It's Christmas, Christmas Time!

Well, our house was a-buzz this season...the boys were so excited, Drew especially, about all that goes along with Christmas...they loved all the decorations in our home and the neighborhood, Christmas shows, Christmas crafts, Elf-yourself videos, fireworks (Benbrook has fireworks every year to welcome Santa!), yummy food and special times...oh, and the idea of presents, that might have come up once or twice! We did our best to take some time each day to focus on Christ, and they did a much better job with listening to our stories for the Jesse tree this year, so that was a blessing! It is certainly a challenge to keep our focus there, but the daily reminder was a wonderful grounding for us all.

Drew and Daddy have really upped the video game time this month...it is truly Drew's favorite thing to do. They like to play the Lego games on the PS3 and Daddy says Drew is starting to get it and understand how to play, what to do, and can even play some by himself now...something they are both very proud of. We are certainly going to have to come up with a limit on when and how video games can be played, because for an active boy, he sure loves his screen time, and could probably do it for the majority of the day if we let him, but we don't, but hard to believe this is already a challenge at 4...my goodness! But, they do enjoy their time bonding together.

Our favorite games and toys continue to be Tickle Monster or any chase type game really, but also enjoys the Castle toys and super heroes more and more. Drew really is starting to like the little Lego pieces/sets as well now too. He is also expanding his love of strings and hooks to now include magnets...it is truly so fun to watch his mind play and figure out some of these things in our universe and see how he puts them all together...he is on cloud nine when he finds a way to connect all 3!

Drew brought home his first "book" to read for homework this month and was very proud of himself and excited to share it with us! It's wonderful to see him with such enthusiasm for reading and learning...we sure hope that sticks around! The same day he also brought home a gift he made for us for Christmas and he was literally excited to the moon about it and couldn't wait for us to open it...a cute ornament he made and painted...so sweet!



Drew loves his movies, and loves snuggle time, especially if it means he doesn't have to sleep alone, so he LOVES movie sleepover nights. This month he begged for one for quite sometime before we could find a good night to do it and he was so excited we got to have it in Mommy and Daddy's room/bed...he loved sleeping with us! We do often find him watching us sleep...slightly creepy, but I think it really shows how much of a thrill he gets out of it, as well as sense of contentment...he really craves our presence...his love language is very obvious at this age! :)

A funny thing Drew has been saying lately is using the word 'kill' instead of 'cut'...i.e. "will you kill the skin on the apples"...not sure where that came from, but hoping to correct it quickly!

Our backyard was turned upside down this month as the construction on the pool began the first week of December. Daddy has been very involved, Mommy has been involved only with as much is the least necessary, and the boys enjoyed watching the construction. Drew got to stay home with Daddy the first day they dug the hole, which he liked, but at one point sadly said "That's where I play baseball..." Daddy quickly re-assured him we have plenty of other yard space to play and that he would enjoy the pool too! The yard was a mess and it didn't help that 2 days after they dug we got a HUGE ice storm, which of course all melted and made a huge muddy mess...Mommy's excitement through the process revolved more around how clean everything was versus the actual idea of having a pool!

So yes, we had a huge ice storm that hit the first weekend of December. It was literally about 6 inches of pure ICE, not snow, ICE! It looked beautiful that first day, and it was SO cold! We stayed inside most of the first 2 days, getting out just a bit to break some cabin fever from happening, but it was truly too cold to be out too long. The boys enjoyed slipping around in the front yard. And Mommy and Daddy had a first...shoveling ICE! Mommy had to go to work on Saturday (yay for hospital work) and a drift of ice formed right outside our garage door, making it next to impossible to get out, so we got to shovel that Friday night. We of course did the bare minimum, because in Texas, it rarely lasts more than a day or two, but it was still there on Monday, trapping Matthew home as well again, but thankfully he can work from home, so by Tuesday we were able to chip enough away he could get out of the garage, but it took quite awhile! Now back to Sunday, we were able to bundle up, the sun came out and we walked down (pulling the boys in the sleds) down to the golf course in our neighborhood where there are some good hills, and oh my we had fun! (Yes, we have sleds! Daddy got some a few years back, knowing we usually get snow/ice at least once a year - yay for Daddy!) We were able to sled about 200 yards down the hill on the course once we got the hang of it, and it was perfect! The boys loved it and asked the next several days to go back, but it all started to melt that Sunday/Monday, and the sledding days were gone...but what a great time we had! :)



The boys both had dentist appointments this month and we were amazed at how well they did! Drew has really come a long way, now able to sit in the chair by himself, and even tolerated x-rays this time. We are so proud, and relieved...when we started, it was a full on wrestle match to get the shortest exam completed! Noah did fantastic too...Mommy couldn't stop grinning and laughing, we got right up into the chair by himself, chatted with all the ladies, did exactly as they asked and truly acted well beyond his years...it was adorable to watch!

