Micah's Christmas Party

SayJ getting dolled up to impress big bro's classmates...
at his school party today!

Here is Micah and his hair. He needs a haircut so bad that his hair needs its own picture.

Micah and Me:) We both love our sweets.

Here is me trying to encourage eating the fruit...so that I can finish off that yummy cupcake.

The party favors were a hit...

We thought Micah might pass out from blowing so much. Notice the hand of Micah's friend Wesley to the left. He was trying to eat as his dear friend Micah is blowing that silly thing in his face!

Mess!

Daddy made it to this party! Micah kept saying "I didn't know you were going to be here!!"

Our beloved Mrs. Mann! We are so thankful for her and her love for Micah.
I didn't get a picture of Mrs. Duckett! Stink! But Micah loves her too!

SayJ spent so much time getting dolled up that she was too pooped to party!

Micah was so excited for this pic...

Today was Micah's party at school and we had a blast:) Seriously the party is snack time that parents come to and take pictures of...Mick came today and I can't wait to hear what he thought. I mean all we do is stand around while they eat a snack and then we leave:) At this age there isn't much else to do. But it is still a huge deal to Micah. He was so excited and then he reminded Mick last night when they were getting ready for bed that I was late(ok I missed the whole thing) for the Thanksgiving party. The kid wont give me a break or forget anything! I was there on time today for those who were worried, thanks Mom!

We have a busy next few days of Christmas fun so I wanted to go ahead and get these up. Happy Christmas Partying to all of you!

Jesus vs. Santa

Before you think I am really going to debate this issue I am not. I just wanted to voice my frustration and get ideas on how you handle this with your family from other mom's. I wasn't keen on doing the Santa thing and we have never told Micah there is a Santa, asked what he wants Santa to bring him, or told him there are presents from Santa...but alas our child is still obsessed with the jolly ole fella. Last year he was a little interested but this year he is full on Santa. Nevermind we've been discusssing Christmas is about Jesus since October but he still focuses on Santa. Thus the confusion that I wanted to avoid has started...here are some things Micah has said regarding Christmas:

When asked what Christmas is about we are 75% Jesus and 25% Santa roughly.

Today when I asked him what he learned at school that Jesus says he stated "ho ho ho" Really?

He told me Jesus will bring us presents, if we are nice.

He said the Santa in our yard isn't real but the one at the mall is...and the baby Jesus in the nativity isn't real the one in the sky is...

Then he said Santa lives in the sky.

You can see this is confusing even to me. I am mostly worried that if he finds out Santa isn't real he will think Jesus is just stories too. Ahhh...the joys of childrearing.

I can't remember but there are a few more.

**Disclaimer: After I typed this my mom immediately called me to remind me that we did both and I appear to be just fine(which is debatable:)) So, yes, I know my babies will probably be fine, but still wondered if you all do anything to bring clarity to these two Christmas things:)

Friends For a Lifetime...

My lifetime best friend, Amy and I.
Jake, and his stroller with cookie monster...so funny!

Hayden and I with his present...it took me nine years to open.

Baby Rex and his present.

Aunt Amy and Sadie Jane

doesn't she look like she needs another one???

my old neighbor Amy and Rex, so cute!We are so cute I accidentally loaded it twice:)

Our boys playing together! Hopefully two more friends for a lifetime!

Mom and one of her best friends Melinda, and SayJ

The boys decorating cookies!

I couldn't get one of all of them looking.

Last night we reinstated an old tradition. Since as long as I can remember my parents and a group of their friends got together for Halloween and Christmas and every year went to the beach together. Most of us kids were around the same age and grew up together...etc. After us kids started having kids of our own the group stopped meeting and some moved away got busy, etc. I loved having a group of people to grow up with and have really fond memories of all of our get togethers so I decided to try to get everyone back together. Almost everyone made it and the kids seemed to have a great time. I had fun too and the kiddos all drew names and exchanged presents. After dinner I discovered just how old I really am... Hayden came running up to me and said "Can we open presents now????". This was the first time I have been the one asked not the one asking! At times I forget that I am supposed to be grown up but now with two babies of my own plus Hayden parttime:) I guess I am.

Bubba

Funniest Photo Shoot Yet...From SayJ's Perspective:Here I am feeling smiley, so Mommy started taking some pics...
Then she calls Bubba over and asks him to hold me...Seriously, Momma, what were you thinking? He tried to help me smile!

Then he starts to drop me...Help!

Did I mention I heard Momma bribe Micah with a green M&M to take these pictures...maybe that is why he was almost strangling me here.

Ok, I am so over it! Let me go!!

Please someone? Where is my Daddy?

