Prayers, Please

Tomorrow is my surgery.
7:30am.
Nervous. Scared. Tired. Annoyed.
Prayers would be appreciated more than you know.
Thanks.
:)

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

Today was the big show at dance class!!! The girls in Grace's class put on a Christmas dance(see title for the name of their big number) and it was pretty darn cute! For the finale, they sang "We Wish You A Merry Christmas"...ugh, my eyes welled up w/ tears...nothing like little kids singing Christmas songs. :) Glad that not one, but both Grandmas braved the cold and slippery streets!! :)

The dancing star...the girls were asked to wear something Christmasy...

Nice moves, girls...

Grandma's turn...

Just for good measure because she's cute...it's COLD out there...

Guess what we did yesterday...

Road Trip to Bethlehem

Okay, so it's been just about 2 wks now since this event, but it was so cool that I still want to share.

Our neighbor's church put on an excellent re-creation of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus' birth. The entire upstairs of the church was devoted to the re-creation, primarily the marketplace. Complete w/ costumes and guards at the entrance to the town, who were so great...didn't even crack a smile when I retardly(not sure that's a word) said we came from Harrison street when asked from what land we had traveled!! "Is that in Jerusalem?" Ummm..why didn't I think of that? Smooth all the way...that's me.

The kids re'cvd a bag of money to be spent w/in the marketplace. We all had to sign in in order to be counted for the census...Emerson, too! It was such a great way to educate the kids and adults!!!

At the top of the stairs, we saw the beautiful manger scene...put a lump in my throat. Of course, Mary, Joseph and Jesus were there, however I felt weird taking their picture, so I did it after they were gone...

Real live animals...ooooh, aaaaah...the hit of the show for Bug...

In line to do a little fishing...

The net goes in the water, honey, not the boat. ;) She got it eventually.

Ahhhh..now we look like everyone else...

A little Bethlehem bowling...

Making a slingshot..."What's a slingshot, Mommy?" Ummmm...not sure I want to tell you...she hasn't been pleased w/ the existence of Emerson as of late, so...

A little basket weaving...

A little purse sewing...

She got to make her own bread...

...and eat it.

The best part of all:
"Have you seen the baby yet? What's his name?"
"It's Baby Jesus! I saw him!!"

It was just excellent! Job well done, Brookside!!! We'll be back next year!!!

I just love this orange picture...

I look at this picture and just can't get over everything Tiny Boo and I have been through this last year. I am forever humbled by the presence of this little girl.

How We Decorate

We clean...

We get unexpected surprises...'My own tree in my room?!'

'Do you know why I put the blanket around the bottom of the tree, Mommy?'
'No, Grace, why?'
'Because that's what Charlie Brown did so his tree wouldn't get cold.'

Sometimes, we even decorate in our underwear...

...but, we always take pride in our work.


Christmas decorations are just better when you let a four year old put them up.

And I Quote...

"Wow, he sure is tall, isn't he?"...Grace after discussing how old Uncle Jay will be on his next birthday(which is 3 days before hers).

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Every day since I was born,

My mother cared for me.

Now that’s a lot of caring,

As anyone can see.
Please, Lord, protect my mother,

And keep her safe from harm,

For she is a cherished person,

With great wisdom, love and charm.
Lord, it’s my mother’s birthday

So please, help her to see

Just how much she means to us,

Her loving family.
(Karl Fuchs)

Happy Birthday to my mom!!!! We love you and wish you nothing but happy, healthy years ahead!