Full of Grace and Truth

The community group I attend has been studying Andy Stanley’s Christian. It has been a pretty decent study as we get to know one another. One of the topics Stanley addressed was truth, accompanied by grace. I’ve been thinking about it for weeks and I might have organized my thoughts enough to share!

 As John describes Jesus in the first chapter of his gospel book (v.14), he says, “Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We saw his glory- the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth…” Jesus often gets a bad rap; he’s too soft, meek, and mild. He’s too harsh, expects too much, and lacks compassion. No one seems to be satisfied. However, as we look at Christ’s example in how he delivered truth, it was never without grace. He carries grace and truth, equally and entirely, for all of us. When approached by the Pharisees with the woman caught in the act of adultery, her truth spread out in front of the whole town to see, Jesus offered her no condemnation. Jesus engaged with the Samaritan woman at the well. The fact that he even talked to her was an amazing gesture, then he offered her water that would quench her eternal thirst. He asked about her live-in boyfriend, revealing a hard truth in her life, yet she acknowledged the truth and embraced the gift that’d been offered. I think of Zaccheus and the amount of grace that brought a man like the Christ into a tax collector’s home. How Jesus must have challenged and convicted him with stinging truth, yet Zaccheus was willing to repent and right his many wrongs.

Truth telling without grace is accusatory. It’s a fault-finding, wound-gouging gesture that will almost always lead to conflict and little reconciliation. Truth with grace; it stings, but it leads to healing, growth and deeper relationships. “Truth speaking” is such a challenging thing, especially within the Christian community. The Bible is quite clear about acknowledging wrong doing within the church body. We are to bring light where dark things dwell. We are to help each other know when we have hurt one another, or even ourselves. We, the Church, often fail at offering compassion with those heart-wrenching revelations. Verse seventeen of the same chapter tells us that grace and truth come through Jesus. Those of us who know Christ have the same ability to offer our fellow believers truth accompanied by grace. How often we forget. We offer truth with judgment and satisfaction. We revel in the fact that our sin is somehow “less” than their sin. We can do better. We have to be wholly moved to feel for a person who may have wronged us. Only Jesus can move us in such a way.

Too much grace can be a bad thing as well. Misguided grace can disguise itself as ignorance of sin. It can masquerade as permission granting. Grace without truth is a Hello Kitty Band-Aid on a compound fracture. It’s acceptance without the expectation of change. Jesus expects change. He told the prostitute to sin no more. He forgave Peter’s denials, but he expected him to be the rock of the Church.

There’s a flip side to all of this. We Christians are also poor truth receivers. I think of the times that I offer Avery correction; it often leads to frustrated tears. She doesn’t cry because I’m mean, she cries because it stings to be told she can do better. It stings to know it’s true. When someone speaks a truth about us to us, it’s upsetting. It is painful because we agree; we’ve known this truth all along, we’ve just hoped no one else noticed. As adults, we often shift blame to the accuser. We don’t receive our truth with any grace for the truth revealer. Let me tell you something, if someone has taken the time to humbly confront you with a difficult revelation, they have been praying about it for a LONG time. They didn’t approach you flippantly. They have been losing sleep and asking God to have someone else do it. I guarantee it. I truly believe that if we Christians heard our own truths through gracious ears and hearts, we would offer truth more often. The Church would be more intimate and mature. Our relationships would show the world a view of Christ they haven’t seen in some time.

If truth is the exposure of wrong doing, then grace is the genuine offer of forgiveness. They are equal and full in Jesus. Can we drench our truths with grace and our graces with truth? It’s time we show the world the kind of love His people can offer one another.

Where in your life do you need to offer more grace with your truth? For me, it’s with my kids. I need to provide gracious correction. Maybe it’s the opposite for you! Maybe you need more truth with your grace!

Is there someone who offered you wisdom and you treated them poorly? Maybe you need to apologize or offer them gratitude? I know I often snap at my mother when she gently offers wisdom. That needs to be remedied.

