Little Boys and Locomotives

We had a great start to the Christmas Season this past weekend. On Friday night, we went to the Santa Train at the Museum of Life and Science. It was such a treat! The train is always a treat in its own right, but add a visit to the North Pole with Santa Claus and you have something extra special!

We had to start the night off right with a posed picture of the boys and their pals out in front of the Santa Train sign. Too cute!

Next stop, making reindeer food!

Connor had to be a part of this too...

A wonderful family time! It is an amazing joy to watch the belief and delight of children during this magical time of year.

This is one of my favorites...the elf was telling the kids to be on the look out for Rudolf, that they had lost Rudolf in the woods! Look at those faces. They told them to tell Rudolf to "Go HOME" if they saw his shiny red nose...you bet we found him and our kids were the loudest ones on the train telling that silly reindeer to head on home!!

Mrs. Claus stopped and talked with the children while they waited for Santa.

"Just where is Santa, anyway?!!!"

I love this one too. Landon said, "I want a bicycle, a Lightening Mcqueen and a Larryboy" to which Santa replied, "Well you are one decisive young man!!" You got that right, sir!!

Connor experienced his first hot chocolate! I think he liked it...

Adorable, says the biased mommy! (notice the chocolate all the way above his eye brow!)

Landon got his face painted and had quite a few hilarious faces during the event...

My, he was pleased with himself!

Landon and Sophia showing off their face paintings.

My sweet boy.

Our next train event started Saturday morning. "Nanny Claus" came over bright and early, brought us Bojangles and a Polar Express Train for around our tree. Let's just say, big hit, HUGE!!

Here are the boys checking it out...

I think Nanny got the reaction she was hoping for!!

Daddy and the boys taking it out of the box...

Pure excitement. Look at Landon, dancing, he was SO excited!

Daddy, Landon and Connor setting up the track and train.

Connor was just as involved as his older brother and his daddy. He wanted every bit of being a big boy helper!

Landon had to make sure things were just so...

Stan, our resident engineer, was hard at work and loved it just as much as the little boys!!

Nanny made for one wonderful Saturday morning! I think we stayed in our PJs until noon! We especially enjoyed sharing the morning with Nanny. It was such a special morning, it felt as though it were Christmas morning!

Hope you enjoy!

Believe

I recently read a very timely devotion which has got me thinking. I have really been meaning to update my BLOG but haven't "had the time". In fact, this entry has spanned over at least 3-4 days. Despite my best efforts, life right now is nuts. :)

The devotional I read was about "Winter's Longing" and it speaks of the physical darkness of winter months and likens it to our waiting, repentance and longing during the Advent Season.

It goes on to speak of the season of Advent and how it "bids all to come and find surprising gifts in the shorter days, in the womb of pregnant possibility, and in the anxious anticipation that accompanies waiting in the darkness."

There have been many times in he past that I have felt as though I were in darkness, even lately and struggle with how that can be- when I have the Creator of the Universe in control of my life.

I think that the physical darkness of winter does play a part, especially from a pathophysiological point of view. Just as our physical bodies need light to function most effectively, so our spiritual lives need light. The waiting we suffer through in the winter eventually ends as Spring flowers emerge, days become longer and our sun enhances our vitamin D levels and leads to less Melatonin production which is one of the contributing chemicals to seasonal affective disorder.

As is in our spiritual lives. Any suffering we encounter (and this we are promised) is part of a bigger plan and always, I believe, an opportunity to grow closer to the true SON, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Speaking through the prophet Isaiah, the God of Israel also promises: "I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name" (Isaiah 45:3).

What treasures can I find in the waiting of this Advent Season? What riches are hidden in those secret places, those places I share with no one?

It hit me today as I sat listening to God's music fill our church as our choir provided our message in song through our annual Christmas Cantata. If I believe that God did, in fact, place a baby who happened to be the Savior of this world, in the uterus of a virgin, how dare I question His provision for me in my wanting of another baby, or anything else for that matter? It doesn't make sense. Believing in the power of immaculate conception and resurrection is SO HUGE and I DO believe it. Do I believe that God's plans are the best for my life?

While waiting to celebrate the birth of my Savior, I am still learning that His power is greater than anything I can imagine and NOTHING is impossible with God, even creating life without what science says is needed and conquering death.

