Christmas.... a Whirlwind of Blessings.

We took the month of December off of what most people would call "normal" school activities and instead focused on more of the things that were relevant in our family!! Crafts and gifts to others, parties, learning about Jesus and FAMILY TIME!!  Nate's Aunt Kate came to visit and spend Christmas with family for the first time since 1986.  We all had an amazing couple of weeks with her!  My uncle Jeff came down from Idaho too!  I love this time of year when we can be surrounded by family at every turn!  We had lots of basketball games and parties at our house (even a baby shower!!).  Every time I would start cleaning the kids would sigh, look up at me and ask, "Who is coming over tonight?".  Really?  Am I that obvious?!  So now my house is a wreck again!  Who wants to come over for dinner?!!  I must clean!

Love this picture!  His face was normal leading up to me taking the picture... at the very last minute he morphed!  We were outside enjoying all of our new modes of transportation!  Scooters and motorcycles!

Our family Christmas gift! He is an 11 month old (or so) Lab/Border Collie mix. We rescued him from Dogz in Need, a rescue here in Escondido. Want a four legged friend? Call Michelle loves what she does and is good at it! Dogz in Need 760-297-1040

His name is, hold on let me take a deep breath.... Captain Jack Sparrow- Doo (as in Scooby Doo) Turner.  We just call him Jack!  The name shouldn't surprise you, if you remember the name Bailey had picked out for Maggie while she was in my tummy.... Do you remember?  This is great Turner Family Trivia!  Ok here it goes... "Maggie Marguerite Eileen Jelly Bean Pie Turner"!!  I love it! 

Bailey was invited to a little girl Christmas party!  They did crafts, sang Christmas carol and ate cookies!  It was a good time had by all!  It was two Junior High girls who came up with the idea and coordinated the whole thing!  They did an amazing job!!!

Kimmy Iverson, a 2009 CLA graduate, captured this video of my of our little elves!  This was at our Church's Christmas Eve gathering.  Such an awesome time!

If I run across anymore pictures or video I will post them, but now it's back to the grind!!

Love you all!

Molly and Troupe

Time to Get You All Up to Speed!!

So last time we met, we were going to do the dishes every night before we went to bed... And we DID!!  We even did it into and through December!!! 
I never posted about my December Mission, but my goal was to be filled with joy while cooking, shopping, wrapping gifts... everything.  I wanted to be the person you saw smiling in the store!  I think I did ok, but I know of at least one crash and burn moment over the Christmas Vacation that I have still yet to rectify.  So... I will try again next year to not let myself get stressed and burdened with things that don't really matter much in the grand scheme of things! 

So on to January... SELF CONTROL!!  Self control in what I say, how I say it, what I eat (and how much of it), getting up before the kids for quite time... the list could go on and on.  But I think you get the picture!  SELF CONTROL!!!  I think the people around me will be the judges on my accomplishment this month!
Now on the pictures!!!  This post will still only get you up to Christmas.  I will get to the other stuff in another post!

 We were given so really cool armor by some friends!  This picture leaves me speechless.  Maybe you could all write a caption for it?!

 Strategically placed armor.

 Leaving for Sedona.  Meet most of my family there for Thanksgiving!  It was the highlight of the year!

 Girl's Row Maggie, Lex and Bailey

Boy's Row Ryan, Adam and Will. 

Our FULL car on our way to the Grand Canyon!

 This is forever how I want to think of my three FAVORITE men.

 Bailey lost a 2nd tooth, just after Thanksgiving!  It's removal was expedited by the butt end of a butter knife to the mouth, on Thanksgiving Day, by her brother.  He was trying to cut his turkey. 

 Near freezing temperatures did not stop my children from enjoying the pool at the resort!

 On our way to Sedona we stopped in Beautiful Downtown Blythe for a picnic.  Do you hear the sarcasm?!

And our Christmas tree.  If you look closely you can see the Thankfulness Chain going up one side and down the other.

I will post about our most glorious Christmas, yet in another post.  I have a basketball game (or two) to get to!!

To clean or NOT to clean... Truly this is the question.

SO do I clean or play with kids?  Because I really don't think to do both in one day is possible.  At least not both at a level I am happy with.  Nate is really great (and I am not just saying that because it rhymes)!  He is always saying he would rather have happy kids than a clean home.  But are we truly happy living in knee deep toys?  This is a constant tug.  I do know they play better and easier with a clean house.  Heck, I cook better in a clean kitchen!! So it would only stand to reason, that when they can find their toys and ample enough floor space, they are SUPER content (and happy)to play.  So I guess I have actually answered my own question.... clean then play.  Anyone have any suggestions on how to make cleaning more like playing?! I have never been good at cleaning.  I was the kid that missed recesses in school because my desk was so messy I had to stay in to clean it out!  My Grandma used to say I belonged in the Kickapath Indian Tribe (get it?!  I had to kick a path in my room just to get to my bed at night?!).  So see... I have been a messy person all my life.  Help!!!  And maybe your help could just be telling me how much you pay for house cleaning service for your home?!  Or... maybe you are willing to come clean my house for me?!  I'll pay you!