A Blessed Day

When I opened the e-mail, I couldn't believe it....

They had chosen us!

Okay let me back up just a second. I am a Freecycle fan. I look at my e-mail specifically set up for it almost every day. Sometimes there are treasures to be found, sometimes just a bunch of stuff to delete.

On this particular day there was "Four Tickets to Six Flags" in the heading.

What? That can't be right? I clicked it open and it said something to the effect of: "When we purchased our season passes they gave us four complimentary tickets. They have to be used by January 1st and no one we know has time to go before then. We're looking to bless someone with children."

There were several posts after this one so I knew it had been there for all the freecycle world to see for at least a few hours. Surely lots of people had already requested the tickets.

Still, what could it hurt? The most they could do was say no, and since I didn't already have the tickets it wouldn't make any difference. So I replied.

A few hours later I looked again and there was a response. The e-mail after it was a general one to everyone saying the tickets were gone. I thought for sure they were gonna say, "Sorry several people responded before you and someone has already came and picked them up."

Boy was I blown away when they said, "We chose you!"

"We had over 30 responses, but we picked you. When can you come and get them?"

We were sooo excited. Yohn went and got them the next morning. He said a man that looked a lot like Santa answered the door and Yohn impulsively wanted to say Merry Christmas! The man said that was fine, he liked that and wished him a Merry Christmas too, even though Christmas was a few days before. They put the tickets in a Christmas card all ready for us to enjoy.

And enjoy them we did!

We visited on Friday so we could be there all day (they were only open 4 pm to midnight on Saturday, New Year's Eve and we didn't want to travel that late, it being the night it was).

The kids saw some shows we've missed on previous visits.

They rode some rides they'd never ridden before.

Played in the stores and saw some fun animals (except I forgot to upload that picture!).

Oh I almost forgot. The evening Yohn picked up the tickets I got another e-mail from the generous people in Freecylce-land. It said, "We hope you enjoy your visit to Six Flags. Every time I post something I pray that whoever I give it to would be able to use it. So far it has worked every time."

Well it worked again! And we had a very Blessed family day because of it! Thanks so much!

Christmas At Our House

The decorations...

Somehow I forgot the picture of the Christmas tree. Oh well, I suppose.

* * * * *

Each year around this time Yohn is Santa for the children at the preschool.

We always make sure to get a picture with him and the kids.

And, of course, I had to take one of myself just for good measure.

* * * * *

One of our traditions is to get the kids new pj's for Christmas Eve. This year I was a little biased on my choices.

Snoopy is my favorite cartoon character...

...and Superman is Yohn's!

BTW, the kids just got out of a very quick shower before I let them get their new pajamas, that's the reason for the wet heads in the pictures.

We also let the kids empty out the contents of their stockings on Christmas Eve.

They talked about this moment all. day. long.

Super hero gloves, lego minifigures, candy, and notes from Mama were inside each stocking. Bethany also drew pictures for everyone and wrote a little note.

Yohn got new Cleveland Browns socks.

I got a new wii game. Let me tell ya though, this game is not that easy to master. Unless maybe you're a master wii player. I probably need more practice.

* * * * *

Christmas morning came early with the kids waking up at around 6:45 (okay so that's early to me!). Yohn got the turkey ready for the oven whilst we all waited patiently, or not so patiently, for him to finish up. The Christmas story was read, but unfortunately not photographed. The kids asked their questions and we talked about why we celebrate Christmas.

Then the opening of the presents began...

* * * * *

Grandma Yvonne came over later for lunch and more gifts. We played games and watched movies with her.

Lynx enjoyed his first Christmas. He has managed to knock off most of the lower ornaments causing them to be relocated elsewhere on the tree. He also thinks the Christmas tree is the best hiding place ever and often sets up to ambush our feet from there. He will probably be the saddest when it's time to pack it up again.

* * * * *

Although, I've heard it done before, Bethany came up with the idea last year to make a cake and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. It was all her own idea and she was surprised to learn this year that other people do it too. She reminded me this year to get the ingredients while we did the Christmas food shopping. She picked out the type of cake (Devil's food), frosting (Milk Chocolate) and the blue icing.

Here she is decorating the cake.

The finished product. She tried to write Happy Birthday but ran out of room. She asked me to write Jesus' name down the side, and then I figured out how to make a flower so she made several more and a smiley face.

Happy Birthday Jesus! Thank for you coming down as a Babe so save a world that is lost without you.

M.I.A.

Yes, I have been missing lately. It's been a crazy, busy month and we welcomed Friday with open arms. Friday began Christmas Break and I am so happy to see it here. I may have to work a few days this week, but I'm sooo looking forward to the next few weeks and all the simple times they are gonna bring. I still have some Christmas shopping to do, but even that doesn't compare to what we have been up to.

This month we celebrated a certain bearded man's birthday! Happy Birthday Love!

This Tuesday he'll be Santa for the preschoolers and then off comes all that hair. I can't wait!

Elisha has been busy with basketball practice and games. He's learned so much this year and we are so impressed with his coach.

They are 4-1 so far. Go Saints!

Bethany has been busy practicing for the church Christmas play since August, but the first full week of December brought almost three hour practices on Monday and Tuesday, a two hour dress rehersal on Wednesday, and the actual performance on Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

Both her and Jewell did great and in a very small way I was sad to see it over. Not all that crazy practicing but the actual performance, because she loved it soo much.

Then the following Wednesday brought the school performance, of which the kids have been practicing like crazy. First they'd practice in class, then after school they both would practice with the band. During the church play week my poor Bethany was going to school, then band practice, then play practice, then home to eat, do homework, bathe and go to bed. In this picture Bethany is playing the part of Mary. (Sorry for the poor quality pictures, our sanctuary does not have great lighting for such things.)

Bethany's class sang "We Three Kings" and "How Great Our Joy".

Elisha's class sang "Do You Hear What I Hear" and "I Want a Hippopatamus for Christmas". That second song was hilarious!

(Again sorry for the poor picture quality, I don't have a fancy smancy photo editor either.)

Bethany's class played "Jingle Bells" on the recorders. They did a great job! But can someone tell me why my kid is always the one directly behind the music stand?

Both kids performed in the band, playing "O Come all Ye Faithful"...

...and "What Child is This".

Bethany, being the talented thing she is, was invited to play the xylophone for the Christmas Program, since she has no troubles reading music or picking up on a new instrument. Some days I am slightly jealous of her mad skills.

I'm so proud of my little Stars!

To top it all off, the "Bubble Eater" also got a new retainer to help widen out her mouth. I thought you'd be able to see it in the above picture but I was mistaken. I'll have to get a picture of it for our own "records" but I doubt I'll be posting it here. Then again, she may insist, because she's silly like that.

And even though we are heading into "relax mode" Elisha came home from spending the night at his friend's house early because he wasn't feeling well. Today he has a fever that we are letting ride out and pumping him full of fluids. Bethany claims she is not well either, but that could just be for attention.

Hoping your Christmas is an awesome one!