Christmas Through the Eyes of a 4 Year Old

About a month ago, Momo bought and gave Arilynn and Weston an early Christmas present-Fishers Price Little People Nativity Set. She wanted them to be able to play with it throughout the season. They have several pieces of Little People (the proof is lying all over the house). Fast forward a few weeks to today...

I have been trying to teach Arilynn after she's done playing with something to put it away before getting something else out. (Yeah, we're not making tons of progress). She decided she was done playing with the town and wanted to get "Baby Jesus" out. She put it away and went to Bethlehem. I noticed that there was a few people on the floor from "the town" and went to put them away, but she stopped me saying "there wasn't enough people." I handed her the pieces and went about my business.

About an hour later, Arilynn and Daddy were running an errand. I went into the kitchen trying to get some work done and was stopped by the scene she had made. (She told me before she left to make sure I left "Baby Jesus" there).

 

 She had lined all her pieces up towards the baby.  

What really made me stop and think was that firefighters, skateboarders, tomboys, and teachers had come to see the baby, as well.

 

I got a little teary-eyed when I recalled what she had said earlier; "there wasn't enough people." Oh, if He'd only been given the reception He deserved! And, what about today? Firefighters, teachers, bankers, nurses, parents, students, reporters, politicians...what kind of worship is he going to receive when we celebrate His birth?

I then determined and even stopped to pray that this Christmas season, I will worship the King and make sure He receives the attention as seen in the eyes of my little girl.

The Living Room

Yes, we're still alive. Phew! Moving is hard work. We still don't have everything sorted and put away, but we're getting closer. (I hope).

The living room is done...for right now...until I change my mind about something.

Come on in...
WARNING: Lots of pictures.

This is before (yes, we're messy movers)!

 

 

We painted ETA: (Lowes-Olympic Tightrope) and added the board to the lower part of the wall. Made a big difference. The top is supposed to be a warm gray, but it sometimes looks tan to me. I wanted something more neutral, so I could change things with the seasons.

 

I stole a lot of the decor from our bedroom, so now I'll have to just about start from scratch in there.
 

I paid entirely too much for the wreaths hanging in the windows. They were 50% off at Dollar Tree.
 

 We just started decorating for Christmas once we began. No sense changing it after a couple weeks. I love having a fireplace mantel!!!!!!!!

   

I found this printable from browsing Pinterest.

 

The pitcher and reindeer were a GW find.

 

Our Abode

We aren't connected to internet, yet, so I ran down to McD's...interesting spot here let me tell ya!! :) 

For all those who didn't hear, we live in West Virginia now. Here is our Home Sweet Home:

Got lots to do, so I better get back home.

Another Sign

Are you all tired of me yet? I guess I'm trying to figure out whether to keep the blog going or not.

Deb and I (still not sure how I talked her into it) went to Goodwill 1/2 off day this month. While we were making our way into the store a lady stopped in her car, rolled her window down and said "Come here." I approached cautiously because well, there are crazies out there. She then proceeded to ask if I had small children...um, maybe?! She then told us she was getting ready to make a donation to the gw and wanted to know if we wanted anything out of the back of her car. So we took a look and ended up with a brand new game, 5 or 6 of these wooden shapes, and a $50 train set. It ain't everyday someone offers you free stuff!

I had been wanting a sign like this for awhile and been to Hobby Lobby to buy a piece of wood. They weren't on sale and one knows you never buy anything there full price because it always goes on sale. Guess free works, too! :)

It was a quick make and anyone can do it. So easy. The tutorial can be found here.

 

Not sure if this is where it's staying, but it was convenient for the picture. Goodness knows, it can't go in the first place I put it. I have to change my mind about 5 times usually. 

Fall Outing

We went to Apple Works to take our school's pics this year, so I asked my sister to come along so we could try to get pics of Arilynn and Weston. Since they were pretty much over being there by the time we got done, this is as good as it gets. Besides, Weston was making us nervous crawling to investigate the edge of the bridge (yes, there was water underneath).

 

Took Weston for his checkup today. He is exactly 50% for his height and weight. He's perfectly normal! :) 

Praying for our Elections

Edited to add: All spots have been filled. :) 

I know some of you may not have facebook or have seen this, so I'm posting for ya'll. Remember, I'm not a writer, so bear with the scattered thoughts... 

Back a couple of months or so ago, I kept laying in bed feeling that we needed a prayer vigil going up for our country. I argued with myself a few times saying that I'm not the kind of person to get people to do something, (I'd rather just do it myself), I didn't want people to think I was trying to bring glory to me, etc (all thoughts from the enemy, I'm sure). However, I could not get away from it and so I told God that if that's how I could help our nation, then I would do it!! 

I have had several people tell me that this prayer time has been a blessing to them. My prayer life has strengthened and I have drawn closer to God through this time. I wish I could express the different times the Lord has met with me as I've brought my burden to Him. Prayer changes things, people!!!! Help me pray?

