CHRISTmas eve madness!

well we had our "normal" CHRISTmas eve around here. we went to a CHRISTmas eve service & came home, got the kids in their brand new, matching pajamas & let them open the presents they got for one another. fun was had by all - doesnt it look like it was fun (ok rachel refused to smile).

yep that sums it up! & it was really the best i got out of them in regards to pictures.
ok for whatever reason blogger is acting weird about me uploading any more pictures so that will have to be done at a later time.
it's been a great day so far. i am getting ready to steam shrimp & broil some mahi. it's going to be a different type of CHRISTmas feast for us today...oh did i mention the steaks??!! and potatoes....and biscuits......

on a more "spiritual" note...we really are truly blessed to have a Savior who loves us regardless of our unrighteousness. His mercy & grace long endures when we do not.

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:4-7

i am in LOVE!!!

i cant help it. i'm in love. i'm in love with my kids. i'm in love with my life. i love that i get to be home with my children. that i am their teacher, their mentor, their confidant, their disciplinarian, their friend....their maid, their cook.......the list is long - but i love it! there is never a dull moment at our house. from a 15 year old girl who talks non-stop, to a 20 month old that never sits still and always has a smile on her face, to an 11 year old that cant quite seem to overcome her ADHD tendacies and settle on something to keep her busy, to an almost 4 year old boy (in 3 weeks) who throws ornaments into the tree & breaks the heirloom ones of his older sisters, to a 5 1/2 year old who is constantly singing about her love for the Lord, to a month old infant who constantly wants to nurse - constant busy-ness!!!! also did i mention a 1 year old yorkie that is always in the mix??!!! and 2 brother catties that need attention, a german shepherd that wants to be petted....to a pig, goat, chickens & ducks that just want to eat anytime you visit them in their pens. oh and a husband who doesnt like noise or clutter or the hectic pace of a life off of a schedule.......
but regardless......a good life that i love!

"With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." Isaiah 12:3

Asher is very happy with his decision to put his Easter tie on Levi. there is also a balloon on a string in the mix there. i love my boys!!!!!

locks of love

i am not a fan of cutting my children's hair. not even my boys', but especially not my girls. for whatever reason the scripture in 1 Corinthians sticks with me:

"But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering." 1 Corinthians 11:15. (KJV)

but i dont want to be legalistic or drive my children to wrath over things that will not affect them eternally. so with that thought we allowed rachel & abigail grace to cut their hair. abigail grace hasnt had a hair cut....a real hair cut ever. she has had a trim....but never of significance. i think it was 3 years ago that rachel cut her hair this short & last did locks of love. and of course locks of love will use their hair to make wigs for children with alopecia & cancers that make their hair fall out.

anyway, here is a before & an after shot of the girls with their new shorter looks....still cute...and still enough of a covering.

this picture was on the camera of elizabeth. she is tired but so beautiful. she doesnt want to cut her hair! which i'm glad. she is growing up so fast! but then again they all are.

it's not ok

why do i say that? "it's ok."
especially when inside i am crying and saying
"it's not ok..i should matter to you enough....."
maybe i'm just way hormonal still. it's only been 3 1/2 weeks.
i'm sick with bronchitis/asthma. my incision inside hurts worse than it did after surgery just from all of the coughing. i only got 3 hours of sleep if that last night because Levi couldnt get comfortable. he is still a lazy eater. i have to work for an hour at a time to get him to get full. but i know this will pass.

anyway, the christmas tree is up. the kids are excited. Asher wants to know when the presents will be under the tree. he said he is ready to rip open all the presents. needless to say the presents wont be out until christmas day.

i really dont have that much to be unhappy about with this little guy, here, healthy, & perfect. unfortunately my heart is just heavy. it's just the season mixed with the emotions. but again this will pass.