Christmas at the Whitley's

Here our a few highlights from our Christmas.  We have had a blessed time with our family. Our Mimi and my sister have been here to celebrate Christmas.   On Christmas Eve, Daddy read from Luke 2 and we had a Jesus birthday party.  Daddy gave the 2 older boys twenty dollars each to pic out some gifts for me.  They came back with my favorite things....dove chocolate, some jewelry, and a coffee thermos!!  Very sweet.  It was so fun to watch the boys expressions about their presents.  A simple five dollar gun was the highlight for my 3 year old.  Of course the older ones cost us a little more.  My five year old was excited about his ipod shuffle.  He and I went for a morning run with our ipods. Fun. Fun.  My 8 year old's favorite gift was a Rip Stick. He and his daddy are still trying to master it!!  On Christmas Day we went to see a movie with 3 of the boys. I hope you have all had a wonderful Christmas.  I can't wait to keep up with all of your blogs in 2009.  Blessings to you.

So Excited

I am just praising God today for a neat opportunity.  Thanks to a dear friend we found out about the Lighthouse program.  They are in need of host homes for a week in January for a few twelve year old boys.  We are willing to have a child in our home for that week in January.  I have been reading all of the information today and we have a pile of paperwork to feel out.  We will not adopt the child but we will be on our knees for him.  We have our hands full with the 4 plus Russian adoptions are very very expensive.  So, we are just looking at this as a real neat ministry opportunity. If you think of our family, please pray for us as we embark on this adventure and pray for this little guy a home.  Will keep you posted!

A Pocket Knife

It seems like I keep teaching the children to be wise with their money and to be generous.  Going along with this concept, I shared about the Christmas jars tradition tonight.  This is something we have never done but I want to in the coming year.   I explained to the older two that we could start saving money in a jar and then give it away next year.   I told them we would pray about it and see what God led us to do with the money.  I was listing some of the possibilities...buy food for a family, buy toys or clothes for children, etc.  My five year old said, "I know mom, we could buy a pocket knife for a kid." This made me smile because he is really into pocket knives.  It will be neat to see how God leads us next year!! 

Candy, Scarves, and New Hair

Our Mimi came up for the weekend.  It is always a blessing to have her with us.  She brought some fun candy making supplies.  She and the boys made Christmas tree candy.  She also made 9 fleece scarves while she was here!   She is very creative and can sew just about anything!  Our three year old got a new hair do this weekend thanks to his Dad.  He likes his new hair.  He thinks it is "cool".  

My little man

Well my twenty month old is keeping us laughing these days.   These are just a few of the things he loves to do:

following his daddy around at all times which really pleases his dad

wrestling with his brothers

eating off of others plates when he gets bored with his

dumping things out and exploring places constantly

making people laugh, he has 2 funny faces that he makes

playing choo choos and reading books

He is a delight.  We thank God for his life.  

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!!