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I am not one who likes to ask people to do something, but it's been heavy on my heart to PRAY FOR OUR ELECTIONS AND COUNTRY! We need revival! I know many are praying, but I would love to see a 24 hour prayer vigil going up concerning this. To sign up, comment below. Thanks!

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. II Chronicles 7:14

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16

EST-I'm thinking 15 minute increments

12:00-12:15 AM Heather Whitmer

12:15-12:30 Rev Don Walden

12:30-12:45 Fayrene Walden

12:45-1:00 Tricia Grissom

1:00-1:15 Ruth McCormick

1:15-1:30 Leah Plemmons

1:30-1:45 Sandy Cowan

1:45-2:00 Dottie Shearer

2:00-2:15 Dorothy Staley

2:15-2:30 Shella Ebenkamp

2:30-2:45 Jackie Thompson

2:45-3:00 Michael Glen Kesler

3:00-3:15 Rachel Brown Windell

3:15-3:30 Janella Hilligoss Thompson

3:30-3:45 Jody Herring

3:45-4:00 Leah Randall

4:00-4:15 Darla Shockley

4:15-4:30 Marvin Truex

4:30-4:45 Kenny Dill

4:45-5:00 Megan Cuaresma

5:00-5:15 Rev Robert Thompson, Ruth McCormick

5:15-5:30 Terri Lucas

5:30-5:45 Peggy Bailey

5:45-6:00 Jonathan Witter, Rachel Thomas

6:00-6:15 Amy Shearer

6:15-6:30 Linda Thomas

6:30-6:45 Sam Thomas

6:45-7:00 Wesley Grissom

7:00-7:15 Stephanie Burley

7:15-7:30 Sue Bailey

7:30-7:45 Dinah Jackman

7:45-8:00 Easterling Wireman

8:00-8:15 Thelma Wireman

8:15-8:30 Jo Dahler

8:30-8:45 Rachel Bailey

8:45-9:00 Michelle Bell & Family

9:00-9:15 Mary Stetler, Lynnette Williams

9:15-9:30 Kim May

9:30-9:45 Linda Hopkins

9:45-10:00 Rebekah Willard

10:00-10:15 Jennifer Bullock

10:15-10:30 Judy Hignite

10:30-10:45 Charity Mullins

10:45-11:00 Carl Froelich

11:00-11:15 Marsena Proctor

11:15-11:30 Jane Wetherald

11:30-11:45 Katherine Crouch

11:45-12:00 Chuck & Mary McGuire

12:00-12:15 PM Rev Nathan Shockley

12:15-12:30 Regi Baker

12:30-12:45 Rosemary Thompson

12:45-1:00 Sarah Burkett

1:00-1:15 Millard Atchley

1:15-1:30 Darin Shearer

1:30-1:45 Lynda Dill

1:45-2:00 Sandra Brown

2:00-2:15 Hannah Heintzelman

2:15-2:30 Shaun Witter

2:30-2:45 Jennifer Alexander

2:45-3:00 Andrea Switzer

3:00-3:15 Nathan Grissom

3:15-3:30 Gary Grissom

3:30-3:45 Danny Dodson

3:45-4:00 Nancy David

4:00-4:15 Carl Pfaehler

4:15-4:30 Krystal Yount

4:30-4:45 Janet Burton

4:45-5:00 Jan Reed

5:00-5:15 Brittney Dicken

5:15-5:30 Donita Salsman

5:30-5:45 Diane Sisco

5:45-6:00 Micheal Edwards

6:00-6:15 The Quinn Family

6:15-6:30 Marilyn Ebenkamp

6:30-6:45 Matt & Helen Hohne

6:45-7:00 Jim Reed

7:00-7:15 Pauline Fox

7:15-7:30 Cecil Crouch

7:30-7:45 Anna Brunson

7:45-8:00 Roy Brunson

8:00-8:15 Geneva Davis

8:15-8:30 Bob Thompson Jr

8:30-8:45 Marilyn Pfaehler

8:45-9:00 Vanessa Froelich

9:00-9:15 Rachel Edwards

9:15-9:30 Nancy Grissom

9:30-9:45 The Jonathan Walden Family

9:45-10:00 Jenny Grissom

10:00-10:15 Wanda Foster

10:15-10:30 Caroline Hall, Betty Flynn

10:30-10:45 Rebecca Stratton, Marjorie Whitaker

10:45-11:00 Jeremy Hopkins

11:00-11:15 Sam Stratton

11:15-11:30 Debbie Bailey

11:30-11:45 Nina Rose

11:45-12:00 Sheila Thompson

My Buddy

This little lady is Mommy's little buddy! She is such a big help-loves to do laundry. (I'm giving it a couple more years). She keeps us entertained all. the. time.