One-On-One Time!

I've had so many things that I've wanted to post about lately! I've been overwhelmed by the need/desire to communicate, commiserate and encourage!

We started home schooling Avery last week and we hit our five day mark today. I'll post another time about why we chose this option of schooling for Avery, but after a few short days, I can already tell you that it was the right one for us!

Play-dough Sight Words!

Every other day was hard, and then the others were great! So, three bad days and two pretty darn good ones! We've had fun falling into calendar time and singing our morning songs. The kids are loving talking and crafting about the fruits of the spirit. I've been greatly encouraged by their love of all things God. I'm so blessed in that regard. Well, if I'm honest, Nate doesn't love all things God, he cries every Sunday when I tell him we're going to church. He loves it when he's there, but I swear you'd think the world was ending when he hears the word "church."

The real reason for this post is to share what I've learned over the past few weeks with my kids. When I spend purposeful one-on-one time with Nathan and Avery, they become different children. Sometimes school time is enough, sometimes it's not. It's like they need daily, morning affirmation of my love for them. Then the rest of the day is great! It has to be in the morning for us because it sets the tone for the day, but I'd imagine that your family could be different. This one-on-one time can occur with both kids concurrently, but I have to put my phone on vibrate and leave it in another room. I have be there, mentally engaged, interacting with them as we play, read, or create. It's definitely a challenge, but I can see the benefits of it almost instantly.

I think as our children grow older, as they become more capable, we're more willing to disengage. I've expected so much from Avery that I've almost forgotten her emotional needs. Sure, she plays great by herself, but that doesn't mean she should play by herself all the time! And this purposeful time has been awesome for Nathan too. He really loves being a part of community. That's why once he's in his class at church, he's totally fine. They each have their alone time with mom; Nate gets read to before nap and Avery and I spend 30 minutes doing whatever she wants while Nate naps. Then she has her own quiet time.

The more I think about it, I'm the same way. If I have one quality - this is the key - conversation with Mike every few days, my tank is full and my value meter is pegged. I'm also more likely do my wife/mom chores with the proper attitude! You may be thinking "every few days?" Yeah!, life happens. We don't connect in quality ways each day. Sometimes our conversations are purely logistical or strategy sessions for getting through the next few days. We have to be purposeful about engaging as friends, rather than parent or elder or leader or etc.

So! I encourage you to spend some purposeful time with your kiddos. We were having more than normal behavioral issues with Avery until we started doing this mid-summer. She's has changed dramatically! Also, I tend to be more productive throughout the day. They are more willing to play alone/with each other and not require my attention for longer periods of time. This allows me to clean the kitchen agian ...  and again ... and again. Anyone out there hear me on that one?!? I find myself more patient with them too. Everyone wins!

If you do this already, how has it benefited your kiddos?
If you don't, challenge yourself to try it for three days - thirty minutes each morning with zero distractions. I'd love to hear how it goes!

5 Years old!

My Dearest Avery,

How has it been FIVE years since you've been born?!? You have changed Dad's and my life in such amazing ways! We are so grateful that God gave you to us :-)

One thing that I'm the most amazed about you is your willingness to try new things. You are always appropriately cautious, but too intrigued not to try. While you may require some assistance, you overcome your worries and give it a go. This willingness has made you a great swimmer, diving to the bottom of the pool and swimming the length of the pool while Mom pretends not to worry. You've proudly climbed to the top of the highest playground structures. You braved your way through six stitches. You want to go camping and ride horses and I can't wait to see what new things you want to try next!

You are an advocate. I cannot decide if it's due to compassion or a need for fairness, but you speak up for others often. You make sure big kids are treating little kids nicely. You stick up for your brother when he can't defend himself. You make sure adults know when other kids are sad or need help. You speak confidently in these situations and I'm always beyond impressed.

