Christmas Reading....

Having been a Kindergarten (and first grade) teacher, I have TONS of children's books! Now that I am at home with my boys, they get to enjoy the books I collected while teaching! I used to love to read to my students, and now I am blessed to have two boys who LOVE to curl up on my lap and listen to a good story.

Christmas was always such a fun time of year to read to my students! It was always fun to read about how children around the world celebrate Christmas, and we would even cook some of the foods from around the world. Now, I enjoy reading these stories to my boys during the Christmas season.....

The Crippled Lamb

The Small One

The Legend of the Poinsettia

The Tale of Three Trees

Too Many Tamales

Night Tree

The Christmas Star

Kiersten's Surprise

Happy Reading....and Merry Christmas!

Part 2: Getting Into the Spirit

We're trying....we really are. I think the problem is that we're trying too hard. I have felt pretty darn crummy all week long....and now our little dude has some sort of stomach bug. He has been happy, but throwing up rather inconsistently today. But don't think we're letting these illnesses stop us from doing anything! Oh no...we're pushing through, going nonstop...and trying to squeeze too much in to one short weekend. I can't breathe, and everything sounds as if I am in some sort of tunnel....but lay low and recuperate? Nope. I mean, how silly would that be. And...one more quick thought...Josh wins "Husband/Father of the Year!" He worked all week and couldn't be much help, but from the moment he got home for the weekend....he has taken over and done EVERYTHING around here. He has cleaned up every puking incident and has catered to me, as well. He is at the store (as I write) getting me some Vicks VapoRub. A few friends told me to rub it all over my feet and then wear socks to bed (Have you ever tried this?). I will keep you posted and let you know if it works. It's supposed to help me be able to breathe tonight! Anyhow, thanks for reading about my woes and please enjoy some more "sub par" photos from our latest adventures!

We decided to take a drive to the Alta Loma Christmas Lights tonight! We invited my parents to come along. We figured....it's raining....it's pouring...it's a perfect night for a drive! Okay...I am being a bit dramatic! The rain let up here and there and it didn't take too long to drive out there. I had heard about the amazing lights in this upscale neighborhood...and let me say that we were all in awe! These pictures don't do the lights justice!! You should definitely make time to take a trip out to Alta Loma. Some of the home owners were outside selling churros and hot cocoa....so we just had to indulge.....(P.S. Hudson got to enjoy the hot cocoa twice....once going in and once coming up!)

Surfin' Santa!

Their electric bill for December must be insane!

We had to take a pic of the dino for Hudson!

After viewing the amazing lights, we headed on over to Richie's Diner for some dinner! Hudson threw up before we ever made it to the table, I went through about 20 Kleenexes, and the boys played "musical chairs" throughout the whole meal! Everyone was happy, though...and we enjoyed a yummy meal!

The Little Puke Monster and his Papa....

I look about as great as I feel. Love B's smile, though!

And....as if we weren't stupid enough, we decided to take the kids to Bass Pro Shops after dinner. I mean, Josh had promised Bryson we could go. We weren't there for too long, but the boys did get to enjoy some free games and they had their pic taken with Santa.

Bryson wanted to warm up by the fire....

My wonderful mom and dad....

...a racing game.....

....some real Redneck fun!

Santa and the kiddos!

Shootin' is serious business, y'all.....

You better watch out! This kid has pretty good aim!

All in all, it was a very fun evening together!! It wasn't the smartest idea to keep Hudson out. He was so happy and sweet, though....even on the way home when he hurled again....all over the car seat, the car door, and himself. Despite our mishaps, we laughed. It's either that or cry, right? Hudson is now sleeping peacefully and the hubby made it home with the Vicks. He also got me some Mucinex (which makes me think of the commercials with the little mucus-y, germ-y guys!), and some soft....lotion-y Kleenexes. I had better end this post. The other night, a friend told me that I seemed "disconnected." Ha ha....I don't just seem it, I am!

