Saturday, December 04, 2010

Christmas Doin's


I want to thank all of you for your prayers for me this week. They are helping me to calm down and let the words soak into my soul so they can come out of my mouth. I do agree with you that the inability to learn the words is directly related to the amount of "stuff" in my life right now - the hard drive is on overload.

I read something the other day that I found interesting - "You have a lot of brussel sprouts on your plate, but no dessert." I indeed have a lot of brussel sprouts, but I do indeed have dessert as well. Who couldn't love Christmas time with 4 adorable little girls around?

We finally did get the tree up. Care Bear was a big help. She of course would like to put up my second, designer tree, but I don't see that happening.




I finally did get the three child friendly nativity sets out yesterday and it is such fun to see a third round of little girlies enjoying them. This Fisher Price set plays "Away in a Manger" when you press the angel on top of the stable.








They decided all of the animals needed a bath, I guess.






This set plays the Christmas story when you press the button - and it starts over every time you press the button - over and over again. The Fisher Price Jesus has been added to this scene.




This set has lost Baby Jesus already - I told the littles that it's sad to lose Baby Jesus, as long as we don't lose Him from our hearts - Katie says, "Jesus in my heart." I love it!




It's good to have Dora on your side when you're trying to get stuff done - even though I do get a tad bit tired of hearing her voice all the time.






Wednesday night was the kids' school program - a really bad night for us, since it was an important rehearsal for their church program as well as one of our last choir rehearsals for our adult program. DC went to church with the littles (so they could play in the nursery and I could video tape the program). The big girls posed before we left for school.




These are lousy pictures taken from a distance in the dark, but the best I could do.






We did something I don't like to do and left right after Care Bear's class finished so that we could get back to church for a few minutes of practice. What a busy night!


I think Feisty would like to have her ears pierced, based on the fact that she wore these ornaments hanging around here ears all last night.






Friday evening was the annual women's Christmas tea at church. It is always such a lovely occasion with each table being decorated by a talented person - obviously I have never done one~ My SIL did the table I was assigned to, along with my sister and my mom. It was a great evening.



We each were given an ornament as a gift from our hostess - you can see mine on the napkin.




I took a picture of only one other table, since it was so amazing. The china was from England and each plate depicted a different village. The hostess created a village as the centerpiece, with beautiful buildings she and her children had painted over the years. Amazing. I can't even paint a wall well!





So today was the kids' musical at church - they get better every year. I did the kids' musicals for years and I know how much work is involved. But this lady and her family who do the directing and the decorating and the costumes are A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! What fun it was. And icing on the cake was when they paraded in the nursery kids and gave them each a gift. The twins were really having a good time and were on their most precocious behavior.






Then it was "show time." The gospel story was presented in a very entertaining way - the stars in the heavens looking down on the scene. I know - too many pictures, but skip as many as you wish!








Livi was privileged to be Mary in a cameo performance.




I love it that the angel's costumes are being re-used from when I made (with help) about 20 of them as choir robes about 25 years ago.











Care Bear was one of the "Wee Three Kings."





One of my fellow choir members said to me this morning that the children's choir had set the bar high for us next Sunday. I agreed wholeheartedly - especially since I'm having trouble memorizing the words and they not only had all the words down, but did choreography with every song. Needless to say, it started our week out with a happy bang.


I'm going to close with a statement I found in the newspaper - No Words Necessary.




Have a blessed week!

17 comments:

Needled Mom said...

There is nothing like Christmas time with little ones around. Although you must feel like you are being pulled in ten different directions at the same time, Dawn, I am sure that you were able to enjoy the performances and find the beauty and joy in each word and note.

I hope baby Jesus shows up soon!!!! It is good to explain that we can still keep Him in our hearts despite the fact that he might be in some couch or toy box somewhere. I can relate to the looking for HIM!!

Mrs. M said...

Great fun to see all the pictures. The kids are getting so big and looking so pretty in their Christmas finery. Love the program they did. How creative! And as a preschool teacher I know just how hard it is to get all the kids to do the right thing, at the right time, with the right words. Kudos to your program director.

And to answer your question ... yes, the cold air is irritating my lungs badly. Part of the need for a better way to treat this asthma. I'm on it :)

Merry Christmas!

Linds said...

Wonderful photos, Dawn, and well done to all 4 girls! The Christmas season seems to be in full swing around your parts, and I am sure you will remember the words next Sunday. Just relax and enjoy it all. Your tree looks beautiful - just like Christmas trees should look!

I tried to find the FP nativity set here, but no luck. When I come to the States one day, it will be on the shopping list for sure.

