Deck the Halls...

The boys decorated their tree all by themselves.  The only help we gave them was putting the star on top and the big red ball.  The rest was all them.  I am quite impressed with how thoroughly they covered the tree!
 

Christmas Tree Day...

Silas comes down the stairs into our bedroom at 5:30 this morning and excitedly announces, "It's Christmas Tree Day!!"  So we start the day off right with cocoa in Santa mugs complete with a candy cane.  Next comes Charlie Brown Christmas.  And finally, tree decorating.  The boys are upstairs decorating their tree and they ask me to come look.  I go upstairs and take in the joy that is my boys working together to cover their tree in sentimental ornaments.  I then say, "Ezra is going to love this when he wakes up.  He's never seen a Christmas tree before!"  Silas replies, "That makes me cry.  It's just SO exciting!!!"

Happy Thanksgiving...

Project Thankful...

Work...

3:00 AM.  Wake up to nurse baby.  5:00 AM.  Get up for the day.  Drink coffee and do quiet time.  Start a load of laundry.  Go for 2 mile run.  Make breakfast burritos.  Pack Owen's lunch for school.  Take shower and get ready for day.  Start another load of laundry.  Eat breakfast.  Nurse baby.  Sweep floors.  Get Owen off to school.  Feed baby breakfast.  Spot mop floors.  Dust.  Fold laundry.  Vacuum upstairs.  Put baby down for nap.  Scrub upstairs bathroom.  Scrub main floor bathroom.  Fold laundry.  Get snack for children.  Scrub master bathroom.  Take out trash.  Scrub basement bathroom.  Wipe kitchen table. Sweep up snack crumbs.  Finish folding laundry.  Put laundry away.  10:00 AM.  Who's ready for nap time?  And that's just the morning.

Yes, there are days when I get to snuggle up on a friend's couch and visit over a cup of coffee while the children play.  But in response to anyone out there who asks if I work or for the sake of any other mothers out there:  Boy, do we ever!

For the Record...

At eight months, our sweet boy is officially crawling everywhere and has six teeth (correction: make that seven)!  Do you see those four whoppers on top?  They all came in at the same time a few weeks ago.  That was fun.  I sure do love this baby, though!  And in light of Project Thankful, I want to say that I am incredibly thankful for a baby that is developing on schedule.  I definitely praise God for three healthy children!

Project Thankful...

And I quote from Allison: "Project thankful: text conversations with sisters that make you laugh so hard your stomach aches and your mascara is smeared everywhere..."

Ditto.

Project Thankful...

Project Thankful...

Project Thankful...

I feel like this one needs a little explanation.  Mostly because I'm afraid it might not be very clear what muffins have to do with my mom.  I was making these muffins this afternoon as an after school snack and it made me thankful that I had my mom as an example.  She truly did show us an amazing example of what a mother and homemaker should be.  I always loved it when I walked in the door after school and there was music playing, the candles were lit, the fire was going, and there was some sort of fresh baked goodie sitting on the counter.  She always made the house warm and welcoming and I still find so much comfort in a cozy home atmosphere.  I'm hoping my boys will grow up to appreciate the same.  Like warm muffins after school with Christmas music playing in the background.

Project Thankful...

Project Thankful...

Project Thankful...

Project Thankful...

Project Thankful...

Project Thankful...

Project Thankful...