Ringing in the "Sandy" New Year

Justin and my dad took the three older boys to the Dunes for New Years while the little kids and I stayed here to enjoy some time together.  While the boys were off riding in the sand, my mom and I took the kids to Jambo Park (thanks to her purchase of a coupon).  They had a great time riding the rides and playing on the playground and eating a frosty from Wendy's on the way home.  The boys spent their time riding in their RZR 170 and mastering the bowls.

It was only their second trip our with the Razor and I'm amazed and how fast they have learned to drive and drive fast.  It makes my heart happy to have them enjoy riding out there.  I also think it was awesome of my husband and  my dad to take them out for a boys trip.  It makes for such awesome memories and something for them to look forward to.

Justin is always good about taking some pictures for me while they go do their adventures.  I'm thankful for that.  I don't want to miss out on even a second of their memories.

Saying Farewell to 2013

This year has brought a lot of joy.  Welcoming our sweet Beau Everett in April, our first homebirth, was one of the most incredible experiences of my life (all my children have blessed me, this birth was also special).  Sending Cole to school starting in August and the twins officially starting first grade has been, ultimately, a great experience for everyone.  I do miss Cole during the day but that is eased with the joy of seeing him excel and enjoy school and appreciate the opportunity to go to NCS.  Brynnie is enjoying a casual learning environment this year as she is not quite ready for Kindergarten yet in age, but is an awesome learner. Westin is a joy and a challenge as he has been 2 years old most of this year.  He is hysterical and crazy (in a good way) and keeps us on our toys but showers us with LOVE and Laughter! My sweet Beau...there are no words. He is so precious, happy, adorable, and the cherry on top of our lives! All of us adore him.

This year has brought joy with seeing several babies from the abortion clinic come to be born after their families chose life.  This has been an incredible blessing to our lives.  To see the fruit of our time out there.  To know that life exists today because the Lord sent us for that divine appointment.  It has been such an honor to experience.  I've had several friends also have their babies this year in which I was privileged enough to attend.  And, since I'm technically on maternity leave, the Lord has made a way through friends and a supportive husband for me to be there for each of them.  It has been thrilling to be their doula and their friend in this time.

Justin and I began studying the Torah this year. This has blessed our lives as well and has made a huge impact on my heart and knowledge of our Father.  Our family has also incorporated celebrating Shabbat on Friday's which has been incredible (both in the experience and also challenging to achieve sometimes).  I'm so thankful our eyes have been opened to the beauty of this meal we can share together as a family and we've been able to share it with many friends as well.  

I'm always a little sad when another year rolls by.  They seem to fly by faster and faster and I'm getting older and older and my children are growing and growing.  But, I am blessed to have a G-d that provides, loves, and tends to us with the passing of each year.  I am most thankful for His ultimate blessing in my life; his Son, my husband, my parents, my sweet, character forming children, and our health!  Praise G-d for His mercy and grace and faithfulness.

I plan to spend more time in the new year focusing on our blessings, speaking softer and with more Love in my expressions, and to listen to the Lord more and spending more time in prayer.  I want to really make the most of the moments I have with these sweet babies G-d has given me.  Time is fleeting and I want to soak it all in!

Here's some shot of the kids taken recently as we close out 2013.  I sure love them!

Christmas Cruisin' 2013

This year I decided to take a break from all the pressure I put on myself to somehow make Christmas more about Jesus than it actually is.  Don't get me wrong I do LOVE Christmas and I LOVE all the ways we can and are able to make it about Christ.  There is certainly a beautiful wonder about Christmas and I love that it offers up an opportunity to share, discuss, explore, and experience more of the Savior.  But, in the past 3 years I've unintentionally tried to live up to some of the other moms blogs I read (and been inspired by) and poured myself into trying to teach my children all the in's and out's of Christmas and how Jesus is at the center of it all.
Truth is, Jesus is at the center of all we do, not just Christmas, and although it's so precious to consider the birth of the Savior, the Bible does not denote that actual time of his birth as if to remember the day.  Because what is truly remarkable about his birth is that he was G-d and Man in one, born of a Virgin and with the intention to eventually bring us to the Father. And, somehow in my quest to make Christmas more about Jesus I was beginning to lose the FUN of Christmas and actually, without meaning to, steering my children away from Him rather than towards Him.
There is a lot of history behind the Christmas we now celebrate and it is wrought with idolatry, sadism, child sacrifice, and mysticism.  I want to be very careful not to mix too much with pagan things as I try to raise children who love and serve G-d.  But, I fear that if I completely remove Christmas from our life I will not accomplish driving their love for him deeper, rather appear religious and stern.
So, this year was just about making Christmas FUN! Yes, we still discussed what it was all about and who we love and serve in our lives.  But, I let myself just enjoy the season, spoiling the children for no apparent reason but just because its fun and we love them (because it certainly doesn't please the LORD or displease the LORD).
It was like I could take a breath of fresh air.  I realize I did that to myself. Trying so hard to do the right things for them I (cause I can only speak for myself) sucked all the FUN out of something I remember being so FUN as a kid.  Well, enough of that.  We LOVE Jesus all the time.  We celebrate Christmas 1 time each year.  I want it to be FUN, JOYous, and MEMORABLE.  No more trying to create traditions that are too difficult to achieve or don't come naturally or aren't age appropriate (we learned that the hard way).
I'd love to make a habit of  celebrating Hanukkah which has many more marvelous pictures of our Father's provision and Love.  If we can couple Hanukkah and Christmas together I will be thrilled.

All that being said, our Christmas was great.  I ordered almost all the gifts on Cyber Monday.  We were able to bless some of Justin's co-workers and their wives.  The kids drew names and picked gifts for each other. And, we had a great time hanging out with Jarom and Charla on Christmas Eve and my family on Christmas Day.  It was just a lovely Christmas.