AHEM.

AHEM. Hello! Its Amy here. i just wanted to point out (In case you couldn't see) that I changed the picture and background. Well, if you ask me, i think it looks WAY better. And I like the bigger picture too. We got the background from "cutest blog on the block"! A very cute (and FREE) website that lets you decorate your blog! So, I just wanted to see what you guys thought! Please comment with suggestions and/or agreement! Thanks!

Amy

Oh yeah, and the music is from playlist.com FREE too!

(Hehe. I know how to do the linky thing! And my motha doesn't! *sneaky grin*)

The Polar Express

Andrew and I were able to go on the Polar Bear Express in Fishers with his class yesterday. It is a take on the classic storybook which was made into a movie with Tom Hanks, " The Polar Express". We got to ride on the train to the North Pole all the way across Fishers and back.

We ate cookies and had apple juice while we rode the rails. Santa and Mrs. Clause made an appearance, along with a polar bear and of course the Conductor of the train. We then went into the train station and heard a rendition of the story read by actors.

It was a very cool day and I was glad I got to share it with him.

Amy went as a kindergarten, Aaron's got snowed out, and Ann's class went to the Elk farm instead that year.

Gingerbread House

Another tradition we have is to make a gingerbread house. We just use the store bought kind. The kids really like it and it smells good and they generally have fun making it, in between fighting over the frosting.

The Nutcracker

Friday night I took the girls and Haley to see the Nutcracker Ballet by The Central Indiana Dance Ensemble. It is an ameteur group out of Carmel. They do a great job, very professional. This has become a tradition with the girls and I. We love the story and the music and dance. It just starts the Christmas season off for us. Ann especially likes it, she listens to the music year round! This year was fun too, because we knew quite a few of the dancers. It was fun to watch and pick out who the kids knew from school.

Thankful List Part 2

I was talking to my friend Stacie last night on my home from dropping Amy off at Drama rehearsal. Talking to Stacie always puts me in a good mood. As I walk in the house, which is strewn with Christmas stuff, I see Andrew has made a maze with the boxes and also made a "store" in said maze with all of his toys. I blow my top, completely out of proportion. You see, I hate my house in disarray. It makes me grouchy, and I take it out on whomever is around. My husband thought I was saying he was being a bad parent because he was playing chess with Aaron and talking on the phone while all of this was occurring. I wasn't, and had to explain myself later, I don't think I ever apologized though.(note to self- apologize).
I was reading before bed later and it hit me where I was.

From an excerpt of " I'm glad I'm a Mom" #14 "I love Smelly Shoes" by Lysa TerKeurst(Thanks Linda for the Book:)
For those not familiar with Lysa, she founded Proverbs 31 ministries and has a blog I read. She is real, funny and simple.

"It's all in how you look at things that makes a world of difference. If my approach is one that living life simply drains me, then I'll constantly feel drained. But if I can pull back the veil and peek behind the messes, chores, and faults of others, I'll see the treasure of what these things represent. I'm a wife! I'm a mom I've been handed the privilege to fulfill these eternally significant roles for some pretty amazing people... my family! " (Thanks God for the smack upside the head!)

So, what about my thankful list? I am thankful for smelly shoes , because that means I have active kids that can run and play, they are evidence of life well lived. Thankful I have a husband that works so hard we can pay for shoes for each of our kids, thankful for healthy kids who are blessed with athletic abilities that may pay for college some day, thankful for my creative kids I am blessed with who leave messes everywhere. Help me Lord to see past my grumbling spirit of chores and see all the things to be so thankful for.

Ephesians 2:7-9

It is the GIFT of God...

During this time of year the idea of Gift giving and receiving is at the forefront of our minds. We are eager to exchange gifts with our friends and loved ones. And many do really find more joy in giving than in receiving.

But the thought of a FREE GIFT..... From our Heavenly Father can make me speechless. NOT from our own works. Or in my paraphrase, not in our abilities, talents, achievements, looks, personality, attitude, graciousness, piousness, loyalty, work ethic, reputation, or even humble spirit. We cant earn it.

So that NOONE can boast. Cuz (text lingo rears its ugly head) we would boast if we could. Of course, not outloud in the chamber halls as the pharisee's did because Jesus specifically pointed them out as frauds, but rather in our own little loud boasting ways.

"God must have recognized my servants heart when I volunteered at the shelter"...or something disgusting like that.

By God's grace alone do I stand as a redeemed man who is glad that my works are not counted FOR me nor AGAINST me in regards to my eternal salvation.

I hope as you exchange gifts this Holiday season God will remind you of the Free Gift of God he is offering to all of mankind and I really like this, He is offering specifically to YOU. And me of course.

more to come,
joe

Thankful List

God
Hubby
Kids
Family & friends
cookies
Automobile DVD players
Tummy panel in slimming jeans
Target clearance aisles
chai tea
Magic eraser
bear hugs from my kids
Mac n cheese
Poison control
Brothers
Tweezers
My home
Pet doors
Padded braziers
Garage sales
Peppermint shakes
Church
Laughter
Things to laugh at
Cool weather
Naptime
Having more than enough
Hearing my kids laugh
Chocolate
Warm pajamas
concealer
A warm Bed
Paid Bills
A worn Bible
Christian Music
A car that runs
My parents
food in my cabinets
and so many more.......Thank you most sweet Jesus for loving me!