Seeing Santa

For the past three years I have been taking the kids to see Santa in Downtown Winchester at a community center. Its such a great opportunity for parents because the photos are free with your own camera and they have crafts to keep the kiddos busy while you wait. Andplusalso, the people in charge really wised up last year and assigned each family a number as they entered so you don't even have to wait in an actual line. Sounds perfect, right? Except for one thing...the wait. Last year we literally waited 4 hours to see the big guy in red. Crazy, I know. But this Santa is awesome...real beard, very personable, and takes his time talking with your children about what they want and if they have been naughty or nice (thus the wait). So tonight when we walked into the community center to discover it was a totally fake looking different Santa, my heart sank. But guess who didn't care? That's right, my AMAZING kids. The wonder and excitement of the season was still there. There smiles just as big, their eyes just as wide. And to top it all off...when they each received their very special candy cane after sitting on Santa's lap, they explained to all who would listen the symbolism behind the confection. Now THAT touched this momma's heart more than any picture with Santa ever could.

Look at the Candy Cane
What do you see?
Stripes that are red
Like the blood shed for me
White is for my Savior
Who’s sinless and pure!
“J” is for Jesus My Lord, that’s for sure!
Turn it around
And a staff you will see
Jesus my shepherd
Was born for Me!

A Princess and a Pirate

Happy Halloween!

WW | Snow Much Fun!

Resolve

Resolve

1. to come to a determination; make up one's mind; determine

2. to break up or disintegrate.
(Dictionary.com)

A new year starts today. So many of us think of New Years as a time for change, a chance to do something that will somehow make us a better person in our own eyes or in the eyes of others. Many resolutions will be made today for 2013. "Lose Weight," "Find Love," "Learn to be a better _____."  It saddens me that in 350 or so more days most of us will be beating ourselves up about which resolutions we failed to accomplish and find ourselves making the same resolutions on the eve of 2014 because we are once again unhappy with something about our selves from 2013.

Last year often found me browsing Facebook and scouring Pinterest. I Literally spent hours collecting projects, crafts, designs, patterns, schedules and exercises in order to find ways or things which might make me a better mom, wife, or woman. For a time I found myself getting anxious about all the crafts and teachable moments I should be having with my kids. I have commented on events and milestones in others' lives on Facebook wondering, "how does that mom/dad do it all," or "that's what I should be doing!" and then feeling guilty because of it. A pastor at our church shared with us one Sunday, "Comparison only leads to pride or discontent." Why do I put myself through that?

So for 2013 my goal is to be happy with my SELF--the person God made and who He wants me to be. I need to stop thinking about all the things I should do or become to be "better," and focus on what I am good at and who I am really. I think I was a darn good person before Pinterest came along--we all were. And while a new year does provide a clean slate for us, so too does every day. Every day we have a chance to enjoy life and be present in it. Every day we can thank God for who we are. Now I'm not saying we shouldn't aim to loose a few pounds (raising hand) or not utilize social networking, but we shouldn't let it be who we are. A resolution shouldn't be what defines us for a year or let it be what breaks us down.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your Grace and another year to learn what that means for me. I pray that I can become truly happy with my Self and faithful that I am where You want me and living out my purpose in Your name. I pray that I can bring others closer to you as I grow to better know you and provide an example to my children on what it means to be a Christian. 

In Jesus' name,
Amen

WW | Santa

There was a lot of waiting...

And a little bit of this...

But then they saw this...

It's Begining to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Holy Smokes! Has an entire month really passed since my last post? With a rambunctious three-year-old, a daredevil eighteen-month-old , and Christmas to prepare for, I can hardly find time to go to the bathroom, let alone come up with any witty words or download all the images off my camera to post. Yet at this very moment the toddlers are napping, I've wrapped up some wrapping and "the stockings are hung by the chimney with care"-- so I'll try.

Our family has been lucky enough to visit with ALL of our combined parents and in-laws already this holiday season. Since both our parents divorced, this rarely happens so it has been quite a treat. How wonderful for Carleigh and Nicolaus to enjoy time with Grandma, Grandpa, Nana, Pap, Nanny, Grandpa Rich and Papa. And if you're wondering, the kids have the names down pat, John seems to be the only one who gets confused!

Christmas cards have been mailed, the tree is trimmed, Santa has been sat upon, and Selph the Elf (our Elf on the Shelf) has been on the lookout since December 1. We have finished our shopping with two weeks to spare so all that remains is some baking and enjoying the rest of the season with friends and family. And with all the gift giving, eating, drinking, and being merry...my wish for everyone this year is to take some time to remember the true reason for the season. Little Baby Jesus was born who ultimately gave us the greatest gift, the gift of salvation when he died for all of us on the cross. No gift under the tree or stuffed in a sock can top that one!

"Glory to God in the highest!" -- Luke 2:14

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for all you have created and how you have blessed my family and me. I am especially thankful for time spent during the Holidays with family and friends. I pray they all take time to glorify you everyday and not just this time of year. In the busyness of the season, help me also to remember your perfect plan and your faithfulness and to pass on the knowledge to my kids that we've already received the perfect gift in Jesus.

Happy Halloween!

Nicolaus and Carleigh dressed as Hansel and Gretel for Halloween this year. Nicolaus wore the Liederhosen which were John's when he was little and Carleigh's nanny sewed her beautiful dress. They are so cute I just want to eat them up! Does that make me the wicked witch of the tale?



Happy 4th of July!

Easter Cuties

I took over 200 pictures on Easter! It was so hard to narrow it down to just a few favorites.