Of course with Christmas upon us, there were lots of extra shopping trips with the boys this month, which can always be an adventure...for the most part they did really well, but certainly ones that didn't go so well! We have always tried to let the boys be involved as possible/appropriate for their age to help with shopping for OTHER people, so it was fun and interesting to get them to shop for each other and for Daddy or cousins, etc. Certainly there were mis-understandings and frustrations of why they weren't going home with anything for them, but I think if we keep it up, it will start to click. We also had to lock off our guest/exercise room this year for all the presents...there was just to much to stash in closets, etc for everyone and the boys did well to not go in. Granted, Noah still can't open doors, so that was certainly to our advantage, but Drew was told early on to not enter the "Chamber of Secrets" as Matthew called it or some of his toys would be taken back to the store...we didn't have any problems after that! And he also helped remind Noah as well! We'll see how well that works next year, for Noah especially! :)

Despite the awful ice storm, we did have some beautiful days this month and took those to our advantage...you never know when you'll get another one, so we soaked it up when we could. We probably had some record highs and lows for this month, so it was quite interesting and hard to mentally wrap our head around sometimes what season it was when it was so warm...or how people survive that live up North when it was so cold!



The boys had a Christmas program at their school and as always, was sweet and short, to the point...perfect for their age! Drew's class were the angels and they sang "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and did a great job being on stage the whole time. Noah's class came on 2nd to last and were sheep and 'sang' "Silent Night", but were so distracted by their sheep masks, all the other kids and parents that few sang...but still adorable of course! It was fun practicing their songs at home this month and they would call it "My song", and if the other started singing the other one's song, it would get pretty heated! So funny! Drew was sick for the church Christmas program, so we missed out on that sadly...but there's always next year!





In fact, all 3 boys got stomach sick this month, all lasting only about a day, but all a week apart. So it was very strange...Mommy got pretty worried we were going to be contagious for Christmas again, but not so and Mommy didn't get sick at all, so hooray!



Noah loved all the Christmas hoo-rah as well and one of his favorites were all the singing animals we've collected...he of course liked to play them all at the same time, so that was quite loud at times, but how can you keep happiness from a child?! He enjoyed playing with the winter window clings as well, and for whatever reason, he decided they were better on the glass shower wall vs. the window...whatever keeps you happy kid! He was also pretty cute when we were decorating and putting ornaments on the tree...he really enjoyed helping and did a great job, except that all the ornaments went all in the same spot, so we had to do some re-arranging, but happy he got into it this year! Our outdoor lights are plastic LED lights and whenever he would notice them, he would ask to "touch the strawberries?!" - which they do kind of look like, but really cute to hear his take on things!

Noah is actually starting to show a little more interest in riding wheeled toys this month, so that's been fun. Drew was able to do it so early on, it's been hard to wait around for Noah to get on board. But, he's been riding our little balance bike/motorcycle a few times up and down the sidewalk and actually propelling with his feet, so hoping this will increase his interest and skill quickly...it's hard to go on walks right now b/c Drew wants to ride his bike fast and Noah is no longer content to just sit and ride, so not really sure how to handle that...let's just teach Noah to ride a tricycle! :)

This month, for the first time, Noah demanded the use of a night light...I guess he picked up from Drew, or just learning this phase, that the dark is supposed to be scary. So we've started another crutch for sleep, but that one seems pretty normal, so here we are with that. He has fussed more at nights about going to sleep, but calms down pretty quickly, but it's always surprising when it comes out of nowhere. He's been having bad dreams, or not being able to go back to sleep when he wakes in the middle of night as much either, so he's definitely becoming more aware of things. He's also realized we can change the sound on his white noise app, so picking through those is super fun every night...sigh!

He started to show more interest in wanting to dress and undress himself...in general, just wanting to be more independent overall. We of course are all for this! However, when he is changing his shirts, he'll often tell us, or exclaim (depending on his emotion at the time), "No get dark!"...we finally figured out that he doesn't like it when the shirt gets stuck on his head and he can't see...makes sense, but kind of funny. :)

He's also been quite clingy to Mommy, seemingly more and more, to me at least, but maybe it's the same and we are more tired, we aren't completely sure! But school drop-offs are hit or miss and when at home, he will sometimes downright refuse help from Daddy, crying even harder for Mommy...so that's fun! But Mommy has tried to spend some extra time with him, even taking him along for lots of shopping trips...even when he's had the option to stay home and play, he has chosen to go with Mommy! So, along he comes, my little companion, my little Noah!

