Christmas Eve

Brian had the day before Christmas off as did the children. It was a nice day. We did last minute errands, baking and wrapping. We played and enjoyed the day.

Lasagna, garlic toast and salad was the dinner choice. Everyone decided this was a very good menu to have next Christmas Eve.

We set a nice table and enjoyed a wonderful meal.

We really need a bigger table.


We went to the Christmas Eve candlelight service at church. I love being with our church family and the service is so beautiful. (I borrowed this from our church site. Not sure who took it.)


Brian and I finished up the wrapping after the children were in bed.

Wreath Making

We made wreaths and boxwood trees during out Ladies Night Out on Friday. Nancy once again gave us wonderful instruction on making the projects. I enjoy these evenings very much which always include lots of yummy goodies, great fellowship and much laughter.

Thank you all for a great evening.

Pinecone Wreath Making

Friday night was Ladies Night Out at our church. Nancy O. graciously volunteered to teach us how to make pinecone wreaths. She did a fantastic job and the wreaths all came out so nice.

Great job, ladies and thank you, Nancy.

The Christmas Shoes

The weekend of December 5, 6 and 7, found our church putting on performances of The Christmas Shoes. This was a fun musical/play to do. There was fun music, a serious message and parts for everyone. This was a church wide endeavor. They added parts for any of the children who wanted to be in it, including groups or carolers, shoppers and "Who's".

I was in the choir and Bessie had several parts as a caroler, shopper and office worker. We both had to wear more make-up than we are used to.

This young lady was our "dying woman". We started calling her the dead girl. Our director does a great job of make-up and Ashley sure looked like a dying woman by the time the play was ending.

Here is our director applying make-up to one of the men. They of course were thrilled by all that make-up.

Here are some of our "Who's". They did a great job in the Grinch song and added some comic relief to some more serious moments.

Make-up on and ready to go.

After the play, we broke down most of the set and had our cast party. It was an exhausting, but very fun production. I enjoy doing them and hope we will do another one next year.

VBS-Amazon Expedition

This year our church used Amazon Expedition, the VBS program put out by Answers to Genesis. The lessons were on the "Seven Cs of History", Creation, Corruption, Catastrophe, Confusion, Christ, Cross and Consummation. This was a very good VBS and my guys had a fantastic time.

We averaged 100+ kids each night. The organizers had live animals each night, llamas, exotic birds, snakes, monkey, kangaroo, coatimundi, bobcat and an alligator. Gabe especially was thrilled by all the animals. It was great!

Checking out the Llamas

Dan in his class

Craft time
Singing Games

Bessie and I were in the nursery all week, so I didn't get to float around as much as usual. It was nice to spend this time with Bess. We do not often have time together without all the other kids.

A special extra this year was to watch Gabe flourish in this environment. The theme was just right for him and he fully participated in all the games, crafts, lessons and singing. He is showing so much more maturity this year.

Look at that face...this young man just loved VBS!

VBS

Gabe and Rachel listen
during opening assembly
The kids had VBS from Sunday through Thursday this week. The theme this year was Take the Plunge, make a splash with Jesus. This was a very fun theme for the kids. Each night they had a different "splash point"...obedience, worship, faith, courage and service.

They had a lot of water activities for the kids and they had a blast. Each room was decorated with all sorts of beach items...balls, rings, beach towels, sand toys...it was very fun. Gabe and Rachel's class room even had sand and a boat!

I'm sure most VBS programs have very fun activities, but this year seemed to be particularly fun for the kids and I really think everything tied in so well with the different lesson each day.

They even had a water slide that was a huge hit with all of the kids (and many of the leaders).

They averaged about 100 kids each night. All week they had predicted rain, but except for a few storms overnight, the days were clear and nice.

Gabe working on a craft and he and Rachel taking a run down the water slide

















This year they did not have a teen class and some of the highschool kids helped with being group helpers or in other areas. Bessie worked in the nursery. I floated around helping where I could. I didn't commit myself to helping this year because I wasn't sure how all the kids would do. They exceeded my expectations and did a great job. All their leaders had good words for them. They participated in discussions, answered questions and were well behaved!

The evening sessions where from 6:30-8:30 and my guys were pretty pooped by the middle of the week, but that didn't seem to slow them down each night. They sang and danced, did crafts, had water games of all sorts, lesson times and snack.

Hannah takes a run on the slide and works on her craft

















Dan sure enjoys the singing!

















Some of the workers were really feeling left out of the fun, so on Wednesday night they stayed after and enjoyed some water fun of their own. Bessie had a blast!

Bessie taking a run down the slide!

















Bessie with one of her little charges













It was a great week of fun and fellowship. Brian is away this week, so this provided a nice distraction from missing Daddy.

Recap

Saturday...
A day of errands, chores and play. Mom and Dad came over late in the afternoon to stay with the kids. Brian and I went to a Valentine's Dinner at church. It was a lot of fun. They had a Newlywed Game spin off that was very funny.

Sunday...
I went to the early service as the choir was singing. A quick buzz home and then we all went back to church for Sunday school and second service. On Sunday when the choir sings, we do both services. Bessie had an audition after church with the music committee. This is required if you would like to be added to the special music rotation. She was nervous, but did very well and has been added to the list. She is thrilled and eagerly going through music tracks to pick out some songs. We had a quiet afternoon. I took a nap!

