It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

This weekend flew by faster than ever, which could be on account of the fact that we have school tomorrow (we are normally off on Mondays) and I am feeling the pinch.

For a little while this morning, I got to witness an awesome Christmas program starring some pretty talented youth...including three of my own!

Thanks to Calvary Evangelical Church and these cuties for helping me get into the Christmas spirit!

The precious gift of TIME.

"Mom, we had a good day today, didn't we?" declared my sweet and sometimes sassy girl this afternoon.

"Mmmhmmm... we did," I softly replied as I sat beside her coloring.

"I mean, we didn't get mad at each other and you showed me how to do some really cool art projects. Can we do this again tomorrow?"



I stopped coloring and put the crayon beside me and just stared at her, such wisdom coming from her seven year old self.

She smiled.

That was all it took and I melted.

We had a good day.

She was right, of course.

I knew that she wasn't referring to the homemade crayons we had made or the melted crayon paintings we had created earlier....

She was referring to one thing and one thing only and it is something that isn't easily given these crazy busy days in which we live... and that is my TIME.

Life hasn't been too happy and stress free at our house lately.

I find myself rushing the kids from school to activities, to endless chores and work obligations and so many other things until our life is becoming a blur of 'have to get here, have to go there' moments.

I needed these moments with that sweet girl of mine who has been struggling with this hectic lifestyle as of late.

Here is a glimpse at our day.



Her look of total JOY and silliness makes me smile... I hope it lasts a long time!

BIG Mud Puddles + 2 LITTLE Boys = Unforgettable F.U.N.!

I apologize in advance for this photo heavy post.

While looking through photos from the past year today, I came across these beauties from this past summer.

I can't believe that I failed to post them after taking them in June!

So, while we are stuck inside on this dreadfully cold snow day, I thought I would post some WARM and FUN summer photos.

So kick back, grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the warm photo story below...I know I am!


It started out innocently enough..one boy, one puddle of water...

And it slowly began to escalate from there...

Upon seeing his little brother having so much fun, BIG bro had to join in...

"Look at how muddy we are mom!!"

 Little did I know but it was about to get a whole lot messier!

I knew I was in for it when the shirts came off...

And then Tanner thought of the brilliant idea of hosing themselves down...

BRRR!

"Can't forget about this mud puddle mom, we haven't tried it yet!!"

Yikes, whose child is this?!

My little TOUGH guys!

And of course when Madi found out what the boys were getting away with, she couldn't miss out on the fun!

The kids were pretty muddy and gross when we went in that night but the smiles plastered on all 3 of their faces was worth whatever mess they made...which at this point has long been forgotten!

Sometimes messy is BEAUTIFUL!

Softly Falling

While snow fell softly this morning outside the window, there were wild rumors of an early dismissal circulating my classroom like wildfire.

As I attempted to squelch my poor students excitement from said rumors, I received an email that confirmed their predictions.

I tried to keep it to myself for as long as possible because I knew that I would lose any hope of instruction once they found out.

But being the inquisitive little inquirers they are, they of course, discovered the truth and before I knew it we all were heading home.

I am so grateful for the gift that this afternoon turned out to be.

Normally, Wednesday's are our busiest days of the week and we are in town for 13+ hours before heading home to crash in our beds and do it all over again the next day.

I took the lead from my kiddos and spent the afternoon just being mom.

I can't tell you how I truly treasure time like this!

We had nothing on the agenda and spent these blissful hours just being...being together, being playful, being artsy, being us.

Tyson led the way with wanting to write and learn his letters...

Hmmm...I can't decide...which one is better, t or z?! And "T" it is...

And then Madi showed me this... The poor girl's shop kitten died a couple of days ago and she wrote a note to God about it.

Be still my heart.

I wish I could protect my children from moments like these.

I hope you spent your day doing something you LOVE...I know I did!