Blessed!

We have been truly blessed this year, but I am continually amazed by the out pouring of love and support for my family from people that I would say are friends but are not people in our inner circle or that we talk to every day or even every week. These people have shown love to us that is so appreciated, I don't have words to express it.  A special thank you for your generosity to our family this Christmas:

Drury Family
Donetta King
Dr. Dana Gamblin
Lutheran Family Services Angel Tree Project

And to Kimberly Parker (who we do see everyday, but has blessed us unimaginably this Christmas)

We love you!

Christmas Recap

 

 

Getting some fresh air on a walk the Friday before Christmas.

Caleb and Jesse on Jesse's new trampoline

Eli was bummed he got socks in his stocking but we made up for it

 !

Abi and Anna in new PJ's open their stockings.

Dori opening gifts

Sebastians new toy

 

 

 

We had a great Christmas, even with the stomach bug that hit 6 out of the 9 of us.  With all the puke, I did not get as many photos as I usually do, but here are a few.

BFF

Anna and Vanessa are 4 days apart in age and have been best friends since they were little bitty babies.  They will be 9 in Jan.

Mary did you know..............

I love, love, love this photo my mom took at the kids Christmas program at church.  Anna played Mary this year!

Merry Christmas Tree or Traditions

Traditions-

A gal at church recently asked about holiday traditions we do with our kids, we have so many I thought I would write a few out here.  Christmas pillowcases-each one of my kids has fun Christmas themed pillow case that goes on their pillow the day after Thanksgiving.  The tree- we decorated a fake tree with ornaments that the kids made or were given to us, no themed tree here. Tree Skirt-the skirt around the bottom of our tree was made by Jason's grandma.  In 2002 (when we only had 2 kids) we stared putting the kids hand prints on the tree skirt every year in fabric paint.  The hand prints now go all the way around and have started a second row.  Nativity-  We have a very nice glass nativity on our piano that can't be played with or touched.  Each one of the kids has their own nativity made of plastic or material that can be played with and touched.  Stockings- our stocking were hand made by Richel's grandma as each child joined the family.  Christmas morning the stockings are found full of small toys, toothbrushes, socks and other goodies.  I try to stay away from candy.  Christmas Eve- We usually go to church on Christmas eve.  Even when our church did not offer a Christmas eve service, we would find one that did.  After church, we come home and the kids each get to open a new pair of pajamas.  This is the only gift they open on Christmas Eve.  Santa- my kids don't believe in Santa, we have told them the truth from the beginning.  We don't have anything against Santa, but really want the focus to be on Christ.  Christmas morning- Everyone piles in our queen sized bed, yes last year there were 10 of us in there, and we read the Christmas story from the book of Luke.  We then enjoy cinnamon rolls, I make from a can because it faster, easier and less messy, and dig in to the gifts.  After Christmas- The days following Christmas, when the kids are still on break and bored, we clean out their rooms to find homes for the new toys and we donate old toys to ARC or Goodwill.

We actually have a lot more traditions, if you can believe it, but here are just a few!

Being Thankful

For two weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, we wrote down every night at dinner, what we were thankful for this year.  We asked everyone to write their own thoughts on a leaf and it had to include why you were thankful for whatever you wrote down.  We even had some of our friends and neighbors write leafs.  Eli drew us a 5 and a half foot tall tree trunk with branches and we put it up at the end of our long hall.  This was a great experience for us and I think it might be a tradition we continue.

Some of my favorites-
Caleb-I am thankful for my brother going to youth group, because then I don't have to listen to him.
Dori- I am thankful for Thanksgiving, because we can be thankful.
Eli- I am thankful for weights because they keep me active and healthy.
Abi- I am thankful for plumbing, so we can stay clean.
Anna-I am thankful for love, because love is very powerful.

Our Family...........

Explained in brief

Jason, Jay, Jay Bear, Porkchop, Daddy- Man of the house,man of God, super hard working.  Works full time and then some, almost finished with his bachelors degree, loves his wife and kids and never gives up.

Richel, Rishy,mommy, mom, mama-Taxi drive, permission slip signer, has trouble saying no (especially when kids are involved) loves to be creative, but who has time for that.  Runs on coffee with lots of creamer and Jesus.  Way to passionate about orphan care.

Eli, Elijah, Elija-juan, brother- Gamer, goofball, smartypants, likes to scare people, has awesome dance moves. 20 or so hours of labor.

Abi, Abigail, sissy, princess puddin' head- Girl after God's heart, therapist, bossy pants, sewing expert. 16 or so hours of labor.

Dori, Dorian, Dori Rae, Dori Richel- Super smart, likes to make things. Cousin turned daughter and sister. 5 months of labor.

Anna, Anna Kate, Anna banana, sister sue-can do anything, quite, eccentric, loves art and animals. 12 or so hours of labor.

Caleb, CayCay, CJ, Po-ub- Experimenter, inventor, boxer wanna be, does rad ground moves, almost born in the realtors car, 6 hours of labor.

Jesse, Roo, Rooy, Little J- Can see light, and large shapes.  Likes to push things and climb things.  Likes to be outside and loves cake.  Still in labor, it's been 25 months.

Sebastian, Sebby, squeaky toy- not ours, but lives with us for now, super cute, super sweet, grunts and squeaks alot.  Almost 3 months.