 

 

Holiday Memories

There is no way I could post all the pictures we took over the 2010 Christmas season, so I have chosen to showcase a few favorites here. In no way could these few images convey the wondrous times we shared with all our family and friends or the joy I felt experiencing Christmas through our children.

Santa Claus is Comin' to Town!

Santa already paid a visit to Winchester and we wouldn't have missed it for the world. I was not sure how the kids would react--Nicolaus met santa last year but certainly doesn't remember and Carleigh is such a Mommy's girl. Both kids ADORED him! Carleigh couldn't keep the big grin off her face and Nicolaus just talked up a storm. He also thought it was pretty neat he and Santa share the same name. Seeing their pure joy is a moment I will always treasure and one that makes me so happy to be their Mom.

Way Back Wednesday - July 14, 2010

This Week's Topic: Favorite Halloween Memories

How can I pick just one?! I absolutely love Halloween and always have a costume. Even on our Honeymoon cruise I had perfect pirate garb for the hubby and me--would have worn it too if we hadn't been seasick that night. However, if I have to pick one, it would be the Halloween after John and I started dating...1999. He still liked coming to visit me in Richmond at that point. We dressed as a vampire couple and attended a party that ended with two huge M&Ms fighting...boy do I wish I had a picture of that! I'm not sure what makes this Haloween stand out to me. Maybe John made it so special or maybe because I look really good in the dress.

Christmas in July

No, Santa hasn't decided to make a stop at our house this Summer, though we have been extra good this year. With two kids and my goal of making all Christmas gifts for family and friends, I actually have started knitting now instead of waiting till November. I'm not going to share the pattern since some who follow my blog will be the lucky recipients (assuming you too have been good), but I can offer a sneak peak picture. The cotton yarn makes knitting in the Summer bearable. If I finish in good time, I hope to start on coordinating outfits for Nicolaus and Carleigh...we'll see how that goes.

Happy 4th of July!

Merry Christmas

We hope all our family and friends have a Merry Christmas! We have been so blessed this year watching Nicolaus grow, John getting a new job and discovering we will soon be a family of four. We could not have made it through without all your prayers and support. Thank you!

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! In addition to having so much to be thankful for, we were able to spend the holiday with our Tennessee family whom we seldom see because we are separated by so many miles. Nicolaus finally got to meet his Great Grandma and Grandpa Lam and had such a special time with them. He also met Santa for the first time! There were no tears, but he wasn't quite sure what to think and was one tuckered out little man when we got home that night. We hope all our family and friends had a blessed Thanksgiving too!

Halloween

Nicolaus' first Halloween was very low key. We stopped by our dear friend's Jason and Allison's house early in the afternoon since we wouldn't be able to make it to their party. Allison is a HUGE Halloween fan to put it mildly and had decorated their house and it looked great. From their we went to Aunt Steph and Uncle Will's for the evening. We enjoyed cheese and crackers, meatballs, and yummy Greek pizza. Nicolaus had a fun time chasing Izzy the cat around the house. Unlike our cat Roxy, Izzy actually plays with Nicolaus by teasing him, almost letting him catch her and then running away. The hit of the evening I have to say though was August's costume. If I hadn't seen her beforehand, I would have never believed it was her under all that green makeup! Nicolaus loved being in his Monkey costume. Hopefully we can find one just as cute next year when he will actually be able to go trick-or-treating.

Family, Friends, and Freedom

As I sit at my computer the evening before the day we celebrate our country's independence, I find myself feeling extra blessed to be living the life I do. My baby sleeps soundly in his crib upstairs, I spent the day with friends and their children, my husband is the most wonderful man in the world and I have the freedom to celebrate all these things.

As you gather with your own friends and family tomorrow, take a moment to be thankful for our country, its heroes and for what our Flag stands.

In honor of the holiday, I share a poem I wrote in 2002 on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks. I was working in downtown DC only a few blocks from the Whitehouse where I often walked during lunch or after work.

September 10, 2002
8:46 pm

I walk
following the sound of a drum circle--
Three activists exercising their right as an American:
"End all War, Free Palestine, Stop Nuclear Testing!"
Their protests set in tne to a beat different
than that of my heart.
My destination rises before me
through fountains, through flowers, through trees:
The White House--
a vision that has brought many to tears, to their knees.
A home, a symbol, not just for one family, for many,
for a nation.
A mounted officer stands proudly by his horse,
offers to take a picture of a family visiting for the first time.
A news crew stands at attention,
waiting for a moment, for a story to share
with the world.

But none of these images
holds as much importance as those flashing
through my mind, flickering
just behind the surface of my eyses, ensuring
I remember
a year ago, the 11th of September
As if I could forget two planes exploding
into two towers triumphant to the sun;
As if I could forget a wound in the wall of the Pentagon;
As if I could forget a field in Pennsylvania;
As if I could forget the firefighters, fallen Heroes;
As if I could forget the Red--Hardiness and Valor;
the White--Purity and Innocence;
the Blue--Vigilance, Perseverence, and Justice;
As if I could forget I am American.

Father's Day Photo Shoot

Now that Father's Day has passed I can post the wonderful pictures Rhian took of Nicolaus and I at her farm. Being a SAHM (Stay At Home Mom for those of you who may ask) I don't have a lot of extra cash hidden in my drawers so we decided to take some nice pictures to give John on his special day. Even though Nicolaus was a little less than cooperative (it was REALLY hot and humid) they turned out great! Here is just a sampling of some of my favorites.