As I reflect on the treasures hidden in the dark, behind the tears, the disappointments this life can often bring, I realize, the treasure for me is belief. Belief in the power of God and his complete control over my life. Belief that nothing is impossible with God. Belief that He wants what is best for me. Belief that I can trust him, 100% and release my own desires into his hands.

God never fails us and today, I was once again reminded of His goodness and grace for me, a weak, doubting, frail human being.

I believe. And because I believe, this is a season that is rich. Whether I have plenty or I am in a time of want, it is belief that makes the difference in my perspective.

I believe that this season is about waiting to celebrate the birth of our Savior, the one who dispelled the darkness of this world...forever.

Happy Belated Fall/Halloween

I am so late getting this post out...but such is the life of mommy. Amidst all of my other "goings-ons," I have also been completing orientation at my new job (YAY) and finally finished the last day today. I had to space it out to accommodate for childcare while working my 2 days in the clinic at UNC Peds GI. I am thrilled to be there and also thrilled to be done with orientation so I can start getting used to my new schedule! :)

The above picture is from October 22nd...so I am really late, almost a month! We went to Ganyard Family Farm again this year with my parents and Karen and Zaiya. A special treat, the Smiths also joined us!!

Our sweet boys standing at the entrance. I figure these will be sweet to review over the years as they grow.

This was truly one of my highlights. The boys loved this bunny, "Cotton". Parents were able to hold Cotton and Landon and Connor were all over petting the bunny, saying they wanted one. Connor really wanted to hold it himself, but worked out his longing by giving this little friend many sweet pats. I just love watching their faces with little animals, it is so sweet...though not sweet enough for me to own one of such rodents!!

Connor had to milk the cow again..."Pop, really, is that how it works?" My dad showed Connor once and he was all over it, just like last year. Farming might just be in this one's future.

Landon had a blast playing in the hay. The tunnel slide this year was a big hit and he and Sophia were fearless climbing up the hay bails and sliding down the slide. He definitely had a blast.

And, I LOVE this picture...the corn pit. Landon played and played and played. I even got in this year. I am amazed at how much corn I dumped from my pants!!

Fun action shot!

Landon and Sophia navigated the corn maze together and stopped for this sweet picture.

Connor found his own little pumpkin and eagerly pointed it out to me. Notice the pretzel in his hand, which was the only thing that could get him out in the pumpkin patch. Also, notice the red crocks...did I mention he is 2?

Stan thought he would try housing this little pumpkin... :)

We then headed home and let the boys play and celebrated Connor's birthday (previous post). Connor and Zaiya were very busy in the kitchen.

I just love this picture of my dad, Landon and Zaiya. What pure joy. It is a treat to see captured moments like this. It is a treat that my dad spends this kind of time with my boys.

On to Halloween...did I mention Connor was 2? He really wanted to take his pants off but, alas, they were attached. So, he figured out how to make it work for him...

Derek brought Sophia and Emelia over for our annual Halloween dress up playgroup. I had to get a shot of his wonderful coordination for Janise who was away at a retreat.

Landon and Sophia coloring their craft. I had about 10 kids all inside hyped up for Halloween...I was prepared. We did this craft were we colored little strips of paper that fit into a clear plastic mug as an insert so their little pictures were the decor on the mugs. Then we had hot chocolate which was a total hit!

So was the easel...

I loved little Atticus's outfit!

Here is a group shot of our playgroup...minus sweet Thomas, Caroline and Isabelle. Picture all the moms behind the camera singing "wheels on the bus"- that should have been a picture too!

Me and my little superheros.

So, Sophia and Emelia stayed for the rest of the day with us and I went into full on craft and cooking mode. We made the adorable little pumpkin rice krispie treats (thanks for the idea Lucia). They did an excellent job!

We also made this spiderweb pizza...

Another shot of the little pumpkins.

I love this one of Connor cracking up with my mask on. Adorable.

And our little buddy, Zaiya, came over on Halloween night to dress up and hand out candy. Landon was a little less than excited about getting a photo when all he wanted to do was eat all that candy he got!!

Can't mention Halloween without at least a mention of "Annaween". Anna's birthday is Halloween and this year we all dressed up and went out to eat. Anna was Wilson, their dog and Brandon dressed up as his dad who is a football coach at Eastern Alamance. They were too cute!!

And Stan and I were superheros...

I do have to say the costume of the night went to Brandon's parents...

Happy Belated Halloween and Fall Festivities. Too crazy that Christmas is already 5 weeks away!