One of those...

Many many times things are said around here that get the "I've got to write that one down." Most of the time the quotes don't make it to paper or blog post. But, as we were looking back at pics recently added Thanksgiving dinner replayed in our minds and this "funny" had to be documented...

Mackenzie was choosing to disobey during dinner and had been warned if she didn't "sit like a lady at the table and have manners she would have to go to her room." She didn't heed the warning and was sent to her room. After due time we asked her if she was ready to come back to the table.
Mackenzie, "Yes."
Me, "Are you going to behave?"
Mackenzie, "NO."
Me, "Excuse me?! If you want to come back to the table you must behave."
A bit bewildered she replied, "I not be-have, I be Mackenzie!"
Now that that's all cleared up let's get on with dinner :)

Haleigh's Gap

In late October Haleigh lost her first tooth. She was so excited! She "wrote a note" to the tooth fairy to ask if she would leave it for her memory box. She also requested the tooth fairy leave some money and a toy ;) We explained the tooth fairy really was too small to carry a toy around.

(This tooth pillow was Mark's when he was a little boy.)

Just before I was walking out the door to one of our Christmas parties, Haleigh ran over and asked me to pull her second tooth. She is now very proud to be sporting a cute little gap on her beautiful face!

Our Sweet Mackenzie

Three, really!! It is hard to believe all you have been through in your three years, but through it all you have been such a trooper. You are full of spunk, strong will, fun, and laughs. You crack us up with your little attitude and the looks you give us. You (and the journey you have taken us on) have been such a blessing in our life. Who would have imagined that at three you would be so strong and healthy! We thank God for that and for you!! We love you big girl!!

Mackenzie's 3rd Birthday

On Mackenzie's actual birthday we were fortunate to have perfect seats at the Nutcracker Ballet. The hardest part of the performance was deciding if I should watch the ballet or my girls' faces as they watched in wonder!

On the way home the birthday girl shined as she listened to loved ones singing "Happy Birthday."

The following day we had a party for both Mackenzie and Haleigh at "Giggle Bugs."

Highlights from Christmas so far...

Mackenzie helping make tassies.Watching Christmas movies with Daddy.

A helping hand with wrapping.

Granny lights up whenever Sophie plays "Granny's song."Mom and the three of us "girls" slipped away for a special trip to a dainty little shop.

Cousins playing in the snow.

My favorite gifts to give this year were the "Gratitude Jars." My sister was the ring leader of the idea, it was a joy to think back to many memories of growing up to the present and thank Mom and Dad for the parents they are to us.

Poppy and Grandma with all their grandkids.

Playing in the snow was a blast!

Having time to laugh and soak up family- unbeatable!!

He (and he) Said Just Be

Late last night, in reality early this morning, I looked at the girls dresses ready for the morning hustle that Sunday morning brings and I was excited. Not so much to see my precious girls all decked out in their Christmas dresses (though is was a sweet thing to take in.) I was excited to stop all the "doing" that we are all doing this time of year and just "be." Be focused on Him. Be still and know He is what it is all about. Be quiet and know He is my rest. Be with Him fully, focused on nothing else.
I woke up feeling nasty with a cold, then DayQuil kicked in. We had fun with our first grade Sunday School class. Then we were there just being, sitting, waiting for the choir... oh the choir! The praises being raised about took my breath. My Sophie praising beside me looking to heaven, hand raised, singing her heart out. Mark beside me singing, holding my hand. It was about all I could take. Then, one of our Pastors, Brian Onken, spoke such passionate words of Our Father God, how incredibly good He is and loves us- not just Jesus loving us but God, the Father who we make out to be distant... The freshness of the Word.
Mark canceled a dinner we had planned on having at out house and told me to just rest for the rest of the day. I spent the rest of the day on the couch, intermittently napping and watching football. Yes, a day of just being and resting. Exactly what I needed!!
(I have many many events waiting to be posted, but we've been doing too much to even stop and record it all. Soon a massive update will come!)

Whose The Best For Good Queen Bess?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYQKDvZ-UVk
Sophie's "Essentials of the English Language" class had their big event of the year this evening. Faces of History is an evening when the students get to show the work they have put in over the last several weeks as they learned and practiced the steps of writing a "mini research paper." Once their reports were written, edited, dressed up, and edited again, they were shifted into first person. This evening each student "became" their character and shared what they had learned.
From the first day Sophie learned of this assignment, that would finalize itself with her dressed up as a queen entertaining a crowded room of strangers... she couldn't wait! Sophie originally wanted to "be" Elanor of Aquitaine, but that character had already been claimed. Sophie hustled to get her second choice Queen Elizabeth I. She was to pick one topic of the Queen's life to speak on. Right away she knew she wanted to research the many suitors after the Queen's hand.
The evening was great. I was so proud of my girl's confidence, boldness, and that cute little accent :) I almost burst into tears when it was over, but then got tickled at the final curtsy long enough to recover from my ball of emotions. (On the way home Sophie was thinking of what next year's time period might be and who she might portray for the next Faces of History:)