You love your brother and dad very much. You love being with Nathan so when he wants to play alone, your feelings get hurt. You cry and worry when he's injured or sick. If we buy something for you in the store, you insist on buying one for Nathan too. Dad is a special person in your life. When he goes out of town, you cry and tell me everyday, about a hundred times, how much you miss him. You remember everything he tells you about the desert, animals, bugs, insects, etc. You're always teaching me new things because dad teaches you so much!

Finally, you have a love for Jesus that is beyond pure. You continue to amaze your father and me with your prayers and genuine interest in His story. You talk to Him like you really know Him. I cannot wait to see how your love for Him manifests into a life purpose. I'm sure He has amazing things in store for you.


Avery, you have taught me so much about God's love. You've caused me to grow in ways that only a daughter can :-) I can't wait to see what this next year brings us!

Much love,

Mom <3

Sacred Conversations

While reading some Bible stories tonight, Avery and I had some amazing conversations. They went something like this:

Avery: "Wait, wait, wait. Does God or Jesus live in my heart?"
Me: "Hmm, that's a good question. I guess they both do."
Avery: Thinking, "How?"
Me: "Well, Jesus and God are so special, they can both be there."
Avery: "Like magic."
Me: "Magic isn't real. But God is very real and He can do whatever and be wherever He wants."

Avery, awed and satisfied, moves on to our Esther storybook.

Me: "God asked Esther to make her brave. You can ask God to make you brave too."
Avery: "Yep, I can just pull down my shirt and ask Him."
Me: Trying so hard not to laugh at my literal child, "Actually, you can just say it out loud, like a prayer. God lives everywhere, so He'll hear you."
Avery: Nodding, wide eyed and cautiously, "Just like I do when I'm afraid of the dark."
Me: "Yep, just like that. You can ask Him anything."

I love where she's at right now. Her literal understanding of all things. Her endless supply of inquires. Her willingness to hug and kiss her brother, even when he pushes her away. It makes me smile every time. I wonder if that's how God feels when He loves on us. I don't care if you like it, I'm gonna hug you anyways. Ha!

I hope your children have blessed you this week. That time with Avery was a special way for me to start my weekend!


How have your children blessed you lately?
Have they done anything that personified God for you?

It's Been Awhile . . .

. . .  and I didn't want to post until I had a good grasp on why I took a hiatus.

A few months ago, I stayed up well into the night hopping from mom-blog to mom-blog. This is always a dangerous game for me. Sometimes it's for fun. I keep finding links to fun things, new ideas and inspirational stories. The flip-side, however, is that I end up doing it out of frustration, exploring ideas with which I struggle or disagree.

The biggest area where this occurs for me is the topic of discipline. Before I go any further, I want to communicate that this post is not meant to attack, point fingers or start a debate. It is meant to be an honest reflection regarding an area in which other mom's might relate.

I always want to be better in the area of discipline. I have high expectations and don't always bring them into reality very well. I think I'm pretty gracious with my kids, but there are certain areas where I can grow, areas where I need to learn more patience and grace. I think we can all relate.

So, every now and then I go perusing online for new ideas to deal with certain behaviors. That particular night, I ventured around and found myself exploring blogs and sites that promoted no discipline. Apparently their children were always so happy and obedient. I eventually found myself completely frustrated and feeling like an ineffective, lazy mother. Then I was just infuriated.  I couldn't put my finger on why, but a gloomy cloud stuck around for awhile. So, I stepped away from social media in general.  I was so mad at the blogging world, I didn't want to experience anyone online. Extreme? Certainly, I have weird tendencies.

Tonight, against my gut, I went online searching for thoughts on discipline again. Nathan is getting to the stage where something needs to be done. He's very opinionated, knows what he wants and throws fits accordingly.  I ventured onto some sites that promoted "gentle mothering" and "biblical parenting." In general, these forms of parenting are centered on directing, using positive reinforcement and grace driven.  I actually liked and agreed with a lot of what they had to offer, but I was still dissatisfied. Then it finally hit me as to why I was so frustrated all those months ago - I have yet to hear a mom-blogger with those philosophies admit that parenting that way is HARD!

