Silent Night

I have packed 8 boxes this afternoon. I sit among them in silence and just think... and listen...



Have a blessed day..

JOYfully in Him,

Christmas Photos: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

So Wednesday morning I woke up and decided to attempt our annual Christmas pictures by the tree. As usual I am not to excited but a little more fearful considering the lack of "normal" and "cute" copporation I usually get from them. I try to be cheery and enthusiastic but it soon fades as I realize T-Rex refuses to smile or sit even remotely still for more than a second and Superman has some problems posing in a picture pose... it is always a super fun time! It is in those moments that I realize, again, that I need to lighten up :0) So here they are... the good the bad and the not so good pictures by the tree but still cute! (Daddy is behind me being... himself :0).













Trying to be continually more...

JOYfully in Him,

Oh Come, Oh Come

Our church hosted a Christmas play last Sunday. It was beautiful to see our little children celebrate the coming of Christ. This song always brings such joy when it comes on the radio and reminds me of why we celebrate this holiday. Praise God...

Father, forgive me for my unbelief this morning and restore me for Your glory. Use me this day as I seek to know You and serve You. Thanks be to Your holy name for the Lamb that You sent to take away the sins of the world... May the Love of Christ prevail in the daily lives of Your redeemed children...


JOYfully in Him,

I Believe

I *love* this song.

Christmas among Packing...

I am trying to be thankful and joyful as I follow His plan for my future during this Christmas season. I will CHOOSE (keyword) Joy, JOY found only in Christ. I am looking beyond my feelings and my fears and to the JOY set before me in trusting my Savior and God.

In order for me to do this I must lay out a "plan of action" so I can see it. I have been focused on the boys room right now but with the constant battle of toys in the playroom I am turning my focus to it tomorrow. I am spending the day packing up ALL of the toys, I know it is early to leave my kids with out their source of play but don't worry I will allow them to pack a small bag each of the toys of their choosing. I think that it will help them to appreciate what they have and through this time teach them to look for His blessings in other ways other than the "toys" in their life.

I have a 3 step plan for the boys room and plan to be finished with step 2 today...

Boys Room:
Step 1: Clearing
*Clear out toys
*Clear out trash
*Set aside dirty clothes

Step 2: Boxes (Finish Dec. 10: today)
*Give away/sale
*Unused items
*Unused items
*Sports
*Extra blankets and bags

Step 3: Boxes (Finish sometime next week; Friday?)
*Organize memory box in closet and under bed
*Shoes (seperate Superman and T-Rex)
*Pack winter clothes not kept out for remainder of time
*Books
*Last pieces of decoration (curtains, lamp, shelf, letters & planets) & bedding.

Play Room:
Step 1: Finish by Dec. 11 (tomorrow) Pack...
*Dress up
*Swords & Guns
*Skate boards
*Animals
*Cars & Trucks
*Building Blocks/Toys
*Puzzles & Games
*Play Food and Grill

I plan on packing them in big ziplock baggies if they are small enough to fit. I will sift through them all as I go.I will be significantly down sizing in this area. Some are destined for trash, others for Grandmas and others, the fortunet ones, for their new home.

I figure if I pack some each day until the 19th then I will have made a HUGE chunck of progress by the time we start packing for real to leave. And this way it is not as chaotic and stressful on us. I want to finish by the 19th, have a Garage Sale on the 20th, take the Christmas week off to celebrate Christ as a family and then get busy packing either on the 26th or the 27th and then drive out in our Uhaul on the 29th possibly the 30th. Oh how I pray I will work diligently so that this plan will work. We will see :0). I might be laughing later at my over optimistic plans.

On to one of my favorite Christmas songs preformed by Third Day...



I am hoping to post some of our Christmas crafts we have enjoyed doing as well.

JOYfully in Him,

Blank Thoughts followed by Music

I can not find words to explain how I feel at this time and the Lord is quiet at this time so I am simply going to share some of my favorite Christmas songs this week as I search for Him among the chaos and packing. So until I find the words and time listen...

How Many Kings?

Let us remember to worship Him, our King, this season and not get lost in the red and green decorations, gift wrap and sale tags...




JOYfully in Him,

Spend Less, Love More

Advent Conspiracy...



