Happy Birthday Baby Jesus!

Last night Tink and two of her best friends, Lindsey and Rivers, threw a big birthday party for baby Jesus. There was cake and ice-cream...and even a special visitor! The highlight of the night was watching over 30 kids standing around the table singing Happy Birthday to baby Jesus. It brought tears to my eyes. As a service project we asked each family to bring one unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. We just want the kids to understand that Christmas is about giving. It's about giving to those less fortunate and most importantly it's about God's gift to us...His Son! May you all have a blessed Christmas!








Jill

Glorify Him!

Tonight we watched my beautiful ballerina dance on stage with some of the best dancers I've ever seen. Tink'sdance company, Ballet Magnificat, held their Christmas performance this past weekend and it kept us quite busy. She had a wonderful time, though. And she was so excited that Man-Man, Gidgi, Mommy, and Daddy were there to watch her. I told her we would be sitting on the fifth row and to look for us when she finished dancing. Well, as soon as they finished I saw her peek up over the girls in front of her and start counting with her hands. It was so funny! But she found us and that just made her day. She was so excited to be up there dancing with all of the "big girls". Aunt Tania and Rivers came to see her tonight as well...so she was even more excited that they were there. It really meant a lot to her.

The girls danced Tuesday and Thursday for practice. Then they danced the actual performances Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night. "A Christmas Dream" was held at Thalia Mara Hall in Jackson. I can't tell you how beautiful this ballet was...it's just something that you have to see. The story is basically a Christian version of the "Nutcracker". It is set to the same music and everything. However instead of the Nutcracker fighting the Mouse King it is Beelzebub fighting the Archangel Michael. Katherine then travels (in her dream) to Heaven where she meets Jesus and watches as all creation worships Him. My baby was a bumblebee...of course she was the prettiest one out there! I am so proud for her to be a part of such a wonderful dance company that exists only to glorify Him!

Jill

Play Dates!

I am so very blessed to have a wonderful set of friends. Each Wednesday for the past few years we have met for lunch and playtime with the kids. One of our most recent playdates took place at Backyard Burgers. It was great because there was a big tree house play gym for the kids to play on. Since none of us had ever been there the kids were very excited and entertained. We left there and went to Harry the Potter to let the kids paint ornaments. The kids really loved this. I took a picture of all of the babies of our group as well. It's so funny that almost all of us have had a baby within the past few months. We're growing another set of playdate buddies. It's great for all of us to have a few minutes to visit with each other and give the kids a chance to play with their friends. It's a favorite part of our week!

Jill

Winter?

I must say that I'm having a hard time believing it's almost Christmas. I mean, I've decorated, bought presents, gone to parties, even told the kids the Christmas story over and over. But the problem is that it's 80 degrees outside. Yes, 80 degrees. We were watching the news last night and DH mentioned that 7 hours north of us there is a deadly blanket of ice and snow. I don't want that kind of cold. But my kids were outside yesterday for over 3 hours in shorts, short sleeves, and flip flops. Hmmm...something is not quite right.

But I do love Christmas. I love that families get together, the magic is in the air, and people are in a generally good mood around this time of year. Let us not forget what it's all about...God sent His son, in the form of a baby, to be our Saviour, that through Him we can have eternal life. That's the best Christmas present of all! Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas Parade!

The annual Clinton Christmas parade was last weekend. It's a tradition for us to take the kids each year and we always enjoy it. This year I made us a light supper to eat while we waited for the parade to begin. Amber and Jamal, our neighbors, came with us. Usually the parade is during the daytime and the floats are able to throw candy. But this year they changed the parade to nighttime so there could be beautiful lights throughout Old Towne and on the floats. It really was beautiful, but the kids did miss the candy.

Baby Dedication

Last Sunday was baby dedication at our church. Princess looked so beautiful in her little white dress. Gidgi bought her a bonnet and little Bible to carry (well, I carried it). She'll be able to turn the bonnet into a handkerchief when she gets married and carry it then as well. It's a special day for us. Pawpaw and Nana were able to be there also. We walked down front with the other families and a prayer was said by our Pastor. After the service we all came back here and I made a post Thanksgiving/pre-Christmas dinner for everyone. It was a great day and everything was beautiful.

Jill

Family fun!

A few days before Thanksgiving Tink and Man-Man's cousins and aunt came to visit. Aunt Terri, Darren, and Lana were camping near Forest and they came over to spend some time with us one afternoon. We had a great time playing at the park and playing outside. It had been a while since we'd gotten the kids together so this was extra special for them. Man-Man asked me the other day when they were going to come back. I said I wasn't sure....what do you think Aunt Terri?

Jill