We put the baby gate upstairs and told the girls to yell out, “It’s Christmas!” when they were ready to come downstairs on Christmas morning to see if Santa left any toys.  While I was dreaming, I heard, “It’s Christmas!”  I jumped out of bed and yelled at Mike, “It’s Christmas!”  It was hilarious!  We were all so excited!!!

The telephone was Anna Kate’s favorite present, and she didn’t even wish for it… who knew!?!

Rose took 3 steps all by herself on Christmas morning!  We are so proud of her!

These pictures crack me up!

I got a new wallet this summer, and it came with a check book that I don’t need, so I gave it to Noelle and she loves it so much!!!

Rose and Noelle took turns playing the harmonica that was in Anna Kate’s stocking while Anna Kate had a little tea party!

Noelle was dancing a jig for us and all of the girls were happily playing with their new toys… it was so cool!  Mike and I were just sitting there watching and playing them for hours.  There’s nothing I’d rather be do on Christmas morning!

Mike gave me a pair of Hanes socks (my favorite!) and an orange!  These are both inside jokes, but I really do get them every year… Anna Kate went to the potty, so that was a cool Christmas present, but it would be really cool if it was the gift that keeps on giving if ya know what I mean! 

Mike and I had this cool idea to make a cinnamon roll Christmas tree, and we let the girls decorate them with sprinkles… easy, quick, fun and festive!  I think we’ll make this a tradition.  It was lots of fun and so delicious!

Rose was getting sleepy and ready for her nap (she’s not used to waking up so early in the morning), so we put her down for her nap, but the big girls were anxiously awaiting for Poppa and Rara to arrive!

Noelle’s prizes

Anna Kate’s loot

Rose’s toys

Noelle’s favorite thing! 

Some other favorite presents: pens for the school bus with a pencil zipper pouch to keep them in, and a make-up box just like her Mommy’s.

On the left is Noelle’s “penny can!”  You take the lid off and throw pennies at the can, and when you get one in, you throw your hands up and yell, “Penny can!” in a high pitched voice… some of you may know where I got that idea, lol!  Anna Kate’s favorite toys were the telephone, light up scepter, Angelina Ballerina, Littlest Pet shop water bottle, sparkly purple (her favorite color) coin purse, and tea cup set!

The girls big presents were a plasmacar (Noelle), power wheels car (Anna Kate), and luggage (Rose).  I have to be honest so that you know my heart in all of this.  Those of you that know me personally know that I am excessively frugal.  I buy very little that’s not on sale or even at all.  I spent less than $100 on each girl, big presents included.  It’s like playing the lottery for me to keep my eyes out for deals… I get a rush, and I feel like I’ve won something when I get a good deal.  Example… I bought Anna Kate’s power wheels car on clearance at the end of summer for $25 and then right before Christmas, I saw a used one at Kid to Kid for $50 that was all junked up… I was so giddy about it even months after I bought it!  I’m saving money and having fun!  And the joy on their faces when they see their toys makes it all worth it!!!  They’re really good girls and work really hard all year long learning how to be the best little people they can be, so they truly deserve some excitement on Christmas morning!

So, Santa’s cookies were waiting… (I have a story about these cookies coming up soon!)

And the stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St Nicholas would soon be HERE!

The girls were so excited to begin the Christmas festivities!

It’s SO hard to get a family picture these days… livin’ the good life right here!

Rose found a card Noelle made for great grandma and was so excited to get her hands on it!  I love this picture of discovery!

Then we made our traditional cookies for Santa… the girls love this part!

They were concentrating very hard!

Mike’s Dad taught him the best way to cut a turkey.

Like I said, photos of all the girls is a huge challenge these days, but we keep trying!

Kay Kay and Grandpapa gave the girls pillow pet sleeping bags.  They were ready to crash!  Not!

As you can tell, Noelle REALLY wanted the Build-A-Bear Smurfette! 

Elated and giving thanks!

Kay Kay and Gradpapa got Anna Kate this adorable outfit and a Dora tag book and baby Rosie and tea set!  Next, we iced and sprinkled cookies!

And then it was time for the reading of the Christmas story and ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, both Christmas Eve traditions for us.

To end the night, the girls went out in the yard to sprinkle reindeer food for Santa’s reindeer (oatmeal and glitter).  They didn’t miss a spot around the parameter of the yard… it was hysterical!

This is the real deal, the reason we have hope, the reason we are alive!  When I listen to this song, I can’t help but worship.  Anna Kate even lifts her little hands to the sky, and it melts my heart.

