Christmas Highlights

I can hardly believe another Christmas has come and gone. The hustle and bustle of December is over and we're getting ready to swing into another new year. We had a great time at Christmas. Even though we only live a few houses from my parents, we still slept over there on Christmas Eve. That's how we had done it before, so we just kept up the tradition. The four of us had Christmas at our house on Christmas Eve which was nice but I love that Ben and Anna Kate have Nana and Papaw so close and so we stayed again. We stayed at Pop and Mimi's on Christmas night and had fun with Scott's brothers and their wives and kids. It seems like life gets so busy and Ben and Anna Kate LOVE playing with all the boys on the Duncan side. I wish we could all do it a little more often.
Here Anna Kate is on Christmas morning hugging her purple bunny from Santa. She cuddled it for a few minutes before we dug into the rest of the presents. I'm so glad I was able to find one. I was one panicked mommy the week before Christmas when I still hadn't gotten it in the mail!

Okay, so these pictures are backwards...sorry about that. This is actually on Christmas Eve. Before we went to church that evening, we did our birthday celebration for Jesus. Here is Ben reading the Christmas story from Luke. I love it that he can read. He is absolutely the smartest little thing. He was very big for us this year. I can hardly believe he'll be 6 in 10 days!

Here we are as a family. I love, love, love my little family! Scott is such a sweetheart! We actually shopped for one another this year. It's the first time in many that we have done it. He had my engagement ring reset for me. Quite a few years ago I smashed my hand in a window in the car...it was one of those automatic things... I'm a little clumsy and that just proves it! I just needed to see how cold it was and I smashed my ring to pieces. We had it "fixed" but it has never looked the same. So, he had it reset but he had it reset in white gold because I only wear silver and white gold most of the time. He also asked me to marry him again when he gave it to me. It's nice to know that after knowing me as well as he does, he would choose me again. Like I said, he is a sweetheart and I am so blessed to have him. I then got another precious surprise. My mom's original wedding band is white gold and she entrusted it to me to wear with the diamond Scott had reset. I love that I have that representation of marriage...Scott with his sweetness and a part of dad and mom too. I am soooo blessed!!!!!

Here are my kids eyeing the cake. They love cake!!!! Just like their mom! Yes, I let them dive into it even after all the sweets they had from the day! And yes, Jesus' birthday cake says "Deck the Halls" but I couldn't find anything else.

Well, another year starts. Ben and Anna Kate will be starting school again on Monday and I hope that I can do them justice and teach them properly! I hope this year I can do a better job of staying out of the way too. I would like for God to be able to use me...if I could just quit my selfishness half of the time. I think my resolution this year is to get up in the morning and look in the mirror and say my favorite quote to myself everyday! "Just stop it!!!!" --Bob Newhart

Away In a Manger...

no crib for a bed. The lid for the Jesus came down His sweet head...

Anna Kate's version.

I Want to Dance!!!!

In Anna Kate's ballet class this morning, she and her dancing friends got to perform for all the parents and grandparents. We all got to go into the studio and take our cameras! I enjoyed it so much. She loves, loves, loves to dance and I love, love, love that she loves it! The song and dance was all about a little girl who wants to be a ballerina and she prays before she goes to bed that she will be. It was so sweet...because that just fits Anna Kate.

Here she was doing one of her warm-up exercises. Look at her point that toe. She's getting so good at it!

Here she is doing another warm-up. She kind of has trouble staying on track...there's always this cute little girl walking beside her in the mirror that she likes to look at!

Here she is during her performance. She takes it so seriously!

This is still the performance. She's praying here. I know that there are unsaved people who bring their children to this studio. I'm so thankful Anna Kate's teacher is unwavering in her statement of faith.

Well, now this, I was so impressed with. She is doing her curtsy. Look at the way she's doing it! Almost perfect...I was so proud that I almost cried and I was ecstatic that I got it on camera!

Anna Kate is such a joy...not that Ben isn't...they are both a joy in different ways. I'm so thankful that God has given me such great kids. Sometimes it's hard. I would like more little blessings but I know that probably will not come to be. But I LOVE the kids God has blessed me with...exasperated as I get at times...I am so thankful that I get to share my life with them.

I Can't Help Myself!

Just had to share this beautiful picture of Anna Kate! I think she is just about the prettiest girl God ever created!

Once upon a time...

there was a girl named Jasmin who didn't have a family. So, she found a family and then she glued an orange cup to the window. Then she made a clown. Then she made a raggedy dog named Purdy. The end.