He is getting more and more chatty, and getting quite vocal. When he doesn't know the words, he'll just make ones up, but his vocabulary has changed without us even realizing it...he's growing so fast! He is enjoying singing songs more and more too...and he still likes to dance, when the mood strikes him! He will every now and then say our meal time prayers at bedtime after Mommy says prayers...very cute and sweet, but again, kind of funny!

Thankful...

We are truly blessed, there's no doubt about it. I know we get tired and complain and gripe about the lack of time, sleep, free time, the 'non-stop' nature of having 2 very active boys. But what an amazing ride and privilege to be given the task and overwhelming responsibility of raising these 2 boys into God-loving men! We have so much more than we could ever need or want, God is SO GOOD! I often get so wrapped up in our little world that I forget to look out and beyond and see how amazingly He has provided above and beyond...in the earthly realm we have more than we both had growing up, but I also have the amazing blessing of not having to work full time and able to be home with the boys more - a true gift! (Though there of course are days we'd all be better off going our separate ways! :)) And we have been given 2 wonderful, intelligent, healthy boys - there's nothing more we could ask for! So THANKS be to GOD!

Drew is a growing boy - both physically and in maturity! We both swear he's going through a growth spurt because his stomach seems to be a bottomless pit these days...meals average about 45-60 minutes. Granted, we aren't all eating this whole time, but the process takes this long, and just when we think he's done, he'll ask for more! Gracious! He's stopped taking baths and now taking showers...prompted more by the boys ridiculousness getting too out of hand in the bath together, but now there's no going back for him, he feels like such a big boy! He has also stopped sucking his thumb while he sleeps. We've talked to him off and on about every now and then, without trying to place too much pressure on him, and then one day it really made an impression on him, and he just flat out stopped. YEAH! I told him it could change the shape of his mouth and teeth and he didn't like that idea one bit, so that was the end of that! What a funny kid!

He is quite intriguing, our Drew is! I've said it before, and it doesn't seem to be changing, he's quite emotional and dramatic and a bit high maintenance...sound like anyone else you know?! He really holds onto things and has a hard time letting it go. He will be as happy as a clam and as soon as something doesn't go his way, the wrath of emotions are released, ugly words are flying, huge tears are dropping, people are potentially getting hurt...it gets ugly real quick!

While he can be a very helpful boy for us all at times and loves to play with Noah and can do that quite well at times, his defiance is also increasing in intensity when the moment presents itself. We've dealt with some interesting situations at home and at school lately that I hadn't even thought of yet, but none the less, they are upon us! He really can be a good listener and seeks approval through following the rules and being 'first' or the 'best' at whatever it is, but when it doesn't work out that way, things can go sour!

This child is LOVING to play video games...sound like anyone else you know?! Daddy and Drew are enjoying some bonding time playing different versions of the Lego games - Batman and Star Wars are the favorites. Noah tags along, but bounces around and loses interest, and that's ok with everyone. I am a bit torn on the whole deal, but it feels like a battle I've already lost, so my battle now is to have input on the type of games and amount of time played. On days when I'm home with the boys, if I ever ask Drew what he would like to do that day, more and more his response is to play video games...he's either an optimist or just not getting it...that's just not Mommy's thing! So it's a Daddy and Drew activity that they love!

He does also have quite the imagination. He continues to love toys with strings and hooks and will come up with all sorts of different ways to use and play with them. But in general, I'm seeing him like more and more toys and objects that can move and change, or that he can take apart and put back together...mechanical, but not overtly so, if that makes any sense! It will be interesting to see how that develops over the years!

A funny story about Drew...about a week after Halloween, he woke up early after having a bad dream...he told us he dreamed that I ate all of his Halloween candy and despite my efforts and proof that his candy was all still accounted for, he was pretty upset with me for the rest of the morning! HA!

We had a wonderful and super special visit from cousins Candi and Tyler this month and we had a blast! They were able to come for 4 days and the boys enjoyed every minute of it! We kept everyone busy and had lots of playtime and special things to hopefully remember for years to come! We had a great time just playing around the house, and it was fun to see what they came up with together. We went to the zoo one day and on Saturday Candi, Tyler, Drew and Mommy went to 6 Flags! Noah had a great time with Grandma and Papa while we were at the park - we had a blast! It was sad to see them go, but cherished the time we had together!

