Gotta love Hermie

The boy loves his Hermie CD, and so do I. It has been a huge help when trying to teach him about sharing or such. I can simply stop and sing the song/say the scripture and talk about how God wants us to act - it doesn't always work at the moment, but I'm hoping seeds are being planted. Anyway, his favorite song right now is Hebrews 13:16, "And do not forget to do good to others and share with them what you have, these are the sacrifices that please God." Obviously this comes in handy a lot! The best part is that when he sings it comes out more like this...

Do not forget to do good to mothers ...

Friday morning I was at my mother's helping her prepare for a party she was hosting that evening. Taking a break, I got on the computer to show her the video we took the night before of the kids' first bath together (due to content, it won't be posted, sorry). We had been talking about the ways God had been encouraging her during this trying time (Dad lost his job in early October and the paychecks stop at the end of January). I pulled up the blog to share with her the scripture I posted several days ago (Psalm 139) that has become such a safe place for me over the last few years. God decided to stop us and commune with us right then as "Your Grace Still Amazes Me" started playing. We simply listened, and shed a few tears. Then "Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)" followed. We continued singing, worshipping our amazing Father and giver of all good things. It was an amazing moment to share with my mother - a woman who taught me about faith and, while not perfect, lives a life that trusts God even when it seems insane to do so. That was the best "church" experience I've had in a while - it was pure, simple, and solely about Him. It was a wonderful moment during this busy season that so often pushes Christ to the shadows.

This morning as we looked at several players in the Christmas story, I was most struck by Luke 1:45 when Elizabeth says to Mary, "Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" What amazing faith Mary had not only to believe what the Lord had said, but to simply accept it and even welcome it ("I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Luke 1:38). Stop and think about it - she was just a common girl asked to do something amazing - hard, but so amazing. And she believed. So often I fail to believe what God tells me or fail to let go of my plan and accept what He wants for me. This is where my folks are right now - not their plan, but His. I'm sure this wasn't quite in Mary's plan, but she believed God knew best. If only I lived every moment of my life with that same conviction.

His first Christmas "program"

The boy's preschool had a Christmas "program" this morning. Unfortunately, we didn't know it was going to be a performance of sorts (they billed it as a sing along). So the boy isn't in Christmas wear, Clay didn't come, and I only had the digital camera. As much as the boy loves to sing, I was surprised when he didn't join the others. I'm guessing he wants to be a solo artist!

He did enjoy waving to me...

and shaking his bells - although it took him a few minutes to remember that is what he was supposed to do...
and watching the others. He was excited to see Grannylou too (this is just before he caught sight of her off to the side with his sister).

They sang three songs - Away in a Manger (during which the boy looked like he was about to lose it - watch the first video), Jingle Bells (which he sings of his own accord at home), and We Wish You a Merry Christmas (the second video - you can see when he notices Grannylou because he starts waving). It was quite adorable, and we look forward to more of these! (Make sure to pause the player at the bottom to hear the singing!)

Tender words

"O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. You hem me in - behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,' even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Psalm 139: 1-18, 23-24

Promised pictures

Our visit to Santa...Santa was very kind to help try to calm the boy down, but to no avail. The girl was just intrigued with his beard and furry coat. She didn't quite know what to make of it all. The boy has since shown interest in Santa when he's on TV, but there's something about the real thing that still gives him pause. We were at the mall last night watching Kadyn perform; and when we strolled past Santa (who was kind enough to wave to the kids), the boy got quiet and shy all over again - and we were separated by a fence and about 30+ feet!








The boy's first school picture. He takes a good picture - and the directors of his preschool said he had a great time. We were impressed they got him to sit still. He looks older than 2 to us...before we know it, he'll be in cap and gown.

On the potty front - he's doing well at telling me (most of the time) that he needs to poop. Problem is that he won't go on the potty. We haven't really been working on potty training since the holidays are coming and we are traveling. I plan to hit it hard when we get home because he seems to be getting it. What a way to celebrate the new year!

Predicaments

Our little girl is getting quite adventurous. She's into stuff her brother never even considered bothering and she's much braver than he dared to be at her age (mind you, he wasn't mobile at this stage). Yesterday she got herself into two predicaments that I deemed camera worthy.


She enjoys crawling past the coffee table to the computer cords, sub woofer, and my previous storage place for other electronics. This time she decided to go through the middle instead of around the end, but she couldn't quite figure it all out. Poor thing kept hitting her head as she tried to turn around.

I'm not exactly sure how this happened, but I must say her distressed face and cries were too adorable. She definitely keeps me on my toes - this morning she unplugged the Christmas tree! My efforts to hide the plug behind some pillows were obviously not good enough. And the dog's bowls are always a great temptation...Jasmine has done really well when her space is invaded. I definitely have to keep my eye on our girl a lot more than I did her brother even once he got mobile. So posting may decrease or come in bulk like today as I am limited to the times she is asleep - which isn't a whole lot these days!

2005 to 2007

Here's the boy in December 2005 (almost 6 months) - and the girl in December 2007 (almost 10 months)...it's amazing to see the size difference next to each other!

Kline family time

This past Saturday we were supposed to head to the Christmas Tree Farm north of town with the rest of the Kline clan, but (long story short) plans changed. We have discovered the challenge of finding low-cost activities appropriate for a 6-year-old, 2-year-olds, and the adults as well (not to mention a 9-month-old). We still wanted to have some family time so Grannylou decided she needed help decorating her tree.
The kids made a few ornaments (with the mamas' help) - Kadyn and Dylan got into it.
Our boy thought his candy cane was a "J" and that his snowman was an 8.
He didn't get into decorating them, but he did enjoy coloring the stars and balls made of simple construction paper.

Our girl had a grand time too - can't you tell?

Then we decorated the tree - Kristi's kids got into it, but the boy was more interested in running around. The best part is that the most decorating was done by Clay and Eric - the only two non-blood Klines of the bunch and the two least interested in decorating a tree! The tree is a little heavy in certain spots, but it was decorated with love and much joy.


The boys then enjoyed coloring some Christmas pages Kristi found - I think it's the longest those two have ever been still at a table together. It was fun to stand back and watch them interact - we think an actual conversation happened!












Once the girl woke up, she donned a Santa hat and flashed her great smile. It is changing as one of her top teeth broke through last week and is now visible (you might have to look closely). We had a great time as family - nothing extraordinary, but great memories none the less!

Family photos and such

Merry Christmas!

We did our second annual family photos/Santa visit this past Friday. A photo session with a 2-year-old and a 9-month-old is quite an adventure. We did manage to get some cute shots and some memorable ones. I'm thankful they provide a CD so we get every shot they snapped. I've included a wide variety so you can get a feel for what the experience was like. You get to see the girl let us know she was done along with the boy stretching up high and showing off his muscles. Clay thought we should postpone Santa for another day since the boy was past his limit, but I thought a change of scenery would be all he needed. It was, but he wasn't too fond of the bearded guy. He cried and the girl just looked completely baffled by the hairy man. I'll have to scan the picture later along with the boy's first school picture. Enjoy the holidays!