Merry Christmas, my friends! In all seriousness, we could use your prayers. I do see that our problems are nothing, compared to what many others are dealing with. It would, however, be nice to breathe without keeping my mouth open...and it would be super-duper to have a healthy kid.

Gettin' Into the Christmas Spirit

We've been having lots of fun around here. We're really "getting into the Christmas spirit!" That is, we were. Things were moving along quite nicely, and then...this week hit. A certain child's behavior has been putting me over the edge, and I am battling a severe cold. I know, I really shouldn't complain. I am just feeling a bit "Scroogy," I guess. I know there are many people who are battling "real" problems and that in the whole scheme of things, my little issues are nothing. And...praise God for that! Anyhow, I am about to share some pictures with you...and it's SO clear to me that my pictures suck. Sorry for the harsh word. It's just happens to be the most fitting. Here I am...married to a photographer...and I can't take a decent photo! It's pathetic. It's disgraceful! I know this post is all over the place, and I apologize. I mainly wanted to share some pics of the fun stuff we've been doing! How I got onto all of those other topics is beyond me. Too much DayQuil, maybe? I just wanted you to know that I know that my pictures are not award worthy. Nonetheless, I'm putting them up.

Early on in the week, Grandma Connie and Aunt Jessica came out for a visit. They brought everything they needed to decorate gingerbread houses with the boys! The boys loved every minute!!

....Always ready to flash his million dollar smile!

I love those chubby hands!

Here are the houses....almost done!

Grandma Connie is very "artsy" and she went back and added tons more to Hudson's house! Grandma and Jessica stayed for dinner and it was a wonderful night together! Why I didn't capture the "finished product" shot...I am not sure!

Last Saturday night, we went with my parents to a production of Narnia- that was held at their church. I had never seen the movie, though we own it...and Josh and Bryson love C.S. Lewis' works! The production was amazing and the boys were glued to it! Hudson was a bit scared during certain parts of it, but he didn't budge for two hours! My mom was in heaven, as he sat on her lap the whole time!

Papa bought cookies for the boys before the show!

Mimi and Papa, the Little Ham, and Prince Bryson!

What a goof ball!

Hudson and Mimi

Bryson....ready for the show....with his hot cocoa in hand!

The "White Witch"....scary!

A very large lion made his way to the stage several times during the show!

The Menashe Clan

What are you doing to get into the spirit???

DUH!

A few Sundays back, I had some "Duh" moments in church! Then, it happened again this past week. My pastor (Jack Hibbs) is doing a series called: When God Came Down. Pastor Jack always gives us TONS of verses to look up. He has shared many with us these past few weeks, and I guess the "Duh" in all of it is that....I never viewed these verses as "Christmas verses." But....when he read them to us, and as I looked them up and reread them....it hit me....that "Duh"....of course they are Christmas verses! So...anyhow....here they are (along with some of my notes from the past few weeks)! Many of the verses listed here are ones that "everyone" knows, and they are verses that I have known all of my life. I am not sure if they will have an impact on you, as they did me. I pray you will be blessed by at least ONE of these verses.

"Christ"= Messiah

"Mas"= gathering around

Christmas= gathering around the Messiah

*Christmas is ALL ABOUT when God came down!*

1. It was according to His plan

a) The God of the Bible planned the rescue

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. -John 3:16-

*Jesus is our Rescuer!*

b) The God of the Bible planned the place

Micah 5:2

c) The God of the Bible planned the method

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. -Isaiah 7:14-

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:

God was manifested in the flesh,

Justified in the Spirit,

Seen by angels,

Preached among the Gentiles,

Believed on in the world,

Received up in glory.

-1 Timothy 3:16-

2. His timing was perfect!

a) His timing was foreordained

b) His timing was significant

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

-Galations 4:4-5-

c) His timing was intentional

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

-John 1:1-3-

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

-John 1:14-

3. There was a divine purpose!

a) He engineered the message

Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

-Luke 2:10-11-

b) He engineered the participants

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, the wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him."

