All Things Christmas

Christmas is basically here.  As most, we have been running around like chickens with our heads cut off in "celebration."  Oh how we get our priorities all mixed up this time of year. 

One way that I have attempted to realign our family's focus is through reading Ann Voskamps, "The Greatest Gift" (kid edition.)  I have been reading the adult version of The Greatest Gift with a friend.  Let me just say, these books are AMAZING!  It truly pushes you back to the Gift of Christmas linking Christ to the pillars of the Old and New Testament.  The studying of Advent is truly one of the best ways to refocus.  The book suggests doing a Jesse tree and supplies material for the kids to color/ decorate ornaments to hang on the Jesse tree. 

A snapshot of our Jesse tree from a few days ago. 

We just printed the ornaments out through her website and then pasted it on cardstock.

I love looking at this tree as a constant reminder of the sacrifice for me.  We serve such an amazing God.  I think this will become a tradition with our family. 

Onto some of the other Christmas things.  Our church had their children's program last weekend.  It was a Christmas play with speaking part (5 scenes) and really great music.  Hunter had one of the leads and did such a great job.  I was so proud of him with the way he worked to memorize his lines.  Shepherd and Ashton also did a great job singing.  Our church has a ton of kids and it was great to watch them.  They practiced really hard.

The whole group of kids.  Hunter is sitting with the group by the flags.  Shepherd and Ashton are standing behind Joseph (you can barely see Shep)

Close up of Ash and Shep

Close up of Hunter and the other "actors".

Hunter is in 3rd grade choir this year and they had a cute Christmas program as well.


Hunter- the tallest- back left.

Here is a clip.

On the commercial side of Christmas, shopping is done.  Each kid is getting 4 gifts and then they drew names with eachother to buy a gift (with their own money).... trying something new this year. 

I didn't show my Christmas décor because I didn't do a whole lot this year.  I did have a theme though (it actually is courtesy of a friend who made a comment on her blog about why would anyone not get a real tree. haha).  I had been debating as to whether or not I would go fake or real this year anyway.  When I read that I though, well, what is the perk of fake over real?  The my first answer was 1) we already have a fake one so it is free.  The led to my next thought of... I am not going to spend a dime on Christmas decorations this year.  And I am proud to say, for the first year ever- I did not spend anything to decorate my house.  Nada... so thanks for the inspiration Liv. 
Here is the - artificial- tree. Shelves, mantles, and small trees are throughout the house as well... just didn't take pics.

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Perhaps my favorite things this year...  all of our family Christmas cards since we started doing photo cards in 2006.  Back then, there was 1 kid, 1 dog. My what 9 years looks like.

9 years of cards.

 

Have a Merry Christmas.

Oh Baby, We are Half Way There...

Though I know you will always need me.  Though I know you will always come home.  I also know that your years under my roof are essentially half way through.  You are now 9.  I still have plenty of wisdom to throw your way and thankfully you still listen. 


 

I look back over lessons that I have tried to drive home. Most of these from toddlerhood.  Remember the stakes get higher though as you get older. 
Remember Mom's Rules to Live By...
- Follow His Word.  Show people you are different.  The Bible is your road map.  Use it!!!
- Show compassion. Through forgiveness. Through standing up for others.  Though sharing what you have with those who don't.
- Don't hit first.  By all means, Defend yourself.  But rarely is there a time to throw the first punch.
- Never hit a girl.  Period. 
- A no is no.  Period.
- Choice joy.  A joyful heart changes you- changes your perspective- changes your heart.  The joy of the Lord is your strength.
-Behavior is a Choice-  This is straight from the Queenie playbook that I have heard sooo many times.  But, man, remember it.  No one can make you make bad decisions.  Choose wisely! 


I think back on the last 9 years with you- and you have been so easy (besides those first few weeks as we figured one another out).  By 2 months old, you decided that the sun rose and set with me.  I was always your pick.  Screaming fits would occur to anyone else who held you.   I was your constant... your happy spot.

The next 9 years are crazy exciting and for me, crazy scary.  You will experience school drama, bullying, cheating, etc.  You will start dating.  You will start driving.  You will face ALL kinds of temptations.  Your grades begin to really matter.  You will learn about this thing called stress. You will find your niche.  Your choices really begin to matter. And through it all, know that I am your constant... and will always be your happy spot. 


