Merry Christmas!

I am taking a blogging break until the 1st of the year to truly enjoy my family and make some memories.

So, from me and mine to you and yours...

Merry Christmas!

p.s. And since I completely under-ordered for our Christmas card list this year...for those of you that didn't get one, this is the picture that we used.

p.p.s. I look at this picture and realize how abundantly blessed I am. I am so grateful.

snapshot: the reality of making cookies revealed

Thursday Thoughts

First day of winter today. Not that it feels like it here. We've been able to play outside without jackets on pretty much all of December. But the part that I really love about winter officially starting is that every day from now on the daylight is slowly extending. The early dark nights have been hard this year...

The kids Christmas present showed up yesterday. By way of 18 wheeler...

We just might still be setting it up NEXT Christmas.

Anybody who would like to come help us set it up...feel free. We will even feed you.


Speaking of new toys. Look at this happy girl who is growing up entirely too fast and totally enjoying her exersaucer a whole month ahead of when her brother and sister played in it...

Only three more days until Christmas!

I have a couple things to wrap and a quick trip to run to the grocery store then I am all ready. Woohoo!

If you live in the south Durham/Cary/Morrisville area and need an awesome Christmas Eve service to attend, please come to The Creek for their first ever Christmas Eve Service! It's gonna be incredible! You can click here for more details.

I hear the worship pastor is hot.

Not that you should come because of that.
(By the way, he is taken...and if you try then I will have to kill you. Slowly and painfully.)

On that note...

Happy Thursday!

Holiday Repost: Needs vs. Wants

**I wrote this last Christmas season, but I thought it bore repeating...as I know we had to revisit this lesson with our kids this year. Oh, and it has a video of my kids from last year and I am such a sucker for looking at video's of my kids! You don't have to pretend to enjoy it as much as I do.**

In our family Ezra's birthday, Ella's birthday, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are squeezed into 3 short months. That is a lot of celebrations, candy, and gifts showered on them in 3 short months. And even though we don't do a lot of presents and thankfully all sets of the grandparents also show restraint...it is still a lot of stuff crammed into 3 short months.

Now, we are not anti-present, anti-candy, or anti-celebration...(on the contrary...we LOVE celebrating!) but we thought it was time to have a discussion with the kiddo's on the idea of needs verses wants.

So we did.

And to help make this lesson more tangible to a young childs mind we made up two boxes labeled 1)NEEDS and 2)WANTS and then gathered up a bunch of items and talked about what should go where and put them in the appropriate box. And then let them pick some items and choose where they thought they should go.

It opened a lot of discussion about how God is our ultimate provider and always provides everything we need. Not always our wants...although, he graciously has provided SO SO SO many of them. And our need to be thankful and grateful.

A good lesson for Mom and Dad too.












































And of course, since Jeremiah was involved, we had to learn a song and have a dance party.























































And, for the Gramma's and Meme's and Nana's in our life...a little video:

(Yes, we went old school 90's worship song...but, hey, it fit with the theme!)

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

How To Re-Upholster Your Dining Room Chairs in 23 Easy Steps

Step 1: Move into a new house and become dissatisfied with your old chairs.

Step 2: Try to talk yourself out of it because they are in perfectly good shape and you really should focus on the 10,459 other things that are more important to get done.

Step 3: Fail at step 2.

Step 4: Go to fabric store and pick out new fabric.

Step 5: In reality this is just a continuation of step 4 because it takes so long to complete step 4 because why does there have to be 713 choices?

Step 6: Finally chose 4 different fabrics because 1 is just so 2010.

Step 7: Wait for a quiet afternoon to begin project.

Step 8: Again, just a continuation of step 7.

Step 9: Gather up all old chairs, tools, and new fabrics into the garage.





























Step 9: Remove old layers of upholstery.

Step 10: Curse myself for using so many staples on old layers of upholstery.

Step 11: Reminisce about how each stage of your married life was reflected in the past fabric choices. Original layer was a slightly hideous yet oddly not so hideous as it first seemed 8 years ago when we were gifted the dining room set 1960's floral pattern.


























2nd layer was a light tan color with no pattern. I definitely chose this before kids came into the picture. 3rd layer was a nice indoor/outdoor fabric in a dark color with pattern. Um, definitely kid friendly.