Story told by Anna Kate in the car...

Christmas Party and Great Elves!!!!

The Christmas party for the kids was tonight at church. Let me go ahead and say that Ben stayed at home with Nana (long story that proves I really am a nut!!!!!), so you won't see any pictures of him. However, Anna Kate was there.

Now, I have to say that Scott and I have never really pushed Santa Claus. It's not that we think he's from Satan, and we don't tell the kids it's evil, but we have always told the kids that he's just pretend but that we can have fun with it at Christmas. Well, "Santa" was at the party. Anna Kate made me sit with her and when he asked her what she wanted she said in a very sweet voice "A purple bunny."

A couple of months ago she had asked for a white bunny, so I started searching sites on the internet for the PERFECT white bunny with a pink nose. I found it...but now she thinks Santa is bringing her a purple one! We got in the car to come home and she asked "Mommy, when will Santa come?" She also asked "Mommy, can Santa see my room?" and "How will he get in our house?" and "Can I have my picture made with Santa at our house?". I asked her "So, do you think he's bringing you a purple bunny?" She said "Yes." Now, despite our many efforts to be sure our kids knew he was make believe, she now believes he's real and that he will somehow figure out where she is on Christmas Eve to bring her a purple bunny!

When I got home, "Santa" got on the internet and searched "purple stuffed bunny" and, of course, "Santa" found one for $3.00..."Santa" can't help it!!!! She's pretty much bought out at this point! So, yes, Anna Kate will have a purple bunny. One day I will look back at this and remember her eyes when she saw the purple bunny and be so happy that I could make her that happy with something so simple! Is it spoiling? Maybe so... Now, for the rest of the party! We had great elves there from Santa's workshop. This is Matt Curry. He's pulling the Taxi. That's Anna Kate in the front...I think he had the hardest job!

I'm not sure what Anna Kate was telling this elf, but I'm wondering if it was about a purple bunny!

The elf from the toy store, helping the kids make a toy. Yes, Patty, that's your boy!!!! Divin' right in!

When I took the picture below, I asked "Josh, you don't care if I blog this so your mom can see it, right?" He smiled and said "No". I think he knows that I'm a whole lot like his mother...you never let a photo op pass you by!!!!

A Stompin' Party

Well, this week Ben did his last worksheet in his kindergarten phonics book. I purposely pushed him on through because he already knew most of it. The door on the right bottom of the page is supposed to be his first grade door. After the first of the year, he'll be doing some first grade work in spelling and reading and phonics. He's actually reading on a third grade level, but I just feel like I need to take him through it just to be sure he understands. Now, look at the pictures below and you'll see his celebration. I let him have a Stompin' Party. He took the kindergarten workbook and did his best to destroy it. All of the pages were out of it so it was just the cover but it was fun for him. We just got him a new book series called "The Magic Treehouse" and so far he really likes it. They are chapter books so it will take him longer than a day to read each of them but he's doing a good job with them so far. I'm looking forward to the new year in school. We are beginning somewhat of a break. Shortened days this week and then two full weeks off before January. Whew!!!!! I must say, I am tired and sometimes a little pushy with him, but I think it's all worth it.

Sleepy Girl

Anna Kate: Mommy, can I get under there and take a smoof?

Me: Do you mean a snooze?

Anna Kate: Yeah, I don't wanna be tired at Cubbies tonight.

A Loving Sister

I have a rule at my house when Karley and Colton are here. No running! Although I like my house and it's beginning to feel like home, it's not big enough for four kids to run uncontrollably and, believe me, if it starts, it becomes uncontrollable.

So this morning, Ben, even though he knows the rule and why asks me why again. I got a little agitated and said, "Ben, this house is small and with all the toys in the floor, when you all start running, someone inevitably gets hurt. Karley and Colton are under my care while they are here and with four kids, school, lunch, clean up, snack, drinks, diapers, etc. I can't have my eyes on them the whole time. You know the rule and why. I don't want to have to call Aunt Marisa and say 'Sorry Marisa, I was busy doing something and the kids were running and Colton fell and broke his arm'".

Karley, being the helpful and loving sister she is spoke up and said "It's okay if Colton breaks his arm Aunt Jenny. It's just an arm."

Lights, Camera, Action!