Monday...
A good day at home. We got in a good morning of school. Gabe, Rachel and I went for a walk. Brian had a late flight, so he didn't get home until 11:30pm. I worked on my current cross-stitch block.

This particular block comes from the Beginner's Bible and is of Noah, the Ark and some of the animals. It is a larger pattern than usual, but quite simple. It is taking me forever. I am not really sure why, but I'm feeling like Penelope from The Odyssey. I am not pulling out stitches, but everyday it seems I make no progress! I guess I am, but it is very, very slow.

Tuesday....
Bessie's usual piano lesson was canceled. Brian, Gabe and I went walking after Bri got home. The dirt road is getting very muddy.

Today...
We went visiting. The family we visited is dear to my heart as they also have adopted children, three of them. They are an "older" couple, like we are, so I feel a real kindred spirit with them. We can talk about issues and there is understanding. Their adoptions where different than the usual baby adoptions, so we have a lot in common.

The kids had a great time playing outside in the snow. It was warmer today and the sun was bright. We took a walk and enjoyed the fresh air. You can feel spring in the air; even though we are expecting another snowstorm this weekend. The birds always sound differently at this time of year and the sun is getting higher in the sky. We have had a relatively mild winter this year, but it will still be wonderful to see spring arrive.

Sunny Saturday

Today was a pretty full day.

Brian and some of the kids headed out to run errands. They went to the post office, two libraries and two different grocery stores.

I stayed home with the rest of the kids and did laundry, started making pies and worked on my current cross-stitch block. I had to wait until Bri got home from the grocery store to finish my pies. The pies were for a dinner at church tonight.

After lunch, Brian, Gabe and I went for a nice walk. It was warmer out today and the wind had finally died down. It was so enjoyable being able to move right along. We did the two miles in jig time. When we got back, I booted everyone out for some air and exercise. The kids played on the sliding hill for a good long time.

It is amazing what a difference just a few days makes in how much fun the Littles had. The first day they tried sliding, they were quite cautious and didn't seem to enjoy it that much. Today they were giggling and screaming and having a great time. Brian joined them and posted himself at the top of the hill for pushes. He was spinning the bigger kids and they would rocket down the hill twirling like tops. He also "groomed" their trail a bit with the shovel so they didn't slide off into the brush so often.

Tonight we had an appreciation dinner for our pastor at church. It was a surprise and a lot of fun. There have been some difficult times at church recently and I'm sure he was glad to see how many people love and support him. There were over 200 people present. He is a wonderful godly man, who preaches the word and really has a heart for his congregation and for the lost. It was good to be reminded that despite troubles, if we are steadfast in supporting our pastor and praying for him, that God will bless the church.

It was late when we got home, so we had a quick ready for bed and in bed for all.

Christmas Cantata

Tonight was our Christmas Cantata at church. It was called "Jesus, There's Something About That Name"...a great collection of tradition and more contemporary music.

We had a dress rehearsal yesterday and while the singing was technically okay, it just didn't have much heart to it. We were all concerned that with the busyness of the season, several people being ill and just overall tiredness, that we weren't going to inspire very many people with our performance.

It only took the first few notes to tell we had all gotten the spirit tonight. The music was great. You could just feel the energy. I didn't have any solos this time, but did have a narrators part. The director knows I love to talk! Use your gifts...right?

Singing unto the Lord

(I'm front row, far right.)

Secret Sister

At our church we have a ladies program called Secret Prayer Sisters. You are matched up with another lady at church and you are to pray for her and at least once a month you give some type of gift or card. It is all done in secret. Someone else gets your name.

You fill out a questionaire, which will help them know your likes and dislikes. They have a special table set up where you can leave your gifts and cards and if you are sneaky enough, no one will see who puts down what packge. It has been so fun and such a blessing to me to participate the last three years.

Today I received a wonderful Christmas gift from my sister. There was a lovely white teapot and a set of very pretty floral teacups. Lots of yummy goodies and a tea assortment rounded out the package.

My Secret Prayer Sister gifts

The pretty teacups

"Stars and Stripes Forever"

Last night we had our last preformance of Stars and Stripes. It was a wonderful evening. We had a good turn out and the show went well. The only down part of the evening was that our pastor, his wife and their daughter had to leave right before the show started because their son, who is in college was going in for emergency surgery and they were driving to be with him.

I'm the third from the right (not a great picture)

It was nice to see so many veterans there and to be able to honor them. Mom and Dad had come over to see it and they enjoyed it as well. There was a nice reception after and everyone seemed to enjoy lingering and enjoying the evening.

Here is a list of the songs:

Stars and Stripes Medley:

-Stars and Stripe Forever

-When the Flag is Raised

-You're a Grand Old Flag

Legacy of Faith:

-O God, Our Help in Ages Past

-God of Our Fathers

-My Country, 'Tis of Thee

Fifty Stars

I Pledge Allegiance

Statue of Liberty (my favorite)

Hearts to Honor You (I had a solo in this song)

Star-Spangled Finale:

-The Star-Spangled Banner

-Whent he Flag is Raised

-You're a Grand Old Flag