Christmas con't...

The boys waiting for their stockings...

in my stocking was an external flash for my camera (Yippee!)...as you can tell from the pictures below I have some reading to do...

Micaiah is helping Eli open his first gift (with much excitement I might add)...check out Josh's face in the background...

opening the Wii...

Micaiah ready to go...

pure sweetness...Joshua showing off his gingerbread man pancake!

Merrry Christmas 2009!

Snow Ramp...

...this is how the boys spent an hour and a half today

...thank God for Daddy...he knows how to have a good time!

Off...

to go sledding...

I had the camera so no one got a shot of the pregnant lady sledding down the hill but it was worth the walk!

SNOW!!!!

Little BMore's Christmas Tour

Peace...

The "Eli James Band"...

It's the Christmas season so Micaiah is practicing for his contribution to the Kelly Christmas Luncheon. This morning he asked to practice so I set up the Ipod and started doing laundry. When I finished throwing the load in this is what I saw...

Joshua is really singing in this picture (double click on this picture to see his face)

seriously...all I did was have them move closer together so that I could get them in the frame.

Mondays with "GG"...

A special message from your great-grandsons...Happy Birthday "GG"!

We pray you have a great day!

Our First Snow (at home)...

and one of the most beautiful I've seen in a long time! Here are some pictures of our adventures today...

ElfYourself 2009...

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Every Train...

needs a tunnel!

Mondays with "GG"...

"GG" on Thanksgiving day Joshua and Eli spent some quality time with Tanner...

Eli played "peek-a-boo" with Uncle Sam, Mom Mom and Poppy...

and then we spent some special time with you! We loved seeing you and hope to see you again real soon!

One Last Stop...

on our Tri-State (MD, WV, PA) area Thanksgiving weekend and boy was it worth it! We met friends from Baltimore at The Springhouse Family Farm.

you know Joshua well enough to know that he couldn't stay away for long...and this is after he let the calf suckle on his fingers! And then we hear someone yelling from around the corner..."a calf is being born, come quick!"

We made it in time for the afterbirth...the boys were fascinated while Mommy stood shocked that no one was there to help the cow (I am very aware of my need for support and encouragement during the birthing process)!

And finally our little animal lover "milked" a cow with a lift from Mr. John.

Yes...it was a very educational afternoon on the farm!

Our First Snow...

This is the second year in a row that we've had a "white" Thanksgiving at Grandma's. Micaiah and Josh were hoping for just as much as last Thanksgiving...

but the cousins found a way to have fun anyway!

Running to the Turkey...

The "Popster" with two of his boys running to Aunt Linda's for a Thanksgiving Feast.

Medieval Feast...

Take a look at our friends...
Busy Boys Blog
for pictures from Sundays celebration with our homeschool history co-op.

click on the link Busy Boys Blog above to see the pictures

Buddies...

I don't know what changed but it has been a delight to watch. These two have really developed a special relationship in the past few months. Today was another example and this time I had the camera ready...

Some of the sweetest words I hear Joshua say are "Come on E", calling him to come and play...

and then a few minutes later Eli is tagging along pretending with him...

see as a mom of boys you have to remember these times because it might be seconds later that it all falls apart.

Mondays with "GG"...

"We love GG!!!!"

Sometimes...

what looks like a mess to one person...

becomes a thing...

of beauty...

to someone else...

photos: boys making a banner to congratulate Poppy and welcome him home after his marathon this morning

Mondays with "GG"...

Eli smiling pretty for "GG"!

Weekend treasure hunt...

Micaiah reading the clues to the first box...

opening the "treasure"...

the boys taking a break after a long hike in the woods...

Oh Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy...

and I guess I will throw one in for Wes too..."Oh Boy!" For those that haven't heard...Mace Baby #4 is a BOY!

I'm reflecting on this today...a kind friend shared this post from a blog and decided to send it my way. I am really thankful she did! Click on the word below to read the post...




Testosterhome

"Why It Matters"...

I feel like for a few years now the Lord has been challenging me to see beauty in the midst of chaos (chaos is pretty likely with 3 boys and serves as good training to add one more).

This week has been a roller coaster ride. I had a respite in the middle (my birthday)... Wes took the day off so I could have a day to do "what I wanted to do." I came home to balloons, a homemade cake and handmade cards from the boys. Then Wes and I were off to dinner with some of our closest friends...great day!

But the rest of the week has been a challenge. In the midst of a very difficult time....I sent the boys out in the yard to play. I called my mom because that's what you do when you need comfort and reassurance...as I was talking with her I noticed that Joshua and Eli were laying on the ground looking up at the clouds. Joshua was pointing out different things to Eli that he saw in the clouds.

From 2009_11_01

And it struck me...that was beauty in the midst of my chaos. It was a "small rampart for my soul" that day. I heard this song the next day as I was driving to breakfast with a friend and it put this experience to words...

Lyrics by Sara Groves

Sit with me and tell me once again
Of the story that's been told us
Of the power that will hold us
Of the beauty, of the beauty
Why it matters

Speak to me until I understand
Why our thinking and creating
Why our efforts of narrating
About the beauty, of the beauty
And why it matters

Like the statue in the park
Of this war torn town
And it's protest of the darkness
And the chaos all around
With its beauty, how it matters
How it matters

Show me the love that never fails
The compassion and attention
Midst confusion and dissention
Like small ramparts for the soul
How it matters

A Special Visit...

from Uncle Louie and Aunt Nancy.
I was explaining to Micaiah before they came that Uncle Louie is really funny. He wanted me to tell him one of his jokes...well those of you that know Louie know that wouldn't be appropriate!
As they were pulling up the boys were playing with some neighbor friends and Micaiah says "Hey, Joey this is Uncle Louie, the funniest guy ever!"

I think we laughed the majority of the time they were here...It was definitely the topic of conversation at the dinner table tonight with Daddy. Josh gave Daddy a play by play of the visit. Eli even chimed in and said "Uncle Louie is funny!"

Fun Friday...

We met Daddy at work for a little "trick or treating"...Josh pulled a last minute costume change and played the part well.

Then we were off for lunch and an afternoon hike with friends...

This is Micaiah's friend "Mick" (in the orange shirt) aka Micaiah and Joshua's friend Josh behind him in this picture...

Micaiah informed me later that they were shooting British soldiers...

that counts as history right?