We had our Christmas play this past weekend on Friday night and Sunday night. It was titled "Christmas at Bethlehem Gulch". It was really cute and Anna Kate was in her element. The spotlight, singing, a little dancing, a cute cowgirl hat for a cute cowgirl, and ATTENTION! She was absolutely the most adorable thing, especially when she had control of the... microphone! Oh, how she loves a microphone. She really had control of it the second night and you could hear her voice loud and clear over the other kids singing. She is such a diva and such a daddy's girl. I have noticed here lately that she is beginning to try to wrap her daddy. I'm almost positive that it's working. But look at her, how could you not be wrapped?

Then there's my little man. He only agreed to be in the program if he could be Joseph and not say anything or sing. Apparently, he and Mary were very tired and decided to rest. Baby Jesus must have kept them up late the night before. Notice the silver sequin shoes underneath the manger? I didn't know Mary was so stylish...

Well, now, isn't he the cutest Joseph you've ever seen? He is such a great kid. He knows what he's willing to do and not do though. I hope he keeps that resolve as he gets older and doesn't give in to peer pressure. I wouldn't go back to being a kid for anything and I have to force myself not to think of future things with my kids. I'm just trying to enjoy my little cowgirl and Joseph right where they are and continue to pray for them.

Enough bragging on my kids for now. I just can't help myself though! I'm VERY excited to start posting basketball pictures of my little man. He starts in January. Some of you may be very shocked to know that he's going to play basketball...um, well, let's just say, he will probably be the first paid basketball player that is only 6. Yes, I bribed!!!!!!

Let me see your gorilla!!!!!

Anna Kate was sitting on her daddy's lap and said "Daddy, let me see your gorilla". Scott surprisingly asked "your what?" Anna Kate replied "Your gorilla" as she pointed in her mouth. She meant uvula...

Ben's Future

Ben came into my bedroom yesterday and had something very important to tell me...Sherry, pay attention to this. He said "Mommy, when I marry Annie, if she gets babies we'll have to get a four seater. But, if she doesn't get babies, we'll just have a two seater."

He was talking about what kind of car they would drive...I don't think I'll ever figure out how his mind works!

So, Now What?

We all know that there are times that we as parents talk about things that we don't want little ears to hear. My uncle and aunt taught me to double talk long before I had children. Their children were small at the time and as an adult I never could understand Greg and Sharlene when they used it. They were fluent...

Scott and I have little time to talk it seems, so, tonight, on the way home from church, I was needing to spill some stuff on Scott. I started using double talk so that Ben (Anna Kate was asleep) wouldn't understand me. He laughed and asked, "Mom, what language are you using?" I explained it was a language that his uncle Greg and aunt Sharlene taught me so that my kids wouldn't understand what I was saying. I told him this with a slight smart tone in my voice because I was confident he couldn't understand me. He laughed again and told me it was funny. I proceeded to talk to Scott and told him how "nibervibous" I was and how I was having trouble "tribustibing" and Ben asked me why I was nervous. He then asked why I was having trouble trusting.

So, Greg and Sharlene, now what? My 5 year old has figured out double talk. I thought I had a couple more years. You have any crash courses in other languages? :-)

The Story of Moses...According to Anna Kate

For some reason, her favorite Old Testament account is Moses. She asked her daddy to talk with her about it tonight and he asked her why it was her favorite? She replied...

"Well, Jesus said to him take off your shoes. And he did. Then he went to the king and he wouldn't let the people go. So, Jesus gave slugs."

She means plagues...

Another Cute One

I lost my voice this week which wasn't a real convenient time. Our choir concert is tonight and I'm supposed to sing a song. It didn't sound so hot last night. I was whispering to Scott this morning saying I hoped my voice came back before tonight. Anna Kate offered a piece of wisdom.

Anna Kate: "Mommy, just move your mouth like this." (She knows the song so when I looked at her she was mouthing the words.)

Me: "Well, Anna Kate, the problem is mommy is supposed to sing by herself on some parts and if I move my mouth everyone will know I'm not singing."

Anna Kate: "Just give them duct tape for their eyes."

PROBLEM SOLVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fly me to Neverland, Peter Pan

So, here's the picture and story I promised. Someone gave us tickets to see Peter Pan as a family. It was a real treat and Ben and Anna Kate were mesmerized. Ben knew it was pretend but Anna Kate was convinced that Peter Pan was real and that he was really flying (a girl actually played the part). After the show, she wanted to meet Peter so I took her over. Rachel, a girl from our church, happened to be there that evening also. She asked Anna Kate if she would like a picture taken and Anna Kate was not willing. She was a little scared of Peter.

