On the sixteenth of December...

 more Christmas program practice!

On the fifteenth of December...

 fun Christmas crafts...

working on sorts of projects...

On the fourteenth of December...

our Christmas cantata, If Jesus Had Not Come.  I sang...I got cut out of this picture on the far left.  Ted had a speaking part for one of the scenes.  We are so thankful that Jesus did come!  He has made a difference in our lives!

On the thirteenth of December...

 lots of Christmas time fun!

 silly little helpers!

 fun and thoughtful gifts!

 teen Christmas party!

funny little sayings!

On the twelfth day of December...

 celebrating our favorite Dad and husband!  Happy Birthday, sweetheart!!!

Our little loves chose the gifts that were given this year.  There was purpose and meaning behind the gifts and the written words.  My hearts is squeezed and my throat is tight as I read the words that came from their hearts.  Our Daddy is making a big impact on the hearts and lives of his children! 

On the eleventh day of December...

 making Christmas costumes for our K3 part in the school Christmas program.

 Mrs. Wilma shared fabric with me a few years ago...and it has continued to be a blessing to the ministries that God has allowed us to be a part of!  We have 18 students who will play the parts of the story of Christmas...we will have a couple extra sheep, shepherds, and angels.

We have yet to get up on the platform to practice in the big, scary auditorium...and that has the K3 teachers twitching!  I recall the events in the story The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and I start giggling nervously.  The children know the little poem and the song...it remains to be seen...all of them reciting and singing at the same time all together following the leader!

On the ninth and tenth day of December...

 Ashlynn and Mom are home sick.  I made my girl a grilled cheese for lunch...and we both cuddled up to rest and deal with fevers/coughing/soreness. 

Teddy started a fire for us.  I've been drinking tea and water to soothe my throat...not much voice doesn't work for my job!  Trying desperately to rest...parties and cantata and other responsibilities hovering. Alisa and Teddy instructed me this morning (Wed.) on the way for school drop-off to "just rest, Mom! And if supper isn't made...we can do it."  But...I just have a hard time sitting when I am home.  There is always something I could be doing.  "Mom, just rest!"  Resting has to come from the inside too...I feel the spinning of the guilt of missing work, lapses in Mom and wife responsibilities, and the "To Do" list inside...and I don't feel like I'm truly resting.  At least I'm not bothering others with my coughing and I'm not being exposed to yet more K3 germs...I guess.

On the ninth day of December...

 the Kindness Elves brought birdseed for us to make treats for our fine feathered friends on Monday.

 18 little friends enjoying a story about The Bethlehem Birds after we packed the cookie cutters.  It was a pinterest idea and it worked...Knox gelatin, water, and birdseed.  I'm wondering if it rains on them what would happen...dissolve? Or will the birds eat it faster than that?

On the eighth day of December...

 remembering the fine job the children did on the Christmas program on Sunday..."Christmas Impossible"!  Spies sent in to deliver Bibles into homes that need to hear the truth.

 The spies received their assignment.

 The auditorium was once again transformed...this year...Mrs. Smith's home.  The spies came sliding out of the fireplace to "plant" the Bibles...

 but they got caught by Mrs. Smith...a bitter grandmother who needed to be reminded of the true meaning and reason for Christmas.

 The spies "helping" Mrs. Smith fall asleep so she would forget them...and they took time to "plant" a few more devices...such as the radio.

 The radio program guys that played beautiful Christmas music...between their bad jokes...

 and excerpts from the Christmas story.  Teddy was Zacharias for this scene.

The grandson saw the grandmother's heart change and the bitterness melt away as she was reminded of the truth from God's Word that she had turned her back on for so many years.
So much work went into this.  The kiddos did a great job.  The leaders did a great job.  Many people came and heard the message.

On the seventh of December...

our little elves wrapping presents!

On the sixth day of December...

addressing Christmas picture cards with a cup of coffee while listening to Christmas music.  It is so nice to stay at home this morning!  Thankful for Ted taking Teddy to program practice.  Looking forward to the Christmas program tomorrow...can't wait to see Teddy play his part.  He has memorized his lines and put lots of time in at practices.  Last year, he and Caden were the comedy relief...I'm curious what his part is this year.  I don't ever read his lines...I want to be surprised.

On the fifth day of December...

 we played with ice for "I" week!
Too funny not to post...
1.   Little K was running across the gym crying and fussing amidst all the other children running helter skelter, so Mrs. K asked her what was wrong. "S broke my heart!" Oh, my, how did he do that? "He cheated on me!" Uh, oh, how did he do that? You are 3!  "He told me he winned and I didn't!"

2.  Little E was coughing so much, I suggested she not run...but maybe skip, walk, or flutter about like a butterfly.  "I saw a one armed butterfly once.  His eyes were closed.  He was just sitting with his one arm.  I didn't touch him. He tipped over. Poor butterfly!  Do you like butterflies?"  Sometimes...I can't keep up with the conversation of a 3 year old cause I get stuck on things like...the part about a butterfly being one armed (wings and arms are all the same when you are 3)...and by the time I catch up I have to refrain from the burst of laughter that threatens to spill out...because "he tipped over...poor butterfly."

 We participated in the Wixom Tree Lighting again this year...

 and got to see reindeer...

 and Santa arrived...on foot this year...which was a little odd and made us laugh.

 And then supper out as a family...talking Christmas plans and such.  We're so thankful it was Friday!

 So thankful for another week of God's provision and protection.  I have been reminded in so many ways of God's faithfulness in our lives and I am grateful.  Times around the table with our kiddos bring reflection on all these things...and I don't want to ever take these times for granted!