I agree that I should respond to my children using the fruits of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control. Unfortunately, responding that way is not my default. It can be exhausting and mind-numbing. It takes everything in me to bite my tongue and respond graciously when my kids have been whining all day. I would agree that Avery responds well and flourishes when I react with grace. I come to a more intimate place with God because I'm praying all day and I know He's pleased with me. But I break sometimes. I'll raise my voice or I'll use up my "no" quota by 9 am.

Judgment is not what I was hoping for from the mom-written blogs that promote biblical parenting.  I didn't expect them to communicate that every family is different, but families that spank don't truly know God. Some even stated that they never, ever raise their voice at their kids. Ever. Really? Never ever?

I was hoping for someone to say:

I parent this way because I know it models God's heart. It's as hard as hell and by 4 pm I'm ready to pass out. It's so rewarding, though. We've been so blessed. You should give it a shot.


What sorts of disciplinary tactics have you used? 
Which were effective? Which were not?
Have you found an honest, mom-blog that you find encouraging?

Mostly Wordless Wednesday

Teeter-Totter Fun

Gazing at the turtle tank at the zoo.

Avery traded two of her current stuffed animals plus $4 for her zoo zebra. She named it Avery. Sigh.

If you give a kid a stomach bug . . .

We've finally recovered from a stomach bug we contracted two weeks ago. Mike, Avery and I were all sick during the same day. Luckily Nate figured out something was awry and went with it. Although we were only sick for a day, there were lasting behavioral effects such as sleeping habits, obedience back-sliding and poor eating.

Come to think of it, when your child is sick, its similar to reading a prolonged version of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. You know the book, if you give a mouse a cookie, he'll ask for a glass of milk. If you give him a class of milk, then he'll ask for a straw. And on and on until he ultimately ask for another cookie.  (These are actually really cute books with others in the series, like If You Give a Pig a Pancake.)


This has been my experience during this ONE DAY stomach bug ;-)

If you give Avery a stomach bug, she'll want to sleep all day. 
If you let Avery sleep all day, she'll want to watch tv while she's awake. 
If you let her watch tv while she's awake, when she's well, she'll still want to watch tv all day. 
If you tell her no to watching tv all day, she'll cry and cry and cry. 
If she's cries and cries and cries, Mom decides its time to get out of the house. 
If Mom and Avery and Nathan go to the store, Avery wants to buy something.
If Mom tells her no she can't buy something, she cries, rebels, and puts the shopping cart in her mouth.
If she puts the shopping cart in her mouth, she gets a stomach bug. 

Pretty much! There has been a ton of unreasonable crying these past few days, but she's finally coming around. Yay. When she's the best Avery she can be, she's quite outstanding.

But what about Nathan?

If you give Nathan a stomach bug, he'll want to be held all day.
If you hold him all day, he'll sleep in your arms a lot.
If he sleeps in your arms, he won't nap well in his crib. 
If he doesn't nap well in his crib, he'll be overly tired for his night sleep. 
If he's overly tired for his night sleep, he'll wake up at 5 am . . . every morning . . . for weeks.
If he wakes up at 5 every morning, he'll nap early and long.
If he naps early and long, he'll wake up at 5 every morning . . .

Well, that one just keeps on keeping on :-) I'm constantly torn about waking him from his nap because I know he needs the sleep, but waking him will probably ensure later morning sleep. Ugh. Motherly decisions!

I hope all of your families are surviving all the germs going around! I feel like we've had more than our fair share.

How do your kids respond to being sick?

Brother 'n' Sister

Nate was sick one night so I held him while he slept. Avery held his hand.
(Ignore the dirt under her nails.)

Avery insisted I take a pic of their boots together.

Snacks on their blankets.

I Want It Purkt-fit . . .

Our creation. Sun, stem & leaves courtesy of Avery.

