Jael turns 4!

 Our baby girl turned four at the end of the year. . .

 Jael's BFF (!), Miss Megan made her day special by coming over and enjoying time with the birthday girl. 

 Birthdays are best at Chuck E Cheese. . . Lolo and Lola were able to join us for some fun and lunch with the giant rat himself!  As much as she loves going, Jael is still uncertain about his motives. . .

Jael and her modest mermaid cake.  She thinks we should call the new baby "little mermaid". . .hmm.  Doesn't quite fit the Bible theme. . .

True love

 These were taken when we were taking Christmas photos.  I love how Amanda caught true sibling love in action!  Poor Joey!

 Ok, Jael kisses and makes up for the wet willy. . .

Final result:  posing like an angel:)

Ouch!

Children bring pain.  There's no way around it.  Their very entrance is marked with pain - and that's the easy part!  They painfully point out our sin, weaknesses, selfishness, failures, and shortcomings.  They push us toward the cross to find strength and forgiveness found only in Christ. 

Sometimes they bring physical pain.  Most, if not all, parents can relate to the "head butt" pain.  The other night at bible study I was changing Joey's shirt.  Sitting on the floor, he squatted in front of me.  All was going well until he, suddenly and with great force, pushed upward colliding with my face.  Thankfully, he missed the nose shove, but did manage to produce a nice puffy, bloody lip.  Even after almost 15 years of parenting, my first reaction was to scream.  God's grace allowed it to be silent and inward.  I'm always surprised at the reaction physical and emotional pain brings to my soul. 

Of course, it was an accident.  I got the blood stopped and Joey dressed.  Now I've been humbled this week as I talk with people realizing that my lip has a huge looking sore on it.  I want so badly to explain how it happened. . .but it really doesn't matter, does it?  Who cares if it's a cold sore, herpes, or an "ouchie" anyway.  It's there.  A reminder of my continued dependence on One so much greater than myself!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

A little delayed. . .but enjoy some of the Christmas photos taken by one of our young adults!

2011:  marked 19 years of God's faithfulness to our marriage and family

Our blessings

Hannah (7), Rebekah (9), Jael (3), Naomi (5), Joshua (12), Joseph (16 months),
Sarah (14), Jonathan (11)

Go Hani!

Our backyard!

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!