JOYfully in Him,

Louisiana visit

It has been a very emotional and enjoyable week here in Louisiana. In about a month we will call Louisiana our home once again. We are on the look out for a little dwelling place and only have tomorrow to finish our search. I know that God has a place already picked out for us so I am not worrying just a little anxious.

Today was a truly filling day in many different ways. I am full tonight as I type out my thoughts... full with family, friends, love, fellowship, joy, grace and mercy and not to mention to much really good food :0). We are very blessed. Tomorrow we continue our search for our new home and then head out to visit my grandparents, Saturday we head back home to Texas to spend the next month in deep fellowship with friends/family and enjoy the season to be us.

I hope you had a blessed and full Thanksgiving day!

(constantly trying to be more...) JOYfully in Him,

A Week of JOYful Visiting

Sunday afternoon we left for our Easter break to be with our family down in Louisiana. My sweet baby Butterfly turned 1 on St. Patrick's Day! We were able to spend her special day at my parents beautiful house where we enjoyed a wonderful time. The boys and I were able to escape for a while on a long nature walk together, it was fun.

We then left there to visit Expresso's father and step mother also known as Papa Pat and Mama Kat. Always an enjoyable time. Expresso was able to enjoy some crayfish and crabs, Superman bonded with their new little kitty and we all just enjoyed our time visiting with them.

Our last stop was Expresso's mother and step father's house where we were busy with non stop family visiting and fun. Nana's house is always a treat. I really enjoyed our time with all of them. Superman and T-Rex had a blast spending time with their friend and cousin Jace, who is only a day apart from Superman in age.

I have to admit that by Sunday afternoon I was completely exhausted and not so much physically as emotionally. It takes a lot away from me to be around a lot of people and have to exert myself in conversation. I have gotten a lot better from how I use to handle large crowds. In the past I was known, only by my husband, to cry after a large gathering and often I would find hiding spots to get away from the pressure and anxiety, my husband would find me later confused. He never could completely understand where I was coming from and I was pretty okay with that. These days I am usually comfortable in large crowds and no longer hide away for long periods of time, for a few minutes maybe :0), but I have been enabled to handle them much better now.

It is nice to be home! My boys stayed with their Nana leaving me with 2 holes in my heart and a lot of time to do some things that are essential. I do not enjoy them being gone for so long, it is difficult for me to walk past their room at night and reflect on them resting else where with my kisses goodnight, but I am happy for them to spend some time alone with family. It is goingt o be a busy but good week for me.

I leave you this morning with some highlights of our trip:

Valentines Day with Pictures

What an amazing day! Some of my plans didn't work out but made some substitutions and everything turned out perfect. I enjoyed myself very much, showering my family with Love.

How To Say I love You?

Okay in my last post I excluded any thoughts on how to celebrate Valentines day with my everyly amazing husband, Expresso. The truth is I wasn't sure how to on our budget but with a little imagination and the internet I have come up with an inexpensive idea:

I will make him a Heart Book Pendant of my love and appreciation. For the most part the day will go as normal for him except that he will hopefully if I do it right, uncover through out the day little notes hidden for him along with a little kiss. After the littles have all gone to sleep we will bask in the past 8 years of our love through our old love notes to eachother while in college and then watch Amazing Grace.

V-Day Prep and Ideas

Today is going to be sorta rough. I fell ill yesterday after I thought I was over it, thank goodness Expresso was home. He is so quick to take care of me. I am going to be relying on the repulsive Day-Quil to keep my on my feet and off the couch shivering.

Valentines is just around the corner of this evening, once again it has snuck up right behind me. So today along side of our school subjects we will be preparing for Valentines day.

One project to do together today is a String of Hearts, simply and very cute. A Lesson, a coloring page and sharing thoughts about what it means to love while reflecting on many verses in the bible.

I have some ideas up my sleeves for the boys. Here is what I have planned:

Early Morning:

Trail of Kisses... I did this last year and it was a huge hit with my boys! Simply leave a trail of Hershey kisses onthe floor leading to the place of destination. I lead them to our kitchen table full of Valentines Day suprises. The loved it! I did just simply red plastic cups last year but I think I will do little red cones made out of construction paper instead decorated with their names on them.

