Joy To The World!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
We hope and pray you have a wonderful time celebrating
that Emmanuel has come. 
 It is truly a joyous day as we celebrate Jesus. 
Through Him, and him alone can we have peace and hope.  

And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow :"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day"

Christmas Programs

Friday was the last day of school for all three big kids so it was quite a busy day for this mama.  I ran back and forth between 2 programs and 3 parties all before lunch!  It was so fun and I am so blessed!  Jeff was able to go to the programs but he then stayed with the baby so I could help with the class parties.

Abigail's precious program...she was an angel and for the first time was not embarrassed or shy. 

 She sang her little heart out and did all the motions.  I'm so proud of my girl.  Abigail is really growing up:). 

They had a Happy Birthday Jesus party back in their classroom.  She has such a sweet teacher who is a friend of mine and a great little class. 

Abigail loves this little boy Thomas.  Like really loves him.  Her love for him has toned down a little bit this year, but for awhile there she actually sort of wanted to BE Thomas:).   So cute! 

Ellie Kate and Samuel had a sing a long at their school.  It was really special, especially in light of it being exactly a week after Newtown/Sandy Hook tragedy.  The principal said some sweet words, we had a moment of silence, and then 26 students got up and did a little handbell tribute.  There was not a mama in the auditorium with a dry eye.  We are so thankful for our little school and our wonderful teachers!  Each class had a song they sang and it was adorable.  Unfortunately I had my camera, but had forgotten to put my SD card back in.  Oh well. 

Then it was party time!  I was able to run back home real quick and get my SD card for the camera so I could get some pictures:).

Ellie Kate's class had a fun lunch, decorated cookies, made a few crafts, and had a book swap.

Ellie Kate and her precious friend Riley.  I hope they remain friends all through their schooling years.  She also lives in our neighborhood so I have a feeling they will always be good friends:).

precious precious Mrs. S.  Ellie Kate LOVES her!

Ellie Kate's class

Samuel's class had a pizza party.  I enjoyed sitting with him at the table and chatting with his friends. 

This is his class.  So sweet! 

another precious precious teacher, Mrs. M.  Seriously, she is amazing and has really made Samuel bloom this year:)

I love this time of year, because the children all came home with so many different crafts and things.  I still haven't found the best system for saving these things.  I thought I would take a pic of a few of the girls things that they have done...

Abigail's manger.  They sang 'Away in a Manger' in their program and it's her favorite song right now

love that both girls have made these in their 4 year old preschool class

Some ornaments they girls have made this year...

I hope everyone has enjoyed this holiday season!  It has been a busy one for us...but in the last week, I feel like even in the midst of mourning for children I never knew and for the evil of this world, I have truly been able to rest in the joy that we have a Savior.  The suffering and tragedy has truly pointed my heart more to the feet of Jesus and to rejoicing that He came.  Our family is ready for Christmas.  We hope you and yours enjoy the next few days of fun, food, and celebrations!  

Celebrations

My grandmother came down a few weeks ago to give us her presents.   The big kids were at school but the two little girls enjoyed some time with Ma and my aunt Lisa.  They were so sweet to bring gifts and we had fun showing them our home (they had not been to the new house yet).

Then last weekend, we celebrated with Jeff's family in Russellville.  It seems like our time with his family is always tainted with some sort of sickness.  I guess that is just reality with 4 children.  There is just always something! Anna Mitchell had the stomach bug, and Ellie Kate was acting like she was getting it too. We were only able to be there for 24 hours but the kids had a blast and got so many great gifts!  Thankfully, Jeff's parents will be able to join us at our house for Christmas Eve church service and dinner so we can have a little more time together.

Our kids with cousin Davis!

Aunt Jenny (who is pregnant -yay:) and Uncle Buddy with Annie! 

After presents and resting, they made sugar cookies!  

11 Months Old

Anna Mitchell, you are 11 months old today!  

I am in denial that you turn one next month. 

This first year has gone by in a blink.  

 You are such a delightful baby. 

I mean that.  

But, you are growing up too fast.

And FYI, you are starting to look just like your daddy now:).

 This month you have changed a lot.  You have 6 total teeth and are standing a lot by yourself for long periods of time.  Even today, you got up to the standing position from sitting without pulling up on anything.  Maybe you will be my earliest walker?  Your sisters didn't walk until they were 14 months old. 

You also had your first sickness this month last week.  It was the dreaded stomach bug, but you handled it well for the most part and it passed quickly.  At one point, I thought you might be dehydrated so I took you to the doctor since it was Friday.  We didn't want to end up in the ER on the weekend if something was wrong.  You weighted 18 lb 9 oz.  I'm sure you had lost some weight from throwing up, but you are still somewhat of a little bit.  Not many fat rolls on your cute little body.  

I love your personality.  You are still busy busy and now you are becoming very vocal using lots of sounds and really trying to talk to us. 

So far, it seems like you are pretty compliant.  You pretty much listen to us when we say no.  You really really really want to climb up our stairs but you know you aren't supposed to, so you will go stand at the bottom and just yell, like you are saying "just this one time, mom please!?". 

And surprise of all surprises you have pretty much stayed away from the Christmas tree! 

 You love to copy what we do and it amazes me what a baby can understand!  

Food is not your favorite and I don't know if there are many times that you actually finish a bottle.  I guess that's why you are small.  I also guess that's why you like to wake up around 5 am (give or take 30 minutes) every morning for 5 oz of milk.  You do go back to sleep thank goodness, but I do not like this little habit that started this month.   Mama is just at a loss for what to do because you scream and cry very loudly until we come in and give you a bottle. 

Clapping is your favorite.  You wake up clapping!  

We are so thankful for our baby.  Annie, you are such a light and source of joy for our family.  God knew we needed you!  I am so excited for your first Christmas and then your first birthday.  What a fun 11 months it's been!

You suck your finger...my first child to not suck their thumb.  By this time in the photo shoot you were done and so out came the finger.  It was also time for a ba-ba:). 

Annie, look at how much you've grown!!! Only one more square to fill.  That is so hard to believe!