Christmas 2013

I haven't blogged in forever but miss it! I also need a manageable way to keep up with family record keeping so here we go again!
Since moving to Ohio one of the things I have missed most is holidays with our big family. I remember Christmas being so noisy and people everywhere! We decided to go to Delaware for Christmas this year so the kids could experience a Christmas like I remember! It was the first year we have been there on Christmas Day since I moved (I think) in 2001. Aunt Mooie and Uncle Doug graciously let us stay with them (trash their house). Traveling at Christmas with 4 kids is a major ordeal and a lot for someone else to take on! We were grateful they let us stay with them!The kids were so excited to get up Christmas Morning. Their elf on the shelf Tee-Dee had made an appearance in Delaware so we were pretty sure Santa would find us! The big hit of Christmas was Grant's John Deere combine. When you turn the auger popcorn goes from the hopper into a wagon. Caroline got an Origami Owl necklace, Grayson the original Star Wars and a Carolina Panthers jersey with his name on the back and Boyd got a Fisher Price city.  Caroline and Grayson had new bikes waiting at home from Mom and Dad as well.

After Presents it was time for our traditional Christmas breakfast by Lisa :) Dad even got his favorite- scrapple....YUCK!

We headed over to Papa Bob's house on Christmas evening for more food and presents. It was just like old times except we really missed Mamaw Sue!!!

Hate Speech against Christians

I am fired up this morning. I read an article from a friend's facebook post about an "anti-bullying" speech that turned into bullying against Christians. I am so tired of everyone in this country being able to say any hateful thing they want about Christians, their beliefs and the Bible. If anyone makes any "negative" comments about the Koran or Muslims especially but also about many other belief systems they are made out to be a bigot. As a christian I believe we are called to love others and be kind but that does NOT mean we have to agree with their beliefs. Just because I believe homosexuality is not right doesn't give me the right to be unkind or hateful towards anyone who disagrees. I think Islam is anything but a peaceful religion and am sad for the millions of women who are oppressed under the fundamentalists who believe in it. I do NOT however have the right to publicly curse and call these people among others names or insinuate anyone should be unkind to them. The author of this speech is just one example of many people in the media and other places that feel free to call Christian and conservatives names, to insinuated we are uneducated and can't think for ourselves. If Hollywood came up with a show titled "GMB" Good Muslim Bitches instead of "GCB" the ABC series standing for Good Christian Bitches, there would be all kinds of outrage! Look at the outrage caused by the burning of the Koran. Would we see that for the burning of the Bible. I am sure not. Just because Christians stand for a moral code that may be different than your own does not give others the right to say hateful mean things. We do live in a country of free speech and that means that if a christian wants to say that homosexuality is wrong they have as much right as Mr.Savage does to say what he said about Christians. The problem is that when Christians exercise their right they are criticized to no end while others are just "expressing their views". It just really bothers me that this man would make this speech in the context of "Anti-bullying" to high school students and he was indeed bullying many of them. It is the epitome of the culture we live in. Enough of my rant for today but I think we all need to stand up and stop taking what everyone throws at us as Christians!

Boyd's 1st bday

I know it has been FOREVER since I posted! I have good intentions but it just doesn't happen :) These are pictures from Boyd's 1st Birthday and Grant's 3rd Birthday. We had a joint party and we all had lots of fun. I am attempting to upload these pictures or a link from Picasa. I have never done it this way, so let's hope it works!

Ice Cream in a baggie

So I saw THIS idea on Pinterest for making ice cream in a baggie and decided to try it this morning. The kids loved it and it actually tasted pretty good. Grayson asked if we could do this at his party.....I'll have to think about that....

Christmas 2011

Mark and  I spent Christmas Eve watching “The Help” and putting together this doll house for C. My grandma (Hi Ma) got this for her. It took a while and it is BIG, but she loves it! We set out all the Santa goods and hit the sack about midnight!

 

Boyd and Grant’s loot.

 

Grayson’s Playmobil police station.

 

 

Caroline’s leappad

Grant was the first one awake at about 6:30….He didn’t quite know what to do.

 

 

C and G were up pretty soon after……Caroline wouldn’t wear Christmas jammies, they were too hot…..she thinks she lives in California!

 

 

 

Mark spent almost 2 hours putting together the police station……

After a breakfast of cinnamon rolls, it was off to church……what better place to spend Christmas Morning.

After church Mom, Dad and Janet came over for tacos and to watch the kids open the rest of their toys.

 

We all had a great weekend! It was so much fun to see the kids faces and be together as a family! Now for the clean up…….