Step 12: Run inside to feed crying baby who decided not to take a nap.

Step 13: Lay out new fabric and cut out appropriate size.

Step 14: Pull out basket of train tracks for son #1 and son #2 who also decide that naps are overrated.
























Step 15: Get new fabric stapled onto 1st chair.

Step 16: Run inside to fix a snack for son #2 to prevent him from dying of hunger.






































Step 17: Get new fabric stapled onto 2nd, 3rd, and 4th chairs.



























Step 18: Rescue son #2 from certain death.


























Step 19: Step on staple while running to carry out step 18.

Step 20: Remove staple from flip flop.

Step 21: Stop to explain to daughter #1 the reasons why we can't move all the decorative rock gravel and place it in the middle of the driveway.

























Step 22: Get new fabric stapled onto 5th chair.

Step 23: Get new fabric stapled onto 6th and final chair. Oh wait. Realize for the 3,419th time that you don't have a 6th and final chair because...ahem...someone once thought we would never ever have a need for a 6th chair and threw it away. True story.

Ta da.
Done.



































There you go.

Now don't you just wanna go and do it for yourself?!

the best Christmas present of the year...

Was hearing the news that  Alethia is finally getting to come home!

Yes, my friend Tasha got news today that their case was approved and they will be able to go get their girl.

I may or may not have blubbered like a baby in Target today upon hearing the news.

You can read more details if you'd like by clicking here. It's definitely worth a read!

Sweet Alethia and her new brothers and sister...finally will be reunited...forever! 

Not Me Monday: adventures in gingerbreading

My grandmother always did an elaborate homemade gingerbread house every Christmas. I remember as a kid always being in awe over it. It looked something along the lines of this one...









Seriously. It was at least that good.

At least I think so?

Know how you sometimes hold onto a childhood memory...like how big your childhood home backyard was...and then you go back as an adult and visit and suddenly it wasn't like you remembered.

Anyways, I am pretty sure her gingerbread houses would be awesome, even in my adult status.

We did our own gingerbread house together last week. Except ours was decidedly not home made. Nor was it elaborate. And come to find out, it really wasn't all that fun for a certain child of mine who struggles with OCD (not going to name names here...) because "Mommy didn't put the icing on straight enough and oh my goodness the world is ending the candies aren't staying in place."

And who would have thought I would have had some OCD issues myself with the dag gum thing. I think I suddenly understood why my grandmother never invited us to help her with the creation of her gingerbread house.

I finally just had to step away and take a couple deep breaths and things became clear again.

And we did have fun.
And made some memories in the process.

And I may or may not have decided (after being begged day in and day out) that I would just allow my children to pick off and eat all the candy on it.

And I may or may not have thrown away the empty icing skeleton of a gingerbread house after my swarm of locust children had their way with it because I was tired of sweeping up the icing shavings all over my house.

And I may or may not have not done a thorough enough job of hiding the evidence whenceforth there was great weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth upon discovery by aforementioned locust children.

But I did mention that we had fun, didn't I?

snapshot: planking a tebow

Yes, we are dorks.
And no, we don't have too much time on our hands.

And for those of you who don't get it...google it.

snapshot: yes, that is ezra inside the tunnel rolling down the driveway into the street

snapshot: morning waketime with daddy

thursday thoughts

I saw an interesting (to me) piece on the today show about how more americans use google to look up recipes now than actual cook books. The top 3 recipes looked up: pancakes, chili, and banana bread.

I think I have looked up both chili and banana bread recipes on the interwebs myself. What about you?

I do believe my children are part monkey these days. As soon as they are in a new environment there first order of business is to scope out if there are any things to climb on. It doesn't even matter if it is only 2 inches up from the ground...it just has to be up.

I have banished the phrase "I won" from our house. They were turning everything (and by everything I do mean everything) into a competition. Drinks were being spilled, clothes were being put on even more haphazardly than normal, pee was being flung (I wish I was kidding)...all in their haste to be the "winner".

Ella has strep throat. And thus broken our long time healthy streak. Poor thing has been a mopey mess since Monday night. We are reaching the miracle 24 hour mark of her being on an antibiotic tonight and I fully expect a quick rebound.

Unless of course one of the others (or heaven forbid the daddy) gets it. And then the vicious cycle just repeats itself.

