Our Christmas (and more)

What a WONDERFUL Christmas we had! We reenacted the Christmas story as Daddy read from the Bible. The girls even adlibbed (sp?) a lot. It was so great! Then time to find the hidden nail on the tree (see previous post). Our oldest found it and was so excited to tell us about what the nail meant. It reminds us that even though we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ today that His birth had a purpose (resulting in His death and ressurection for our sins).

Then the opening of gitfs. The children were so pleased with their gifts (given to suit their hobbies at this time: drawing, sewing, baking). They of course squealed with delight (I love the fact that our children are happy with practical gifts and not just toys) and play with them constantly!

My husband was so thoughtful. I am currently pregnant (with a boy due Spring 2006 - we did not mention it on here before now because we did not want family to find out early and they read this blog - we announced in our Christmas card which you can see in my online gallery. Anyways, with me being SOOOOOOO pregnant (you know how it can be) I was not feeling very pretty at all. So my WONDERFUL THOUGHTFUL LOVING AMAZING husband bought me new maternity shirts!! And they are pink!! I always feel so pretty in pink. It made me feel so loved and treasured!

And even though my hormones are all out of whack and I started crying, my husband was so attentive to my needs and concerns! (Ok, can you tell I am married to the most wonderful man in the world?)

I must admit that I was scared of announcing the pregnancy so late to family and friends, but most of them have been so happy and supportive (and understanding). My sister did have her baby and has been enjoying motherhood (although she is realizing quickly that it is a full time job with little sleep). Please do keep her in your prayers.

I must admit with three girls of my own, and having gorwn up in a house where the only man was my daddy, I have no idea what to do with a boy!! LOL!! I am glad God has decided to bless us with a boy, although I have no idea about why His timing for one is now. But I know we will soon find out. I have already begun praying for the grace and knoweledge I need to raise this son into a man of God. I am thankful for all the articles at the No Greater Joy web site (which there are a lot of articles about raising boys into men - seems to be harder than raising girls into women).

I love my girls and I love raising them up to be godly wives and mothers. I must admit that I myself have a LOOOOONG way to go in that area, but am so thankful that God is bigger than me!! :) I know how important it is to be a good example though (especially after reading the JUMPING SHIP articles from the No Greater Joy magazine). But in spite of me, our girls seem to be growing up and loving the Lord and want to be mommies and wives. They pray for God to bless them with a godly man for their husband. And they love practicing being a mommy (taking good care of their dolls). And they love kissing the new baby (although they are actually kissing my belly). :)

Right now, the older is playing with the youngest and working with the new baking set that the youngest was given. They are adding flour and milk and mixing and making pies. The middle one is out on a "date night" with Daddy. We try to allow the girls individual time with each of us. And even though we have three (and one on the way), we are trying harder and harder all the time to make it a priority. They open up so much to us during that one on one time, and it really helps with their behavior. For more information on the imporatance of this, may I recommend a WONDERFUL book called PARENTING CHAMPIONS. It is no longer in print, but it is definately worth searching it out on ebay or half.com (where I got mine).

Well, the girls are tired of bringing me "pies" to taste and now want some Mommy time, so I am off to enjoy my girls!!