December is often such a busy time for all of us, but as a mother I have found myself so overwhelmed by joy, allowing me to take time to slow down and appreciate each moment!
The month began seeing both kids perform in the Christmas program at church for the first time! My heart cannot help but feel overwhelmed with joy as the kids learn about Jesus and all his miraculous miracles that he performed. They are so curious and are always asking us questions. It sometimes leaves me unsure how to answer them, yet in awe of their thoughts. God sure works in so many mysterious ways and I love it :)
Joden had a good friend-Nelson-spend the night and for some reason they chose to dress up in Reeve's girl things:)
At the school where I work we do a holiday store where students can come in the gym and pick out gifts for their family members. It is such a joyous occasion to see their excitement as they pick out their gifts:)
This picture is of our white elephant gift exchange at work. In the distance you can see the gift I gave-canned meat with triscuits. It was a hit:)
I find such joy in working with these ladies and am thankful for my job!
Due to being on the continuous calendar I got an extra week off of school. What I love so much is it then allows me to go and see the kids in school. I got to see Reeve doing swim lessons, eat lunch with Joden, and partake in some inside recess!
Reeve had a informal performance at school! It is a tad chaotic to see how excited these preschoolers get, yet joyous at the same time:)
Joden also performed his Christmas program for school! His music teacher does such a wonderful job and you can really feel the Christmas spirit come alive:)
As many of you know I coach basketball at Grand Island Senior High. We not only teach these girls about basketball, we also try and teach them about kindness. Each year we take a day off practice, adopt a family and head to Kohls to buy this family Christmas gifts. Then we give these gifts to the family. It is another example of such a great feeling of joy! Hopefully this is an experience that will stick with these girls forever:)
Here are some more snap shots of basketball in December
Each year I attend a cookie decorating party with some good friends. We have now done it for 8 years! This year Reeve and my niece Avery helped me make my cookies and Reeve got to go with me this year to decorate. So much joy watching Reeve's excitement for holiday traditions!
Joden and I went on a date to Happy Brush. He decided that he was going to make a gift for my parents. He made them a snake:) It was so much fun watching him get into this whole process <3
Due to not ever getting to be home for Christmas, we did our own little family Christmas on the 23rd. We ate dinner at the kids' choice, which was Fuji, and then we headed home to open gifts from us and some of the Schumachers!
Christmas Eve all dressed up and of course Joden had to be goofy for our picture:)
After church we opened gifts as a family so that on Christmas morning they could just enjoy their Santa gifts!
Chaos :)
Christmas morning!
Reading what Santa wrote back to them :)
My sisters and our husbands!
Here is a snap shot of 2013 on the top and 2015 on the bottom. Fun to see how the kids have grown up!
Mike has been taking Joden to a kids archery league. He has a long ways to go, but glad he has an opportunity to try it out!
Playing in the snow while on break!