Tis the season.

I'm so grumpy today.

I hate days when I'm grumpy.

I know I have no reason to be.

I know how blessed I am.

I know. I know. I know.

But I'm still grumpy today.

Happy (grumpy) Thursday!

ready or not...

Christmas is coming.

This year, because of the move and all that craziness, has been different.

I have not stressed about gifts, cooking, cards, decorating...at all.

Yes, we did get our tree up and hang our stockings.

And yes, we are doing fun family things like a gingerbread house, watching Christmas movies, looking at lights...

But it is a very simple Christmas this year.

The kids are getting one gift this year. Yes, just one. And a few stocking stuffers.

I'm learning that like in most things, less is more when it comes to this time of year.

I'm not sacrificing memories for my children, instead I am creating ones that don't include a crazy maniacal mom trying to get everything done. I am actually able to be present and enjoy making memories. I am sticking to a budget and not stressing about spending money that isn't there. And I am able to remember what this holiday is really about.

One verse that I've been meditating on this last week is Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."

It's just so easy to get caught up in all I want.

But I have all I need in Christ.

All because of that very first Christmas.

My hope is that my kids won't remember this as the Christmas they only got one present, but as the Christmas where we had so much fun and made Jesus big and remember how Mom got all crazy that one night and taught us how to cabbage patch and roger rabbit...

Um, did that just come out?

Let's move on.

Don't get me wrong...I am not anti-present or anti-celebration...but I am grateful for this year and the gift of perspective that I've been given that is letting me focus on less excess and more exaltation of the entire reason for this season.

backlog: one final goodbye

I know I already did an "ode to the farm" but I wanted to share some photos of the kids (and the daddy) saying / playing goodbye to the farm on the day before we moved...

I'm working on a new look and tagline for the blog...as "life on the farm" doesn't really pertain anymore. And I'm open to suggestions...hint, hint.

zoe elizabeth: four months

Oh. My. Goodness.

Our Zoe is four months old. Already.

I know I've established this before but it bears repeating: She's got cute covered.

As it stands:

Her eyes are a dark hazel color and her hair remains dark.

She can roll over. And over and over and over. Especially fun in the middle of the night.

She is loud. Our most vocal baby ever.

Her nighttime sleep has taken a backwards trend with all the transitions of the last month.

Still naps good. 3 a day...lasting between 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours.

Do not interrupt her while she is eating.

She is sort of a momma's girl. Never had one of those.

She has discovered four of the greatest toys ever: left hand, right hand, left foot, right foot. Multiple combination possibilities available for endless fun.

I'm guessing she is around 16lbs?

Wears size 6 months clothes and can fit into some 9 months for the length.

Loves her siblings.

Does not love strangers. Especially when tired.

And finally,

Makes the greatest expressions...

Happy four months sweet girl!

snapshot: slim picking's

... at least we missed the crowds.

thursday thoughts

My hair has been falling out by the clump fulls. You'd think I was going through chemo. For those of you who have never had children...this is one of the things no one ever tells you about: the way your hair falls out a few months after the baby is born. Weird but true. Consider yourself told.

Speaking of hair, I got a hair cut yesterday for the first time in 5 months. Now I feel more like myself and less cousin it-ish.

Moving is highly overrated. I've decided you can bury me in this house because I never want to move again. Ever.

Christmas is coming.

Ready or not.

I'm more on the not side of things at the moment with nary a decoration up or gift bought.

But that's ok...we will soon catch up.

Maybe?

Jeremiah hung things on the wall for me yesterday. It's amazing how getting pictures hung make it feel like home. That and putting magnets on the fridge.

It's a good thing this little girl is so cute because she has been giving me a run for my money in the middle of the nights. Happy as a clam during the day. Not so clam-like at night.

Cute. Cute.

Crazy to think that she turns 4 months this weekend.

Anyone know a good and easy way to get paint out of carpet? Not that I need to get paint out of my new carpet or anything. Ahem.

Happy Thursday!

ode to the farm

I remember the first time I visited the farm and we took a walk around the pond...

Ella was only 2 and Ezra was just a wee baby. And Tilly the cat frustrated the mess out of Ella because she "would not obey" her and follow her the way she wanted.

