We had a good Thanksgiving. It was our first one with just our family...plus Papaw. We stayed in Fayetteville since Daniel's work schedule is day to day. Which also meant that I cooked my very first Thanksgiving dinner...minus the turkey. I cooked and cooked and cooked, then it took us maybe 15 minutes to eat. It sure was delicious, though. Daniel smoked and fried turkeys. I made dressing, vegetable casserole, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, rolls, cranberry sauce, and my favorite, sweet pickles.
We have so much to be thankful for, and I'm trying to acknowledge that everyday and not just this time of year. Papaw stayed with us for two weeks, and gave us something we've been wanting for a while...a porch!! He and Daniel worked so hard and built this amazing porch for us to enjoy. I can't wait for great weather so the kids can play on it all day.
Thanksgiving Day turned out to be a beautiful, warm day, and the kids had a blast playing outside.
The Friday before Thanksgiving Avery had a Thanksgiving lunch at school. Daniel and I were able to go, and we enjoyed eating lunch with our girl.
Notice Avery still has her regular lunch that I pack. I think for Thanksgiving she ate a pickle and Colt ate some circle crackers (Ritz). Oh, to have that much energy and never want to eat.
We went a week or so ago and got our Christmas tree. This year we decided to go to a lot instead of cutting our own. It's so pretty, and the kids did a good job helping me decorate. I thought I was over having to worry about Colt playing with the tree. But, no...this is the year he wants to touch everything. He's already broken an ornament.
We got a letter to Santa at the library, and Avery wrote hers and mailed it. She told Santa she wants a stamp set and Colt wants a Thomas the train. My girl is getting so big and smart. I'm so proud of her writing.
The Christmas after Avery was born I bought her a recordable A Charlie Brown Christmas book. My sweet friend Jenny's husband is British and I'm obsessed with his accent so he graciously recorded the book for us. We still adore it!!
Last week I went to Avery's school to help her decorate a gingerbread house. Luckily they already had the houses built and the icing on them. All the kids had to do was decorate with tons and tons of candy. And all Mommy had to do was not eat it! You could tell which parents told their kids where to put the candy, and which let the kids go wild. I was the latter. It turned out super cute.
A couple weeks ago at dance, the parents got to watch. My sweet Avery surprised me! She was very good, she didn't get embarrassed, and she was having so much fun! That's her in the purple leotard next to the girl in red. She is a natural!
I almost forgot about these cuties!! Colt and I were in Huntsville shopping and we were able to meet up with my friend Courtney and her little boy Vaughan for lunch. Colt is about 3 months older, and they are so cute together! I wish we lived closer so they could play more often!
Saturday was breakfast with Santa at the high school. Avery's dance class got to perform. This was before when we were practicing. I hope Daniel got some good pictures on his phone, because this is the only one I got! She did so good, though!! She didn't get stage fright, and was about the best one out there! I'm so proud of what she's done so far!
My mom got the kids this advent wreath at her church, and we are so enjoying it. Yesterday was the second Sunday in advent, so we lit two candles and read our daily verse. This was good because they both love blowing out candles. The verse was about how Mary was pregnant. I told Avery that meant Mary had a baby in her belly and that God put the baby there. She said, "God put himself in Mary's belly?" That girl is wise beyond her years. I bet there are adults who don't understand that God and Jesus are one and the same. I'm glad Avery is at the age where she understands why we celebrate Christmas. I think it's ok to acknowledge Santa as a Christmas tradition as long as we understand that is not what Christmas is all about.
My Avery knows this well...
She is just a little sponge, and we have to be sure to fill her up with truth and not junk that so often comes out of our mouths. I'm so excited to see where her journey to and through Christ takes her.
Last night was the Christmas musical at church that is done by the children. It had a really great message about paying it forward. They children did an awesome job, and I can't wait for these kiddos to be a part of it. Neither of these kids have an attention span longer than a puppy's. I thought Avery would be able to sit through it...wrong. Question: does the whining phase ever end?? Oh, I sure hope so! At least for my patient's sake.
As we get closer to Christmas I am constantly having to remind myself not to get stressed over tiny details. It doesn't matter if we can't decide on a time for the get together. It doesn't matter if the presents aren't good or plentiful enough. All that matters is God sent his only Son to earth to be flesh and bone. And this Son, Jesus, came only to die a painful death so that I wouldn't have to. All I need is Jesus, and Jesus is enough.