And one last thing - I think you and your husband are amazing.

jmckemie said...

Dawn, thanks for sharing the pictures - they are precious. I have that FP nativity set and it is fun to see the youngest playing with it this year. They have 2 additions to it now - the inn and a wise man set; alas with the recent job loss they will not be added, for now anyway. Enjoy the rest of this Christmas season with the littles; hectic as it may be. What joy to live it through their eyes.
Missing a baby Jesus here from another set too - the dog ate him :)

Unknown said...

I know you're stretched pretty thin, but what a special season you're having! Lots of fun memories for the girls in those pictures.

The second pic of Fiesty in the earrings reminds me so much of her mama, it put a squeeze on my heart for a moment.

How big are the littles now? Have they caught up in their growth since being preemies? I can hardly believe they're nearly three!

Linda said...

Dawn you are handling all of this so beautifully. The girls will have such wonderful memories of this very special Christmas.
I'm thankful you're able to squeeze in a few minutes for yourself. What a loving, nurturing Grandma you are. Blessings dear friend.

nancygrayce said...

You can never have too many pictures! I love looking at all of them. And I love the ornament earrings!

I know you're the busiest person in America right now, but I know the Lord will richly bless you and is blessing those little girls with a grandma like you!

You'll sing those words out just fine when the time comes!

Midlife Mom said...

Great pictures of your girls! They are so sweet and you are such a wonderful Grandma to all of them. There should be three of you though to get everything done that you have on your plate right now! I don't know how you do it all but know there are many prayers going up for you and your family.

That table setting is just gorgeous! We used to do more things like that at our church but it seems like so many of the women are working we don't do as much. Such a shame.

So good talking with you the other day! The package hasn't arrived yet but I am anxiously awaiting it! With this big storm we are having it will probably be late coming, up to ten inches of snow today and tonight.

I must get over to the book store and get a couple of those books. I tend to sniffle and cry during sad parts too. Sometimes I'm glad I am here alone!

Try to take care of yourself and get some rest when you can! xoxoxox

Hootin Anni said...

Love it all....especially the "Wee Three Kings" and the donning of the ornament earrings!!!

What a busy, busy week for you all. Seems to me tho that all things are coming along nicely.

Oh, and I'm right there with you, I'd much prefer the word CHRISTmas.

Robin said...

So good to read your post. You have been on my heart lately - it's good to hear you are surviving!
Loving the Christmas season with grandbabies - and am looking forward to my favorite week of the year - the one AFTER Christmas! It's so hectic these days!

grammy said...

loved all the pictures
ours don't have a school program...and no church program...sad
You are doing great with all you are getting done (o:
You deserve a rest!!! I admire you (o:
Love that last picture statement. Please Lord don't ever let me do that!!!

A Hint of Home said...

Your tree is so pretty, the kids are adorable and the tablescapes are darling.
Enjoy all you can with the girls. I can only imagine the amount of work you have. You're a wonderful example of a servant's heart.

Gigi said...

I LOVE all the pictures...and the looks on all the sweet faces...and the wearing of sunglasses to watch Dora (too cute!!)...and ornaments for earrings!

I think what I love most of all, is that amidst all the "frazzle" you are taking the time to document all these precious, fleeting moments that would be forever gone otherwise! And then you share them here, with us!

Beth said...

We have the Fisher Price set too Aunt Dawn. It's a big hit every year - even with my oldest! My daycare baby LOVES to play with it because it's the only Christmas decoration he's allowed to touch!

Carole Burant said...

I always seem to be trying to catch up lately!! I so enjoyed this post and reading about what's been going on in your life. Wonderful to hear that DC is doing much better and had a lot of TLC while recovering:-)

I can't even imagine how hectic your life is at the moment but at the same time it's a blessing that you're able to take care of the girls. I loved seeing these new pictures of them and I had to laugh at the one of the twins washing the animals from the nativity set! hehe Too cute. I'd love to find one of those sets, will have to check online since I haven't seen them in the stores around here. Hopefully you can find Jesus again...maybe he'll be back in his cradle come Christmas morning:-)

Love your Christmas tree, I bet the girls had so much fun helping you with it. I'm going to be seeing Lily the weekend before Christmas so I'm super excited...more about that in my next post:-)

Know that I think of you often. xoxo

Brenda said...

Wow! You have been busy. Enjoyed the pics, and your last cartoon is so true!

Glenda said...

Love the brussel sprout quote and the cartoon at the end is really powerful! You are to be admired for all you do for God, your family, and your church and community!

Hope you don't mind that I copy the cartoon. It's too good not to use!