It was a bad news day, but I still believe

It was almost time to leave work on Friday when I was trying to fix our account with our local newspaper that I first learned of the horrific event that unfolded in Newtown that morning.  I knew better than to watch the coverage on the news.  It would undo me, and I still need to press on with daily responsibilities.  However, I did anxiously wait for the time to come that I could pick my own kids up from school and squeeze them tight.

We are open with our kids and answer their questions honestly when bad things happen. This time we reacted differently.  We cannot risk crippling our children with fear, and what child would not be afraid after hearing of this awful event? So we turned off the television.  Wyatt caught enough of the news to know what happened.  When he asked we told him that adults must carry this burden, and he should not worry.  He seemed okay with that and went on about his day.  Julia knew something was up, but we responded the same way.  Something terrible happened, and the adults will carry this burden.  You do not need to know about it.  She pressed us, but her siblings shielded her from the reality.

I am stunned, horrified, and carrying a heavy heart for the community of Newtown.  I hurt for the families who should not be burying their loved ones the week before Christmas.  I ache for the children who witnessed what no child or adult should witness. I am convinced that many are asking where a loving God is in all of this.  That is a hard question to answer.

However, as we talked this over at church on Sunday, I found myself questioning the conversation which left us with only the hope of Heaven.  Yes, we live in a fallen world, and it really hurts to live here a lot of the time.  Yes, I get physically ill when I think of the terror faced in that school building last week.  Yes, thousands of children die every day, and our world has seen such evil as child soldiers and child trafficking along with a myriad of other terrible things that our enemy uses to draw us away from God.  Even in all of that, however, I can't help but remember that Jesus said He came so that we might have abundant life, and I think he meant that for this world not just for Heaven.  I remember that God has promised that if His people will humble themselves, pray and turn from their wicked ways, He will hear us and heal our land.

We need that healing.  Don't miss this.  We need that healing, and we have been told what to do to have it.  I am so guilty of not doing my part.  Let's commit to this as we continue to do the only thing we can to help a hurting community - cry out to our Father on their behalf, and let the Holy Spirit groan for them in their pain.

Prayers for the Mommies

Double Digits

taken after back to back soccer games on Saturday

Today Wyatt turns 10!

This boy has taught us all patience as he has required lots of it while learning English and adjusting to school in America.  Wyatt has taught us perseverance as he has worked hard to overcome challenges such as his fear of water - now he can't get enough of it.  He has challenged us, charmed us and become one of us.  

We love you, Wyatt!  Happy Birthday!

We celebrated a week early to put more distance between Wyatt's birthday and Christmas.  Wyatt is easy to please, he wanted Webkinz (especially the pet of the month) and Mario games.  

I Have Lost My Mind

In case you actually need proof that I have lost my mind, I give you this story.

Does anyone recognize the Santas  pictured above?  They are a handmade craft, and you stuff them with a Hersey's kiss. You squeeze Santa's cheeks, and he gives you a kiss.  

We have two of these, ahem had two of these.  My grandma gave them to us years ago, and Wyatt is especially wild about them, but Julia also really likes them.  The kids are anxious to find them in the Christmas decorations and then to find them on the tree and to find the kiss inside.

Well, I have been elected with another mom to make treat bags for Julia's class Christmas party.  Now I confess that I hate treat bags, and this job is stressing me out.  I hate them because they are typically full of two things we don't need in this house: cheap toys and candy.  Both end up on my living room floor, and I have to clean up the mess.  I get that you cannot have a birthday party without treat bags.  However, I really don't get having treat bags for a school party.  

So, Shiloh destroyed one of our Santas, and I searched online for a replacement. I found prices I wasn't willing to pay and instructions (how to make squeeze me santas) on how to make them.  I decided in a moment (okay maybe more than one moment) of lunacy to make 14 of these for the treat bags for Julia's class.  I bought the necessary supplies on Friday night.  The first one took an hour, but the second one went much faster.  My hopes that Julia and Savannah would help were dashed by Savannah's consumption with finals.  Julia attempted to help and just isn't quite able yet to manage the stitches.  By Saturday afternoon, I had the three little Santas pictured above finished.  By this afternoon, I decided that I will go with plan B...meaning I am hitting the candy aisle soon.

Christmas Music

On Thursday we gathered for the school Christmas program at Julia's school.  Julia and I had to compromise on her dress as I had a great, red dress for her.  She liked it until she saw this silver dress, so we had to return the red one.  Julia and I simply do not agree on clothes, but I confess that she looked great in the silver too.

Julia participated in both hand chimes, which is an after school program, and as a third grader in this concert.  The hand chimes group played Carol of the Bells very nicely.  It is tradition for the third graders to memorize Luke 2:1-20 and to recite it at this program.  Both Zach and Savannah did this as well.  I believe that Zach actually did this in 2nd grade.

If Julia does hand chimes again, we may see this program again next year.  However, other than the hand chimes group, the only participants are the 1st-3rd graders, so we may have watched our last elementary Christmas program on Thursday night.  sniff. sniff.

sweet friends - Annika, Lucy, Jocelyn, and Julia

excited 3rd graders

I am so grateful to my mom friends who made it possible for Julia to participate in hand chimes.  I cannot get to her school on time to pick her up  after picking Wyatt up from school, so I have to depend on others if Julia is to participate in this.  

I was a little disappointed that Zach and Savannah did not attend as the music teacher had the alumni join the kids at the end of the program to join the kids singing Oh Come all Ye Faithful.  It was a special way to end a special evening.

We're Proud of Our Team

Julia has been cheering for the intramural basketball teams at school.  She has also returned to tumbling.   She is working hard to master her back handspring and after only two lessons, she is working on a round-off / back handspring combination.  After her first lesson her coach asked where she was taking tumbling before because it is evident that she is very aware of her position in the air.  

I have really missed watching her take gymnastics, and tumbling is a nice compromise.  Julia would love to just return to the bars which was always her best event.

Julia knows Kayelin better than the other girls.  They always cheer side by side and are often distracted during the games.  Julia does, however, know her basketball and responds appropriately to the game. 

Football banquet

On Monday, December 10th, we officially closed the football season with the annual banquet.  This year the senior parents opted to hold the banquet earlier than we have had it in the past giving us an opportunity to give some of the proceeds to our local homeless shelter.

A beautiful, gospel choir greeted us with some good ole soul music and we dined in the former hotel that is now the homeless shelter.

The boys enjoyed a photo booth, but I have yet to see those pictures.  

a Trevor and Zach tradition

linemen

Coach Riley and Zach

Zach and Coach LeFlors

Add caption

 Our season ended with a heart-breaking game.  Harder still is saying goodbye to our seniors.  The seniors and Zach made up the D-line, so there is definitely some concern there for next year.  I do think our younger boys will rise to the occasion.  This team is well-coached by a great group of guys who provide a great example to these soon-to-be men.

Zach and several teammates were recognized for their all-district awards.  I was disappointed that Zach and the boys did not receive footballs for their jackets to commemorate their all-district championship.  Maybe they are arriving later?  I also noticed that the team broke with tradition this year and did not frame the seniors' jerseys and give them to the boys.  With the current economy, this is understandable but definitely a letdown as we looked forward to that keepsake for our sentimental Zach.

All in all, we had a wonderful time celebrating this team.  Once again, the video is a fun keepsake.  They mic our coach and dub it over the action on the field. He is both encouraging and hilarious.  It's a must see.

Flashback Friday

As promised... the only picture of Wyatt and Julia with Santa at the mall.  This was taken in 2010, and Wyatt was either 8 or getting ready to turn 8, and Julia was 6.