Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Whew! I can't believe it's Christmas Eve already! Where has December gone?? I know it's been awhile since my last post, but we have been swept-up in a whirlwind of activity and there simply hasn't been time. This is my exhausting attempt to bring you up-to-date...

The first thing we did since the la-ast time I blogged,
Gar-rett's mu-sic program!


The second thing we did since the la-ast time I blogged,
2 weeks of Kid's Club and Garrett's music program!

The third thing we did since the la-ast time I blogged,
3 dentist appointments..OUCH!, 2 weeks of Kid's Club
and Garrett's music program!

The fourth thing we did since the la-ast time I blogged,
4 girls in Kansas City (shopping...of course!),
3 dentist appointments...OUCH!, 2 weeks of Kid's Club
and Garrett's music program!

The fifth thing we did since the la-ast time I blogged,
5 PARTIES TO ATTEND (3 Christmas and 2 birthday)
4 girls in Kansas City (shopping...of course),
3 dentist appointments...OUCH!, 2 weeks of Kid's Club
and Garrett's music program!

The sixth thing we did since the la-ast time I blogged,
6 lovely band songs
5 PARTIES TO ATTEND (3 Christmas and 2 birthday),
4 girls in Kansas City (shopping...of course),
3 dentist appointments...OUCH!, 2 weeks of Kid's Club
and Garrett's music program!
The seventh thing we did since the la-ast time I blogged,
7 days of devotions, counting down Christ's birth,
6 lovely band songs,
5 PARTIES TO ATTEND (3 Christmas, 2 birthday),
4 girls in Kansas City (shopping...of course),
3 dentist appointments...OUCH!, 2 weeks of Kid's Club
and Garrett's music program!

The eighth thing we did since the la-ast time I blogged,
8 stockings hung with glitter
7 days of devotions, counting down Christ's birth,
6 lovely band songs,
5 PARTIES TO ATTEND (3 Christmas, 2 birthday),
4 girls in Kansas City (shopping...of course),
3 dentist appointments...OUCH!, 2 weeks of Kid's Club
and Garrett's music program!

The ninth thing we did since the la-ast time I blogged,
9 friends at a surprise party,
8 stockings hung with glitter,
7 days of devotions, counting down Christ's birth,
6 lovely band songs,
5 PARTIES TO ATTEND (3 Christmas, 2 birthday),
4 girls in Kansas City (shopping)
3 dentist appointments...OUCH!, 2 weeks of Kid's club
and Garrett's music program!The tenth thing we did since the la-ast time I blogged,
10 girls practicing basketball,
9 friends at a surprise party,
8 stockings hung with glitter,
7 days of devotions, counting down Christ's birth,
6 lovely band songs,
5 PARTIES TO ATTEND (3 Christmas, 2 birthday),
4 girls in Kansas City (shopping)
3 dentist appointments...OUCH!, 2 weeks of Kid's Club
and Garrett's music program!

The eleventh thing we did since the la-ast time I blogged,
Christmas parties at the kids' school,
10 girls practicing basketball,
9 friends at a surprise party
8 stockings hung with glitter,
7 days of devotions, counting down Christ's birth,
6 lovely band songs,
5 PARTIES TO ATTEND (3 Christmas, 2 birthday)
4 girls in Kansas City (shopping)
3 dentist appointmnents...OUCH!, 2 weeks of Kid's Club
and Garrett's music program

The twelfth thing we did since the la-ast time I blogged,
12 hours decorating the tree,
Christmas parties at the kids' school,
10 girls practicing bb,
9 friends at a surprise party,
8 stockings hung with glitter,
7 days of devotions, counting down Christ's birth,
6 lovely band songs,
5 PARTIES TO ATTEND (3 Christmas, 2 birthday)
4 girls in Kansas City (shopping)
3 dentist appointments....OUCH!, 2 weeks of Kid's Club
and Garrett's music program

Well, there you have it, the last two and a half weeks in a nut-shell! It's been a little crazy, but very fun. Now, it's time to bake our Christmas goodies and get ready to celebrate with family and friends! Tonight we are going to church in Augusta, then down to Belle Plaine to my cousin's house where Santa usually stops in for a visit. I hope everyone has a very Merry CHRISTmas and a blessed New Year!

The Very Best Gift

Last night we had the children's Christmas program at our church. It was called "The Very Best Gift" and it was truly a special program. The kids all did such a beautiful job! We were a little worried about Brooklyn because at dress rehearsal she refused to wear her lamb costume. She's such an independent little stinker! However, she has decided that it's kind of fun to perform in front of an audience, so not only did she stand front-and-center and sing her little lamb song...she also stood with Garrett and the rest of the shepherds and sang "Go Tell It On The Mountain"! She totally cracks me up! :-)

Speaking of Garrett...
Last year he got to be one of the wisemen with his good friend, Mikah. Well, of course this year he wanted to do it again. I sent him home with Damian during the first extra practice because he wasn't feeling well and that was the day they selected wisemen! Garrett was so mad at me!! He said he wasn't going to be in the program at all, but he changed his mind and made a wonderful shepherd! He's becoming so grown up!