Daddy had to leave the same weekend for a week (10 days to be exact!) up near DC for work. We were sad to be without him again, but glad it was a shorter trip and what a mental difference it was that he was still in the States and we could talk/FaceTime every night. We had lots of extra help again (LOVE our family!) with cousin Taron coming over almost every night (all parents with young kids know that is the most critical part of the day!), so she was a huge blessing and the boys still talk about her at the dinner table! :) The last night/day Daddy was gone, Grandma and Papa were kind enough to take the boys for a sleepover (they actually slept in the same room and did well!) and a full day of care the next day...so again, much easier this time. Don't we have the BEST family!

Uncle Kevin came up for a day to play before the Spartan Race (that he skipped due to really bad weather) and we all loved having him here too! The boys had a great time and he was the perfect Uncle/Brother - soaking up time with the kids and letting Mommy get lots done around the house! :) Nana and Grandpa came up late that evening and were able to take over care for the kids while Mommy went to work on Saturday. Man, did they all LOVE that! A rare time when they could play and be together without Mommy or Daddy present! They loved it! Sadly it was cut short by the forecast of horrible icy weather that didn't end up coming...stinking weather forecasts! But we were grateful for the time we had with everyone!

Now for Noah...little stinker, he's so stinking cute! He can certainly be a challenge, but he is quite adorable through it all! He's definitely got his Momma wrapped around his finger! :) He can be quite loving and lovable - running up to greet us after being at school or work, telling us spontaneously "I wuv you", singing songs from school, but getting all the words in a different order, telling us "I choking" when you get the hiccups...it's all irresistibly cute!

He is getting better and better at communicating and making small sentences - it's so fun to watch and hear him grow in this way! He does sing more and more songs, lots from school and he'll tell us "That Ms. Amber song" - his teacher! So cute! He's also really good at telling us "Go away...You go time out!" when he's upset and angry with any one of us as well - this part, not as cute! :)

Toys Noah enjoys...large building blocks, balloons, trucks of all shapes and sizes, trains, our castle toy set, specifically the disc launchers, costumes, puzzles and books, and loves to wrestle and play swords with Drew! He really likes music and will dance more than Drew will, so Mommy loves that! He still loves to climb and can do good somersaults now too. He's loved being able to join in the fun of Tumblebus at school!

I feel like I say this about Noah every month, but he does not ever get left behind with anything...he's ready to try it all! For Drew's last soccer game, Noah was running all around with Mommy on the sidelines with our own little game going on. Then he felt like it was appropriate that he should be able to go through the players tunnel at the end of the game as well and made himself right at home on the bleachers with all the other boys while the coach passed out trophies. What a goof! Our friend down the street has a 4 wheeler and we were at the park with him at one point and Noah got on and drove it (with some help from Momma), but again, he has no reason to believe that he can't be a part of everything going on around him! It has led to quite a few bumps and bruises, but once he gets over the initial hurt, he usually goes right back to what he was doing when he got hurt! Love his sense of adventure...that will serve him well!

Noah is getting big too - he can now reach the extended light switches, and really likes to turn lights on and off! He's pointing out more numbers and letters, not always correctly, but he's certainly trying and does get some right consistently! He's starting to show a bit more interest in potty training. He likes to show us his muscles and he does with his fists in his armpits and elbows above his shoulders and a super serious facial expression! He's starting to have more dreams...and goes through spurts of some obvious bad dreams, sometimes waking us up at night. One night, we didn't have to go to him, but I heard him say "No!...Dew took my pancake!" :) He throws a fit when we try to dress him in dress shirts or PJs with buttons on them..."I NO LIKE BUTTONS!" - where does that even come from?! And he likes to drink straight from the faucet after washing his hands and face like a goof.

Cute moment with Noah: while taking a bath one night, he laid down on his back and wiggled his body back and forth and said "I a dolphin"! Another funny one: we were talking at dinner about animal pictures to put in the bottom of the pool we are going to have built and the boys went back and forth like this: D: shark, N: dolphin, D: turtle, N: walrus! The conversation stopped here because Mommy and Daddy were laughing so hard! Can you imagine a walrus at the bottom of a pool - that would be hilarious. And, what a random animal for you to know and think of! Crazy kid! Love him!

We had a great Thanksgiving weekend here in Fort Worth. The boys enjoyed a restful morning at home with movies and the Macy's Parade while Mommy ran the Turkey Trot for the first time! :) We headed over to Grandma and Papa's for lunch with the whole family - everyone was there at some point, so we had a great time! Friday Mommy went out shopping for the morning with Aunt Lynne and the boys had another restful morning at home. We spent the rest of the weekend setting up Christmas decorations (Noah said "We make it Cwismas?!") and enjoying some family time together, juggled with getting some errands run (Mommy and Daddy finalized some things for the pool and went Christmas shopping for the boys!).


So again, we are so blessed, and truly grateful for all we have been given! We know it is not our own, but on loan from Him! Thank you! We love you Lord!