Merry Christmas

God could have orchestrated His plan of providing for us a Savior any way that he wanted. But he didn't send a Savior that would have it easy in this life, that would be born into privilege, that would be immune from suffering. He sent a baby to be born into this world, to two scared, but devoted parents, in a cold and dirty manger of all places. His upbringing was not out of the ordinary from the other townspeople, but His behavior and choices from the very beginning set him apart. He spent his time learning, teaching, serving, and loving others. He didn't just tell people God's message, He lived it and led by example. And in the end, He was persecuted until His last breath, but He died with a great peace knowing He fulfilled his role as the Savior of the World.

We all go through challenges in life, but we need only look to the Savior to see how it is that we can get through those things. Even in the midst of our greatest trials, we can rely on the power of prayer and the love of the Savior to see us through. It is true that because of Him, we need not fear and we can go forward with a brightness of hope.

Wishing you all a season of great joy and peace, because with a knowledge that He has gone before us to pave our way back to Heaven, we are in good hands. Merry Christmas.

Before we left...

Let me paint you a picture of our holiday doctor visits... 

In October, Parker had a cold that turned into walking pneumonia. Then he got an ear infection later that month. Then Austin got an ear infection. Then Jackson's cold turned into pneumonia. Then the day before we left for San Diego, Parker got ANOTHER ear infection. Thankfully that cleared up quickly with three-day meds. Then once we got to SD, we were at the urgent care with Austin within two days because of another ear infection for him. The next day, Jackson was sounding wheezy again so back to Urgent care we went. Amidst all that, I picked up their bug and got terribly sick with a sore throat and cold. I went to Urgent care the day after Jackson to rule our strep throat (which it wasn't). Ah. Now on Christmas Eve, we are on our last day of antibiotics for the two youngest. Please oh please, we've paid our dues. Let this be the end for a while. 

But how cute are my sickies?

 And here's another pic of the hectic day before we flew home for Christmas... Jackson is clearly a third child who needs to go with the flow. He didn't make a peep and when I went to check on him, he was fast asleep.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Ho ho ho

A friend gave this to me... Ho Ho Ho

 Parker was invited to a bowling party for a girl in his class last weekend. She invited the whole class, but only PArker and another boy came. She had lots of family there, but still... I'm glad we made the effort. Parker was on a lane with several middle school boys (Nevel, Ahmed, and Sincere). And then there was little, blonde Parker. haha. They were so cute and encouraging of him, but quickly got competitive when he got two strikes within his first three turns! Last year on New Year's Eve we took him bowling and he mentioned that his goal for the new year was to be a better bowler. Well, even though this was his only other time bowling in 2015, he met his goal. He ended beating all the older kids. Hilarious.

 Parker and Christina the birthday girl.

 On Sunday night we went to a local Baptist church to see their drive through Nativity. It was so awesome. They gave you an audio cd for your car and it narrated as you drove through the different scenes. What a neat event for the community to enjoy. It brought up a lot of great conversation in our car and was just really special. So glad we went.

Little student

Kindergarten is so fun. It's 3 1/2 hours a day, he has minimal homework and lots of choice when he does do his homework activities. He loves reading daily because of the Pizza Hut personal pan pizza incentive (I can't believe they are still doing that from when I was an elementary schooler), and he also spends some time on ABC Mouse each day, which really reinforces what he's learning. Jackson naps best in his bed nowadays, so our afternoons are spent at home and there's plenty of time to do homework, talk, and play. It's a nice pace of life. 

 We've had unseasonably good weather lately. Today is 68 degrees. So the boys went out to play with the hose. I love our grassy front yard so much. It's the perfect soccer field and the boys are out there playing most weekends. Austin has gotten into wearing Parker's soccer uniforms, but when asked if he'd like to be on a team to get his own jersey, he responds, "No... I'll just wear Parker's."

 We got Jackson this high chair for Christmas. He's not in the eating phase yet but it's nice to have a place to sit up during dinner prep. I tried to give him some applesauce the other day, but he wasn't interested. But anytime he's on my lap at dinner he is grabbing for my food. So we're not far from that phase.