We walked to the car and as I buckle her in she starts crying. When I asked her what was wrong she said "Mommy, I want a picture with Peter Pan." I explained to her that I didn't have my camera and that it would probably be impossible to find Rachel and Peter Pan again. I felt so bad for her. She continued to cry on our way home and she asked me "Mommy, when we get home, can we write Peter Pan and Wendy a card?" I said we could so when we got home that was the first thing on her list. So at 11:00 PM we were writing cards to Peter Pan and Wendy. She asked them to please come see her and take her to the park to play.

I decided I would give the letters to a girl at my church to pass them along. She does plays and knew the cast. Peter Pan was playing one last time on Sunday afternoon and the girl's mom told me she had to be at the play that day and asked if I wanted to bring Anna Kate after it was all over and that she would take me to Peter Pan. Well, you know that's what I did! So, Anna Kate got her picture taken with Peter Pan after all and she was very pleased.

What am I doing up?

It's 4:23 in the morning. Those of you who know me very well know that I like my sleep. I don't like it disrupted and I always feel like I haven't had enough in the mornings. I even take Advil PM when I struggle so I can sleep deeply. I didn't take Advil PM last night though...I took two Mucinex DM pills to help me get rid of this cold.

We're having a choir concert this weekend on Friday night and Sunday night and last night we had rehearsal. I went even though I sound like a frog when I sing and I am so glad I did. The songs that Brenda picked for this concert are phenomenal (at least in my eyes...or ears you might say). I just stood in the midst of the altos and listened. It was a good time even though I couldn't practice.

I really hope people get the meaning of the message. I have a few people I am thinking of specifically too who I have been praying for. I am absolutely amazed at the amount of people, or should I say Christians, who are walking around trying to figure out life. Not that I've arrived or am perfect (just ask my hubby who is sooooo patient) but God has become such a supernatural part of my life here lately. I was never one to lean very much toward supernatural but now that I have started thinking about it I have come to realize that salvation is supernatural, creation is supernatural, spiritual warfare is supernatural and life itself is supernatural.

We just had Dr. Bill Brown from Cedarville come and lecture on Worldview. It's amazing to me how we can become saturated with the wrong view so quickly through tv, music, people, politics and the list could go on. It made me thankful we don't have tv. It started out as a financial decision but family life has been so much more meaningful without a tv blaring all the time. Dr. Brown said that there are very few people that can just sit and be quiet. I had never thought of that, but he's right. Our minds need endless sources of entertainment...myself included.

Well, I'm still awake. I should probably be taking this time to be quiet before the Lord (since quiet at this house is unheard of usually). I do realize I've rambled alot, but please remember it is 4:30 in the morning! Later, I'll post a picture of Anna Kate with a little story about her...something I need to remember always!

My Cuties

We went outside to play in the leaves today...I was going to rake...but playing is much more fun. I'm sure our neighbor wishes we'd work more than play but life's too short! I put the kids in the tree to take some shots and wanted to share. Here is Ben as Sonic. It seems like I always have to take a picture of a character before I can get one of my boy being himself like the one below. He's such a cute little thing, at least in my book he is.

Here's my cute boy. He didn't like being up in the tree much so he wasn't up there long. I'm thinking these trees are going to give me lots of good photo ops.

Well, here's the darling princess. Something I have noticed about her in the last few months is that everything, I mean everything, is a joke to her. I wonder who she got that from? She had to make a silly face for me to take a picture of. There are times when I have to actually be stern with her and say "Anna Kate, this is not a time to joke!" Normally, she giggles and continues.

Here she is laughing it up when I told her she was silly. I have a regular comedy club here at the house. Ben's not a jokster but Anna Kate and her daddy are. Maybe we should have them tag team doing the announcements at church!

Okay, here she is....I have to say it....I can't help myself! I, personally, think she's got to be the prettiest thing ever! She makes my heart melt sometimes, well actually, both of my kids make my heart melt! I guess that's normal...I never knew I would love them so much!

Trick and Trunk or Treat

Okay, once again, I got the pictures backwards. But you'll get the idea. This is Anna Kate on Trick or Treat night. She was a princess and in her element. I loved this picture of her. She and Ben were both so polite on Thursday evening. They always said "Thank you" whether I prompted them or not. It makes those days when everyone is throwing fits a little better.

This is the Wednesday before trick or treat at church. We had trunk or treat there. That's my boy...always in his "role". He wore the same outfit on Thursday night so I didn't put an extra one of him.

Here he is with his buddy...Bumblebee. There is no defeating these two. Like I said, my son is always in character.

