It's Beginning to look a lot like

CHRISTMAS!

We have tried to keep to our tradition of setting up for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. We were able to keep with that tradition this year. Jeff and I are not big on the whole black Friday shopping, so we set up all our Christmas decorations while everyone else is recuperating from their midnight dashes, or as was the case this year, their Thanksgiving night dashes. I think that is SO wrong for store to open their doors on Thanksgiving just to try and earn an extra buck. Lame. Stepping off my soap box now.

I have made a lot of new Christmas decorations over the last year or so and am starting to really love to decorate for Christmas. I think I might try to convince Jeff that we need to decorate a few weeks before Thanksgiving so I can enjoy everything a bit longer. 

Next weekend I am going to be making a few more Christmas decorations that I am really excited about. I will post pictures of them once they are completed.

Thanksgiving

We have always gone to Jeff's maternal grandparents house for Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving has become too much work for his grandparents, so we have offered to host Thanksgiving every year from now on (unless of course if someone else wants to have it at their house one year). This was the first year we had Thanksgiving at out house and the first time Jeff and I have cooked a turkey. Jeff was pretty nervous about it, but the bird came out pretty tasty.

November Happenings

We have had a very good month and have a lot to be thankful for.

I am thankful to have a pretty handy husband who chose to install our new microwave and dishwasher for us, saving us over $250!

I am thankful for the simple things in life, like being able to eat dinner as a family every night. I am thankful that Jeff's work schedule allows him to be home with us 99.9% of the evenings to eat dinner with us.

Do you see that? That there. That chip on Kinley's shoulder. I wonder why she has a chip on her shoulder. Serioulsy, she is fed, bathed, attended to, and loved. What more could she ask for? What is she so upset for?

 

I am thankful that Kinley is learning new things every day, but I kinda sorta wish Cooper would not have taught her this:

Home made cookies are the best, especially when you leave some to lick off later.

I am thankful that this little girl's hair is finally beginning to grow.

I am thankful that Shiloh likes to help me with my craft projects.

Shiloh got this fun princess castle tent for her birthday. I am thankful for older brothers who are willing to read to her so I only have to read 58,472 books a day instead of 58, 474 books. 

I AM thankful she loves to read so much.

"Give me five"

This boy got a new church shirt and tie because he put the other one in his mouth. So why did he need a new one? He had gum in his mouth which got on his shirt and we couldn't get all of it out, even with using all the tricks to getting gum out. He has also earned himself no gum at church for a while.

 

I just love her.

I am thankful that these two girls get a long and love to take baths together.

 

Cooper's first tooth fairy visit

 Cooper lost his very first tooth yesterday morning. It had been very loose for about a week and he was ready to have it out, so I tied a piece of dental floss around it and gave it a little pull and out it came.

 This morning he found this under his pillow.

I have been able to go into Mason and Cooper's classes once a month to help out with art. These pictures were from October's art lesson.

Cooper left me this note the morning of art day in October to remind me to look in the lost and found for his water bottle. He is such a great speller (for a first grader)!

Cooper was making a sad face because he was sad that dad had to go to work. He's so cute even when he makes a sad face.

Family Pictures 2013

Potty Training fun?

We have been in the process of potty training Shiloh since October 6th. Yes, I wrote that month correctly, OCTOBER! She did really well the first few days, but has never had more than a day or two without having several accidents a day. So frustrating! 

People say it is easier to potty train girls than boys. Well, "people" have not met Shiloh!

Yesterday was the first day she has had an accident in three days. THREE! That is some major improvement there. I will not proclaim her totally potty trained until she has had a maximum of 1-2 accidents over the course of a week. She does stay dry during her naps though and has woken up in the morning dry a few times, so I am hoping we are nearing the end!

Here is a video of Shiloh from the beginning of October when we started this whole adventure.

Student Choice Assignment, Week 9, New Testament Class

Choice #3: Hebrews 13. Works of Righteousness

Paul concluded his epistle to the Hebrews with some brief teachings and statements of counsel. Read Hebrews 13 and find statements about the follow questions:      

·         How should we treat strangers and those “in bonds”?

We should be hospitable to strangers and remember those “in bonds”.

·         How is marriage looked upon?

Marriage is honorable in all.

·         What warnings are given about covetousness?

We need to be content with the things we have and not covet what others have.

·         What is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever”?

The nature of Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever”.

·         How are we sanctified?

We are sanctified through the atonement of Christ when we take upon us his name, have faith in Him, pray continually, and do good continually.

·         How do we respond to those who rule over us?

We should obey and submit ourselves to those who rule over us.

·         Who did Paul ask the people to pray for?

Paul asks the people to pray for him and those who are with him so they may return to the saints soon.