Jesus is the Reason for the Season

Well, I've been gone for awhile...

Life, as always, has been busy.  I've been working, working, working, acting as a chauffeur, and school teacher.  There have been times where I know that I must stop and take a breath...I discovered this over the summer and relearning the same concept now.  I am amazed everyday by the gifts that God has granted me, and I do not want to hurry through life, and one day, wonder where it all has gone.  This Christmas season I've been reflecting big time on my life and things that I might want to change, and the things that are good. 

We decided to let our 5 year old in on the "Santa" secret this year.  We also most likely will not begin the tradition with our youngest, and any other children that the Lord might choose to bless us with.  I felt such a burden in my heart about this, and I needed to come clean.  Somehow, I always felt like I was lying to my child? (Which I was, by the way.)  I also wanted the focus of Christmas to be solely on Jesus!  So many times, the "gimmes" get in the way.  We are focusing on giving this year. : )  My oldest daughter raised $105 to give to World Vision, and she made each gift in a different family member's name.  Talk about a proud mama!  I also began a children's clothing and hair bow ministry site at http://www.girlsofgracedesigns.etsy.com/ in August.  I am giving away a item each day from December 1-24th online.  We supplied the girls with hundreds of candy canes to give away during gymnastics during the month of December.  I hope that my children will remember these few lessons, and will always remember that giving is better than receiving.

We are now gearing up for the weekend of Christmas, and I am starting to become anxious!  I need to remember to breathe, and reflect on Jesus' birth each and every hour and day.  I am a very shy person by nature, and attending family gatherings in which I really do not know anyone is not my favorite thing to do lol.  But, if it is best for my children and husband, that is what I will do with a cheerful heart (hopefully ; ).)  I am really trying to die to myself daily, and better become the person, wife and mother that Christ would have me to be.  That involves a whole lot of letting go on my part.  But, His plan for my life is much better than my plans could ever be! We also plan on attending Christmas Eve Services at First Baptist Church Atlanta on Saturday morning. We have attended this church sporadically since we saw the Duggar Family there in July.  I would love to find a true church home, we have been without one for some time.  We really aren't sure where to begin looking really, but this is something that we are striving for.  Over the summer we searched for a Family Integrated Church, and came up empty handed.  I know that God has the perfect place in mind for us, we just need to find it.

Merry Christmas to all!

Rush, rush, rush...

Our family is basically on the go 24-7.  My husband tells me not to complain because I bring it on myself which is true lol.  I really want my kids to have the best opportunities that I can give them.  I finally figured out all of the extracurriculars, and although we will be gone basically every evening for several hours, everything was going to work out.  I found out today that my youngest daughter's gymnastics class time is going to change, and now it will conflict with my son's soccer practices once they begin in September.  Sigh.

We are basically schooling all day long now.  My two oldest daughters are completing the bulk of their work on the computer with Alpha Omega's Switched On Schoolhouse.  They are sharing a computer, so one girl takes the morning, and the other takes the afternoon.  I am supplimenting with a mix of Sonlight Core 1, 2 and 3+4 for all of the children.  My son is utilizing Horizons Math, Abeka LA and Handwriting this year.  My youngest daughter is using Horizon's PreK program this year and loves it!  I really like it as well!  A week ago I was considering Friday homeschool enrichment classes but I'm not sure if I will be able to fit it in.  Being at the gym so many hours is really hard.  Homeschooling is so worth it though!  I love to see the spark in the kid's eyes when they learn something new.  And I couldn't even imagine handing someone else the priveledge of educating my children.  I am so very blessed to have my wonderful family!

I posted two links to articles yesterday which I thought were pretty cool. : )  If you have a moment, please take a look.  Children are such a blessing, and it is so sad that they are considered a burden to so many people these days.  Being a mom (period) is hard work, but is also the most rewarding job out there! 

A Longer Condensation of Does The Birth Control Pill Cause Abortions? - Resources - Eternal Perspective Ministries

A Longer Condensation of Does The Birth Control Pill Cause Abortions? - Resources - Eternal Perspective Ministries

We Don't Love Children, We Love Drywall

We Don't Love Children, We Love Drywall

Craft Room Clean Up

My oldest daughter clened out our dining TLP room without being asked a couple of days ago and I was so proud!  She did  a fantastic job...it still may look a bit messy, but you should have seen it before!

Look, at the neatly piled chaos!

My sewing table is still messy, but at least I don't trip on stuff to get to it. : )

In the corner is our bookshelf of homeschool material that we aren't currently using.  Wow, do we need some more space!  I fuss about the space in this house A LOT, but I need to take a step back and take a good look at my life because I am truly blessed! 

This morning I woke up to the sounds of my 4 year old screaming at the top of her lungs about breakfast, she woke up the baby I was cuddling with as well.

He was cool with it, though!

Dance went well last night, but I'm not so sure about the teacher.  She didn't seem to relate to little kids very well.  She let the parents know at the end of class to not put ties of the tap shoes because, " she had never had to take so long untying shoes in all of her life."  Seriously?  The parents were like, didn't they come with ties?  She also had a bit of an attitude...all the parents would just exchange looks with each other when she would talk to us.  I'm not so sure if I want my daughter in that class.   She said she had fun though, so for now I'll just let it be.

Dancing Queen

Our 4 year old is beginning ballet and tap classes today and I'm so excited! I even made her this tutu...





and these bows...

I hope the little angel behaves!

A mom can dream right?

Just kidding...kind of lol! She is really excited too, and I think she will do great. She has been wearing her dance backpack around the house all day and keeps asking me when we're leaving. School has gone smoothly today, yay! Here is a pic of our 4 oldest at Stone Mountain this weekend. We hope to maybe go to a rodeo in a few days! It should be interesting because I'm definitely NOT a country girl. ; )

Consignment Sales

Some of the goodies I picked up. : )

This past year I have began to shop at Consignment Sales and resale shops. I used to be "scared" of these places...silly I know, I was ignorant I guess lol. I assumed everything would LOOK really used and gross, and that's not what I wanted for myself of my kids right? Well, I went into a Kid to Kid store a year ago and I realized that I could be getting some really great deals, on NICE things...whoo hoo! I try to go to consignment stores a few times a year now at least.

I went to a huge consignment sale this spring and was so disappointed. Everything was, well, not too nice. The clothing had stains, holes, etc., which was not supposed to be allowed. I went to the same sale (fall) this weekend, and got some great things! We left with an exersaucer, lots of clothing, books and a crib toy for under $70. : ) We then went to a really nice antique store and a craft show. This is a craft show that runs monthly, that I actually participated in last year. I only made $250 for the whole weekend, so needless to say I didn't return. I felt so badly for the vendors there this past weekend...it was SO hot, and nobody was there. We couldn't take the heat so left as soon as we arrived basically. I love the fact that my husband only works 4 days a week...he is such a good sport even though it wasn't his idea of a fun Friday.