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family pics

these are the last of the batch that were taken last wkend in hali.  my entire family, all together!  2 comments

part 2

 nate was saying "ohhh look ellies socks. so cute"

then after everything was opened, jon and jess joined us and we surprised nate with his big gift
 waiting

a bit happy about his new game
 yep
 the men folk played the game
jess and i chatted
 afternoon fun. ellie slept through it all, she was having her standard 3.5 hr nap
 then we stuffed ourselves silly with raclette
 ellie woke up to play some more with her doll house
 my baby doll!
 point, press
and that was christmas in a nut shell around here!  from us to you, merry christmas everyone! 2 comments

merry christmas! pt 1

 christmas eve saw spent relaxing and fighting off this super powerful ninja!
 very scary....haha

we told nate that he could come and get us at 8 am. he came in at 7:55 and said "i just cant wait anymore!" good job buddy!  we got up and opened some of nates gifts while ellie slept till 9:20.  i went up and got her and she joined in on the fun
 my breaky maker!!!! thank you!!!  LOVE it
 ugly tree decoration was scaring me with his freaky eyes all morning
 nate was thrilled with his science kit
 i got my swiss chocolate
 nate too

ellie belly boo
 my baby girl is growing so fast!
 playing with her spinney toy
 nate helped ellie open her gifts
she was thrilled with her doll house, thanks mom and dad

we decided to have a small christmas this yr.  i mean small....from not decorating other than the tree, to buying few few gifts and baking a few cookies. i chilled and chose to relax.  by far it was the best christmas yet.  small and simple is the best! 3 comments

teach them yourself!

its funny how life works or things pan out.  ive been wanting to write a blog for most of the day today. every. single. time. i sit down to type the kids need me.  as i sit here now and completely zone them out, i have ellie pulling at my arms, screaming her demands of what? i am not quite sure....ive met all her needs....nate is jumping down in front of me demanding i do something else for him....and yet i ignore and type. hahaha. this is real life at it's finest....i am teaching them the opportunity to self sooth and learn to do something on their own. life skills 101!

a few months/weeks back i read the most interesting article on line, of course it's lone gone but i havent been able to shake it from my head/heart

i wish i had the link to share but i don't so i will quickly explain how it went (as my kids throw them selves on the floor in disbelief that i am ignoring them ) 

a missionary from the states when to a foreign country.  while visiting one of the larger churches in asia he saw something he never saw before...as he got up to speak at the pulpit on the stage in front, he looked up to the balcony where all the children. and i mean all. sat with their parents. as he spoke that morning he could not life his eyes from the kids, he was waiting for them to be kids, disrupt, yell, be a general annoyance that most north american churches show case Sunday mornings....cough.....but it never happened. the service ended and the kids left with their families

after church, the missionary went to lunch with the pastors of the church and he asked "why were the kids not in sunday school but in the church service?"

 the pastor replied "sunday school? what is that?"  the missionary explained that in north america churches provide the most updated, fun filled, high temo sunday school programs...t.v's, bands, music, games, toys etc...."

the pastor asked but what do these programs do?

the missionary said
they teach the kids about jesus


the pastor said "we have no need for such programs. the parents in our church teach their kids themselves"

ouch.  i cringed as i read that, i see both sides.  i have spent years in kids ministry serving along side and with out chris. i remember thinning to myself, how in the world am i responsible for the spiritual life of all these kids. 1 hour a week, 4 hours a month is NOTHING.  why is it the churches job to teach and instruct? how and when did this happen?  i have used, seen and heard of every gimmick, program, curriculum and i can honestly say the kids who's parents taught them at home shined above the crowds of kids we saw each week.  

 i also see the side of the parents. i am one. one who bring their child to church each sunday to go into a program.  but i can honestly say, and you can choose to read it how ever you want...that i've done my work/homework on teaching nate what we believe. is nate perfect?  hardly, far from it!  i actually don't even want to bring his nate up but you's all know he's my son, so i know you will think of him as an example.  what i mean to say is the church is not responsible for nate's spiritual walk, i am.  i take responsibility for it.  the church is there a help to encourage what we have been (and continue to) teach him until he's the age of maturity to choose for himself what he believes

deut 6:7-8 says 

Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.  Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders.  new living translation

 Make sure your children learn them. Talk about them when you are at home. Talk about them when you walk along the road. Speak about them when you go to bed. And speak about them when you get up. 8 Write them down and tie them on your hands as a reminder. Also tie them on your foreheads
 message translation 

when i read these verses i see a lifestyle.  teaching them constantly. never stopping. when you play games, watching t.v, eating supper, going for a walk and yes esp during school, for those who choose to home school.  live your life according to gods word and what it says

so that's my thoughts on it!  i totally think the pastor in a foreign land hit the nail on the head! personally, i would like nate to be in more adult church services, but i can say i a ubber proud of him when i do have him sit with me

am i a perfect parent? i hardly ever think so!!!!!  please!  

and for those who are still reading and wondering what the kids are doing now? nate was playing in his room and just came out to read what i am typing. ellie is playing in her kitchen.  both kids left me alone, respected my 15 mins of me time and are playing nicely...but are asking for lunch!

have a wonderful christmas eve and remember to teach your kids yourself. it's your job as a parent! not the church, school or program teacher's. it's your and you are more than equip to do it cause god gave you everything you need to get the job done!

4 comments

family!!!!

 final group shot!
 melissa from out west (jasper) and her little sis jessica
 jon and melissa
 jess her boyfriend, jon and missy
 mom, melissa, jess and cry
 mom, jess, cry, shawn, me, amanda, aunt ida and missy
 jess, quinn and cry
uncle clyde, missy and dad 0 comments

the long road home

 hee hee they play so well together. love ellies giggles

we left yesterday after church for the drive home. in a snow/rain storm. chris drove and i spent most of the trip on my phone. haha. totally helped with the nerves.  i am SO glad chris is a great driver.  he got us home safe and sound
 nate watching his movies
 ellie falling asleep
 chris is happy, happy, happy!
 me with the kids in the back ground

we arrived home to more snow....chris climbed through it to get the snow blower out
 to make a path to get into the house
what a man!

now to get us ready for christmas~ 0 comments

more....

 awwww  my baby isnt a baby anymore!
 j&j
 jon leading the gift unwrap
 charlie girl
 she got her puppy!
charlie wants a real dog so bad, but until that happens this fella will have to do
 ellie boo opening her gift
charlie playing with the boys gift. ha 0 comments