Here is Anna Kate with Jerica on Wednesday. Anna Kate was so excited because they were both fairies. Jerica is one of our children's directors and she's a hoot! She actually made this tu tu while practicing with the choir (talk about multi-tasking!) for the fall concert...which is Nov. 14 and 16 at 7:00 PM, by the way, if there is anyone interested!!

Here is the little fairy before we left for church. This was her recital costume this past recital...I was glad we got to use it again. It makes the fact I paid for it seem a little better for me.

Fall Ball

Well, I got the pictures backwards, but I'm sure everyone will figure it out. Anna Kate had a fall ball at her ballet class this past Saturday and they were allowed to bring a friend. She asked Annie to come and spend the night on Friday night and then go with her the next morning. They had such a good time...I got a taste of what it might be like to have two heads of hair to fix in the mornings. Here is the whole group of girls. The characters ranged from fairies, to Dorothy to Jasmine...I think they all had a good time.

Here they are playing a game with Amy. Amy is the ballet teacher and Anna Kate absolutely loves it. They didn't do much dancing on Saturday, they just played games. Amy always figures out how to tie Jesus into everything and I love that part of it.

Below is right before we left. They were very excited. Nana was going with us and that was a special treat for Anna Kate too.

As I said, Annie spent the night with us the night before. I slept in the living room on the floor with them. Yes...all night! They had a great time though. Ben got to be with us for a while but they made him watch princess movies until his daddy finally took him in the other room to play games. I guess he'll have to get used to that though. He and Annie claim they are still going to get married when they grow up. As a matter of fact, Sherry told me that Annie kept telling everyone she was going to spend the night with her boyfriend...we quickly corrected that thought!

Winkin' Girl

I had to write this before I forgot.

Ben and Scott are out shooting hoops tonight. Scott told Ben that if he made a basket he would give him a dollar. Well, Anna Kate heard that...she said "Daddy, can I have a dollar?" Apparently he told her no. She then asked "If I wink at you, will you give me a dollar?"

Oh brother!

By the way, Ben did make a basket...his first one! No...I didn't capture it on film!

It's cold in here!

Well, we turned on our furnace over the weekend and was not the least bit surprised to find that it doesn't work!!!!!! It came on, went off, clicked three or four times, made a loud bang, came on, went off, etc. etc. Needless to say, the furnace people will be here tomorrow. At first, I was a little upset, however, I realized I need not whine. I will say though that the kitchen was freezing Monday morning so Anna Kate and Ben snuggled in the chair that morning eating their breakfast and Karley and Colton had a picnic in the living room floor where a space heater was blowing. They had a good time and the house warmed up quite a bit by the afternoon. We just stayed in sweatshirts and socks!

A Great Fall Day!

I love fall! Fall is my favorite season. I'm not sure why, but I love it. Saturday was a great day. We spent some time in the yard playing in the leaves and carving pumpkins. We have two great trees in our front yard and the leaves are filling the yard! We got our rakes and the kids had fun helping rake up the leaves and then they played in them. Our neighbor offered her leaf blower and I declined saying "Oh, we're not really cleaning them up, we're just having fun!" I know, weird...all the leaves we raked are still in the yard.

After we played in the leaves, Scott carved the pumpkins for the kids. He has to be quite creative because Ben doesn't always just want the normal face. The pumpkin has to have a certain expression.

In this picture, Scott is trying to understand how Anna Kate wants her pumpkin's face...
Master carver at work...
The carver's work being scrutinized by two very important people....

Anna Kate LOVED playing in the leaves! I love this picture! Her expression priceless!
I made Ben stop playing superhero just so I could get this shot of him. While we were outside, he played in the leaves with his swords. Of course, he was not Ben...

Look at this cute thing! Is she not precious? I know she's mine, but I can't help but think she's the prettiest little girl I have ever seen!
Here is Ben in his "role". Don't ask who he was because I have NO idea! He was a turtle, sonic, batman or someone from Star Wars. I can't keep up!

Cutie

After choir practice last night, Anna Kate and I went to Wal-Mart to pick up some jackets for she and Ben. She saw this little pink hat and she looked so cute in it...I couldn't resist. When she woke up this morning, she asked for it first thing (and notice the bed she's in...mine, of course).
Here she is with her hair fixed. She decided she wanted to wear it when we ran our errands. I think she's got to be the cutest little thing...I really need to find her one of those crocheted hats.
At lunch, we were having a discussion about the upcoming elections...

Anna Kate said "Mommy, Jesus is the leader".

I said "You are right, He is the leader".

She then said, in a very confident tone, "Jesus told me He was".