Fast forward a few months...

We had sold our house.

Moved to the farm.

And started renovations.

Oh yes, the renovations...

What would we ever do without the helping hands of our family? Cate and PawPaw back in 2008.

Fast forward a few years...

Beavers and berries.

Apples and figs.

Swings and turtle hunts.

Fishing and walks around the pond.

Flowers.

Tree climbing.

Vegetable gardens.

Bugs. Bugs. And more bugs.

A snake or two.

Skunks.

Geese.

Possums.

Deer.

Butterflies and birds.

This never gonna be a farm girl had become a farm girl.

We enjoyed making a lifetime of memories in just 3 short years.

The farm will always hold a special place in our hearts.

And live forever in the imaginations of my children...

Worth Your Time

Since I am completely behind and slightly overwhelmed (still) at all I have to catch up with...I am jumping ship and bringing you two great reads that I totally found to be worth my time (and hopefully yours!)

Children Will Remember - what a great reminder to me during this busy season of life to STOP and not focus so much on the things my kids won't remember at all.

The 5 Best Toys of All Time - I couldn't agree more with this post. And have decided that is all my kids are getting for Christmas this year.

beginnings of the backlog: Thanksgiving

Sometimes one has to go backwards before one can move forward...

We've crammed so much into the last few weeks that I am afraid if I don't take the time and document it...it will disappear into the black hole known as my memory right now.

I'll start with Thanksgiving.

The food. Oh, the food.

The football. Both watched and played.

The facepainting. It kept the kids happily occupied for hours. Who knew?!

The family togetherness. And a turkey induced coma nap.

And of course, the attempts at nice family pictures. Look closely and you'll notice why I said attempts.

alive

yep, still alive...

but covered up in boxes and all the good stuff that comes with moving.

if only i could just move like a normal person...and, well...just move.

instead i cram a whole lotta painting, light fixture changing, furniture exchanging, and some other things that end with -ing.

it'll all be worth it. and i am loving our new place.

the older kids come home tomorrow (thanks Nana for keeping them out of my hair so we could get so much accomplished!)...so i have approximately 20 hours to put any finishing touches on any projects i don't want three extra sets of helping hands on!

it'll be a rush to the finish, for sure.

pictures to come...

snapshot: one day till moving day

snapshot: thanksgiving cousin fun

thank(full)

i am thankful that it is almost 2012.

because that means i have survived 2011.

and 2011 was something to survive.

i am thankful that i truly-really-telling-the-truth-100% think my husband just keeps getting better and better and better and better.

i am thankful that my kids are very forgiving.

i am thankful my God is in control.

even when i so desperately want to be.

i am thankful i can wear my skinny jeans again.

with only a little spillage.

i am thankful that i get to spend my days with the cutest baby in the world.

who lets me rock her to sleep every night. (my others weren't too keen on the whole rocking thing)

i am thankful to be a part of a church where Jesus is lifted high.

and lives are being changed.

but mostly i am thankful that Jesus has changed my life.

i don't ever (EVER) want to get over it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

swifty fly the years: ella mckay turns 6

I've heard it said that the first five years stay with you forever...

Gulp.

I'm gulping because we have made it passed that almighty five year mark and officially have a six year old.

Ella was our planned Christmas present that surprised us on Thanksgiving way back in 2005.

A delicious 6 pound surprise of squish and sweetness.

She showed us early on that she knows exactly what she likes,

who she likes,

and when she likes it.

Period.

Filled with first born bossiness.

Tomboy and diva.

Competitive.

Creative.

Tree climber extraordinaire and protector of wee little creatures.

Determined.

Impish.

With some cheese dip on the side please.

Ella McKay,

You are my beloved first born who made me a mommy and took my breath away from the instant you were laid on my tummy. I will never get over that moment. It is a privilege to be yours. I am so proud of the little girl you are and the glimpses of the young lady I see emerging. Even at your young age it is evident that you are seeking after the Lord and it thrills and humbles me.

You are loved wildly and deeply and dearly.

to the moon and back,

Momma

p.s. You can stop growing up now.

p.p.s. I will never forget the way you fell apart at the mexican restaurant last night when all the bandito's came out to sing you happy birthday. Oh, the trauma. Trauma drama. I'm sorry I laughed at you.