Christmas with the Severns Family!

Here are our Christmas pics! It was a great morning!

In a week

Kaelyn and Elyse are turning 2 in exactly a week...actually as I'm writing this its getting very close to the exactly in a week time! It really does feel like it snuck up on me even though I was very good with all of my family at reminding them at the beginning of December how close their birthdays follow Christmas. I really don't want it to get lost in the holiday business and I almost did it myself! Realized today it was a week away and got to the store to pick up invites, we are keeping it small this year with just our families and two friends who are like extended family. I think it will be nice and fun and not to overwhelming or crazy. But I have to admit I'm curious to see how future years will play out as they become more and more aware. I have a feeling for us the "holiday season" won't be over until January 4th! (our theme is Curious George :)

Merry Christmas!

I love this picture because it makes me feel the humanity of the moment and wonder at the millions of things running through the new parents minds. It also makes me unable to comprehend all that God can do and to be amazed by His unending, boundless and overwhelming love for us! I pray we all feel that love from God and towards our families today. Merry Christmas!

The Birth of Jesus

1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.

4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ^[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Happy Christmas Eve!

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
by Clement Clarke Moore
or Henry Livingston

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

1st annual Christmas Breakfast

Nikki and I , along with Tisha when she lived here and now whenever she's in town, have carved pumpkins and dyed Easter eggs together for the past 13 years or so. We had not done anything at Christmas time because it always just seems so busy and we each have other family traditions. But now with the addition of kiddos and gifts for them we've decided to start a Christmas Breakfast tradition complete with the required wardrobe of Christmas pajamas for all! :) (next year that includes you Nathan!) We had a lot of fun as you can see from the pics.

Warm and Thankful

I'm presently listening to the sound recording of the book "Little Heathens", which is the story of a family and their lives on a farm in Iowa during the Great Depression. It has made me particularly grateful the last few days as we have been experiencing a cold snap here in Washington. To be able to get up and flip on the heat, turn on the hot water, and go to the bathroom inside truly is something I'm feeling thankful for!

The realization that though I have these wonderful commodities not everyone does hit home for me today during our Parent-Tot. Julia, our "teacher" said that she stopped at the "Tent City" which is not far from where we have our class to see if they needed anything, (I love love this about her, she doesn't just think wow they must be cold she stops to help!) anyway they said they were in need of blankets and batteries and she will be bringing them back a supply. It was startling to realize that without knowing it I was driving by this homeless community twice a week. I'm going to try tomorrow contact the church that is hosting them to see how I, and hopefully our church can help. But for today it is giving much to be thankful for as I think of how blessed and cared for I am and how thankful and grateful I am for God's care of me and my family.

You Know It's Bad When...

...there is so much clean laundry piling up on the couch that you start eyeing the playpen as your laundry basket!

We have been sick. Since Wednesday night someone has been throwing up or having diarrhea constantly (thankfully I am not included in that). It's sad. But since I haven't been sick I have been trying to keep up on the laundry and doing a good job until it comes to folding a putting it away - hence the playpen-laundry basket!

Prayer

Today our lunch time prayer was...

Thank you for the food, help us to love each other, help us to make it to nap time! Amen!

Suburbia

During this afternoon nap time Andy & I are hustling around to get the house 'Christmasy'. I decorated the tree and the rest of the downstairs portion of the house while Andy worked on the lights outside. I realized it was time to start dinner so I finished up my task and headed out to check on his progress. It was starting to get dark by this time and the lights he had put up were on! They looked spectacular on our big two story house! I admired all the neighbors light as I headed back into the house through the garage. As I was passing by the minivan parked inside I realized we are just another of the millions of families that make up suburban America. At times the thought of that 'mold' disgusts me but not today. Maybe it's the lights or the Christmas season I don't know, but whatever it is today I am proud.

