The Girls' Christmas Wish Lists

Like my friend Jamie, I wanted to record the girls' Christmas wish lists. Written tonight, Christmas Eve... (seems a bit late to most, but they are holding out hope for these lists!)



Jena writes:

I want:
1. Chapter Books
2. Littestest Pet Shop
3. Stafft aminals (Stuffed animals)
4. Viteo games
5. Snow hat and glaves (Because she happened to misplace the ones Mommy bought for her last week.)

From,
Jena



Paige dictates to me:

I want butterflies for Christmas. I like unicorns, horses, dogs and cats. I want a golden retriever.

Love,
Paige


Annie doesn't have a clue about what is about to happen tomorrow morning but I am sure she would have placed her order too if she understood!


We've begun a tradition of opening one present on Christmas Eve night before bed. The girls were besides themselves trying to decide which one to choose. So I suggested that they open one from Daddy and Mommy. The girls both opened theirs. They were really excited to see what it was. We'd decided to get the girls their own bible this year. Their bibles have been pretty beat up these past few years. We read the account of Jesus' birth in Paige's The Message Version for 4-8 years olds. In the morning we will read the account in Luke 2 out of Jena's Young Women's Bible. She was really excited about having a bible that didn't have pictures in it!

Beginning the season like this is really important for us. We've cut back on the amount of stuff we are giving the girls this year for many reasons and are trying very hard to instill in them the real reason for celebrating Christmas: Jesus' purpose in coming to Earth, not just a cute story of a little innocent babe but of a Savior that wanted to give up everything He had to live among us and die for us to make a way for our salvation.

We are hoping that this time is satisfying in that despite what we "think" Christmas should be about, we are trying to focus on what His birth on earth really meant for humanity. Interestingly, Paige's bible had a devotion at the end of the story and it asked, "What would you do if Mary and Joseph came to your house that night to birth Jesus? Would you have let them stay at your house?" Then another question: "If you had a chance to see Baby Jesus who would you tell?"

After Duane read those questions, we had a knock at the door, it was almost 9pm! We all looked at each other and Duane said, "What if it is someone to deliver a baby? Should we welcome them?" The girls were speechless. Instead of someone wanting to deliver a baby, it was some friends of our who are really starting to investigate who Jesus is. We've been praying for them and watching what the Lord is doing in their lives, it was such a great moment for our girls to witness. God is really good. Sometimes His gifts come in different packages than what we imagine but we still have an incredible chance to enjoy what He has put in front of us!

From our family, we hope you and your family have an incredible Christmas, celebrating Jesus this year!

Our Rising Stars!

Earlier this fall Jena volunteered in her classroom that she was learning to play the guitar with her dad. Duane had purchased a small guitar just the size for little fingers and he had begun the most patient task of teaching the girls some chords. They love to hear him play and enjoy mostly the chance to sing with him. It just happened to be a few weeks before her class would be learning about music. Their theme would be on different types of music, instruments and songs. Her teacher called to ask Duane if he'd be interested in demonstrating his skills with a guitar and perhaps singing a song for the class.

They chose a song written by The White Stripes and performed here in their own version by Jack Johnson. Jena and Duane worked hard on their song and here is the result.

The class had a time afterwards to ask questions and it soon became apparent that some of these first graders had written their own songs. Unfortunately, time would not allow for them to share their genius with the class. Jena was very proud of her daddy and the chance she was given to sing in front of her class.

For a school assembly this week, she was selected with 7 other 1st graders to sing "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" in front of the entire school! Looks like we have a rising star in our midst.

Sharing the lime light with others may not come easy to her but her younger sister took part in her first performance this week too. Paige's preschool put on their Christmas program this past weekend. Paige was extremely nervous but once she saw us in the audience, she seemed to relax a bit. Not sure if Paige has a future in front of the camera but I was so proud of her! Here she is singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas!" and demonstrating that she can play the violin. She must come by it naturally, thanks to the musical ability reigning on my mom's side of the family! (Please forgive the camera woman, sitting in a pew with other parents proved hard to get a good video, but you'll get the idea!)

Annie may not sing quite like her sisters but she loves to hum along. She enjoyed both performances given by her sisters. Soon we'll get a chance to hear her words in a song! No doubt she'll have so fun in front of the camera!

What's Your Guess?

Just wondering if anyone out there is reading my posts what kind of baby they think we are having.

Of course, I have my own guesses but I thought it would be fun to get some other input, just to see what the general consenus on our baby is.

Hormone Inbalance

Tears, laughter, joy, fear, anger, rage, smiles, uncertainty...

Do I need to go on?

These are just a few of the extremes I battle every hour. The count down to labor has begun and my body is feeling it. I read an article last night that sums up what I have been trying to put words to: I feel like I am walking around with a bowling ball between my legs. I don't know how it has not fallen out. I will say that 6lbs or 10lbs, it doesn't make a difference. The bending, squatting, tying shoes, picking up a sock that fall on the floor...all these things I took for granted just 2 weeks ago. Mind you, I didn't look very graceful doing these things but I could do them without falling over and crying, "I've fallen and I can't get up!"