Homemade Cards by Momma:

T-Rex... Your Dino Mite card, perfect for my little beastly boy who is obsessed with Dinosaurs.

Superman... V-alien-tine card, perfect for my little Astronomer.

Also at the table they will find these... Checks, along with these... coupons and for a breakfast some Red Heart-y pancakes topped with whipped cream and strawberries and bananas served with pink milk.

Devotional with activities: God First Loved You!

Games: Guess how much I love you! Fill a jar with little hearts and have family guess how many are in it early in the morning and then at the end of the day reveal the winner and their prize, a special candy and coupon of free time!

Lunch: We will have heart sandwiches with a pink smoothie of some kind.

Afternoon snack: Sweet Heart Crispy Treats, with hot chocolate, a good book and a Valentine coloring page.

Game: Valentine Cup Cake Walk

Dinner: Taquitos, oh so good! We all love these except T-Rex who doesn't like a whole lot other than PB and Honey :0). After dinner we reveal our winner, enjoy some family time and go out for an ice cream cone at Micky D's. End the day with lots of kisses and hugs.

Leave the Heart in Valentine's Day

Love is an amazing word, an amazing feeling, an amazing act. Search the scriptures and bathe in this expression of the heart. I have been provoked to think upon Valentines Day, a day of love. At one time this day was not an expression of love but rather evil lust, it has since been taken over and transformed into a celebration of love, a remeberence of a saint named Valentine. The Catholic church took this pagan day and turned it to revolve around Christ, they turned our eyes away from the evil, the darkness and set them on the light. They redeemed it for His glory. I truly believe that we can celebrate this day in love for Christ, overcome the evil in this holiday for good, and bring Him the glory with in it. For most the origin of this holiday is irrelevant and unknown, they just enjoy the lust of candy, flowers, cards, poems, little red hearts and anything that will cover up the true identity of LOVE. They don't see it this way of course but that is what it is, it is a boastful, puffing up kind of love that has no real meaning other than "look at me" aren't I wonderful. Now I am not saying this for everyone of course but theis is the truth for many out there including myself at times, i am not excluded I have been found guilty. But here are my thought of Valentines day and the love that follows close behind.

I love the chance or opportunity that Valentines Day seems to give me to fully express my unconditional love living with in me for those dear to me. I feel like VD gives me permission to go all out, the extra mile, to be extravagant and radical with my love. This day has the power to cultivate and draw it out of it's slumber. VD is an exellent reminder of how to live out 1 John 3:18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. If we truly understood the meaning and origin of love then every day would be an outward expression of its identity.

Love is self sacraficing. In order for us to truly love one another we must be willing to hang ourselves... to crucify our flesh, otherwise our attempts to walk in love (Eph. 5:2) will proove to be in vain. Think about Eph. 3:19... how amazing is that? The "love of Christ" it is to deep, to immeasurable, that it surpasses the knowledge of our minds. We can not truly grasp or wrap our fingers around the heart of it, the self sacraficing, steadfast love of Jesus Christ. Can you imagine being controlled by this love, the love of Christ? What would happen to us? Could we possible stay the same? If we were to hand the controls of our heart over to Him we would be living a radically different life of love, completely self sacraficing.

The heart of love is often left behind in all of our attempts on Valentines Day and nothing but selfish gratification is shown disguised as something that looks, smells, and even tastes like love. We buy, we express, we show only because we are told to not because we want to and if we don't then we have failed. This day should not be all that different, when the heart of the matter is concerned, than any other day. Don't you agree?...Okay, just incase you heard this: "I hate Valentines Day, think it is a joke and completely self gratifying and stupid" let me clarify my statement as simply this: "I love Valentines Day but do feel that it has a tendency to draw out a superficial unrealistic expression rather than a true radical selfless expression of the heart, where the heart is no longer the source of motivation but the gift and praise that takes it place."

Thank LaughaDaisy for my Valentines Day ramblings today and for her generosity to give away a blog design by Summer at Designs by Summer!

