Spring

The Spring by Thomas Carew (1640)

Now that the winter’s gone, the earth hath lost

Her snow-white robes; and now no more the frost

Candies the grass, or casts an icy cream

Upon the silver lake or crystal stream:

But the warm sun thaws the benumbed earth,

And makes it tender; gives a sacred birth

To the dead swallow; wakes in hollow tree

The drowsy cuckoo and the humble-bee.

Now do a choir of chirping minstrels bring,

In triumph to the world, the youthful spring:

The valleys, hills, and woods in rich array

Welcome the coming of the long’d-for May.

Now all things smile: only my love doth lower,

Nor hath the scalding noon-day sun the power

To melt that marble ice, which still doth hold

Her heart congeal’d, and makes her pity cold.

The ox, which lately did for shelter fly

Into the stall, doth now securely lie

In open fields; and love no more is made

By the fire-side, but in the cooler shade

Amyntas now doth with his Chloris sleep

Under a sycamore, and all things keep

Time with the season: only she doth carry

June in her eyes, in her heart January.

We welcomed spring by going to Adam's Mill.

Hailey has a great time.

Shelby was pretty disobedient and consequently got very wet and had to wear my sweater.

It was wonderful to sit in the sun.

My new phone!

http://reviews.cnet.com/smartphones/htc-hero-sprint/4505-6452_7-33770450.html

It's time to upgrade, and we REALLY upgraded this time!  I'm in love.

Snow

I'm slightly crabby because we got like 5 or 6 inches of snow.

At least I don't live in Colorado.

Christmas Morning

Starting out the morning right - with monkey bread.  This is the first time i've made monkey bread and it's actually turned out right and not spilled all over the oven.  Success!!!  And the kids loved both making it and eating it.

We started with the stocking, which daddy stuffed this year.  The number one toy, which has literally been played with more than any other toy - Fart Putty.  Yippee!!!

Shelby LOVED getting her own game!

Shelby was longing for a Swimming Puppy and she was so excited to get it.  She actually asked for bathtime!

Shelby also really wanted a dolly set with a stroller, crib, and high chair.  She was so cute as she opened each one and loved them all.  Here she is opening the stroller.

Here's the high chair.

The only thing Hailey really wanted was a Nintendo DS. Here she is opening it.  Her eyes almost bugged out!

She could barely believe that she got it!

It is so pretty and pink!

Here are the girls opening their cool present from the Rice's. They love the bead set and are going to love playing with it!

I got the most AWESOME telephoto lens for my camera from Brian.  Here's one of the pics I took to test it out.  I had no idea he was going to get it for me and I absolutely love it!  I have been wanting one for so long, and he's been planning it since October!

Here's some more test shots with my new camera.  Doesn't Shelby look amazing?

Here's the same shot with a different filter on my new lens.

Shelby was running around so happy with her new dolly stuff.

Shelby our sweetie.

Here's a picture of Hailey playing her new DS.  She also got the blue robe for Christmas, and she loves it.  It's very soft.

I have a hard time believing she will be 8 years old soon.  You know what that means!  She's closer to being a teenager than ever before.  We are so thankful to see the personal growth in self-control God is giving her this year.

Living Nativity Mommy Date

Shelby watching the angel visit the virgin Mary.

Shelby observing Joseph and Mary on their way into Bethlehem

The Roman soldiers guarding Bethlehem

One of the "Roman soldiers" was our friend who threatened to throw Shelby into prison if she didn't pay her taxes.

One of the Bethlehem boys offered to sell Shelby some fruit.

Shelby loved petting the sheep.

Bethlehem mesmerized Shelby.

Shelby shopping in Bethlehem.

Shelby loved the animals.

Getting to pet the donkey.

Shelby got to touch baby Jesus.

Shelby was is awe of the Crucifixion scene.  She stared at Jesus for a long time, and she had a hard time with the blood running down his legs.

Shelby heard the narrator describe how Jesus was going to come back and take Christians to heaven and she started sobbing because she knows he is not in her heart.  She said she knew she would be left all alone if Jesus took mommy, daddy, and Hailey and left her.

After the Nativity we enjoyed treats in the Community Center.

My sweet Shelby.

Christmas Cookies

When I was little my mom used to make TONS of Christmas cookies.  My kids are lucky to get one kind and only if they help.

So here we are making cookies together.

Okay, they were here.  Where are they?

Oh here they are taking a little cookie making break to perform some interpretive dance.

One of my helpers is back.

Finally it was time to decorate them.

Shelby used her Easy Bake Icing Gun.  That was an experience!

Hailey had her own squeeze bag.

Excellent work, Hailey!

mmmmmm.......... I think I'll try that one!

THE talk!

Part One of the THE talk.  I am so thankful that God helped it go well, that the pertinent questions were answered, and we are good to go for now.  I'm sure we'll have future talks, but this one's done for today.