpt from Loving the Little Years by author Rachel Jankovic:

“Our bodies are tools, not treasures. You should not spend your days trying to preserve your body in its eighteen-year-old form. Let it be used. By the time you die, you want to have a very dinged and dinted body. Motherhood uses your body in the way that God designed it to be used. Those are the right kind of damages…We are not to treat our bodies like museum pieces. They were not given to us to preserve, they were given to us to use. So use it cheerfully, and maintain it cheerfully. You want to fix your body up in order to be able to use it some more. We should not be trying to fix it up to put it back on the shelf out of harm’s way or to try to make ourselves look like nothing every happened. Your body is a tool. Use it.”

So I say -

Watch what you eat.......so long as you don't miss out licking the cookie dough off the beaters with your 7 year old.

Excercise....so long as you don't forget that playing chase with your preschoolers is far more beneficial.

Weigh yourself....so long as your little girl doesn't doubt her own beauty when she looks at her perfect little round belly.

Show your outward beauty....so long as your son sees your inward beauty more.

Look in the mirror....so long as you remember that your husband doesn't see those flaws when he's looking at you.

Work to be healthy and fit....so long as your aim in life remains solely on Kingdom purposes. Let Christ ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. (Matthew 3:11)

Don't Tell Daddy

I recently went upstairs to find my son wearing the biggest pink tutu you've ever seen. He was happy about it and not about to take it off. So of course I took a picture. Perhaps he thought the Buzz Lightyear pajamas offset the pink ruffles?

I suppose I won't get worried unless he starts asking to go to ballet class with Aulora....

Clearly, These Two are Destined for Greatness

The end is my favorite part. It totally takes me back to my days of girl scouts....

Power Nap? Energy Shake? That's Not What You Need.....

I've pondered for almost a week now how I could share this story about my oldest daughter. It's too funny not to tell but I know it requires tact.

Unfortunately for you, I have not been able to think up a tactful way to share.

I took the kids to McDonald's last week (gasp! I know - please don't post nasty comments) and the three younger ones had happy meals. The girls' prizes were some sort of fairy dolls (that were, sadly, much more blessed than me in certain ways) and they were quickly more interested in playing than eating.

John David and I were talking and stopped just in time to observe Julia touching her doll's, uhm, chest area. She was in her own little world talking and playing so she didn't see us watching her.

Of course, we wondered where this was headed and we weren't disappointed because the next thing she said was, "It's time to power up! Rub the b**bies" to get powered up!"

(I'm blushing now. Can you see me?)

It Came Back

Last week we were teased with temperatures in the 40s and 50s a few times. Glorious. It was short lived though and once again the snow and wind are at it again outside my window. This old house could really use new windows that keep that cold out!

The kids use our adirondack chairs and their sled to make a snow fort.

And below is a picture of John David in a snowball fight.

As much as that boy loves the snow, he has finally said he's ready for winter to be over. I think everyone else around here would agree!

Kids' Museum

My parents and I took the kids to a local museum a couple of weeks ago. It's the perfect size place for some indoor fun (that was free with our library passes!). We'll definitely be going back soon!

Trip to the Chocolate Cafe

A couple of weekends ago we went downtown to the Chocolate Cafe.

The kids had never had fondue before ("fundue" as they called it) so it was a special treat.

Little hands were anxious to dig in!

It was also a belated birthday celebration with Joshua from Grandmamma and Dodie since they weren't in town for his actual birthday.

All the food was gone but there was still chocolate left. We couldn't waste it so we put our straws in it and started pretend drinking.

John David didn't understand the pretend part - hence his face in this photo. =)

Who Do You Say I Am

Aulora is very much potty trained and has been since she was 2. But little kids still need certain assistance when they go "big potty".

Today I was doing my part to help when Joshua came in the bathroom. He and Aulora had been playing pretend so I wasn't surprised when he asked her, "Who's this?" and pointed to me.

Aulora didn't skip a beat. With incredible grace (for someone who is in the middle of having their bottom wiped), she answered "Oh, she's just my servant."

Things to Remember

A few days ago each of the kids said something that I don't want to forget. Moments like these help make up for the hard stuff that goes along with being a mommy.

Joshua: Let me say, first of all, this boy loves his big brother. And his big brother adores him. It's not unusual for John David to get down on his knees and ask for a big bear hug. That's what he did the other day when Joshua jumped into his arms and squealed, "You're my favorite cowboy!!!"

Aulora: I'm not a morning person (Although I'm not a night person either and I get tired in the afternoon. Hmmm. Not sure what that means.) Anyway, we had snow days last week (like just about everyone else I'm thinking) and so I wasn't up early. Aulora woke up first and came into our room. She came to my side of the bed and put her sweet hands on my sleeping face. My eyes were closed but I listened as she prayed "Dear Lord, thank you for my wonderful mommy. Amen." Can you say sweetness?

Julia: Out of the blue Julia asked me, "How many pairs of panties do you think I have on?"

I guessed several times before I came to the number four.

"Do you know why I have on four pairs of panties?"

I told her I had no idea.

She said, "In case I get a spanking then it won't hurt so much."

I asked her, "Are you planning on getting a spanking today??"

"Nope," she said. "It's just in case of an emergency!"

John David: My boy and I have our best times together at bedtime. All the other kids are already tucked in and it's just me and him. This particular night he wanted me to tell him a story. (which used to mean a story from my childhood but I've told him all of those I can remember - multiple times - so for now I've resorted to silly poems and songs and jokes. ) I told him the "Fuzzy Wuzzy was a Bear" poem which he thought was hilarious. (Yes, he's 10. I don't know why it was so funny.) He wanted more. I did the only thing I could think of. I sang an old song I learned in Girl Scouts called "Make New Friends". Do you know it?

Make new friends

But keep the old

Some are silver

And the others gold.

Make new friends.

He looked at me so funny when I finished and then he cocked his head and said, "No wonder you didn't have many friends when you were growing up. You went around singing dorky songs like that!"