Lower back pain has seized me now and I am dying for a trip to the chiropractor or a massage.

I had my exam yesterday and I am at 1 cm and the baby is engaged. The nurse practitioner was really surprised how low the baby was, she could feel the baby's head. "Hmm," I thought to myself, "Do I cry or laugh?" I just stared at her. I am only 36 weeks today and she is telling me that I can go at anytime. She doesn't believe that I will make it to the induction. For this I am somewhat elated. I don't want to be induced. Maybe it is because the first two I had to be induced and for the last one I just want to go when my body is ready. Emotionally, I am NOT ready.

After birth proves to show me that the emotions are the same as before, just more heightened and no one can understand why you are crying over nothing. This is the plight of the sleep-deprived, leaky breasted mother of a newborn.

Ahh, what wonderful things to look forward to!

Joy, unconditional love, fear, more love, kisses, smiles, pictures, some tears...all are awaiting me at the birth of my child. I cannot begin to describe what intensity I am feeling for wanting to hold this new life. To share this intense moment with my husband and to see my children's faces as they kiss their new sibling, makes me cry now.

The Lord is the One holding all this together. The One giving me strength when I am so tired I can't keep my eyes open or continue walking with this little bowling ball between my legs! He is the One who has created this new life in my womb, He chose me to carry this baby and to birth it into the world. I can trust Him for it's delivery and homecoming.

Our Dance Moves

Friends of ourselves made us a video and forwarded it to us. We thought that it would be fun to share. Apparently, word has gotten around that we have the moves! Enjoy!


http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1239691288

If You Can

"'If you can?'" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." -Mark 9:23


In this statement Jesus is answering a father's request for Jesus to help him with his son. This father had watched his son since he was a young child suffer through torment day after day. His son was also mute. The father believed that the boy had a spirit that would try to throw the boy onto the ground, make him foam at the mouth, grind his teeth and go stiff as a board. He also said he has seen it throw his son into fire or water in order to kill him, and he believed that was the reason why his son could not speak.

The man had heard about the miracles that this Jesus was doing. A large crowd had gathered one day anticipating seeing Jesus. When the man heard about it, I am sure that he grabbed his boy and ran as fast as he could to the crowd. When Jesus came upon the crowd, the crowd grew excited. Here the teacher comes, the "miracle man." Many clamored to the front to get a glimpse of him, to touch him, to talk to him, to ask him for healing or blessing.

Then the father could contain himself no longer. He called out, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech." (Mark 9:17) He goes on to explain his son's condition. Earlier he had asked Jesus' disciples to heal him and they couldn't. Imagine the feelings this father was experiencing, "Is there no hope for my son? Will I ever be able to hear him call me 'Father?' I don't want to see him get hurt one more time. It pains me to see what his mother witnesses everyday when she is with him."

Jesus' response seems a bit peculiar.

"O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me." (Mark 9:19)

But looking back at the beginning of the chapter we see that Jesus has just had an amazing time up on a mountain. He was transfigured before Peter, James, and John's eyes. The Lord spoke to them all from a cloud that enveloped them, "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!"

The disciples didn't get what was happening. Peter wanted to build shelters for Jesus, Moses and Elijah who also appeared with them. Jesus swore them to secrecy about what happened as they came down the mountain. Jesus knew that our unbelief can far outweigh our belief. He was sharing his frustration with the people. They didn't understand why He'd come to earth. Their vision, and ours, is limited to what we've experienced not to what we haven't experienced.

Heartbreak and hopelessness almost overcome this father as he sees his boy go into yet another seizure in front of Jesus, convulsing and foaming at the mouth. Speaking up, pleading the words stumble out of his mouth, "But if you can do anything..."

"'If you can?'" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."

Everything? Anything? Not just "some" things? But every thing?

Hope rises in the father's heart but he understands the one thing that stands in the way. "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

Jesus speaks directly to the demon and commands it to come out. He calls it by name, "deaf and mute spirit," commands it to come out and orders it to never return. The spirit shrieked and came out and the boy looked dead. Jesus took his hand and helped him up.

What elation filled the fathers' heart as he held tightly to his son. The son he'd never heard speak was healed. Jesus had given this man his son back but more importantly had given him hope and belief in a Savior who transforms us.

What things stand in our way of believing Jesus' words, "Everything is possible for him who believes?" These miracles didn't end when Jesus ascended into heaven. They didn't end when the last disciple died. They didn't end at the turn of the century.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8

Miracles, transformation, healing, forgiveness, they can be ours today. Jesus wants us to know the reality of himself in our lives. He is not dead. He is alive and he shows up in our lives when we choose to believe He is who He says He is.