I can't take it anymore I must cry now...

Ok, I couldn't resist taking a few pictures of Sadie Jane and her Bubba tonight. We went out to dinner for Mick's birthday, again:) and then went to Aunt Betty's 70th Surprise party. We had a fun night and Mick put up all of our lawn ornaments in the freezing rain this afternoon. We are not catching up with his parents yet but I can see it coming. Just had to put these pictures up because they were too funny. They show SayJ's personality. She is pretty easy going but you can see as it progressed the girl can only take so much. Micah isn't in to picture taking these days so yes, I bribed him with his beloved green m&m! I wish he would poop in the potty for one but that is another post for next week!

Happy Birthday Daddio!

Just some pictures of my three most favorite people. Last night we went out as a family for Mick's birthday because we have a weekend full of parties and wont be able to celebrate then. We (ok, mainly me still) made Mick his third book. The year Micah was born I started writing a book using pictures from the year and writing from Micah's perspective. So I carried on this year but writing from Micahbird AND SayJ's perspective. If I can figure out how to download it here I will...for my Mom:).

Anyways, Happy Birthday Honey! We love you and hope that your day is as special as you are!

December Supper Club

Couples picture plus SayJ
Boys...

Girls! SayJ was beyond hungry.

Sweet friend and hostess with the mostess Anne Marie. Still hungry SJ.

The two new babies. Brittany is nursing too so I at least to got to talk to her some of the time.

Nice. Mick and Justina.

Justina. Always with the silliness.

Thank you Ms Anne Marie for letting me love on your moose...

He was fun to hang out with...I had to make the most of the place where we spent most of our time. :)

Last night was our December Supper Club with friends. It was at the Underwood's and they served us Christmas dinner. It was delicious and a beautiful set up. Unfortunately I spent a great deal of time in their guest bedroom feeding and trying to figure out what Sadie Jane's deal was...she was a bit grumpy and didn't want to nurse well. Until it was time to leave then she nursed for 30 minutes. I hope one day she appreciates all my sacrifices of socialization so that she could have breastmilk:) Some days it seems formula would be so much easier. But I know there is pros and cons to both. But for those that know me you know that the sound of friends socializing through the closed door is torture for me. I wish nursing in public was more acceptable and that it didn't creep so many guys out, I would whip it out most anywhere this go round.

Since we were going to be out late, and Uncle Mickey had been begging for Micah to sleepover he had his first sleepover at Uncle Mickey and Aunt Wendy's with Bay and Charlee Ray. He did pretty well but I missed him bad. He slept with Uncle Mickey and only cried to come home once. Which is pretty good since I did that in first grade. I didn't make it through a party til second:) We really want the girls to come stay with us now! Thanks Eidsons!

Joy comes in the morning...

So most of my deep posts are usually pretty depressing...so I wanted to document a gift that God has given me lately because I am so grateful. Things circumstantially have been a little rough lately...not anything life threatening but in the small world of Stephanie...big enough to cause one of my breakdowns at the least. You've all read about a few:) But even though things haven't been all rosy. God has just been filling my heart with His joy! It has been a long time quite honestly since I have experienced it so personally but it is so good. I am reading a Beth Moore book...not attempting one of her in depth bible studies at this season of life. It is the get out of the pit one and there is some hard stuff in there. But even in that God is reminding me that I have so much in Him. Just the little things like being around Christians at church, learning in Sunday School and really enjoying the teaching, having a baby sleep through the night, getting girl time, being willing to ask my momma for help and enjoying time with her, spending time in prayer, feeling no condemnation in Christ, laughing at silly stuff, talking to people on facebook who I would never talk to otherwise, planning things for Christmas. I mean I could go on and on. And I need to because in a few days or in a few hours or in a few months I will so quickly forget the Joy that only Jesus brings and trade it in for some self pity or pride. But God is good and I wanted to share that in the same way I share the tough stuff.

Speaking of blessings and little things...we trekked off to an 830 dr appt for SayJ this morning in the monsoon. No umbrella and just me and the kiddos. As I carried a car seat and Micah in to the office I asked Micah if I was supermom? because I was so proud of getting all of us there by well...839! He reminded me to be humble by saying You are not! He was dressed like an elf...green footed pj's a size too small with red crocs over them because I didn't have time to change him...he looked like an elf but wouldn't let me take a picture. Yet another reason I am not supermom, she surely wouldn't have let her child out of the houses that way and she would have had a shower. Major digression...the point being...stats...Sadie Jane was 13.2 lbs (95%) head size 95th percentile and height-22.5 inches (50%) and the pear shape continues!! Love this rolly polly baby girl! Thank you, Jesus!