I love you so very much! 

Happy Birthday Hunter.

Mom

Pictures with your brothers over the year.

Ok, now that I am practically crying.... We had a low key day celebrating Hunt's birthday.   He got a lot of fun stuff.

Blowing out his candles... with help

- Under Armour hoodie
- Headphones
-Clemson jacket
-Electronic chess board
- Iron Man figure
-Money Money Money
-Clemson camo hat
- AND a PHONE.
I know mouths probably dropped over that one and though I don't owe anyone an explanation, I feel like I need to somehow justify why we gave a 9 year old a phone... which he LOVES by the way. 
We have started leaving him at home by himself for small stretches of time.  We don't have a landline and he needs a way to call out in case of emergency.  We got his phone through Republic Wireless (which is who we have our phones through) so it is only $10 a month for him to have a phone.  It runs off wireless and then Sprint when not connected to wireless. 

Cracks me up... just registered that he was holding his new phone

We had a great weekend celebrating Hunter!  Thanks for all the family that was able to come up.

You Know You are a Mom of Boys When... Vol. 2

Feels just like yesterday that I wrote the first post of "You Know You are a Mom of Boys When" post, however it was over a year ago... Though I could go on and on, here are just a couple more.

1-  When you are handed jewelry created out of legos.


While doing some errands, Shepherd made me a bracelet out of the lego web of Spiderman and a train that he made of legos.. 

2-  When you desperately want to see the new Cinderella movie and consider inviting yourself along with your nieces or with any friends you know who have little girls.  But, instead you decide to teach your son's the value of sitting through a chick flick to make your date (AKA- me) happy.  In other words, come March, they are going to Cinderella with me. :)  Maybe their father should go too. 

3- When one of the daily chores that they must do involves wiping down the toilet seats... DAILY!

4-  When at least once a week, I have to confirm, yet again, that I do NOT in fact pee out of my butt.  It continues to rock their world.  They just refuse to believe it.

5-  When this is my self- portrait that Shepherd creates of me... made out of train tracks.




"Mommy, look, I made you.  Look at your hair."
I was more focused on my ears. 

A and S... the stats and some funnys

How can two brothers be built so differently?

The middles had their yearly check ups today and both are totally healthy and growing.  Their percentages are almost identical to last year.

Ashton
Weight 47.4 lb (29%)
Height 48.25" (52%)

Shepherd
Weight 49.7 lb (92%)
Height 46.75" (98%)

We made a day out of the appts and hit the Barnes and Noble, the mall, and then as a reward- Chuck E Cheese.

Here are some recent funnys/ brags from the middles.

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SHEPHERD

 

Posted this picture before but this... right here... is Shepherd.

 

Home Depot Man- So, is football your favorite sport? (Shepherd is wearing a football shirt).

Shep- No, its my fifth

Home Depot Man- Well then, whats your first?  Soccer?

Shep-  No.... (long pause)... My favorite is pool.

Home Depot Man- (chuckle).  Like pool in the water or pool with a stick.

Shep- With a stick and a lot of balls. 

Home Depot Man - (laugh).

*** I just turn around and walk away.

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Queenie and Shepherd were having a conversation.  Shepherd is acting well like Shepherd- quirky.

Queenie- Shepherd you are on the spectrum?

Shepherd-  No, I'm on the Bobcats (his basketball team).
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Happy kid

Shepherd- Did you see my art papers from school?

Me- Yes, they were very good.

Shepherd- Yeah, I am the best artist ever... (whispers) except for God.  But then I am the best.

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At school, his class was talking about words that begin with "h". 

Teacher: What are some others words that start with "h"?

Shepherd: "hut hut"

So, yeah, his dad is a football coach.

 

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My mini GrandpaGordie.

Ashton doesn't have as many as Shepherd because he actually thinks before he speaks unless he is going off at the wii, or the ipad, or the computer.

