Merry Christmas

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year! I am taking a blog break till we start back up with school the first week of Jan :) May God bless you all!

Mommy and Daughter time.

Lately, I have been thinking about our growing family and how fast time passes, but especially how fast my children are growing. I want to make sure I am giving each child the individual attention they need.....undivided attention that is :) The easiest way(so far) I have found to do this is to take one child with me ,whenever possible, to run errands. Once in a while my hubby is off of work during the day, which is the perfect opportunity for me to grab one of my children (taking turns at the moment) and spend some time alone with them. Big A was first, being the oldest, and last week he ran around town with me and even though its not exactly a "fun" outing, I always try and make it special. We grabbed some oreo cookie shakes and hit the road. Today was Middle A's turn. She preferred to have something simple...just a drink...I opted for Starbucks to see if I could tolerate a Mocha Frap....yup...went down fine this time :) She was soo confused when we first let though..... This is how the conversation went:

Middle A: "Mom, that is Little A's car seat huh?"
Mom: "Yup, baby girl. He's at home taking a nice nap! Just you and me today!"
Middle A:" OK, well Mom, that is Big A's seat..he's gotta come with us..ok?"
Mom: "Nope, he's at home doing his school work , you ready for a treat?"
Middle A: " Yeah! But we have to get my brothers in the car so they can have one!!!"

I wonder if it's a middle child thing? LOL My oldest LOVED being out with me by himself. She eventually understood the concept and was giggling about being able to sit in the "baby seat" in the grocery cart, because her brother wasn't there. She said she liked running errands with mommy without her brothers...so by the end of the day she understood totally :)

I love spending time with each of my children, individually. I also love spending time with them collectively. They are a blessing to which I am thankful to have. They each have such great, unique personalities and really are a joy to be around. I won't always be able to take only one out, with a new little nursling joining us this year, but will always be trying to find other ways to tie those heart strings. It could be as simple as baking some cookies with my daughter, or bowling on the Wii with my oldest. Those little moments are what count....quantity of time *is* important.....regardless of what the "experts" say!

How do you spend individual time with your little or not-so-little ones?

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Till ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

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.”



My Pastor brought up this Christmas hymn/song in his sermon today (that I missed due to my baby being sick but it's broadcast live on Sundays here) and I loved the story behind it.

Have a blessed Sunday!

Wow. I am truly blessed.

Whoever you are sister in Christ, you are wonderful.

I am speechless...this is the nicest thing that has been done for me in a while by a friend...