When all the Fake Crap is Burnt Away

There's a verse in the New Testament (If I take the time to look it up, I may not blog) that talks about going through fire and the fire burns away all that was not real in the first place and you are left with what is real (possibly the worst paraphrase ever!). These last few weeks have been horrible with my dad as sick as he is. It is hard to focus on anything else, including school, being a good mother, cleaning - all the things I HAVE TO DO. I keep thinking of this verse, because I am so aware of who I really am. When all is sailing along hunky-dory, it is easy to be a good wife, student, mother, citizen. When times are tough - not so easy. I have had several moments in the last couple of weeks where I have stepped back and gotten an objective view of myself - It's pitiful.
Here are a couple of examples:
Someone stole my laundry basket and I seriously considered leaving a note on the laundry room door that said, "To whoever stole my laundry basket - F U!"
I actually caught myself saying this one to my one and two year olds - "Stop your Goddamn fighting!" What a contradiction!
The worst moment of the whole week was when I yelled - yep, yelled - at a cop who gave me a warning for a parking ticket. She was actually driving away and I yelled some smart-ass comment and she stopped her car and treating me very much like an armed criminal (seriously, she was MAD) gave me a ticket.
I am praying every day now, not just for my father, but that God helps me (PLEASE GOD!) to have the grace to be a good student, wife, mother, and well, citizen - even in the worst of times.

Little Princess

The other day we were out at the base family Christmas party. It was held in one of the hangars to accommodate all the people. In the middle of lunch Abigail said she had to go pee so I took her and followed all the signs to the restrooms. As we got closer I realize the 'restrooms' were port-a-potty's and decided not to say anything with the hope that she would go with the flow. Well we stepped in and she looks at the 'toilet' and said "No, mama". I hoped that maybe taking her into the handicap one would help (more room). Nope. So I asked a few people and there was no other bathrooms. So I took her back and told her if she wouldn't go in the 'restrooms' she would have to wait. She did a very good job. Eventually, we decided under the circumstances we better head for the car. On our way we saw a building and I took her in for the real restroom. When we walked in and entered the stall she went over and looked inside the toilet and said, "Oh, that's better.", and started to take down her pants!

Cute.

Juan calls a crescent moon a "banana moon".
Pretty cute.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I am thankful for My incredible husband, for my children, my family, my friends, and for God's love and faithfulness that is weaved through all those things and is the core of what sustains me. On a sillier side I'm also thankful for coffee, the internet (so I can stay in touch with my girls) cell phones (so I can stay in touch with my girls) and I'm also pretty thankful for the invention of the Peanut Buster Parfait (which I have partaken of twice this week!!!)

What are you thankful for?

Potty Time

So I bought little potties for the girls last month knowing we would start using them eventually. I'm not in a hurry to potty train but they were starting to tell me more often if they were "wet or poopy" so I thought why not? They have loved sitting on them ever since but have not actually gone "potty", until tonight! Kaelyn was running around naked and all of a sudden stopped and had a moment of panic saying "Potty! Potty!" so we ran to the bathroom she sat on the potty and went!!!! She was so proud and so cute and of course I had to snap a picture of this "First".

Friends

The girls favorite friend in the world is Katrina or as they call her "Nina". (though "Baby Carson" as they call him is running a tight second Nikki) Anyway we have now twice enjoyed a beautiful fall day where we have met Katrina and her Mama Staci in Bellevue and loaded the girls in the wagon and gone and picked up coffee and croissants at this yummy little bakery and then strolled with the girls around the park and played on the playground. I think its too cute how Kaelyn and Katrina share a seat on the wagon, they were even feeding each other their croissants and laughing all the while. It's so satisfying to me to see the girls loving and making friends already and it makes it all the better that I love and am friends with Nina's Mama! My girl friends have always been such an important part of my life, I couldn't survive without you guys! I think the girls are on their way to following in that pattern as well. :)

Needs

Need to clean my house, really clean it as we have company tomorrow
Need to get dinner started
Need to return the pile of overdue library books
Need to keep the pile of laundry moving
Need to schedule dr appts
Need a Nap!

ugh....or I guess Coffee!!!!!

