First Christmas

We love Christmas around here.  Love the food, the smells, the traditions, the excitement, the food!!  The celebration of our Saviors birth and the lessons we learn each year.

This year as we celebrated with Israel and Dawit we kept it simple.  That was my lesson this year was simplicity.  As we read the story of Jesus' birth to the boys I was reminded over and over of how He came into the world quietly and simply.  In a barn, laid in a manger, in a bed of hay.  Some times being an American can really make it seem like we are supposed to do all the stuff.  Buy into all the commercialism, run around like a crazy lady, and becoming obsessed about everything being just so.  Just talking about myself here!!  This year I have learned to keep it simple and enjoy the simple moments.  Just like the simple beautiful way Jesus came to earth.

Erik my 16 year old said to me a few weeks before Christmas, hey mom where is the bowl of nuts you put out every year?  I told him I had not gotten to it yet and the next time I was at the grocery store I would get some.  Honestly I always put out the bowl of mixed nuts with the nut cracker next to them as more of decoration than anything.  So I got the bag of nuts and put it in the normal bowl with the nutcracker next to it and a cute little red bowl next to it to put the shells.  I looked at it and thought, nice, a little Better Homes and Garden!!  About everyday I would come downstairs or walk by the table and there would be a few of  the kids sitting around that cute little collection of nuts and bowls laughing and eating them.  After dinner everyone sat longer and talked and laughed while we ate those nuts.  The next week I actually had to buy another bag because we were getting low.

A simple bowl of mixed nuts.  No elaborate dinner, scheduled events, or crazy expensive gifts.  A simple bowl of nuts to gather around and enjoy each other.  So thankful for the lessons I have learned this year and so excited to simply enjoy 2012. 

Israel and Dawit had a blast this Christmas.  We started the morning with chocolate muffins and candles to celebrate Jesus' birthday.  They thought that was pretty cool and then down to open some gifts.  They opened their first gift and were done.  They were content.  So we took our time and enjoyed the morning opening and playing.  The big kids enjoyed it too.  No rush just simply enjoying the time together.

First Gift.  So excited!  His favorite thing Cars!!

Erik's gift to Dawit.

Thank-you big bro!!

Waiting to open their eyes Christmas morning.

Christmas Eve.

Our First Christmas!

Thankful for these two little guys and the many gifts and blessing they give our family.  They are truly a treasured gift on this Christmas.

I am four!

Our first birthday with Dawit and Israel.  What a sweet day.  Celebrating and joyfully recognizing that they are a  precious part of our family.

Here is a video of the best part.  The birthday song.  They had seen and heard it 6 times before it was their turn to have the song and the cake.  We made a cake for each of them.  Israel wanted chocolate and Dawit wanted pink.  I told everyone that we were going to sing each of them their own song.  There was a quizzical look from some of the family but once they saw how special it was for them to have their own song they understood. 

They enjoyed their cake!

And their presents!

The next day we went to preschool with yummy cupcakes to share with their friends and a mom said Happy Birthday to them and asked how old they were.  They shouted, "I am four!"  So proud!

As we hear back from colleges for Sean for next year, I realize how quickly it all goes.  In a moment I know that these boys will be off to school, playing their first soccer game, middle school, dances, girls, and driving.

Learning to savor the moments and not to worry about the small stuff.   

Happy Birthday Israel and Dawit!!

Christmas Tree!

Everything is Christmas tree.  It is Christmas tree music.  Christmas tree presents.  Christmas tree lights.  Dawit and Israel are in awe and a little confused as we actually brought a tree inside the house and put lights on it and then put fun toys and candy(candy canes) on it.   They are loving it all.  They love to talk about Jesus' Birthday and about baby Jesus.  They know who Mary and Joseph are and especially love to play with the camels in our nativity sets.

Our older children are fun to watch and listen to as they explain what Christmas is and how things work in the James House during this season.  It is probably one of my favorite parts right now.

New to our December traditions is a birthday.  Not one but two.  Israel and Dawit turn 4 tomorrow and we are all excited to celebrate with them.  In fact we are taking the older kiddos out of school at  lunch time because our evening is so crazy.  We have not heard any arguing about that.  Shocking!!  :)

Merry Christmas to you all!!!  I hope and pray that you are taking time to enjoy the simple things like the sweetness of a candy cane,  the beauty of the twinkling lights, the joyful giggles of children, and the truth and hope of a little baby born in a stable who came to set us all free.

That's My Family

Many years ago in MOPS(Mothers of Preschoolers) we had a speaker talk to us about taking pictures and the value of having pictures done of your family.  Having 4 babies in 6 years was busy, busy, busy so doing the family picture thing was a little too much for me.  But when I heard her speak I realized how important it could be.  Having your whole family portrait taken and having it displayed in your house built family identity and unity.  I wanted our kids to be proud of being a James and this was one way to build that in.

So it began.  My kids are good about it now but when they were little it was a little stressful.  This year it took us longer to get it done now that we are a family of 8 and have many very busy teenagers.  But we did it.  Thanks to a very talented photographer Amy G!!


The boys and I went to Costco the other day to pick up our Christmas cards and get some yummy food and Dawit was carrying a calendar we got free with our order that has our family picture on it.  As we were standing in line and I was emptying our cart he was naming everyone in our picture.  I was not really paying attention but was hearing him in the background.  When I turned to him he was showing a man in line behind us his whole family.  He named us all and the kind man said wow, that is your family.  Dawit looked at me so proudly and smiled. 

Yes Dawit and Israel this is your family!  Would not be the same without you two here!!

Here are few of my favorite pictures that will be proudly displayed in my house!  Cause I kinda like this crew!! :)