Avery and I were doing some alphabet games on the iPad and her reward for playing such games is to be able to use the doodle app. Well, she wanted me to draw a horse and I told her that if I drew one, that she would have to draw one next. Tears. Streaming. Uncontrollably. "But mom, I can't."

What the heck. My child is an emotional wreck. This is a thought I have daily. I finally calmed her down and told her that her drawing does not have to be the best. She just needs to practice and practice and she'll learn to get better. "But mom," she said. "I want it to be purkt-fit."

Perfect. Crap. God gave me one of those people. Someone just like myself, just like Mike. One who places ridiculous expectations upon oneself. These people excel in school and measurable things. They also have self-induced ulcers. This was a key moment in understanding my daughter. In hindsight, it should have been obvious.

We've been trying to figure out why Avery has been disinterested in learning letters. When I'd ask her to sit with me or have a conversation about a letter, she'd rush off or tell me that she couldn't. Every letter was an "R" or and "A," sigh. I was pretty frustrated. Some told me that she's still young, others tried to hide their judgment when I confessed she had little interest.  Then I found myself face to face with my bookwormy friend Jessica's adorable 20-month-old. She was picking up blocks and identifying the letters that adorned their sides. I calmed my inner breakdown and found some genuine joy for my friend's genius toddler and reserved my mourning for a later time. (Love you Jess, E is amazing!)

So, I lay awake at night worrying with God if my daughter will be dyslexic or if we'll have to turn every letter into an animal. Praying that He will make me a mom that is ok with a C student if that's her best. Wondering how we'll manage if Nathan is an academic and Avery is not and making them both understand that their equally loved and valued.  Anyone else have ridiculous what if thoughts like I do? Meanwhile, God was orchestrating the horse drawing incident. It occurred the next day. The glorious epiphany.

I've since changed my approach to learning letters and numbers. She is immersed in them without knowing it. We have conversations about them. She's begun to have the confidence to identify them on signs, shirts and food cartons. We do an iPad alphabet or number game daily. I don't pressure her like before and I encourage her greatly when she's successful.

I think school has brought this need for perfection to the surface. She has 12 other peers to whom she can compare herself. She can see their "success" and compare her work. It was bound to happen, I just wish it was when she was a bit more reasonable.

I had a mid-year conference with her preschool teacher and revealed this new information to her. I'm so grateful for her 20 year experience. She nodded in realization. She showed me a self portrait Avery drew in July and one that she drew in January. The July portrait looked like a person, the January portrait looked like a blob of lines. I absolutely know that she thought she couldn't do it well, so she just didn't even try.

I can relate. There are a few things I didn't attempt in life because of fear of failure - playing college volleyball being at the top of the list. Now, how to teach her to cope with expectations of herself . . . so that she might have the fear, but still take the action.

Are there personality traits of yours that have surfaced in your kids? How have they manifested within their personality?

Bamboo ... Toy or Weapon?

Laugh in the Face of Trials? I'll try.

These past handful of days have been overwhelmingly exhausting. Avery's been sick and tired and whiney and irritable. Nathan was good for the first few days, but has since resorted to demanding an unreasonable amount of attention - mostly at 2, 3 and 4 am.

All this to say that I found some encouragement this afternoon. After reading James 1:2-3, a passage I've read many times,

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

Sometimes I think that my trials are silly. Trying to survive this mom thing - as well as other personal things - seem trivial compared to people dealing with financial trouble, sicknesses and loved ones passing. But the fears, worries and concerns that keep me awake are mine - and they are very real.

Beth Moore stated this in her James study:

Trials don't get to steal from the followers of Christ unless we hand over the goods. In fact, they're commanded to give goods to us if we're willing to receive them. 

James 1:4 finishes the thought with this:

 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

If I'm willing to change my perspective and stop being a victim in my own head, then trials only perfect the result that God has intended, not only for my life, but my own children's lives.

Are you willing to receive the perfect result that God has intended for you? Can you transition your train of thought to joy instead of frustration? I'm sure as hell gonna try because the result will directly impact my kids' future - I hope!