Montana had a solo in "Away In A Manger" and didn't appear nervous at all! She hit every note beautifully and made us all very proud! Michaela had the honor of being the Angel of the LORD and got to say her line from up in the baptismal, high above everyone else. It was a rather long speaking part, but she didn't miss a word! They both did awesome!














Michaela and Montana in costume and ready to go.



















Montana preparing to sing us a tune.




















Brooklyn in her lamb costume. Notice that she is even wearing her ears!




















Doesn't he make a handsome shepherd?

There is nothing quite like hearing the Christmas story from the mouths of children. There innocence and wonder at the season, make it such a special time! Now, I'd better get off the computer before the kids lose all their patience! They are dying to hang their ornaments on the tree!

Winter Dance 08

Friday was a super fun day!! I picked Michaela and Montana up from school and went to Marion where we picked up Mom and Dad, then headed to Manhattan, KS to watch my sister dance in Winter Dance 2008. All of the performances were really awesome, but of course the three that Whitney was in were the best! I wish I could've taken pics during the performance, but no photography was allowed. Bummer!!

She danced in three numbers...A Happening in a Town (modern), Blast From the Past (Tap), and Jump To It (Tap). They were all really good, but Jump To It was my FAVORITE!! We are so proud of her. She's really an AMAZING dancer!

Most people bring flowers to a dance performance, but not us, we brought...FOOD!! Mom made puppy chow and chocolate chip cookies and I made her personal favorite - Rice Krispie Treats! It was the least I could for such a special Sis!! We wanted to be sure she was well-nourished with finals coming up.

Thanks for the good-time Whit! Can't wait to spend some time with you over break!















Whitney with her "Fans". Most of the girls are G-Phi sorority sisters!



















Montana, Whit and Michaela














Whit with Annie (She danced with Whit in Blast From the Past)













It made for a rather late night...we didn't get home until nearly 1 am, but it was SO worth it!!

Not Quite the Kinda Crown I Had in Mind...

Sunday morning I broke a tooth and of course I freaked out, just a little, because it was a large piece of one of my bottom molars. To keep it from getting food in it and protect it from hot and cold, which my teeth are already pretty sensitive to, I filled the hole with Montana's wax for her braces. It really worked pretty well and I briefly entertained the thought of trying it as a long-term fix, but every time the thought crossed my mind my tooth would throb ever-so-slightly to encourage me not to wait too long, so first thing Monday morning I called the dentist.

Now my dentist's office and I have a very mutual relationship. They know I don't like to visit them and I'm pretty sure they feel the same way about me! LOL There are six year olds that are braver than I when it comes to dental procedures that require injections of any kind. However, in this case I really had no other choice.

As it turns out, they couldn't fix my tooth today because it is infected, so I started antibiotics and they scheduled me for a temporary crown tomorrow at 9:45. At this point, they don't think I need a root canal, but I am not so sure. It's starting to get pretty sore, but I'll guess we'll see how it goes. I'm planning to bring my I-Pod loaded with Praise music to keep me distracted the whole time. Between that and continual prayer, I'm sure I'll survive. They've assured me that it shouldn't take longer than 30 or 45 minutes! Regardless, I will be SO GLAD when it is OVER!!

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!

I really LOVE Christmas! It's my all-time favorite holiday...from listening to Christmas music, decorating the house, parties with family and friends...there are endless moments to cherish! That is...once I get everything done! I made a list today of everything that I have to do, ideally this week, but some of it could stretch out a WEE bit farther. It is rather long, TOO LONG, in my expert opinion, and yet nothing can be left out...it's all important stuff. So what's the wife of a farmer with four kids to do?...

I got some really good advice from a friend in a similar situation who has a mountain of 'To-Do's' on her list. She made a list - planned her week - and is giving God the glory for the work HE will do! What a great way to embrace the busyness of this time of year, by giving God the glory and laying all our cares at His feet. It's really the only logical solution since the Christmas season is really about Him in the first place, the celebration of God's most precious gift, His perfect son, Jesus.

With that being said, I'd better get moving and start checking off my list. There a few must-do's before I can get out the tree, which is my FAVORITE part! Have a great week everyone and remember Christmas will be here before we know it, so don't miss a single opportunity to fill your hearts with the joy of Christmas and all that God offers us through His gift!

Love you all!
Jenelle