Thank you to Mom, Jeff, Dad, Nancy, Jaime & Leti for coming out to see Annie as an angel in her church Christmas program! In the video, she is the smallest angel that says, "Me too!" and rings the bells.

Merry Christmas!

Well, its not Christmas yet, but I'm sure I'll be a little too busy tomorrow to be blogging. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas celebrating the greatest gift ever given...Jesus. Here is a little poem I was given a long time ago that I'd like to share:

Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a Creature was praying, not one in the house.
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
in hopes that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be The Day!

The light of His face made me cover my head
It was Jesus! returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held iin His hand
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said "It's not here" my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to his Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound
While all the rest were left standing around.

I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The comiing of Jesus is drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call
We'll find that the Bible was true after all!

I Am So Proud of Myself...

because after many years of trying to figure it out, I finally understand how to make tissue paper look right in a shirt box. I just had to journal this accomplishment in my life. :)

Am I Really That Bad of A Cook?

Here is the conversation I had with Bekah this morning. She was on the couch in the living room and I was in the kitchen.

Bekah: "I'm huuuungryyyy!"
Me: "Come in here so you can eat."
Bekah: "Nooo, I don't want that. Its yuuucky and terrible!"
Me: "What is yucky and terrible?"
Bekah: "What you're making! I don't want breakfast. I want fishies!"

I wasn't making anything. Hmmm.

Vacation!!!

(sigh), I am so relieved to have been given an extra week of Christmas vacation which was strictly enforced by my amazing principal (Jose) :) . This time of year is so overwhelming with all of the Christmas events and preparations, not to mention just keeping up with the regular household duties. So we are done with school until Jan. 5th. I really have to admire moms who work. I just don't know how they can do it all!!! I would go absolutely crazy if I had to add in a job outside the home. I thank the Lord for the privilege and blessing of staying home with my family to raise and teach them as well as manage the affairs of the household. I also am grateful for a wonderful husband who frees me up to do just that.

Last week we took a field trip to The Aquarium of the Pacific. It was a great compliment to our Ocean Life unit we worked on throughout the week. The kids loved it! Here are a few pictures...

I love my baby's expressions.
One of Annie's favorite parts was chasing the pigeons. They get really close to people!
They got to pet sharks and sting rays
They got to see the underside of a starfish
My mom came along to help out and enjoy the trip

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Lately I've really gotten into watching "17 Kids and Counting". For anybody who doesn't know it is a reality show on TLC about the Duggar Family. They are devout Christians with 17 children, and another on the way next month. I so appreciate that they live a godly, exemplary life in front of all of America, allowing us to see inside their home. Here are a few things I admire about them:

• they love Jesus Christ and live it out
• they are completely debt free including credit cards, mortgages, and car payments
• they view each of their children as a gift from God
• they find ways to save money such as thrift store shopping, growing produce, and making their own laundry soap
• they homeschool
• the family literally built their own home together
• their exposure to TV and the internet are limited...and you can see the purity and innocence because of it
• the siblings are friends with one another and always seem so content with their lives
  
• and last but not least...I love how Michelle (the mom) ALWAYS speaks gently and sweetly to her children. I still have not seen her become frustrated or snappy with any of them. If she can do it with 17 (and being pregnant for literally 12 years of her life), I should be able to do it with 2.

100% Therapeutic

Last month our aunt and uncle let us borrow their daughter's electronic keyboard. I would love for our daughters to learn to play properly. Hopefully in the near future we can sign them up for lessons.

As for me, I am loving it! I took lessons as a little girl but didn't stick with it. But I am amazed at what I do remember. A couple of songs have come back to me and with a minimal ability to read music, I am even playing the tunes from some sheet music. I will be the first one to say I am not naturally gifted with the piano like my brother, Jeff, is. But it feels so good to just sit down and play. I think I found a new pastime. Thanks for the loan Jaime, Leti, & Angie!