Start December 14th

This is a very simple tradition we do 12 nights before Christmas.  We keep it very simple.  We light a candle for each boy and sing a Christmas song each night.  Once the song is over, the boys blow the candles out.  Here is a list of the songs.  If you are like me and don't know the words to all of these songs, you can look them up online and print them out.   

Day 1  Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Day 2 O Little Town of Bethlehem

Day 3 O Christmas Tree

Day 4 Away in a Manger

Day 5 Joy to the World

Day 6 What Child is This

Day 7 First Noel

Day 8 O Come all ye Faithful

Day 9 Silent Night

Day 10 Little Drummer Boy

Day 11 We Three Kings

Day 12  Happy Birthday Baby Jesus

What are your traditions?  Please share.  

Clay Ornaments

I am sure I am the last one to do this craft with their kids.  My eight year old stayed home today and we had fun making the ornaments.  It was a very easy recipe.  Mix 1 and 1/2 cups of salt with 4 cups of flour.  Then gradually add 1 and 1/2 cups of water.  Knead until it no longer falls apart.  Make your project and allow it to dry for about 2 days.  Paint.  Project is complete!!  Share any of your crafty ideas!!  

5 Things

We had a very good Thanksgiving.  We had a wonderful lunch with our Mimi and then we enjoyed being with my side of the family for dinner.  Here are five things that will be memories from this Thanksgiving.  1)  Every year the little guys name the turkey.  This year his name was "dead Jed".  2)  We watched the 3 little pigs at least 5 times.  3)  We did lots of fun crafts with Mimi including a Gingerbread house.  The Gingerbread house needed some extra help so we pulled out the glue gun!  4) Every year the boys eat yummy turkey cookies.  Max loved the icing this year.   5)  We will remember all of our time with our family.  We enjoyed catching up with everyone.   Lord, we thank You for all You have done and all You are going to do.  

Christmas and Kid's Quotes

Well, on a crazy whim I started decorating the house for Christmas tonight.  Here are some of the quotes of the night.  The three year old had 3 funny quotes:  1)  This is AWESOME!! 2)  Is it mine?  3)  Can I climb it?  The five year was cute too.  1)  If a robber came to our house, we could hide under it.  2)  I bet this will be the best tree ever.  We had a lot of fun. The one year old's favorite part was trying to eat candy canes from last year and kissing baby Jesus.  Each year we place baby Jesus under the tree in a little manger  The eight year old was not as interested.  He is getting old on me!!  I am sure he will make a few crafts for the tree.

Answered Prayer

The Lord has blessed my heart and encouraged me to be diligent in prayer.  I had been praying for the Lord to help me with getting an exercise plan.  He was very faithful and provided me with a walking partner.  I am one of those people who need accountability so this has been very good.  I had also been praying about finances this week because with the holidays around the corner, money can be tight (especially when you are feeding four growing boys!)  Well, I just found out today that I "accidentally" paid one of our bills twice last month so that will provide some extra for the holidays.  So I am just very thankful for all of His provisions, and I hope to be diligent in my prayer life!

In a "Funk"

When I am having a down day or a couple of down days in a row, I like to say that I am in a "funk".  I am a little silly.  I don't like the words "down" or "depressed".  In recent months, when I have had one of those days, I just cry out to Him and say "Lord, please, please encourage me some how, some way today.  He has been so faithful.  It is neat to see how He works.  One day, a friend brought me a little gift and a card by my house.  There have been several times when He has shown me some one who is enduring a circumstance and He will allow me to minister to them.  I love it when He helps me get my eyes off of myself.  So if you are in a funk or when you are in a "funk" remember to cry out to Him to encourage you.  I know He will be faithful to answer that prayer!!  How do you get out of your "funk"?  P.S. I am not in a funk right now, just reflecting on what God has been showing me!!

The Polar Express Party

Well, one of the boy's favorite things to do this time of year is our Polar Express party.  We usually do this around Dec 1.  We will wear our pj's and watch the Polar Express. I print out tickets and they have to give me their tickets to come to the party, purchase hot chocolate, or a train cookie. We do the "Santa thing" so this is when they write their letters to Santa.  You can get some great crafts on line and coloring sheets for them to do.  This year we will attempt to make a silver bell out of a cup with foil, etc.  Just thought I would pass this idea along so some of you can do this as well.  I love getting new ideas so share your traditions with me!!