Thankful Thought #2 . . .





Today I'm grateful for Surprises of Service.

After my class, I came home and found this.

 

My sweet little Maddie had raked all the leaves into piles and was putting them into bags.

No one asked her to.  She just wanted to help me out.

I love that girl I tell you!

 

Having your child do something without being asked is the best!

 

It was a pretty big job and she still had several piles to go, so I sent the rest of the crew outside to help.   



And the most awesome thing?  They all went straight to work-without arguing!  

It's the little things that make me happy! 

Scenes from a Christmas

Another Christmas has come and gone.

More memories made to add to the ever growing collection.

I loved that Christmas fell on a Sunday this year.

And I loved that all my children cooperated for a post church Christmas picture.  Even Lexi was good!

Every year when I peruse through the pictures I've just taken of Christmas, I always think- 

"These look exactly like the pictures I took last year!"

This year there was one noticeable difference.

I don't remember seeing this adorable face in any of my previous Christmas pictures.  

So, except for the fact that we've added an extra face to the collage of pictures

and except for the melancholy realization that all my kids look older, 

the pictures taken this year ARE exactly the same as Christmas's past.

Same Christmas Eve Party at my parents.

Food, family, fun and frivolity.  We'll have a huge helping of each please.

The Christmas Eve party ALWAYS consists of:

• A yummy dinner.

• A song or two.

Actually it's more like 50 songs, but singing and Sullivans go hand in hand.  Didn't you know that!

 

• The nativity play is a MUST.

This year we added shepherd wives, a star, a camel, cows, and sheep to the mix-every grandkid needs a part!

I was too busy videoing that these were the only two pictures I took,
but I have to say that my little sheep and angel were the cutest of the bunch!

• The cousin gift exchange.

Excitement and Smiles all around!  Chloe could NOT wait!

• Grandma's Gift.

My mom has 32 grandkids and every year she makes them something unique and just for them.

After the presents have been opened, we all dash out the door to get home.

This year Janie was SO worried we hadn't left grandma's early enough and she knew Santa had already come.
"I don't want to see my presents when I walk in the door!  I want to see them when I wake up!"
It took a lot of reassurance and a glimpse at Uncle Marky's phone (it was tracking Santa) to show her he hadn't made it to our house yet.

At home it's time for everyone to get in their Christmas PJs and smile for the pajama picture we take every year.

And just like the other years, I snap a million pictures.

And the very BEST one is this.

And then it's off to bed so Santa can FINALLY come!

This year our little Chloe did not want to go to bed.  Jared and I tried very unsuccessfully to get her to go to sleep.  

"If you don't go to bed, Santa won't be able to come.  Don't you want your presents from Santa?"

Her response to us (while jumping on the couch I might add).

"Oh, Santa just LOVES little children.  He'll wait until I go to bed and then he'll come back for me!"

And she was right.  Santa does love little children and he did come.

The rest of the day was spent at church and with family.

And in true tradition, I forgot to take pictures of our very lovely Christmas dinner at Jared's brother's home.  

I don't think anyone took any pictures.  But sitting and eating and visiting was a fabulous way to end the day.

And just like that another Christmas had past.

Same pictures, same traditions, same everything.

And I'm already looking forward to next year.

Swiss Family Norris

Today Jared came home earlier than usual and I got a nap. 2 1/2 hours!! I do have a great husband! While I napped the kids watched one of the videos we let them watch on Sunday, Swiss Family Robinson. I added it to our Sunday video list because when they reach land after their shipwreck they offer a prayer of thanks, so I decided it counts! I also added Pollyanna because of her glad game and the happy texts!
After my nap the kids were begging me to let them play outside. But on Sundays we don't let them play out in the front and I didn't want them in the back because we've been having issues with our back fence and the scary aggressive dog that likes to try and knock our fence down.
ANYWAY, Jared thought the dog wouldn't get loose and said that they'd be okay to play. They were all thrilled to be playing outside. I went to check on them and they informed me that they were playing "Swiss Family Norris."
So sorry for the super long post, just to explain one picture. But I had to post it. It's a rarity for them to all be playing together without any fights!