SLIMED

These are actually old pictures from about a month ago, but they are way too good to not post. Our school held a fundraiser last month to raise money for smartboards in all the classrooms. Jack was the top seller in kindergarten. At a celebration assembly he got to slime a kindergarten teacher and the beloved janitor, Mr. Heishman. He had a ball doing this and the adults were such great sports. Kudos to our principal Mrs. Bohr. She makes school so much fun. This is just one example of the excitement she brings to our building. Check out these slime balls!

Rub A Dub Dub - Is That Santa In The Tub?

What Kind of Gift Are Your Words?

This evening I spent some time preparing a talk that I will give to a crowd of 70+ women next Monday night at our church's Christmas Tea. I had a lot of fun preparing it. I love it when God totally lays His word and His spirit in your lap! The talk is on Ephesians 4:29 and the power of our tongue. I was thinking of how powerful the thought really was and how it is such an important focus during Christmas season and ALWAYS. So...I've decided to share...

- Ever spend a lot of time wrapping your presents just right? (Truth be told, I'm a little OCD about this. I match my paper and only use two kinds...one for my family's side presents and one for Justin's family's side) Jack and Sophie each get a specific print of paper and I go to great lengths to match the ribbons and bows on top. I should take a picture sometime of the tree with all the presents so neatly matched underneath. It's actually a little embarassing to admit just how much time I put into the whole wrapping thing. I mean really, it's just going to be TORN off!
Anyway, I recently read a book that got me to thinking...I spend all this time making sure my packages are beautiful before I give them away but what kind of present are my words?
Ugh! In the hustle and bustle of the season and the schedule of school, church, and outings, I have been known to spit out my fair share of ugliness. Oh- I'm not a cursing gal and I don't talk vulgar but my tone alone speaks volumes somedays. I also find myself in the midst of conversations that are less than wholesome or uplifting and yet, do I remove myself or speak up on behalf of the one being spoken of? Not always.

Ephesians 4:29 is a good reminder to us all. I would write it out here. But instead, I encourage you to get out your bible, read it aloud to yourself and say a little prayer that this season your words would be as beautiful as the packages you put under your tree!

I'm Dreaming of a PINK Christmas

We have four Christmas trees at our house. One upstairs, one downstairs and one in each of the kid's bedrooms. Recently when I went shopping with some girlfriends, I found a PINK tree for Sophie's room. I wish you could have seen her face when we put it up. She loves it!!

The Polar Express

We set off this morning with our good friends the McCarters to enjoy a family day at the Indiana Transportation Museum taking the kids on a Polar Express Train ride. We were to arrive at 1:30 pm and have a read aloud of the famous book, The Polar Express. The kids received a bell souvenir and we were to load the train for cookies, juice and a train ride with Santa, Mrs. Claus and some cute little elves. Well...........mix that plan with crazy holiday traffic and some not so great weather and you've got one not-so-fun day. We arrived late and the kids missed the story. They did get their bells and we did load the train but it was one hectic event trying to get there. Who knew that a little coating of snow would make our trek such an ordeal. Despite the kink in our plans, we had a good time with our neighbors and buddies the McCarter family and the kids did enjoy a quick train ride. (Although I don't think we'll make the trip to do this ride again next year!) Here are some pictures from our eventful day.

(Pictures Below: Jack and Grant showing their tickets, Sophie and Ella enjoying the ride, Santa poses for a picture, The Polar Express is waiting for us to load)