Resolution vs.Reformation

One more day and we enter into a new year. If you are anything like me looking back into the mirror of 2007 you can see the smudges and sparkles in the reflections, the good and the bad of the year and you feel the things that come with all of them. It is in view now, the new year, and the possiblities that we see are endless and filled with all that is good. We are given an hope and an opportunity to start fresh, to wipe all those old smudges away and begin fresh. This year let us not resolve to do things differently in the New Year but let us decide to reform our lives, to change for the better, for Christ. To.. look carefully how we walk through this year, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of time, because the days are evil... and constantly walking by the Spirit... and not gratifying the desires of our flesh. (Galatians 5:16-17, Ephesians 5:15-16) So wipe those smudges of 2007 away and remember the sparkles.

Don't forget what the Lord did in 2007, hold on to those like precious gems. He has plans for us in 2008! Big plans, plans not to prosper you or to give you a good life with not hardships but plans to use you for His Kingdom, for His eternal purposes that you can not fathom. In 2008 He will provide you will all that you will need in every circumstance, in the physical and in the spiritual and in the emotional for He has already provided His only begotton Son and His promises are solid.

Today reform your life by...

Trust(ing) in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding . In all your ways acknoledge Him and He will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5 and praying, Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Psa 25:4 Refrom your life by living your life not for yourself but for Christ.

Go to His word and allow Him to teach you His paths that He desire for you to walk in. Enjoy reading these resolutions that were for this man of God a reformation of his life. Also, why not Turn up the Music with Point of Grace...

Farewell Christmas 2007

The days of December have quickly passed along and the new year approaches with it's lingering presence, just days away. I can feel it breathing down my neck. I will miss another year transfered into my memory and I long for the newness of another. 2008. We spent our week before Christmas visiting with family in Louisiana. Unfortunetly on our trip into La. we experienced a tragedy with Butterfly. After a few hours of driving with heavy eye lids we stop for a breather and some coffee. A few minutes at the table of a restaurant and our beautiful Butterfuly found my cup of very hot coffee. We were unaware that she was in reaching distance of the cup until in a split second. One second we were all laughing and about to enjoy our road trip break and the next we were frantically rushing to the hospital where we found out she had second degree burns on her forearm of her right arm. We were devasted that she was in so much pain and in guilt for some how allowing it to happen. We praised God though that it was not much worse such as her face or all over her body, it was a big cup and it soaked her jeans and sweat shirt. God is good. The incident we know had a purpose and we trusted God in it, though we may not fully understand why these things happen. The rest of the trip went smoothly and she was given the strength to endure her injury with no signs of pain or discomfort at all, again praise God!

While we were in Louisiana we were able to visit with many family members and just enjoy them. Unfortunetly my side of the family had to cancel on us for medical reasons and we were all really disappointed with that. We were also extremely blessed to visit with some friends as well... one of my closet friends and let me tell you that there is no one friendship like hers. We enjoyed a fabulous time of shopping together.

Monday, also known as my birthday and the day before Christmas or Christmas Eve, we were on the road again. We left Louisiana at 11:45 and walked in our door at 7:30 completely exhausted but anxious about our family celebration of Christmas. Christmas day was a BLAST! The Littles loved all of their gifts, of course! and we had so much playing together with them. We then were so blessed to spend an amazing time of fellowship with our close friends for dinner. Praise God that He brought us all together on such a special day.

And now we are back to reality... bills to pay, books to return to the library, homeschooling planning for next week, a house to straigten, clean, declutter and organize, loans to tackle, new habits to form, resolutions to make, lists to conquer, cars to clean and register, old toys to dispose of and new toys to embrace, laundry to do, meals to plan and sleep to get. Oh, it's good to be home, :0).

JOYfully in Him,
Kelli

Winter Fun

Winter just can't seem to make up his mind whether or not he wants to stay or not, I think he has cold feet.... :0). I love the crisp cold air when I open the door in the morning. It is so refreshing after a hot summer. If you are looking for somethings to do while you stay indoors from the blistering cold or while you continue to wait for him to arrive may I suggest grabbing some white paper or tissue paper, a puzzle, some glue, some crayons and some scissors and enjoy some family time with these:

Snowflake Designs : Have little ones that can't cut yet? don't fear they have printable flakes to color.
A Snowflake Treat: I was pleasanty impressed with these, very good and easy!!
Wintery Christmas puzzle: as easy or hard as you would like it to be.
Dress a Snowman
Starfall Snowman : really cute
Paper Mache Snowman: cute but more difficult than I am willing to do, but maybe you are more super of a mom than me :0)
Snowman Dress up easy: we did this, super easy and cute
Sock Snowman: cute, we wanted to do this and were going to use cotton balls instead of rice. You can also just use markers for the littler ones instead of glueing small pieces.