Ashton
While eating with some friends, Ashton asked where Jay was.  He then preceeded to spell Jay for us.
"G-A-Y"  haha.
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A quick brag on Ashton.  One of his teachers told Chad that she is so impressed with Ashton at school.  He is always the first to volunteer to help some of the slower kids with their work even if they are the kids that other kids are not always nice to.

I had a hard time finding another picture of Ashton by himself and then I realized it was because he is always moving or photobombing other people.  ha.

Another Ashton brag, he was invited to play on an indoor soccer team this winter.  I am so excited for him as I really think he will love indoor!

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These two keep me on my toes but I love them both so much.  The house is too quiet when Ashton is not around and not quirky enough when Shepherd is not around.

Keep your eyes are Him boys. 

Ashton FINALLY loses a tooth

 

Ok, so the title kind of gives it away.  But, at the ripe ol age of 7, Ashton finally loses his first tooth.  His second one is already lose.  His bottom teeth are so tight together, that I am sure it will be a domino effect.

So proud of the tooth he pulled "off"

Needless to say, he was happy that he can finally join the ranks of tooth losers with his classmates.  He and another kid in his class were the only two who had not lost teeth yet and she is almost a whole year younger than him as she has a summer birthday.

Below is his letter to the tooth fairy that he wrote all on his own.  The only thing I asked him to do was put the date... "for the tooth fairy" of course.

Some yummy sour gummy worms (dentist worst nightmare) and a new book will be under his pillow.

From CU to CU... a Thanksgiving Post.

 

This Thanksgiving had us rooting for both of our CU teams.  Chad and his dad were able to travel up to our alma mater, Concord University to watch the football team play in the 2nd round of the D 2 playoffs.  They won!  The boys and I joined my family to head to the Clemson game and watch them whip some Gamecocks! 

So, we are thankful for 2 CU wins... it would have been perfect if Clemson mens soccer could have pulled out a win against UNC in the playoffs.

But onto our Thanksgiving festivities. 

 

We hit Chad's side of the family first getting their at noon on Wednesday.  Thanksgiving dinner was spent with Chad's family, his aunt and their family.

The kids ready for Thanksgiving dinner.

First picture with all 7... newest member of the posse- Joey. 

Here are some other pics from the 2 days we were there.

PapaHub, Beezer, and Chad hanging out.

The ipad lovers and Grandma.

The ipad lovers part 2.

Hunter holding the newbie.

Selfie with Joey... I got plenty of newborn love time.  She is just a doll baby.

 

Peas in a pod.

7 months and 3 days apart.  Bennett and Sam.

Charlee tried to stay the night but got scared so Molly took her spot.  ha

 Friday mid morning, we headed over to my parents house to celebrate Thanksgiving with them.

The kids table... or should I say the boys table.  LOTS of boys!

The grown ups plus Essie.

 And anytime the whole group is together we attempt a full group shot. 



Though there are many bloopers, this was the clear winner.  Yes, that is 8 adults, 7 kids, and 5 dogs (2 of which don't like eachother).

Ignore Mantis in this... I thought it was cute of Queenie and Bennett. 

We also took individual family shots.  I will not post ours since it is going on the Christmas card but here is Nolan's funny one.  Love my brother and my Riggs.

Zach and his family.

Can only take credit for snapping these pictures but not the idea.  GrandmaDean said to take pics of the 2 little ones on the rock, so I did... and I am so glad.  They turned out adorable, but how could they not with these two?

 

and on the other side... 7 months and 3 days between these two as well.

Yes, I cropped my son out of this picture because it was just too good of Esme.  Her skin is perfect.  No touch ups or anything.

Ah, so sweet.  Just "talking" together.

And siblings... Moses and his biological sister, Isla.

 

Me and Esme stopping for a selfie. 

Nolan- captured.

 Saturday we hit the Clemson game.... Mom had the perfect spot for us to go where we could see game plus the kids could run around.  It was marvelous. 

The 7 from our seats.

Bennett loving the balloons.

Caelum and Esme                                                            Esme and Bennett

Me and my boys

 

Mantis and Zach biked back home.



The whole group minus Nolan (with his friends) and GrandmaDean (went home)

 

 

 We had a great Thanksgiving that went by far too fast.  Thank you to both of our families for feeding us and dealing with us, our crazy boys, and our dogs.  We love you all!