More December Fun

Today we made rice krispy treat trains!  It was fun and easy.  Joshua and a sweet friend of ours really enjoyed the whole experience.

 Sweet hugs between those two kiddos.

They both love those window stickers that we get each holiday.

Then Joshua and I made gifts for our neighbors.  I loved this idea because Joshua was able to do the entire thing by himself.  He even worked on his counting skills in the process.  

 Finished product!

Christmas Sweater

A little posing and fun after church today

Closer to 3...

I know this is shocking but each day my child is getting older.  I realized today that since he is 2 and 7 months old he is closer to being a 3 year old than a 2 year old.  I know this shouldn't seem like a big deal but I actually felt like I could be a little teary-eyed over this fact.  I am blessed to be a stay-at-home mom and I LOVE this because I know about every aspect of his day.  I can help translate his lively stories at dinner time to Matt because I know the context clues since I provided the context.  I just wanted to express my gratitude in print because I know this isn't an option for many.  Of course, there are days when I miss the classroom but I have created a classroom at home.  We love having our friends over and meeting them for various activities.  This week Joshua and a little friend made Christmas trees.  Joshua was so pleased that he colored the tree green and the star yellow.  He also glued on the ornaments all by himself.    

Some Joshua moments from the past couple of weeks that I don't want to forget.

Going for a walk and crunching acorns and leaves which then led to a conversation about winter.  Which resulted in Joshua exclaiming, "Winter, I don't know what that is...what does that even mean?"  Then a 10 minute conversation about being cold and then summer and swimming.  The rest of it was spent talking about our friend Eliza and swimming with their water wings etc.  Winter was lost.  This makes sense because we will probably not really understand winter until we no longer live in San Antonio.  :-)

Coming to me with his clothes all picked out and ready to get dressed for the day.  Putting his clothes mostly on by himself and shoes.

Getting ready during the day (with jacket) because he needed to go to work.  His work is named by him the hospital but he is not a doctor....he is Joshua.  Duh!

He now says his name with a J instead of a Y but he makes quite a face and production of enunciating this to say it correct.

Running and giving Matt or myself a hug and telling us he loves us and has missed us

Being able to give him choices like if you do this you will go to time out and 9 times out of 10 he simply walks away from the bad choice

When he is corrected (only verbally or time outs) how emotional he gets and remorseful  (Well only with me-Matt brings out the stubborn side)

Pointing to the front and reminding us all at dinner that this is called a penis.  Leaning to the side and pointing to his backside and telling us that is his bottom.  Then innocently asking us where is his booty and his bum at?  Too many names for the same part can be confusing...

Going shopping together and holding up clothes and him emphatically exclaiming he didn't like this one or that one.  He then began searching the racks himself while sitting in the basket and choosing shirts.  Every single one was covered in sparkles and sequins.  He would then say, "Momma, this is cute.  You like it?"

Having him ask to read the scriptures.

Talking about the wise men that went to see Jesus and being corrected by him because the wise man built a house out of rock

Listening to him say family prayers.  We always tell him what to say but he now adds his own flare.  I love hearing him thank Heavenly Father for cars and for no thunder so he doesn't have to be scared.

Watching him dance

Sing while playing his guitar

Sticking his tongue out while working on building a huge tower of blocks

I could continue but I realize this has gotten long.  Basically, Matt and I will sometimes look at each other and say it feels like someone is missing.  We need more kids in our family.  However, more of our time is spent in complete adoration and humility that we have been given a healthy, happy, and amazing kid.  My heart is full and each day gets better and better.  I can't wait for what is next as Joshua's mom.

December is here

December is here!  Can you believe it?  We enjoyed a month of pumpkins, a month of thanks,  and now a month of remembering the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  We sure do all have some fun ways we do this.  

 Joshua has been in love with his nativity set this year.  

Joshua and I attempted a gingerbread house kit.  It is supposedly fool proof.  We must have over kneaded our frosting or something because it kept falling apart and our decor slipped off.  It was still fun.  Joshua had complete creative control and put everything on the house by himself.  It was neat to hear about the bushes he put at the front and the Christmas lights he was putting all over the house. 

Joshua is excited that we are giving presents and getting presents.  We explained that Christmas is to celebrate Jesus's birthday.  He is now really excited because he says we will have cake, candles, and blue balloons.  New Christmas tradition?  Hahaha.  He also has requested a skateboard with handles (a scooter) and according to a little video he saw about Santa he now KNOWS his present will be wrapped in red paper.  Can you even wrap a scooter?  This will be a fun year for us as parents.  I seriously love being a mom!     

We are enjoying evening walks looking at Christmas lights and I went to an ornament exchange with some girl friends here last night.  Holiday season is in full swing.  

Faith

We were told that the agency we are using (the one we feel we can afford) doesn't really get a lot of traffic.  Everyone we have talked to has been waiting over a year.  Even with that news when I log in to check my adoption email to see if I have been contacted by any birth mothers my heart still sinks a little when I see the "no new email" message. 