*I really wanted to make a lot of snowflakes and put them on our van's window for our traveling adventure but I don't think we are going to accomplish that, but it was a good idea. If it is cold out grab a hot cup of coffee or cocoa and just enjoy your time together! I am hoping that we can do this when we get home from traveling.

Christmas Gift Tags

We are dreaming of a white Christmas along with the Drifters :0). We *LOVE* this song, when it comes on the radio we all jump with excitement and run to find the remote to turn it up. We then preceed to dance around the house lip singing, we have the example of Kevin Arnold to blame for our insane behavior and the Drifters. Hope you enjoy it along with us!!

I don't really want to spend any extra money on gift tags this year so I decided to make our own. I found tons of tags online, here are my favorites:

Jan Brett
A Kids Heart
Debbie Dawn
Cute Shapes Tags or Ornaments
Pretty Tags
Victorian Tags
Koala's Christmas Tags
Suess Ville Gift Tags (my personal favorite)
ABC Teach BW Tags (color them yourself, cute)
More BW Tags
Assorted Tags

We are going to use the Suesse Ville Tags, those are way to cute to pass up and the kids will love them!

Family Reflections

We have been faithful to our peaceful walks through the lineage of Christ in our Jesse Tree devotions thus far. It will become more difficult as we begin our our journey out of town next Friday, where the celebration of Christs' birth in Christmas is appalling to some and where time will be frantic and chaotic. I had a full nights rest with just a few Butterfly interruptions, she has a cough that keeps her up at night and miserable during the day. This morning I woke up in a disgusted attitude not quite ready to face the demands of the day but thankfully I was led to spend some quiet time in His presence for the strength needed to make it through this day with my sanity still in tact and smiles left on my littles faces. I knew that I desperately needed to be spiritually nourished this morning with the attitude that I was in and the days agenda on my mind along with having a little sick Butterfly to show lots of extra attention, love, sweet kisses and special lulaby dances.

The Nativity play last night was AWESOME. All of the little actors and actresses gave a phenominal performance. The background I worked on till 5:30 was satisfactory and really added the dramatic effect we were hoping for. I have to say though that the experience of getting it up on the wall was less than fun in my personal opinion, and you would say so to had you been the one to stand on a not so stable stable that was not meant to hold 120 something pound woman and stand on a way to tall wobbly ladder with lots of reaching. Superman nervously said his line with magnificent cuteness and execution, I was a very proud mom.

I am determined to have a great day not matter what decides to come my way. It is cold outside just like I like it and am excited about that. The boys are making crayon spidermen and Butterfly is asleep. I need to get our Christmas cards out in the mail today tomorrow, finish washing and folding the evil laundry and then at 3:00 we have a doctor appointment for our sick beautful girl. Less than excited about that but hopeful for some guidance on how to help releave and kill this cough. Gifts! We have many fun gifts to make for family this week, how fun is that going to be? To much!! :0) I have so many pictures to share with all of you of the things we have made and the fun we have been having as we celebrate but my camera usb cable connection is broke and so is Walmarts machines so hopefully soon.

Preperations

We are anxiously yet patiently awaiting the cominging of Christmas, the celebration of Christ our Saviours birth. We have spent the day creating many new decorations for our humble home and many JOYous memories to look back on in the years to come. Our tree is up and decorated though I feel something is missing. Christmas cards are on the table ready to be written with love and sent with anticipation of their arrival. Jesse Trees sit on the floor from moments ago when we all gathered as a family to prepare our minds for the coming of our Lord in a manger. Hot glue guns are still warm from little hands creating their masterpeices from nature. Our advent wreath sits in the middle our living room waiting for it's candles. Thoughts are still lingering of capturing many more moments like these and banking them for eternally lasting JOY satisfying memories. Tomorrow awaits us to experience it's freshness and adventures of daily living together, I can't wait! Our Expresso, whom we have missed so much behind all of the papers and books, is taking a day off to just be with us.

Note: no news on the adoption, all is the same and we are still praying.