Oh, Christmas Tree

 Guess which tree the little girlies liked?!

 Waiting for Santa. . .

I grew up going out to the Christmas tree farm and cutting a tree with my family.  Paul and I started that way with the kids, but eventually the practical, common sense artificial tree took over.  When we moved last year, the old fake tree didn't make the cut.  So, we're back to picking out a real tree.  While we haven't found a new tree farm, it has been fun going to select one as a family and enjoying the little "draws" the establishments provide. 

Hanging the ornaments was fairly uneventful this year- no broken ones!  The tree ends up getting divided up by height, as each child hangs their ornaments at their level!  Durable ones toward the bottom Joey is on the loose this year!

The Storm

Last week the Santa Ana winds ripped through the valley, up to 60 mph.  We were fortunate not to incur much damage.  The boys may say otherwise, as they spent two days cleaning out pools with leaves over two feet deep! 

Unfortunately the little playgroup was partially wiped out, too.  Here's Joey enjoying his little playground a few days prior.  He had mastered climbing up and sliding down!

After the winds. . .

"Hey! Where did my slide go?"!  Joey looking for his playground :(.  The swings made it, but the fort/slide area was squashed.  Just glad it was at night and no children were playing :).

Preparations

 Setting up the nativity is always something anticipated.

The girlies enjoy getting the nativity all set up and ready.  They love to place all the figurines around and fortunately the set accommodates little hands! While some like anticipation of waiting for baby Jesus to arrive, we like to enjoy Him the entire month.  It's a great reminder of our Lord's condescension.  What an amazing thought to dwell upon - the Perfect One leaving glory and taking on human flesh to be God With Us.  What grace!

Don't you know how that happens?

Ever heard that question?  I really hope you have never said it!  It is one of the dumbest questions ever and the one most frequently asked when you inform people you are pregnant with a number higher than two!  Over the years I've tried different responses.  The silent smile, the impertinent "no, please tell me!", the spiritual response "yes, although I am unworthy, God is choosing to bless me again", the literal/medical "yes, my understanding is that you have a male and a female. . .", the play-it-dumb look "no, how?", and finally I have arrived at my latest response to a question which is so rude it really deserves none.  While I assume that those who ask it are not trying to be rude or stupid, no statements other than congratulations is really necessary. 

Don't you know how that happens?  Now I respond with "Yes, I do!  And I'm really surprised we only have nine!"  Marital sex and the fruit it produces is to be celebrated, not mocked.  :) 

December Traditions

I'd like to say that most of our December traditions are Christmas traditions, as well.  However, finding advent type calendars with Christian themes is becoming increasing difficult, especially as my range of stores narrows!  The preschoolers, kindergarteners, and bigger kids alike enjoy opening and following all the days counting down until Christmas Eve. 

Naomi looks forward to a chocolate square!

Fall on the Farm

The past few weeks have brought beautiful weather with lots of fall projects.  Most include hauling leaves/branches and pruning, but the kids find ways to make it fun! 

 Cayla (Caleb) had a new batch of kitties.  All of them were tigers and we easily found home for these cuties. 

 Jael and Naomi have fun in the "burn pile."

 After hauling all the branches, the stick throwing competition begins!

 The boys and Paul spent a Saturday cutting and hauling firewood, too.  Hannah, Naomi, and Jael enjoy new play places.  Joey is eyeing the big stick!

 Oh, so cute!

 Bekah helps paddle the boat and crew around the lake, even with her broken foot!

I don't think we've introduced Poppet.  Paul found her out on the corner and felt badly for her.  We love calling "here, Poppet!" in a pirate accent.

Annoucements

Less than a week after we announced that God was rewarding us with another blessing, the Duggars announced the expectation of their 20th child.  When hearing about our pregnancy with #9, some folks will ask, " what are you trying to do, keep up with the Duggars?"  This is one family I don't mind being compared to, however.  John and Kate were a different matter.  The Duggars appear to be godly people raising their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.  So, I was thankful when the Duggars made their announcement.  It actually put a lot in perspective.  Here's a woman slightly older than me, going through the physical/emotional trials of pregnancy (11 more than me!), and the opposition I receive (real or perceived) is 100-fold to my 10-fold.  So what that I get some negative reactions from family and strangers?  This woman probably receives hate mail!  I am amazed at the reactions and stupidity that flows from the mouths of people and media regarding the decisions this family has made.

I was raised Methodist.  Let me tell you, the Methodists are PROUD of their Susannah Wesley and her 19 children.  She is hailed as a great mother.  Over half of her children died in infancy, leaving her only 8 to raise to adulthood.  I don't know how the Methodists are reacting to Michelle Duggar, but I doubt with the same praise.  Katie Luther had six children.  Sarah Edwards raised eleven children.  My great-grandmother had nine children... 

We would do well to remember that it is only in this century that we have seen the results of a birth controlled world and the decline of children to a point where many countries are under replacement rates.  We are an anti-child society.  This could not be further from the heart of God. 

Christ followers should be proclaiming the blessing of life and children, not buying into worldly thinking that we or the Duggars are somehow "irresponsible" in our choices.  Voddie  Bauchum makes an observation that Christians want God's blessings and rewards when it comes to good health, happiness, success, prosperity, peace. . .but not His blessing of children.  This blessing they say "no thanks, God." 

May He have mercy.