I truly have a testimony that pregnancy or adoption will happen in God's timing which will be perfect for all involved.  Sometimes it is still hard to wait in the land of the unknown though.  

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day was basically perfect.  We slept in (well 7am) which is very late for Matt and a little late for myself these days.  We went for a run in this mild San Antonio "winter" weather.  Matt went to play a little football with the folks from church.  Then it was time for parade watching and food preparing.  Life is more fun with a 2 and a half year old.  The parade was fun to see through his eyes.

Our Thanksgiving feast took place at the church with several of our Texas friends.  

 I can not adequately explain how much fun these kids had together.  

 The dads and kids did a lot of playing while we finished getting ready to eat.

 The spread minus the desert table and the fruit table.

 The kid table.  I loved listening in on the conversation and giggling that took place.  It is really a treat to listen to your kid be a kid without your supervision.

 We played a fun game and enjoyed laughter.  

 Joshua is pleased with the food.  His shirt and face are evidence.

It was a day to be thankful.

Santa compared to Christ

http://www.latter-dayhomeschooling.com/2010/12/symbols-of-christmas.html

So I had many awesome comments on my blog and on my facebook about my last post.  Santa Claus stands for Spirit of Christmas now after reading one of my comments.  I wanted to share this link with anyone who may be interested.  I LOVE this !  This link shared a way to compare Christ with Santa.  We will be doing this in our house in the future.

Ho Ho Ho or No?

I am curious to hear all of your thoughts and ideas on Christmas gifts for kids.  I have heard some that tell their kids that Santa brings gifts.  I have heard some say that they are not or have not told their kids that gifts come from Santa.  Unfortunately, I can always see both sides of a coin.

I was raised with believing in Santa.  I do remember that it was magical to believe that someone else brought gifts in the night.  I also remember feeling confused as to why some kids got so much for Christmas and why others received so little from Santa.  I also remember the process of mom spinning more stories as I got older trying to keep the secret a secret.  I remember also the huge disappointment when I put it all together and realized that it was all a lie!  Would the magic of Christmas been lessened if I hadn't believed in Santa or would it still be special because there were gifts to be opened and gifts to be given?  I don't know.

Joshua is 2 and a half.  He is a clever kid and is absorbing everything we tell him.  I know that this Christmas he will get into everything more than ever before.  Matt and I have ideas on traditions that we would like to start and we have some traditions that we have already created and maintained in our 6.5 years of marriage.  We always do anonymous service for a family and hope that this year we can try to incorporate Joshua into one of our projects.  I do the 25 day Christmas devotional every year and we spend time studying and enjoying the Biblical account of the Christmas story.  Also, I hope to modify this some this year so Joshua gets into it too.

However, gifts are what we do on the big day.  We know the joy that comes in giving gifts but we also don't want to be excessive.  Growing up my mom and dad always gave us all that they could and probably more than they could afford.  There were 5 kids and one income in my family.  We only have one mouth to feed and probably shouldn't buy for him all that we can afford or that we will someday be able to afford.  I am trying to come up with some sort of logic in my mind of how much mom/dad should give, how much should Santa give, should Santa come at all?  I want to raise a child that appreciates all that he has and that understands the real meaning of Christmas.  I don't want to bombard him with things or with the expectation of things but I also like to be fun and be like the crowd.  :-)    

No opinion is a bad one because we are all finding our own way in this crazy world trying to raise our families the best way we can.  So ready, set share!  FB or blog comments are much appreciated.  

Halloween with my Clark Kent/Superman

Watching his favorite show Super Why before we head out.  Don't you all watch tv this way?

 Posing with one of our sweet little friends.  Aren't they so cute?!

Nani Came To Stay (Spoil)

We took Nani formerly known as Nana to eat Mexican food and then to a little nursery by our house to check out the pumpkins and flowers.

 Joshua came home with a flower too that he diligently waters everyday.

 Joshua also convinced Nani to come to his work.  Joshua calls his ballpit/tunnel configuration his "work."  He comes and kisses me goodbye and tells me, "See ya later.  I go to work Mommy."  

We celebrated my birthday with a trip to Gruene and finally made it to Buckees seriously the largest and craziest gas station I have ever seen.

 Our real reason for going to Gruene is so we can eat here.  

 We also went to the outlets and I got these boots and skinny jeans for my birthday.  Happy 27!

 

Boys and electronics.  

 Joshua is such a pro on the tricycle these days.  We enjoyed some evenings sitting in chairs watching Joshua drive around the cul-de-sac.  

 Nani and Joshua made brownies one day and monster cupcakes another day.  She taught Joshua the most important part of making frosting.  

 We also made a trip to Nani's store or you may know it as Target. 

It was great to have company.  We explored, put puzzles together, stayed up chatting, and just thoroughly enjoyed being together.  It was also nice to just have Mom all to ourselves.  Who's next?