What sorts of trials are ailing you lately? What are the potentially perfect results of your endurance?

Jesus? A Toddler?

In the late 90's and early 2000's, there was a movie titled The Visual Bible: The Gospel According to Matthew. I hated it. I thought that the depiction of Jesus was ridiculous. My friends and I referred to him as the "happy Jesus." The church I attended would often use video clips of the movie and my mature - ahem - friends and I could hardly stifle our giggles. We felt that the actor, Bruce Marchiano (who is apparently named for a cherry), had a silly interpretation of Jesus. He would laughingly share parables, tousle the disciples hair and be passive during what many would consider a serious passage.

Ten+ years down the road, while I still don't care for the interpretation, I've gained some perspective. The Cherry had only been a Christian for five years when he gave that performance. He was a baby! He read in the first chapter of Hebrews about being "anointed with joy" and he ran with it. Far. Across the universe. Then back again. That was one joyful, happy Jesus.

There's so much about Jesus' person that is left to the imagination. What did Jesus and his boyz talk about at night around the campfires? Did he laugh when Peter passed gas? Or, perhaps, roll his eyes? Did he have to suggest bathing to the more smelly of them? Did he sleep on his back, side or stomach?

I've been considering these things, as well as the happy Jesus movie, as I've started a new Bible study about James. Upon studying the background of James, the study's author led us to his background . . . growing up with Jesus. That, in turn, has led me to more questions specifically about Jesus' childhood. Were he and James besties? Did he get flustered when his sisters hid his belongings? Did he elbow James when he started to snore? Did they stay up all night talking and giggling?

Or what about when he was Avery's age? Did he play quietly by himself or did he have to sit right at Mary's feet while she tended to her duties? Did he like to be held as Joseph told him stories? Did he put his sandals on the wrong feet? Did he laughingly stick his tongue out at the baker when his mom traded for flour? Did he get in Joseph's way as he made tables and chairs? Or maybe he preferred to build things in the sawdust as his dad worked. Did he have to help look after James? Sing him songs as he drifted off to sleep?

Or what about Nathan's age? Did he sleep thought the night instantly? Did he prefer his back or his belly? Did he prefer to be held when he was teething? Did he have a favorite possession that he took everywhere? Was he greatly amused as he poked Mary with sticks while she prepared dinner?

I know that Jesus was perfect, but he was also human. I think so often we imagine perfect as obediently boring. We forget he had a hand in creating our emotions, reactions and thoughts. I'm certain he was funny. I'm certain he teased his little sisters in love. I'm certain he picked up after his - at least six - brothers and sisters and did not enjoy it.

I like to think about these things because I it rounds out the man for me. While his last three years were the most significant of his life, he still had an upbringing. He had a family. I'm sure he mourned lost siblings, certainly his father. He learned a trade. Provided for his mother, brothers and sisters. He had thirty years before his "ministry" began. Perhaps I can relate to him far more than I ever considered.

What sorts of things do you wonder about Jesus' humanness? 

Baking with Abuela

Drill Doctor Video for Mike's Dad

It took us 4 minutes to film this video and 3 hours to figure out how to get it to him since the file was so large.

Here you go Randy! Hope it helps you out!

<3 your most favorite daughter-in-law,
Sherri

Christmas in PA

We had a wonderful, quality visit with Mike's parents in Douglassville, PA. They live on a beautiful piece of property in a house that Mike's dad built . . . that backs to a creek . . . with a barn that Mike and his dad also built . . . with a sugar house for syrup making . . . with two horses (Tetly and Snickers)  . . . with access to many farm vehicles . . . complete with many cats to torture (some indoor & some barn).

Needless to say, we had a great time. Nate would wake in the morning, bundle up and go straight to the barn to tend to the horses with Mike's parents - Nan & Randy. They would then cruise around in the golf cart while Nate pointed and grunted, dictating the next destination. We spent most days hanging out, playing inside and out - enjoying the visit! Avery also got her nails done. She acted like such a little adult. She was trying to make conversation with Candy, the nail tech. She asked Candy if she had a house. So sweet!

