learning to praise through music

One of the priveleges of attending a large church is the opportunity to hear some incredible speakers.  We had Miss Patty Cake come to our MOMS meeting this morning.  AFterward, I got the kids and we dined on ChickFilA while praising the Lord along with Miss PAtty Cake in music.  D and E loved to dance around.  E even tried to lead music herself as she dashed on stage quicker than I could catch her.  Oops...

D was thrilled to meet MPC afterward but decided to stick out his tongue during the photo op.  When I called him out on it, Miss PAtty Cake joined in the spirit and followed David's lead. 

two shy of two

My little baby is so grown up and yet not even two years old!  I fear I expect too much from her at times, but she almost always comes through.  What a mature, independent little girl!

Biz learned how to give real kisses this month and now delights to give all of us kisses (especially when we applaud her and encourage it!)  She also says "wuv you" as she blows kisses goodnight.  These both mean so much from this fiercely independent little girl because she has refused for months to show these affections.  Love them!!!

As mentioned, she seems to thrive on verbal praise.  Wonder if "words of affirmation" will be one of her love languages?

She has picked up a funny phrase from her brother that she now uses all the time~ "I won!"  (said with hands thrown into the air in victory when she is done lunch almost every time.)

She also throws her hands into the air and sings "Glory Hallelujah" (a song she is taught at BSF).  This is the current favorite song (sung as the second verse to God is so Good).

What a great investment the doll stroller is!  It is still one of her favorite toys.  She even delighted to push Abigail in it one day.

Out of desperation, I finally let go and am letting Biz feed herself most of the time now, even knowing how dirty she will get.  She does pretty well.

What a complicated, brilliant girl I have as my oldest daughter! And what a beauty!

The many smells of Christmas~ Day 7 & 8

Sunday, we got ourselves up and ready to go to the early service at church. After church, we went straight to Sarah's house for a feast of lentil soup and yummy leftovers.  Another relaxing afternoon and then headed back home for an early evening since Sarah and Rich were heading to church that night for a farewell dinner.  Kids had just gotten to bed and we were considering packing for our flight the next day, when we heard a sound in the other room and rushed in to find Grammy at the bottom of the steps after having fallen the complete length of the stairs.  She is tough and insisted she was OK but between precaution and a large goose egg on the back of her head, Mom and Dad took her to the emergency room.  They spent all night there but the good news was that Grammy was fine!  Thank you, Lord! 

 

Monday, we got up and finished up our last details before our flight home again.  We arrived at the airport with plenty of time, but it was still a bit stressful as kids were cranky and a last minute decision to bring a framed picture home, did not pan out as expected etc...  The flight went no better.  Unfortunately, "someone" cried the entire 3 1/2 hour flight.  Well, she did fall asleep the last 20 minutes in sheer exhaustion.  And we were told that we could not all sit together (something they neglected to tell us on the way up apparently) because there are only 4 air masks per row. (make note: if you are ever with two lap children, get seats across the aisle)  M had to trade with the girl behind him so we were passing children back and forth across seats and making her get up dozens of times to try and pacify the cryer.  It never did work, but the earplugs Michael did indeed pass out before we left, were probably well appreciated.  What a relief to finally be back home!!! 

 

Thanks to all who prayed, however.  The sleeping worked far better than expected and with the exception of the night we were up all night with a sick E, the kiddos slept well at night and decent naps during the day too (well...D had quiet time).  The trip was a sweet time and despite our small, medium, and larger hiccups, it was so worth it. 

 

Where did the smells come in?  David kept saying over and over and over and over, "Mommy!  I smell something!"  Normally good smells but his nose was on full alert and we smelled the smells of Christmas right along with him.

 

 

The many smells of Christmas~ Day 5 & 6

Friday, December 28th. Michael's Birthday! Today began a bit early (kids up before the first rays of sun). The morning was relaxing enough and followed up by lunch with the whole family- including Sarah, Rich, and Richard. Upon Michael's request, we had wings and pizza for lunch. Dessert was also at his request: pecan pie- his favorite! Mom also made Chex Mix for M (another favorite.)  M opened his gifts: a DC Starbucks mug, an Amazon gift card, and 2 IOUs as well as a card from the three trouble makers.  After more relaxing and bedtime for the kids, M and I headed to Sarah and Rich's house once more to play a rousing game of Dutch Blitz...the hostess and the birthday boy came out winners.  We stayed up way too late and got back home around midnight.  I collapsed into bed and was half-awoken about 10 minutes later by Elizabeth's crying.  Michael sweetly offered to see what was going on.  He came back in saying, "we have a throw-up issue..." and thus began our night/next day, Saturday!  I spent about 30 minutes stripping her down, bathing her, stripping the crib while searching for new crib sheets, and starting a load of laundry.  She calmed down and went back to bed.  I did too.  I lay down and about 15 minutes later, she was crying again.  Yes, another "issue."  (I was hoping it would be a singular occurrence.)  We cleaned her up again and put her in a pillow sack this time as a sleeping bag with the bare minimum in the crib.  Then, we both lay down in her room.  She would not lie down or stop crying unless someone was holding her hand or rubbing her back/head so M sweetly pulled the crib next to the double bed and stroked her hair.  I slept on the floor for a bit until I decided that I would go back to our room in case A woke up in a few hours...it was 2:30 am by then.  Apparently, E threw up several more times between then and 7:00 am when I took over again.  She was fine until 9:00 am when she threw up one last time, unfortunately all over Grammy and the rug.  5 hours of napping the rest of the morning and another late afternoon nap, put her back almost right as rain.  And thank the Lord, no one else ended up sick!!!  Saturday was calm because we were trying to be available for a sick Bizbeth.  We did get a tiny bit more snow that morning, but it was gone within a very short time.  Saturday afternoon, Michael also went to Sarah's house to help Rich put together his Christmas present--a treadmill.  When E seemed fine by bedtime, we requested one last opportunity to live it large.  We put the kids to bed and went out with Sarah and Rich one last time to the movies to see Les Miserables.  It was super well done and the 2:40 flew by.  I loved that it was based on the Broadway play so the music was all there, including a few new numbers.  It really brought the story to life seeing it on a movie screen so close though.  I think the ending was a bit weaker, but overall, taking the adult subject matter into account, the movie was one I would definitely recommend.  So powerful to see God's love/grace change a man!