Just because

I am reposting this picture because it makes me laugh until I cry.  Every time.  Stephen and I were just looking at it and he said "That was a year ago, look at how much more hair I had".  That made me laugh even harder because he could have had his head on fire and I wouldn't notice because all I am looking at is that tooth.

Oh, that tooth.  He got it fixed the next day.  He looks handsome now.  But, that day was hilarious.
Stephen just said I should have put it on our Christmas card.

Here is my other favorite reposted picture...

It's A Secret...

Charis told me last night that she wishes we had three kids in our family.  I am hoping their birthday present will fill that void for her.  We are bringing this baby home for them on their birthday.  It is a secret!!!  I can't wait!  It will be so hard to wait a whole month.  Stephen and I keep looking at her picture.  I don't think I could handle the whole overseas adoption thing.  Once they sent me a referral picture of a real baby I would die waiting because I dying over a DOG. 

Remember no telling.  I can't wait to see their faces when we bring her out.  She is a Cavalier King Charles.  I love her. 

Friends

I love these people.  They are almost four and that hurts me.  I didn't expect four to hurt.  In interest of full disclosure there have been days in the last three years that I have thought "will kindergarten ever come?".  Don't judge.  I am just being honest.  But, now that Pre K is looming out there, Drew is getting tall, they write letters, ride balance bikes, and are real KIDS I would love to go back for a day when they were babies.  Thankfully they still cuddle. 

I love that they are best friends.  Charis will cut anyone that messes with Drew and that includes teachers that reprimand him (which he needs at times).  On our walk today Drew abandoned his bike on the sidewalk and ran up to Charis to hug her and then ran back to his bike.  He needed a hug.  Tonight they somehow convinced me that they would sleep if I let them sleep in the same bed.  We will see how that goes.  I still hearing whispers...

Advent

I love the Christmas season.  It is such a  busy time for our family.  Stephen and I unwittingly crammed every major life event into December.  Or actually the week of Christmas.  We have our kids' birthdays, Jesus' birthday, and anniversary all in the same week.

I love the preparation of the Christmas season.  Last year was our first time to celebrate Advent and I really enjoyed it.  I got an Advent Tree at Target last year.  I made a list based on our calendar and events and the kids get to open the door each day to find out what our activity is for the day.  Sometimes it is easy like read a book, other days it is more time intensive.  The point of Advent is a time of expectant waiting or preparing for the Savior's birth.  I think that Christian holidays are such an important part of discipling our children and that is why I love Advent.  I posted our Advent list below for funsies.

1-        Read Christmas book

2-       Make cookies

3-       Shoebox items

4-       Decorate your tree

5-       A Journey Through Bethlehem

6-       Take muffins to fireman

7-       Santa craft

8-       Buy Daddy present

9-       Read book

10-     Christmas movie

11-      Ice cream cone trees decorated

12-     Give hot cocoa and gift to trash man

13-     Give hot cocoa and gift to mailman

14-     Charis/ Drew buy gift for each other

15-     Go look at Christmas lights

16-     Make ornament

17-     Play with manger

18-     Prestonwood show or make Christmas cards (check ticket prices)

19-     Pajama Dance party to Christmas music

20-    Charis and Drew tell the Christmas story on camera and we watch

21-     Play with fake snow

22-    Happy Birthday Kids!  Celebrate with family!  Read a Christmas book

23-    See Santa

24-    Happy Birthday Jesus Party and church

25-    Merry Christmas!  Our Savior is born… check the stable

Balance

I got the kids a balance bike on Walmart.com a few weeks ago because I was curious.  I saw a segment on Fox and Friends with some kids riding them and I was impressed that they could learn to ride a bike so easily.  My co-teacher said her three grandsons used them and learn to ride quickly.  I have seen these bikes a lot on Zulily and thought "a bike with no pedals... that's dumb".  My Mom is getting the kids real bikes for Christmas and so I decided what the hay, this will give them a few months to learn the balance.

I have to say that I am impressed after all.  The Fred Flintstone approach has really helped Drew learn to balance.  Please excuse my man voice, toys, and squeeze yogurt on the drive way. 

Pumpkins

I down right ripped all these pictures off of Dina's blog.  She is a good mom and remembers her camera.  We went to the Pumpkin Patch off of Hall Johnson after Sonshine on Thursday.  We have gone there every year with the kids.  This year we tried the corn maze and it was HARD plus Charis and I needed to use the facilities, so I cheated and asked for a hint of how to get out.  Charis and I were never so happy to see a port-o-potty.  

I love fall!  I love cooler weather (not cold, I hate cold), pumpkins, pumpkin spiced lattes, comfy clothes, and playing outside.

JOY

THIS makes me so happy!  I love these two so much and the joy they bring.  I love that they want to run and play in the rain.  I apologize for their lack of clothing.  They did have pants on but those were shed right away... and then they took more off and were covered in mud from head to toe.