Christmas lights

Yesterday I took Jacob and Sarah to see the Christmas lights at Texas Motor Speedway.  It was so enjoyable to have some time focused just on them.  They were so excited and delighted by all of the lights!  Their excitement and joy was contagious--and the experience was almost magical for me.  

Sometimes, I think I almost feel a sense of duty to be stressed out.  When life is full of challenges, unresolved problems, expectations,  lists and laundry I struggle to even allow myself the freedom to be happy.  This Christmas I have decided to CHOOSE happiness.    Some of the happiest people I have ever met live in very difficult circumstances.  Yet, they seem to have the ability to choose happiness--and brighten the lives of everyone around them.  That is my goal this Christmas.  This precious experience with my sweet babies will be my reminder!😃

Rebecca's Birthday

This weekend we celebrated Rebecca's birthday.  It was a day of sweet celebration, full of loving and rewarding moments.  It was a day that made all of the work and hardship of parenting squish into the backseat as I fully enjoyed the joy of this beautiful journey through life with my precious family.  I started the day feeling a little sad.  Rebecca has been such an angel assisting and strengthening our family in dozens of ways each day.  Money has been tight and we were not able to get Rebecca what she was hoping for.  The first thing she did was to hug me and thank me for trying.  She spent the rest of the day focusing on making it a good day for her siblings.  Ben wrapped up the remote control car he had recently purchased with the money he had been saving, and gave it to her.  Jason brought lunch home for her that he had made at Fuzzy's Tacos.  David gave her his Settlers of Catan game.  I was amazed to watch all of the unprompted acts of love and kindness.  It was rewarding and overwhelming for me.  I am so grateful for my beautiful family and for my precious Rebecca on her special day!  I love them all!

Backyard Work and Fun

We have been spending our weekends working and playing in our yard.  Even though there are some initial complaints, everyone seems much happier when we are outside working and playing together.  Personally, I would take raking, shoveling, and brush removal over laundry any day!  Working outside is therapeutic.

 Keith breaking ground for the new tetherball from Grandma Perkins.

 Ben hauling branches to the fire pit.

The trampoline is great fun for young and old.  Beware Jason's power jump, however!  He can get you flying pretty high!

Baby Blessing

With each new baby comes the opportunity to have them receive a blessing in church.  I believe with all my heart that little Alexander was sent to earth with a special purpose.  

 His blessing outfit was a gift from Grandma Yorke.

It is humbling for me, as a mother,to realize that I have the first contact and influence with these precious children.  It is moments like this where I am able to catch a glimpse of who they really are and to see them for their potential.

Merry Christmas!

 Merry Christmas!  It is hard to believe that our family has grown by 4 since last year!  It was an amazing day filled with love, excitement...and presents!  I totally get that Christmas should not be about material things, but with 12 kids...and an elf who must have gone a little crazy this year...ours was sure overflowing with them!

 This may very well be the most used and enjoyed present of the season.  Ben and Pikachu have become best friends.

 So many presents!  One picture could not capture everything!

 Santa will be hearing from me on this one.  We do NOT need a puppy right now!  At least Rebecca was thrilled...

  Word on the street is that Santa was a little too hasty in his shopping this year and accidentally spent $75 buying this black light puppet online.  UGH!  At least Sarah has had a great time creating puppet shows under the blacklight in her puppet theater.  Puppet shows have become a regular family evening event!

 Lucy enjoying her treasures from her stocking.

It is great to see Jason so anxious to make this holiday special for his little brother!  I can't believe my baby is growing up so quickly.  Next thing I know, I will be watching him creating special memories for his own kids.  **sniff, sniff**

 Here was probably the most excited response to a Christmas gift.  Henry got cookies in his stocking!  He was literally trembling with joy exclaiming, "Cookie!  Cookie!  Cookie!"

 I just love Kevin's smile!

 Ben, Jacob, and Sam.

 Jacob with his new bike.

 I'm sure no one has noticed yet, but Ben does seem to have a way with working himself into a lot of the pictures!

 This calls for even more words with Santa.  I hate video games!

 Now playdough...there's a creative, mind-building toy!  Why not playdough for Keith??!!

Does this make me feel happy for David, or a little nervous...?  He was pretty excited!

 Ben gave Jacob a dinosaur puppet for Christmas!  Jacob LOVES dinosaurs!  He often tells us it is his dinosaur birthday, asks to go to the dinosaur park, and works dinosaurs into prayers and primary songs.

 This kid melts my heart!

 Ben laughed straight for 20 minutes after picking out this present for his dad at the dollar store.  He was certain he had found the perfect gift.  It did create a funny moment and memory for this Christmas!

 This just makes me laugh!  Keith gave Lucy a megaphone for Christmas.  She loves it!

 Sarah gave Alexander a new hat and blanket.  He is lucky to have a big sister who loves him so much!

 Sarah and her matching doll.

Sam with his new tools.

As I think over the blessings of this Christmas...and this past year...I can't help but reflect with gratitude on the greatest gift ever given.  I am so entirely grateful for the gift of a Savior.  That gift blesses us not only after life, but in life.  Everything good that I have is because of Him--and I will be forever thankful!

Good Citizens

This semester, Sarah and Henry were both nominated by their teachers to receive the Good Citizen award.  

 Here is Sarah running down the line of teachers to give them all a "high five."

 On Henry's run down the line of teachers, he tried to stop and hug all of them:-)

Both Henry and Sarah are in the front row.  Henry is farthest to the left, and Sarah is third from the right.  What an exciting opportunity for them!  

Magical Christmas Memories

For family home evening, David had us reenact the nativity.  What a wonderful time of year to be enjoying a newborn baby.  How precious to watch our Mary (Sarah) enjoying a moment with "baby Jesus" (Alexander)!

"And Joseph [Jacob] also, went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, unto the city of David to be taxed with Mary [Sarah] his espoused wife [riding on their donkey--David]"

One of the wise men, [Ben] presenting a gift to baby Jesus.

For the activity, we made gumdrop sculptures.

Jacob is our aspiring architect.

Keith's creation!

Sarah with another sweet project.

David's cool design.

It is so fun getting to share our Christmas traditions with Henry, Lucy, and Sam.  Our joy has multiplied as much as the size of our family has this year!

Happy first Christmas, Alexander!

He was much happier with this photo session in the arms of his big sister.

'Twas the Sunday before Christmas and all through the house...EVERYONE was stirring including the mouse!

It only took about 85 pictures to get this one!  Needless to say, we were late for church.

Our Christmas Angels--Sarah, Lucy, and Rebecca