The words in this song encompass why the name “Noelle” even crossed our minds as a name that would be meaningful to our first daughter.  I pray that the Spirit of this song will be felt with every breathe she takes, so that she can live with the hope that even though life can sometimes be overwhelming and more than we can bear by ourselves, that He is here with us… never letting go for one minute!  That is what keeps me tying my knot and holding on for dear life when the storms hit.  And they do hit.  None of us are exempt, and we are all in this together!  That’s what makes the body of Christ so beautiful to me.  It’s our journey.  Our story. 

And the people of Israel waited for SO long to have the hope that we now have.  Can you imagine how they pressed through the dark, cold, lonely winters without Him?  And then He came, to live among us and teach us how to be the best creation we can possibly be in the state that we find ourselves in.  And we try.  And we toil.  And then we inevitably fail… and then he says, wait!  That’s not all.  Not only did I come to be an example to you, but I left the sacrifice of my life to pick up the pieces.  And it is messy, and it isn’t black and white, but I will lead you and walk with you, and never forget that I did some incredible things just for you!

Anyway, I hope this song blesses your heart as much as it has mine this Christmas season as you celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

We had a cookie exchange and went caroling with some girlfriends last night, and we had such a blast!  At one house, this group of teenage girls answered the door and started singing with our little girls.  We moms were getting emotional seeing them singing all together – it was such an sweet memory!

Anna Kate was the littlest girl in the group, so she was always poking behind… so cute!  We tried to get a group photo with Rose, but she wasn’t game.  I love this picture of the big girls taking good care of her!

Anna Kate is on her tippy toes at the last house!  She wanted to be a part of everything!  This is our silly little gang… such a fun group of precious little girls!!!

We had a blast celebrating my birthday on Wednesday!

Mike brought home this cookie cake after work to get the party started.  He did the butterflies to represent the girls… so thoughtful!  We had a great dinner and then after that, we went to James Avery.

I had a very special friend give me money with the request that I buy the girls each a piece of nice jewelry.  Noelle picked out her first pair of earrings!  They are little hearts!  Santa is going to bring a coupon for her to get her ears pierced, so we are anticipating that!  Anna Kate picked out an “A” charm to wear on a chain.  Both pieces of jewelry are so sweet, and this was such a special birthday memory for me!

The girls were SO excited, they decided to do an impromptu dance session on the side walk!

Which turned into being goofy, of course!  Best birthday I can remember!  Cool!

Anna Kate covered her ears when the bagpipers started playing!

Noelle asked if she could take a picture of us… she’s really good behind the camera!

We heard a story about a local Dad who has ALS and jumped on the chance to help!  Even though he is a stranger to our family, this disease is devastating, and we are heart broken for all of the amazing families who have to be heroic just to stay alive. 

This is a little more information about the Mansfield family from my friend Sundey:

“Jarrod Brodnax is a Mansfield fire fighter. Jarrod has worked for the Mansfield Fire Department for 6 years. He is in his early 30’s, with a 3 year old and a six month old daughter. His wife Melissa is a Labor and Delivery nurse at Mansfield Methodist.

Last year, he was injured on the job during a rescue. He suffered injuries to his neck and back. During his treatment, it was found that the injuries opened the door to a much more devastating problem. He was diagnosed with ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gerhig’s disease. From the ALS website:

"Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig’s Disease," is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed."

No one should have to suffer this fate, but it is especially devastating to a young father as active and involved in his kids’ life as Jarrod. In the year we’ve lived here, I’ve seen Jarrod walking around normally playing with his 3 year old daughter outside every day, happily working in the yard with Melissa in the evenings, to limping, to needing a walker, to now having to use a non-motorized wheelchair and being unable to hold his toddler or new baby.  He is always kind and affable, despite his condition. His wife, Melissa, never complains, never asks for help, is always smiling and cheerful, despite having a toddler, a brand new baby, a full time, stressful job, insane medical expenses and a paralyzed husband.  I can’t think of anyone more deserving of a helping hand.

Jarrod’s brothers in the fire department and the Texas Red Dirt Road show are holding a Texas country benefit concert for him.

For additional info, to make a donation or for contact info, visit the Mansfield FireFighters Association page at www.MFFA3599.org. "

I literally cannot imagine going down this road.  It totally puts all of life into perspective.  Please keep this Texas family in your prayers as well as our dear friends, the Ziemkes in California.  The holidays are so very special, and also so very hard for so many who love and have so much to lose.  Thank God that he is here…

Rose’s little buddy, Katie, had the cutest birthday party on Sunday!  This picture is so cool… Katie and Rose were playing and then Katie leaned over, picked up her first card off of one of her presents and opened it all by herself!