We got to cut down our own Christmas tree which was pretty awesome. It was a cold and drizzly day, perfect wintery weather. We decorated the tree with a tenth of the ornaments that Nan has collected over the years. She has so many, most hand made!! We made cookies, built a gingerbread house that proceded to fall apart 5 minutes later and ate until our bellies could hold no more.

Mike's parents received an iMac for Christmas, so we helped them set it up, transfer files and gave them tutorials on each the essential Mac apps. It was pretty fun playing with a new computer and experiencing the Mac world through "virgin" eyes. Now we can FaceTime with them on a larger scale!

We attended the family service at their church. It was lovely and mostly child/family led. There were tons of families there, many who had never been to church before. It was such a neat experience. Avery was enamored by the girls dressed as angels and Nate had a giggle fit while reading a touch and feel book that contained sand paper. Christmas day was laid back and full of presents! Nan goes above and beyond, finding meaningful and fun gifts for all of us. Even our stockings are filled to the rim. We went to visit the neighbor's alpaca's, Avery swung on a tire swing and Nathan tortured a barn cat. All in all, it was lovely.

No trip would be complete with out a shopping trip . . . to the outlets . . . at an outdoor mall . . . the day after Christmas. Okay, we were crazy, but Nan and I had cabin fever so we loaded up the kids and off we went. Nate had a great time, but it was torturous for Avery as she has decided that she hates the cold. We waited for 15 minutes in line at Starbucks so that she could get a hot chocolate. I bribed her to behave. No shame there. She continues to come out of her shell. She chatted with the teenage girls behind us, asking about their drink of choice.

We had the chance to visit some of Mike's college friends, Nate and Zabrina, and their kids. We had a humorous, quality visit and their kids were amazing with Avery. It makes me sad when you spend time with people who are so compatible with you and your family, only to have to retreat to your far sides of life. Thank goodness for social networking :-)

The kids were good natured on our travel days. We got booted from our return flight and ended up spending 12 hrs in the PHL airport. The kids were amazing and Nate exceded his car seat tolerance when we were only 5 minutes from home. Can't ask for much more than that. Thank your for all your prayers!

Randy has all the good Christmas day pictures, but hopefully you'll enjoy the ones I have.

How was your Christmas? What was your favorite thing that happened over the holiday?

Alpaca Fun

A Little Airplane Fun

"Were was I tonight?"

No, I did not make a typo. If you happened to watch the first season of So You Think You Can Dance, you may understand the reference. Basically, there was this chic who was quite ... odd. She performed poorly, then to redeem herself with the judges, she wrote on her stomach, "Were was I tonight?" She meant "where," but as mentioned above, she was quite strange. Obviously, the judges were unimpressed.

All this to say that I realize I've been absent this past week. Nathan was sick with a super stuffy nose. Never a good thing for a paci baby. Plus we all know how men are when they're sick. I think I held Nathan all day on Monday. The only time he let me put him down was when he was all hopped up on fever reducing meds. So, the rest of the week was spent recovering from minimal sleep.

These last few days, we've been preparing to fly back east for Christmas. It should be interesting flying with Nate at this age, but I know we'll survive. Avery always seems to know when it's time to step up and we've told her that she her job is to help us with Nathan. At dinner, she told Nathan to get lots of sleep because we have to get up real early. She's great. Luckily Nate really likes books and tools and trucks. All sitting activities. Unfortunately, he also likes running, climbing and throwing. If you happen to think of us on Tuesday, send up a little prayer for our travels!!

It's nice traveling before Christmas because all of my shopping is done!! Although I did battle Toys R Us last night and it was pretty horrific - even at 9pm on a Sunday night!

Is your shopping done? What is the worst store you've had to visit this season?

Merry Christmas!!

Doin' a Job