Do you think we have some sibling rivalry issues?

Naaaahhhhh. They're just goofy!

What is this white stuff??????

A few days before Christmas, it actually snowed in Texas!!!! Even though it was dark and VERY cold, the boys couldn't help but go out and play in it.

Daulton decided to use the snow on the trampoline to make a pseudo snowman. It didn't really work out for him though.

What's he doing mom?

Lexi

Lexi's head control is getting so good!!!

Lexi loves to sit in the bottom of the shower with me. It is a special time for she and I because there are no distractions for either of us. Today she was sleeping soooo peacefully laying in bed next to Jeff that I didn't have the heart to shower then because we would have to wake her up.
This is one of her first smiles.

So, Logan's new potty came in the mail. This was his first reaction to it.














No Logan, that is not how you sit on it.

















A few days later, we got him to sit on it. But, EVERYONE was in the room. We were trying to encourage him to "Go shoo-we." We were all laughing at him - do you think he will need therapy when he gets older?!?!?!

These are just some of the boxes that had come from UPS. My dad came in that morning and asked if I had a relationship with the UPS man. Yeah, so much so that we gave them cookies and cokes for Christmas. They (there were always the same two guys in the truck) were here about 3-4 days a week for about 6 weeks.

Dylan is pretty excited, huh? This was the remote control transformer car that Daulton and Damien gave him.

Damien's big gift was his Flip camcorder. Me Me and Granddad gave him an extra battery for it so that he wouldn't ever have to be without it. Thanks mom, dad, Me Me, and Granddad!!

Boojie got a hat like Damien's. I had bought her another gift, but while I was wrapping presents, I realized that the earlier bought gift had disappeared. I think maybe Logan got it and threw it in the trash because it is nowhere to be found. Jeff, Damien, and I spent several hours looking on Christmas eve.

Poppie got a shirt.

Chad has such a natural gift with kids. He loves them and they love him back.

Is it time yet mom? Can I open them??????

Logan didn't quite know what to think about all of this, so Daulton had to help him until he got the hang of it.

Daulton got the leather jacket he wanted.

The boys, minus Logan who had fallen asleep on the couch.

Boojie and Poppie got Logan and Lucas leather jackets. Lucas LOVES his, but Logan - not so much. Aren't they cute?

Lexi had spit up on my dad earlier in the day and Jason heard about that mishap. The picture looks really sweet, but Jason is really thinking, "You better not throw up or poop on me!!"

Christmas

You know, we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of getting everything ready for Christmas. As a mom of lots of kids, it gets stressful trying to make sure we get what they want, but it is somewhat even amongst the kids (as far the $$$ spent) - not to mention how in the heck one pays for all that stuff. Then there is the need to make sure there is enough food and the house is picked up to a decent level. The week of Christmas, I worked two auctions and did 7 shops in a 3 day time period - in the midst of trying to get all of the aforementioned stuff done for Christmas. Anyway, my point being that we get caught up in the stress of the holidays.

But, we need to just pause and remember "the reason for the season" as they say. Jesus' birthday is one of the most important holidays of the year (of course Easter is the other). We need to think about what God did for us in sending His son to die for our sins. True joy would not be possible. I think about the things in my life that bring me true joy - my wonderful husband and my children - and I realize that without Jesus in our lives, this true joy would not be possible.
Without Jesus in our lives, maybe Jeff and I would not be so in love - even 12 years later. There are so many marriages out there that are not full of love for one another. In the moment of life and all the trials that it brings, we are able to remember how we really feel about one another. We are able to get past any issues or problems we may have BECAUSE of our Lord. Even when I get mad at Jeff, I am able to pray that God will help me to be the wife He wants me to be. It makes it so much easier to just go on and not focus on whatever it is because I want to be the person/wife that God wishes me to be.
With Jesus in our lives, I am able to take such true joy in my children. Society as a whole views children as a nuisance and do not see what a gift they are from God. This attitude always amazes me because the Bible, in no uncertain terms, tells us that children are a gift from God. What other gift would one refuse that God would like to bestow upon them? Would we tell God that we had enough money, or that it is so hard to have money, that we didn't want it? No, probably not. Without the true joy that God has given me, I would not be able to realize just how wonderful these blessings are. Children require so much time, attention, money, and patience.... It IS hard. But, God has decided to give us the opportunity to raise these blessings; He has bestowed this honor on US. Who are we to be deserving of such an honor? God also sees fit to bless me with the grace to deal with all that comes with these blessings. I do not always react with grace to the trials that come with these God given blessings - but again, because of Jesus, God forgives me when I do not respond with the tools (His grace) that He has given me.
Jesus' birth is such a wonderful thing for mankind and I would just like to thank God for giving us His son. This is the ultimate gift as I personally would not be the person that I am today without him. Please pause during this wonderful time of year to thank God for His perfect gift.

Another graduate

Chad has graduated from mechanic's school and is working now. We are very proud of him and all that he has accomplished. He has done so well and has turned out to be a wonderful man.

Chad and his girlfriend, April.

Jason and his girlfriend, Chelsea.