Christmastime is Here!

It was a beautiful day at church yesterday, so I took some photos with my new camera (It's 12 megapixels and I got it on Black Friday for $69.  Aren't you jealous?!).  I gave the kids our "old" camera...it's only three years old.  It was a doorbuster deal in 2006; I got it for $49 at Target and it was 3 megapixels!!  Oh, how the times have changed.  Even though they have their own real camera now, they must use mine.  The whole family got in on the picture-taking and everyone had to take some.   

Michael and I love photography, so we fight over who gets the camera.  We haven't turned it into a full-fledged hobby yet, but we're working on it.  We are determined to have our own booth at The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival one of these years. 

In the above photo, I was experimenting with foreground shots.  I've seen this technique on other blogs and just love 'em.  This one turned out great.  I love the kids in the background looking at the Christmas tree.

 

I am so excited about Christmas.  It's my favorite time of year.  I enjoy all the decorations, the lights and sparkle of it all.  I love baking sweets for others to enjoy.  I love the parties and the fellowship.  

I also love the opportunity it brings to tell others about the true meaning of Christmas and the hope of Jesus.  I pray you remember every day in December the real reason we celebrate this joyous holiday. 

One of my favorite songs for Christmas and every day is by a group called Downhere.  The song is How Many Kings.  Below are the lyrics.   

Follow the star to a place unexpected
Would you believe after all we’ve projected
A child in a manger

Lowly and small, the weakest of all
Unlikeliness hero, wrapped in his mothers shawl
Just a child
Is this who we’ve waited for?

Cause how many kings, stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

Bringing our gifts for the newborn Savior
All that we have whether costly or meek
Because we believe
Gold for his honor and frankincense for his pleasure
And myrrh for the cross he’ll suffer
Do you believe, is this who we’ve waited for?
It’s who we’ve waited for

How many kings, stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?
Only One did that for me

All for me
All for you
All for me
All for you

Watch the video here.  I pray it speaks to your heart.

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!!

The turkey is smelling positively mouth-watering right now and there's not too much left for me to make.  Actually, now that I think about it, there is quite a bit but it's all easy plus I have a willing and eager helper, Meg.  She loves to cook and bake.  In fact, she made the apple pie this morning.  I helped with some instruction on the ingredients and assembly, but she did the rest.

Slicing the apples.

 

Pouring them into the crust.

 

 Topping it with an oatmeal crumb mixture.  Looking good!

Michael's parents drove up so there will be six of us.  I love having Holiday dinners at our home.  I wish more of our family could make it down from Indiana. *hint, hint*

Since you couldn't be here this year, enjoy these photos of our day.  We love you all and miss you greatly!

Me preparing the veggies (in my pjs) to go under the turkey while roasting.

Ready to go!

BL took pictures while I put the food out buffet-style.

Homemade pumpkin pie...ummmm!

BL & Meg enjoying mashed potatoes.

Chocolate mousse in a small cup of chocolate.

BL about to enjoy his daddy's dessert!

Now begins the Thanksgiving Feast coma!

I have succumbed...

Several months ago I stated that I would not be attending opening night of New Moon with all those "crazy fans."  Famous last words.

Five of my girlfriends and I will be attending the 12:01 showing.

Not only am I going to see the movie that night, I am dressing up as Alice and decorating my car.  We will also be meeting at The Goose's Acre for drinks and appetizers, then we'll go stand in line early to get the first pick of seats, hopefully.

I am prepared to hear talking, screaming and texting.  Having imagined the worst, I hope I will be pleasantly surprised, but I will not hold my breath.  I prefer people to be silent, except where appropriate exclamations are warranted, rather than chat with their friends throughout the film.

And I hate when movie-goers pay $9 to text incessantly on their cellphone, which shines incredibly bright in the dark theater.  It hurts my eyes...*whining.  I mean, seriously people, can't you go without texting or talking for a mere two hours?

Knowing these annoyances may occur, I already have a plan:  I will be seeing the movie on the big screen three more times.

During the day the following week, while the teenagers are at school, you'll find me in the middle of the theater all by myself.  This way I'm nearly certain to not have to battle with chatty teenagers.  though, they may not be as bad as the Twilight moms on opening night.  I hope to have the theater all to myself at 10:20 on a weekday morning (I'm not telling you when.  I said I want to be alone!).   

Then, my sweet hubby is going to take me out for a date night so we can see it together.  He is actually looking forward to it because there is much more action in this one.  Since Mom will be in town, we'll have a sitter...for free!  Gotta love those grandmas!!

Last, if we decide there is no questionable material for the kids (11 & 13), then we'll make it a family event Thanksgiving weekend.  They both get excited about the action sequences in the previews and have already expressed they "must see it!"  

I have never seen a movie so many times at the theater.  I can't wait to spoil myself!!

Back to Home School

We kicked off another year of homeschooling a few months ago.  We added Logic and God's Design for Heaven & Earth Science series to the basics plus Latin and Spanish.  I am excited about this year since the kids are older and able to do more in-depth learning and studying.  They're also learning more about personal responsibility, character and boundaries.
  
We attended the THSC State Convention for the second year and gained more insight into how to implement certain subjects and skills as well as what to let go for later years (like starting grammar in 7th grade rather than doing the same thing every year).  Michael has really gotten into it this year and been more eager to participate in their studies, especially teaching citizenship and planning field trips.

He is a history buff which is a blessing because I am not.  Some things about history I enjoy but all the battles and wars...boring!  I prefer art history.  We both enjoy science.  So, he plans the history field trips; I plan the trips to the art museums.  And we both plan the science trips, like to Space Center Houston or the George Observatory.  We balance each other well.

Both kids are involved in groups for kids their age.  This is great for getting them out to meet other homeschooled children with similar interests.  It's great for me as well, to fellowship with other moms.  We share ideas, encourage one another and, most importantly, eat chocolate and Rice Krispy treats. 

Michael is coaching soccer again.  He was an assistant a few times when the kids were little but this organization is much more thorough in how they run their soccer club. He and B are really enjoying it.  One of the soccer dads asked Michael to join a men's league, so he plays with them twice a week.

Our weeks are full until the weekend before Thanksgiving! We'll be ready for a break.