Christmas

One gift for Christmas Eve

Our kids love footsie pajamas.  Claire had outgrown her others and had been asking for new ones, so she was especially thrilled.

Got the giggles

Reading the Christmas story before bedtime

Our annual Christmas morning family picture

Discovering what the fuss is all about

One for each hand

Henry and Claire each picked out gifts for each other at their school's Holiday House event.  I happened to know that they had amazingly picked out the same gift for each other, so I was excited to see them open them together.

Claire's reaction was perfect!  Couldn't believe they both picked out Frozen charm bracelets for each other.  To Henry's credit, he genuinely knew Claire would love it.  Claire, on the other hand, made a comment that she was hoping that if Henry didn't like his, she could have it.  Thinking like a true big sister.

Now you may assume that Joe and I bought these swords as gifts for the kids, but you would be wrong.  Every year, my parents take the kids shopping so they can pick out gifts for us, and this year, Claire and Henry picked out these swords for Joe.  Do they know their Dad or what? 

Sunday morning the kids were dressed for church, and I thought it may be a good opportunity to get a picture of them together, looking so nice.

Well, I'll take it.

It was a bit sad to think of this as our last Christmas in this house, but we're grateful to have had nine wonderful Christmases here.  And we pray for many more to come in our new home as well.

November & December Review

I think this was the first year the kids were actually helpful in raking leaves.

Serving together at the Community Open House at Africa's Child.

Watching the first snowfall.  Classic Henry atop Joe's back.

A great visit with Henry's surgeon.  No surgery needed for the immediate future.  We'll check in again next year, but he was happy with Henry's progress.

This is Hugh, and he is our realtor.  Yes, that's right.

We made the gut-wrenching decision to move.  The decision was beyond difficult, but to our amazement, the process has gone seamlessly.  We bought a new home just a few miles north of where we currently are.  It's a charming fixer upper, so we will take the next two months to begin renovations before moving in.  

Hugh has been an answer to prayer, easing our fears along the way.  Quite the pianist, he blessed us by playing "Great is Thy Faithfulness" after we finalized our offer on the new home.

And another sign of God's faithfulness

Our family was also blessed by Claire's performance with her "Lil' Worshipers" Dance Class at a local church. 

Claire is in the red shirt on the right.

And also, quite endearing, is Henry singing his version of Claire's dance song "Welcome to our World".

Claire's class, along with another class from her school, on a field trip to the Children's Museum.

My little Queen Bee studying the hive.

Claire and Izzy

Also this past month, I enjoyed a fun afternoon volunteering at Henry's school for their Holiday House program.

The following week, Joe chaperoned Claire's class on her second field trip - this time to the Frederick Meijer Gardens.

Christmas Break

Seeing the trains at Breton Village Mall

Claire and Henry kept busy with the "I Spy" Game, but George was more obsessed with the mall surroundings.  He loved these ball statues.

And he especially loved the fish.

Santa's little helpers

These funny kids keep their imagination active.

You never know where their adventures will take them.

Thankful for the life and influence of Ed Dobson.  Sorry to see him go, but we are glad he is no longer struggling and he is with his Savior.

This picture was taken nearly 10 years ago when Joe lived in community with Ed and Lorna.  

Go George Go

George is a wonderful child.  No longer a baby, for sure.  He is smart and funny and oh so active.  So much, in fact, that I thought it would be entertaining to take an hour of an evening and document his happenings.  So here it is...one hour with George on the go.  I tried to take a picture every 5-7 minutes to track his course of action.

Rolling around on the floor

Whatcha doin' Mom?

Truly, his favorite place to be

Time for a 2-second cuddle

Not sure how to caption this, but it sure does make me smile

Climbing...again

Fun with canned goods

Time for a snack

After watching me take so many pictures of George, Henry asked that I also take his picture.   Of course, I need a picture of my Henry too.

After I took his picture, he wanted to see it and upon examination, said, "Just a minute Mom.  I have to clean my face and then you take another picture."

Yes, I love being a mom.