Snow in Mississippi!!

It wasn't supposed to happen. All of the weather forecasters said that it wouldn't snow here because it wasn't going to be cold enough. Our cold weather was coming today and the rain was coming last night. Well, we all know who is actually in charge of this weather!! The cold and the rain just did come together this morning for a couple of hours of beautiful snow. Since it had rained all night last night the snow didn't stick much. There was a nice slushy mixture of ice and rain in our front yard. The back yard held a little more snow but we had so much rain water on the ground that it melted quickly. But it snowed a good bit. (And that's not just the opinion of a Mississippi girl...it's the opinion of a Mississippi girl who spent a year in north Utah!) If the ground would have been dry we would have had a nice winter wonderland. But we still had fun. The kids couldn't believe that it actually snowed here at their home. Tink asks all the time when we can go vacation somewhere where it snows. Well God brought the snow to her. Christian wasn't quite sure what to think of it. It was cold and wet. He played a little...but he liked watching the snow fall from inside the house better. Tink played for a long time in it. She liked making snow balls. We even have a snow ball in the freezer to show Daddy when he gets home. What a wonderful surprise on a cold dreary day in MS.

Jill

Yummy Food!

On Christmas Day my little baby started eating real food. Her first food was squash and let me tell you...she loved it. She took to eating like a champ. She gobbled it up right away. None of the others have eaten so well on their first try...I was so impressed. Each night we sit her in the center of our kitchen table in her Bumbo seat and she eats while we eat. I know she feels like such a big girl. She loves the fact that she's literally the center of attention.

Now a word on the Bumbo seat...

This Bumbo seat is such a great invention. We didn't have it with Tink and Man-Man (wasn't invented yet) but it helps Princess sit up by herself before she can do it alone. It's wonderful and I would advise any new mom to invest in one. I sit her in the middle of my kitchen floor while I cook supper and sit her in my bathroom floor while I'm getting dressed. She can see me and it makes her happy. It's a lot easier than pulling the exersaucer everywhere we go.

I hope you all have a great week. Oh, please go to the previous post and read Miss Jessica's comment about Man-Man. He is such a wonderful little boy. He just takes your heart!! Mom can brag all she wants but this came from a college student who keeps him at church. He's loved Miss Jessica since he was a little toddler. We have been blessed to have her.

Love,
Jill

Christmas Fun!

What a wonderful Christmas we had! It seems like it all happened so fast but we loved every minute of it. The weekend before Christmas we traveled to Montgomery to have Christmas with DH's family. We were able to Christmas with his parents and brothers and their families on Sat. and then with the extended Kyser family on Sunday night. That was the first time we had been to Montgomery for Christmas since 2002. It was hectic, but wonderful. The only bad part was the 5 hour trip there and back. Since Princess does not like the car or the car seat we had quite a fussy and loud ride. She does seem to be getting a little better though.
Monday, Christmas Eve, we came back to Clinton. Our church held Christmas Eve services that night and we all went. Then we came home and got our p.j.'s on so we could jump in the bed for Santa. Earlier that afternoon we had baked some cookies for Santa and made up some reindeer food. The kids were more concerned about feeding the reindeer than Santa. After all...everyone gives him cookies.

Christmas Day was awesome. We woke up early and played with the toys Santa brought then opened the rest of the gifts. After that we laid around all day and went outside to play. We didn't have to go anywhere and I didn't have to hurry and get the house straight. We loved it. Man-Man got his big boy Spiderman bike with training wheels and Tink got her Razor scooter. I couldn't believe how fast Man-Man took off on that bike. He's riding it like a pro now.
Hope you enjoy the pics above. They're just a few of the exciting events of the past couple of weeks. I'll write more later!
Jill

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!