 And we have a roller. He rolled over from his back to belly and is no longer mad about it. He didn't once on accident a few weeks ago and refused to lift his head. Now he's fine with it. Gone are the days when I could lay him down and he'd stay exactly where I put him. He's a little wiggle worm and spins himself in circles, bouncing his bum up and down. So cute.

Poor little sickie

It is very rare that we are all well around here. Germs basically just cycle through from one person to the next, and often catch one of the kids a second time before the illness has made its way out the door. Lame. The pink antibiotics bottle has a permanent place in the fridge. I wish it wasn't so. 

A cold bug went through our house starting about a month ago. Pete got it after his marathon and it took him quite a while to recover. Then Parker and Austin got little colds that turned into an ear infection for Austin. Then Jackson caught the cold (oh and Uncle Jeff who was with us), and he quickly went from bad to worse in a matter of two days. He started wheezing and was grunting with every breath. One night he demanded to be held all night long, so I "slept" sitting up with him. After that, I knew he needed to be seen by a doctor so I took him into the children's hospital ER. I'm so glad I did because upon doing a chest xray, they found some pneumonia on the scan. However, despite the fact that he wasn't eating very well, the doctor wasn't too concerned given his "heartiness." Pneumonia can be so scary for a puny 4 month old, but not my big boy. We started him on antibiotics and he was much better within a few days. 

Here we are in the waiting room (2 hours of our stay). 

 Then they took us back and it was another 5 hours before we were released. Hospitals don't operate based upon a principle of efficiency, that's for sure. But we had very good care from the doctors and nurses. He kept smiling at everyone, and I kept nudging him to stop smiling so they will believe how sick he was.

 A few days later, we went to the church Christmas party. It was simple with a few crafts and a few musical numbers. Very nice. Austin had caught another cold, so Pete stayed home with Jackson and Aussie, and Jeff, Parker, and I hit up the party.

 There's a healthier boy...

 My life in a photo...

I am at my wits end with managing the mess around here. It is like pulling teeth to get the kids to clean up (even when I'm helping them), but even when we do clean up, it looks disastrous within 15 minutes of it all being clean. We have put away several boxes of toys, and they really do PLAY and imagine with all the toys that are currently out. Not only that but they combine types of toys (legos, action figures, rescuebots, etc...), so it doesn't work to clean up one thing before getting out another. I do do that for things like train tracks or cars that need more setup. Any tips would be super helpful.

Just to make you smile

Don't mess with Texas... that shirt has been through all three boys. 

 Such an amazing find... microwave these pre-peeled and sliced potatoes and mash into mashed potatoes... amazing. I hate peeling potatoes so this was quite a lifesaver.

 Cutie pie Austin... he's seeming so much older lately. Instead of just responding to our conversation, his comments are more spontaneous and totally hilarious.

 After the trampoline park one day I got all boys to sleep from 2-3pm. It was amazing.

 Well hello there...

More of Thanksgiving

Back to Thanksgiving. Jackson and I went to Parker's school for the Kindergarten feast. It was so cute seeing all the kids walk in as pilgrims and Indians.

 Parker with his very kind teaching assistant, Mrs. Sanchez.

 Parker with some of his buddies.

 Parker and his teacher, Mrs. Nicholes.

So fun. Then on Thursday morning we got ready to go to Charlottesville. It was somewhat chilly, so Jackson decided to rock his Patagonia vest. Unfortunately that outfit only lasted the car ride, because he had a blowout diaper and only had a onesie to wear the rest of the day.

 We tried to take some family photos in Scott and Abbey's backyard. Austin wasn't really in a photogenic mood.

 Ah... there we go.

 Our little fam + Uncle Jeff.

The dinner was so delicious and Abbey nailed it with the turkey again this year. Pete put a lot of pressure on her to make the turkey as amazing as last year, and she delivered:) Obviously, Jeff was satisfied with the meal...

 Here are some of Austin's Thanksgiving crafts from this month.

 Jackson and Abbey (who is 6 weeks older but is already crawling around like a mad-woman). She's leaving Jackson in the dust! SO cute together. But Jackson does have her beat in the weight department.

It was a lovely Thanksgiving and we are really excited to be onto December. The countdown is on until our California Christmas!