Little Personalities

Friday, December 21, 2012

Advent 2012 Testimony

I shared this testimony for our church's Advent blog:

It was July when we went in for the ultrasound for our fourth pregnancy. We were both thrilled and relieved to see a flickering heartbeat on our precious baby. We hoped to meet him or her early in the coming March, around the date we’d said goodbye to our 3^rd baby.

A few minutes later, we went in with hopeful hearts to meet with our nurse practitioner. She told us the news of a few concerns with our baby. Then she sent us home to wait. We waited a {long} week. We went back in to see our baby, without a heartbeat, without life for this earth. So now we must wait again. We wait to see our two babes one day in heaven. It’s such a bitter sweet. We hate it and we continue to grieve that we won’t hold those babies and children in this life. But the sweetness comes in His promises and assurances to us that he has gained heaven for us through the cross. That is certain. So our hearts long for heaven a little deeper, cherish the children we have in our arms, and thank Him that Jesus came to make all things right.

Monday, December 3, 2012

Santa 2012

Last night we went to see THE Legendary Santa. Mike and I both went to see this Santa as kids... an RVA tradition. So it is neat for our kids to get their picture with him. I don't know that I would take the initiative to take the kids on my own accord but the company Mike works for arranges for everyone to go, which is so generous.

When the line was reeeeally long, we were scheming of how we'd make the offer to the kids to leave... maybe letters to Santa and a ride on the train outside, but Lily really wanted to wait it out (true to her personality). So I took Peter back into the museum to play while they waited, which nearly sucked all of my Christmas spirit. But we reigned it in with seconds to spare before it was our turn with the Snow Queen. Peter told Santa that he wants a train that he saw in the gift shop ;) and Lily told Santa that she wants "a dog what has a controller". Then Peter asked Santa if he could give food to those who don't have food... my energetic and very compassionate boy. :)

Santa finished with "remember old Santa loves you!"... just like always :)

I loved the start of Advent at church yesterday. I cried. A lot. Back in the fall, I told a few friends (and Mike) that I was sure I'd cried at church every Sunday since Jan 2011. But I've had a few weeks of dry eyes and its been lovely! But yesterday, it restarted. But I think during Advent, my tears are more often thankfulness & joy (that's the case a lot of the time) .... I just feel so thankful and moved by all of the truths of Advent. The weary world rejoices... Our church is doing the Advent Blog again like last year. If you want to follow along, you can find it HERE.

And this song is HERE:

Through the love of God our Savior, all will be well

Free and changeless is His favor, all is well

Precious is the blood that healed us

Perfect is the grace that sealed us

Strong the hand stretched forth to shield us

All must be well

Though we pass through tribulation, all will be well

Ours is such a full salvation, all is well

Happy still in God confiding

Fruitful if in Christ abiding

Steadfast through the Spirit’s guiding

All must be well

We expect a bright tomorrow; all will be well

Faith can sing through days of sorrow, all is well

On our Father’s love relying

Jesus every need supplying

Yes in living or in dying

All must be well

Even More Thanksgiving...

OK, last set of Thanksgiving pics, I promise. More from Mike's phone.

Pretending they are deer...

Uncle Henry is always willing to play along :)

A trip to the river on the tractor. This is while the girls were shopping.

Pics with Paw

More fun on Jeff's four wheeler!

Check out Peter's smile!

Running to Daddy

I found these on Mike's phone so HAD to include them.
These kids LOVE their Daddy.

The kids like to hug Mike's leg like this before work and have him say

"You're cuttin' off my cir-ca-lation", as Lily puts it.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

More Thanksgiving...

Check out the kid pics on Jessica's blog :)

...tho it might be that we only read each others blogs... haha ;)

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Finger Paints

So we didn't really get through our letters this summer. But we are still working on it... slowly but surely. We are about half way through so maybe before Peter starts Kindergarten. ;) There's the talk about sensory integration that I wish I understood better so today we wrote and finger painted our J. Then we just finger painted. This isn't Peter's idea of a good time. After therapy this morning, Peter wanted to come home and play Buzz Lightyear and Woody and Lily wanted to finger paint. So they played for a while and then we painted. Peter was a really good sport about it.

After each finger, he'd complain "WET FINGER!" and I would wipe it off but then he'd go for more.

At one point he said:

P: Lily, are you all done?

L: No

P: Well, I better do more like you!

So sweet. I love their finished products :)

Thanksgiving 2012

It was another Thanksgiving at the farm house and so a very country

(and awesome, refreshing!) time.

JD got an 8 point buck on Thanksgiving morning. I spared you some details with the sepia effect.

Daddy and Lily working on some cornbread while we wait for the big meal! I love them.

Nee Nee came for visits and had a captive audience in Peter when she started reading.

And of course, skeet shooting. I loved seeing and getting a few days with these sweet cousins!

Jeff, being the awesome guy that he is, brought along his 4-wheeler.

Adding a little more country goodness to our Thanksgiving.

Maw prepared us some good appetizers. Can you tell by the men who congregated there?!

It was a full house (and full hearts!) so these two sleeping beauties shared the couch in Maw and Paw's room. Its been their usual practice in recent visits and I think its really sweet. Fun memories.

We continued the tradition started last year of Black Friday shopping. Clearly, we aren't too serious about it. I think its more of an excuse for the girls to get out of the house and get some time together! Holly, Jessica and I hit up a few stores. The benefit of being in the middle of nowhere is an hour drive to good stores so two hours worth of talking! We missed you, Emily. My heart was full as I thought about missing out on sisters growing up but now having three wonderful ones! Plus two on the P side!

There had to be stories told in shadows on the wall.

Good extended time with my man.

Lily Bug is getting so independent. This is a new concept for us!

Filling up her baby's water spray bottle all by herself!

How cute is she?! Spraying and combing baby's hair.

I didn't get enough pics of the kiddos!
Favorite memories of Audrey... She's a little parrot. I love that stage! J&J have "taught" her to say Barack Obama: "Rock-a-mama!" and hippopotamus, etc. She'll attempt any word you tell her to repeat... SO cute!