Christmas Program!

[I don't know why the videos aren't working...they work when I'm editing it. Sorry!]

Last night was the children's choir program at our church, and it was great. The choir director did a good job of making sure everyone who wanted a special part got one. My mom, Mike, and I all marveled at Jessica, who had a speaking part. If you knew her under age 7, and saw how terribly shy she used to be (unless she was holding her buddy Jonathan's hand) you too would be amazed at her speaking so confidently, loud and clear. I credit the warm, supportive teachers and leaders at Moscow Charter School and Trinity Baptist Church, where she was until 3rd grade, as well as those she's meeting here. I'm so thankful for the people God puts in my children's lives to mold them into who He wants them to be! Here is Jessica as "Isabella" (please excuse the feedback...Jessica had to wait to finish her lines until they fixed it, and even that didn't throw her!):

and here is Mikayla singing her duet (at least until my memory card was full):

Pray for New Life Church

Go to Life at 7000 Feet to read why.

One More Football Post

Did you watch the Heisman awards show last night? Although I was, naturally, disappointed that Darren McFadden (aka DMac, aka Run DMC) didn't win, when I heard Tim Tebow's testimony I couldn't help but like the guy. He was humble, and gave glory to "his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" every chance he got, and said his priorities are 1)His relationship with Christ, 2)His relationships with family, 3)Academics, and 4)Football. My-favorite-ESPN-newscaster-Kirk-Herbstreet said, "We've all seen your passion for #4, what must it be for the other 3!" Go here to watch his acceptance speech. It's encouraging to know there's hope for the next generation!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

I realized I never showed you my Thanksgiving pictures; then I realized that in most of them we're decorating for Christmas, so why not put all the decorating ones together in one big slideshow? I guess our Thanksgiving traditions consist of eating (which we were so busy enjoying that we didn't take any pictures), watching football (and who wants pictures of that?) and decorating for Christmas.
Speaking of traditions, looking through my pictures also made me think about the traditions Mike and I brought into our marriage, and those we've started. Gingerbread, for instance. I never had gingerbread growing up (it's still not my favorite), but it's our tradition now to bake gingerbread men right after Thanksgiving, as our first Christmas treat. Neither one of us had an advent wreath growing up, but we started having one several years ago and now it's one of my favorite family times. We have 2 Christmas trees (aren't we spoiled?). One is the fancy tree Mike wanted, artificial, with white lights, red and gold balls, and a train going around the bottom, and the other is what I call the family tree, real, with multi-colored lights and all our home-made and memory ornaments. When we had a 2-story house it didn't feel quite so silly as it does now, with 2 trees in basically the same room...but my girls wouldn't have it any other way!

Home school art

I subscribed to the Teach Art at Home online newsletter, and we did the December project this afternoon. I was worried it might be frustrating for Mikayla, but she did great, and we all had fun! Here are the results:

Jessica's:



Mikayla's:

Words on Faith by Beth Moore

Go here to read this and more:
"Christ: the perfect blend of security and mystery. He’s security because of all we really can know about Him. Count on about Him. Believe unwaveringly about Him. But He’s also mystery. Someone we can’t conquer. Can’t explain. We know He’ll show up (security!) but never know how (mystery!). I love that about Him."

Heat Wave

It feels like Spring! Yesterday it was 65 degrees, and the girls went out on the driveway to paint their fingernails and toenails while Mike hung Christmas lights. Here's their handiwork:


(I wish you could see Rebecca's better...she got more on her feet than on the nails!)