Singing, Santa & Jesus!!

Even though I have a digital camera I am sometimes a bit slow in getting the photos downloaded. I just had to share a few shots of my little ones enjoying the Christmas Holiday!

This year the twins participated in our Christmas Children's Choir. I was so proud of them. Of course, I snagged front row seats, brought my camera and my Flip video. They were not shy at all. Not one teeny tiny bit. I haven't a clue where they might get that nerve from???

While waiting for service to start I snapped this photo of the twins. It has quickly become one of my holiday favorites. They were so patient and good waiting between services. We were there from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. When you are waiting for Santa to arrive…that is a pretty long evening.

Thanks to my niece the twins didn't have to wait till later for dinner. She arrived saving the day with a "treat" from Burger King. I love her so much for doing that especially because she didn't forget me either! In between services we snuck out to her car to enjoy the food but it was cold!

It seems my girls are more enamored with Reindeer then they are with Santa. We made Reindeer cookies and sprinkled Reindeer "food" on the lawn. We had to make sure that the Reindeers got Santa to the correct destination. It is a very simple and quick recipe...the children love it! Simple mix oats, brown sugar and regular white granulated sugar add a dash of colored cookie crystals and presto! Reindeer food!

When you are five and you get THREE Christmas each year...well....let's just say it's a bit of Heaven on Earth. This Christmas we had the honor of hosting both sides of our families for Christmas. Thankfully, one side celebrates at night and the other side celebrates in the daytime. It leaves the morning for Santa and the four of us....pretty sweet.

Christmas Eve rocked as they un-wrapped their Barbie Hot Tub Bus and a Swim to Me Puppy. Christmas morning began with a mad dash down the stairs and hallway. It was move or get moved as they rushed to the goodies Santa left them. Our afternoon Christmas brought Baby Swim A lot (are you seeing the swimming theme here?).

Rylan and Skylar are STILL taking gifts out of boxes. Our trash man must quiver at the thought of coming to our house. Someone must really tell me why one Barbie box has a ZILLION ties and twisties!

Every year each twin buys a present for the other one. This is a lot more difficult then you could imagine. It's hard to get them alone and even harder to get them to focus on a gift for their sister and not for their own. This photo of them hugging is one of my favorite photos as they were truly thanking each other from their hearts. It was a rare "sister" moment and I was so proud.

I remember getting excited about Christmas. I anxiously anticipated the presents, lights, food and family. It is still a lot of the same joy and excitement as when I was a child but now I get to enjoy it again through my little ones. But the one big, main difference is that they understand...it is truly about Jesus!

Presents are great! Lights are Beautiful! But Jesus...HE is IT! Over and over through out the holiday the twins and I talked about his birth. They are learning about His mother, Mary and Joseph....how he was born to die so that we may live. I knew the girls had that in their mind. The seed was planted in their hearts and for that reason I could enjoy the Holidaythrough their eyes.

They are five...I'm not going to take away the twinkle and joy of receiving presents and sparkling lights but I will make sure that they are realizing the true light and present is found in Jesus Christ and not just for the evening but for always.

As a Christian mom it is struggle some times to find the balance between the joys of childhood. Balancing Santa, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth fairy with the Truth of Jesus, the Cross and Salvation is a delicate matter.

But if you look at their faces in these photos...well, it looks like God has been guiding us in the right direction....

It's Christmas and ..... You'd Better Be Good!

"What do you mean Christmas Eve is today?"

"Yep, and they say we "s-t-i-l-l" have to be good!"

"Man, that's a lot of work for some toys!"

Ok, I really don't know what the conversation was between these two when the photo was taken. But considering  how they are acting today...this might have been the "Real" conversation.

Regardless...I am ready for Christmas!

Yep,  you heard me...done...ready...and willing to enjoy the day.

Presents wrapped, house cleaned, children washed and food cooked! Praise the Lord!

Like a fool, I stayed up till 3 a.m. last night "making" a present and putting together the special Santa presents that will be opened on Christmas morning.

Yes, I am a glutton for punishment...but I did get to sleep in until 9:30 a.m. so that worked out okay.

I hope that each of you will have an incredible and blessed Christmas. Read the gospel of Luke tonight before you open presents...it will help to bring into focus the "real" gift of the this Holiday!

God bless each of you and Merry CHRISTmas!

Christine

IE Mommy Blogger

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

They say "All good things must come to an end". I am not sure who "they" happen to be...but it appears "they" are correct.

Today was my last blog for Inland Empire Family Magazine.  2009 will bring a new blogging team to the magazine and website. I hope that they will enjoy their new adventure as much as I did. I know I will be reading.

This past year has been so much fun. It has been a great privilege to be a "mini-mini-celebrity" in the I.E. I love sharing my life with the readers which is why I decided to continue blogging. I never imagined myself being a blogger and yet, here I am...blogging again. What can I say, it's fun!

I am glad to have you on this new adventure. It is excited to have you come along. The site will have an official launch in January. When the craziness of the holidays has slowed down a bit.

I very thankful and grateful to Churm Media and all the people that help to create the website and magazine (Jeff, Kathleen, Colleen, Kim, Craig, Amy, Kristen and the list goes on). To have had the privilege to work with amazing moms such as Monica, Aileen, Kathleen and Lily...well, what can I say the "Original Mom Squad" R-O-C-K-S!

With only 2 days left before the big guy in the red suit arrives...my life is a whirlwind of activity. Trying to get all the food prepared, cookies baked, last minute presents to buy and on and on...I hardly have time to breath. But I love it!

I am giddy with anticipation for 2009. I am eager to see what the Lord has in store for me.  My goal is to continue to home school and work in ministry at my church. As long as God will use me I hope to remain involved in women's and kid's ministry at church and we only 11 1/2 more years of home school....so I think we are good there.

This will be the first year...in a long time...that both sides of the family will be attending Christmas Eve services together. I am very excited about that. The twins will be part of the children's choir. They are so jazzed about singing in front of everyone! What can I say it's in their blood.

Christmas is a time for forgiveness and fellowship and I hope that you'll find that joy this year. I have listed some great churches that have amazing Christmas Eve services. I pray that you'll attend one of them.

• Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside 
• The Packing House in Redlands  
• Calvary Chapel Golden Springs in Diamond Bar 
• Horizon Christian Fellowship in San Diego  
• Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa  

Wishing each of you the most amazing CHRISTmas and New Year. 

Hope to see you in my Mailbox,

Christine

"The" IE Mommy