-Matthew 2:1-2-

c) He engineered the outcome

*From Genesis to Revelation, God announces that His Son would come down and join what He created.*

You Can Call Me..."Cradle Robber!"

This past week, I went on three dates....

with three different guys!

Hey, call me what you want....

but I'd guess that if you had the same opportunities that I did,

you wouldn't have passed these guys up.

I am older than ALL of them, and I have to say....

I really enjoyed "robbing the cradle."

I did pick three really handsome guys.

We went to some really fun places!

I can't pick a favorite date....they were all so much fun!

DATE #1:

My first date was last Sat. night....with my hubby! I didn't capture any photos of the two of us that night. Josh and I went shopping (It was his one shopping trip for the year!), and then out to eat at Yard House. We shared a bunch of appetizers and some yummy desserts! Then, we snuck in a flick!! It was SO much fun! He and I had a blast and it was great to have that one-on-one time!

DATE #2:

SO....my second date was with this guy!

Bryson was so excited about our date that he paid good money (75 Bible Bucks!) for this beautiful ring. As we were about to head off on our date, he presented me with it! SO stinkin' cute! I must say that giving a woman jewelry will always give you an advantage!

Bryson and I hardly ever get time for "just the two of us"....and it was much needed!

We headed over to Paint A Memory.....and my handsome dude even opened the doors for me! He always says, "Ladies first." He is going to be a true gentleman...I can already tell.

My little date was so thrilled! He loves art!

We got to sit at our own little table, and we used all the brushes!!

Bryson painted a cross (brown with squiggly red lines down it- for Jesus' blood)...and a Christmas tree dish! It was really hard for me to let him choose what he wanted to paint. I would have picked many other things!!

He was very serious about his work!

After we painted, we headed to Target, where Bryson got an Icee (which he's usually not allowed to have) and popcorn. He also got to pick out a Bakugan (I don't get the fascination with these things....but he loves them!)

DATE #3:

My final date of the week was with this little angel.

Our church holds an "Angel Breakfast" each Christmas season, and it's for kids (ages 3-Kind.) and their parents. I had never been to one and it was incredible. The amount of time and energy that went into putting on this beautiful event is unbelievable!!

The little angel posing by some gifts!

While we ate eggs, french toast strips, sausage, cinnamon rolls, bread, and fruit....an adorable puppet show was put on for us!

We all sang 'Happy Birthday to Jesus' and the kids got a cupcake!

The decorations were soooo cute!

We got to hear the story of Jesus' birth, and each child got to play a part in the story.

"You want me to play a....what???"

"Okay, fine....I will do it....just this once!"

We went on a scavenger hunt, to find 25 things...that help tell the Christmas story!

Here is Hudson finding some of our items!

It's snowing.....in Chino Hills! Who knew....??

Hudson loved frolicking in the snow!

We made an angel ornament for our tree!

I had an awesome time with each of these dudes! I am so blessed! I know people don't always understand how you can juggle more than one man at a time....but I think I can manage!!

Think Someone's.......

....excited for Christmas???

Hudson is very excited for Christmas this year. He keeps asking us, "How many more minutes until Santa comes?!" As we were decorating our tree the other night, he asked about 30 times. I am not exaggerating! I kept thinking to myself...'Oh boy, this is going to be a long month!' Because the kid is three, I am cutting him some slack- since his main concern is Santa and not Jesus' birth. I keep telling him about Jesus and how Mary bore Him on Christmas Day. We will keep on keepin' on.....teaching him the importance of Christmas. His older brother doesn't believe in Santa and has the details of Christ's birth down! Bryson "gets" it! One kid down, one to go.....

Merry Christmas!! Remember that Jesus is THE (One and Only) reason for the season!

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. -Luke 2:11

Update.....

Just wanted to let y'all know that the boycott on Gap/Old Navy has ended. They have decided to air a Christmas commercial, which makes them a "nice" store! Phew! Praise God....I wasn't sure how much longer I could stay away. Happy shopping.....