Last post of 2008

To any of you that may read this - HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I'm home "celebrating" with my kiddos... there is no place on earth I'd rather be than with them! Now, in all fairness, I wouldn't mind being at Time's Square, but today, I'm happy to be here. T could be here and that would be the icing on the cake, but I'll take what I can get.

I've learned SO much this year. My patience has been tested beyond belief but my trust that God has our lives in the palms of His hands has never been clearer.
For those of my praying friends, please remember us this year... we are preparing for a year of hope and growth.

Many blessings to you all!
Love,
jodi

Our Christmas 2008

Even tho' our Xmas was sadly spent without extended family, the 5 of us managed to have a good time. Big Daddy showed up 2 days early as a BIG surprise to all of us. We've baked and cooked together and the kids are thoroughly enjoying their Daddy being here.
We all got up and went shopping the day after Xmas - LOTS of bargains!
Mimi was about to run out in the road while going from store-to-store; I pulled her back and she hit her nose on a bag that I was carrying and got a horrible bloody nose. The night before she skinned her knees while we were visiting friends - Santa should have gotten her a travel-sized first-aid pack!
We went to Stars 'n Strikes (arcade) last night with Xian's 'free' tickets.
Today we installed LB's zip line in the back yard. FUN!!!! She loves it!
Xian is busy playing Guitar Hero.
Mimi is enjoying time w/ the neighbor girl.
T leaves on Monday but will be back next weekend as we celebrate our first-born's rite of passage into teenagedom.... YIKES.
Miscellanous pix from the past week:

Elf on the Shelf

This was our first year participating in the GENIUS concept of 'Elf on the Shelf.' Have you heard of it??
It is basically behavior bribery at its finest! Our elf, whom the girls named Lolly, acts as Santa's eyes and ears. He observes the behavior all day and then magically flies to the North Pole every night to report to Santa. He 'lands' in a different spot every morning when he reappears.... my girls had a blast with him throughout December!
Check out some of Lolly's favorite spots...

Happy GOTCHA Day Mims

3 years ago today our lives were blessed w/ the addition of little Mims. Those early days were VERY rough (to say the very least.)
You are such a happy, smart, wonderful child, Mims......... We love you!!!!

Tu tu cute

The kid's at our church had an opportunity to sing yesterday during the services.

LB was super excited to do this!

Adorable Xmas clothing all around!!!! :)

This is what a 12-yr-old brother does w/ a tutu:

Miscellaneous December pictures

Xmas decorating

The kids love it. Like me when I was young, they are oblivious to the amount of work it takes. If it was up to me - this year, I wouldn't have decorated. I know, ba humbug! For the first time EVER, I fully let the kids decorate the (ugly) tree (some artificial thing I bought at Walmart.) I didn't go behind them and replace every ornament making sure each and every one was evenly spaced, etc. (I know you've done it, too!) Anyway, this is what you get - 90% of the ornaments are at the bottom!