Monday, December 27, 2010

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve has been at my Grandma Mona's for as long as I can remember!
I did take my camera... but was so busy passing out gifts and opening toys that I didn't get pictures.

We ALWAYS read the Christmas story at Grandma's and this year we also began a new tradition...
We lit candles for the men and women serving our country that are not able to be home with their families, so that you and I can be free and enjoy Christmas.
We also lit a candle for the families who have lost loved ones while serving and will spend Christmas without them.
I loved the moments spent reflecting on how blessed we are and praying for others that are fighting for our freedom.
No.... freedom is not free, indeed.




Christmas Program


Our Christmas program at Church was the 19th.
Uhhmmm... The Sunday after Thanksgiving, our Pastor approached my friend Renea and I and told us we were in charge of it!
Little did he know that we had already planned on it!

The little ones sang
"Jesus Loves Me"
and did the actions to it!
(they also all tried to grab the microphone, and thus... steal the show!)


The Children and Youth worked together to present
The Nativity.
The old youth read the Christmas scriptures from Matthew and Luke.

Here is Jacen reading some of his lines...


Enter Mary and Joseph and Baby Carson, umm... I mean Baby Jesus!
Sam was gracious enough to let us use baby Carson in our Nativity. 
If this picture was of a wider view, you'd see the new momma standing by nervously!


Enter the Wise Men from the East....


The Shepherds and the Angel of the Lord...


The Nativity scene...


Everyone thought it was all over, but we had a surprise for them!

Santa entered and explained how Christmas had become all about him,
but it was really about the baby that died for you and me!
Santa kneeled down at the manger and shared a wonderful prayer!



I got a shot of the youth at the end... they did a great job reading their parts!


Merry Christmas, and may you know the Reason for the Season!

Christmas at Mom and Dad's

We always celebrate Christmas with my family
the weekend before Christmas.

Jia got the most adorable baby doll from Uncle Rob!
I have never seen a doll quite like this;
it's face scrunches up and her eye's open and close just like a real baby.
Jia loved it!

Everyone else was..... intrigued....(freaked out) by it!

No one could leave it alone!


Jacen couldn't resist checking it out...
even at the risk of being caught on camera with it!


Jia just kept coming back to check on it and make it quit crying!



Jory kept trying to pry it's eyes open!


Gifts of new shoes were given...


Jia loved her high heels!


Jia got a Disney Princess 'Look & Find' book...


Jacen and Derek played with it all night!


Jacen is into Fox Racing this year...


and funky mis-matched socks!


Jory was thrilled with a little lock box for his money!
He is a little hoarder and everyone knows where to go when we need cash!
Those days are gone....


Uncle Rob brought RC Helicopters!
They were a BIG hit!


When we went on vacation this year, the boys taught Jia the 'slug bug' game...
So this Barbie Slug Bug brought a big smile to her face!


After seeing Tangled on Thanksgiving night,
Jia wanted all things Rapunzel!


Jadeth and Derek...
MU & KU fans!


North face for those cold days in Lawrence


A quick pic on Momma and Jia!


This year the adults decided to for-go the gifts and adopt a family through our local DFS.
I wish I had taken a picture of the goodies we sent to our family.
We had a single mom with a 1 year old daughter.
They requested diapers, wipes and educational toys.
Clothes as well, and used ones were okay as long as the baby girl was warm.
Say WHAAAAA??? 
Well they, got what they wanted and then some.
Educational toys??  Every little girl deserves dolly's and tea sets that talk!
It was sooooo much fun shopping for this family and we spoiled them ridiculously!
I don't have clue who they are, but I am sure they were as glad to receive as we were to give!

I see a new tradition here and I love it!


Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas

Wishing you and yours, a very....

Merry CHRISTmas!!!!





The JCrew

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Please Help a Fellow Adoptive Family...

Meet Myah....


I remember the day Myah showed up on the special needs list way back before we found Jia.
I have followed their journey ever since, and become friends with Myah's mom, Rina.
I don't know Myah's diagnosis exactly, but she is very familiar with the hospital. 
Her mom is such a fighter and an advocate for Myah.
I got an email from Rina a few days ago, begging for help.



Myah needs to travel to New York to meet with her surgeon. 
And as you can imagine, their medical bills are already piling up.

Recently Rina submitted a story on potty training to a Disney contest and has become a finalist.
The prize?
Round trip to New York!
Where is Myahs surgeon?
You guessed it, New York!
Can you see our opportunity to be His hands and feet in this??

It will take our votes to help Rina and her family win these tickets. 
With medical bills are piling up, winning the trip would be such a blessing to them and help offset some expenses.
So, won't you take a few minutes each day to go vote for Rina's story?


It does require a Disney account to vote, but signing up is free.
Please repost this if you feel led and lets win this prize for Myah's family!

To learn more about Myah... Visit Rina's blog.


Thank You Friends!

On bended knee for Myah....