Peace and Freedom

Noah got in trouble at school two times in one week (I think it was about a week and a half ago, but time all runs together). His teacher called us and he was devastated. At home on the night of the second call he was crying to me. These were his exact words, "I wish there wasn't any school and then peace and freedom could reign throughout the land." I was hugging him when he said it, so he couldn't see me trying so hard not to laugh because he was being completely broken and sincere!

Pretty Freakin Cool

Ok so honestly at times I bulk against the onslaught of technology. I took forever before breaking down and becoming an email girl and though now I'm addicted to emailing, blogging, and even mindless internet surfing, which I never understood and never thought I would do, I still feel like I like to move slow when it comes to technology. That said my husband in many ways is the opposite. He dreamed of the Iphone before it existed and Loves and uses his constantly. I had the option of getting one but was kinda like, all I need is a phone to talk on I don't do anything else.

Last night we were in bed watching a movie and there was a song that came on and Jonathan was like thats kind of cool I wonder what song this is. So he takes his I phone turns on a program called Shazam! and holds it up towards the t.v. It "thought" for a minute then told him what the song was, who wrote it, what album it was on, and did he want to see the music video!!!!!!!!! Holy Crap! I was so impressed, I mean come on, that felt like we were living in the future!!! How many times have you heard a song and wished you could do that!

Anyway pretty cool huh?

Who cares?

Juan waiting for the election results.

Incredible Truth

So I'm presently doing Beth Moores Bible Study, "Living Beyond Yourself" which is about the Fruit of the Spirit. Holy Moley it is deep and soul searching and I often feel like how the heck can I ever get my heart to be where its supposed to be!!! I'm finishing week 3 and we are only on the first fruit, Love or more precisely Agape. Today was a summary of all that agape is and we were reading 1 John 3:11-24. So much good stuff in there, its about loving each other as brothers in Christ and what that looks like. Anyway nestled in there is the ansewer to my question of how can my heart ever be where its supposed to be towards others....."For God is greater than our hearts..." Man that is so awesome to me and liberating! Anyway I feel like this is a big truth I'm trying to grasp and thought I'd share it. I know all of us have had hearts that have said "I can't love so and so" "I can't love myself" "I can't change" Well how amazing to read that God is greater then our hearts!!

Costumed Cuties!

Elyse's favorite "baby" is her monkey and so we thought it would be appropriate for her to be a monkey. Kaelyn's favorite "babies" (yes plural) are her KiKis which are really a leapord and bobcat cub so she is a KiKi. Really the point of the costumes was simply pictures and taking them around to various relatives and friends we didn't do much else. We did take them out to dinner on the 31st in their costumes but that was about it, I think Miss Elyse got 1 Junior Mint from her Dada but that was the extent :)

Monkey and Kitty kissing

Kitty is biting the Monkey's bananna!

Sweet Kitty!
Kitty with her Baby

Monkey with her baby (and her cell)

Smiley Monkey

The whole gang! Elyse as Monkey, Kaelyn as an unhappy Kitty, and our Hero Carson as Batman!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACHEL!!!

Hope you have a relaxing, peaceful, cooking, cleaning free day!! You are so loved!!!! Love ya!!

Happy Birthday Nikki!!!

Hope you have a lovely day! We LOVE you!!!

Pumpkin Patch

We had a great time at the pumpkin patch. We are having such a beautiful autumn and all the colors were picture perfect.

Carson using those muscles to pull the wagon. (look at that cute little tongue!)

Elyse's favorite part, she went from one mud puddle to the next.

Kaelyn was not in the mood to have her picture taken that day.

Cheese!

Is it a girl? A boy? :) Tisha and Jeremy having fun!

Can you believe what Hot Mamas we are!

Friends for so long...we are so glad you were here Tisha!

Heavy

Both of my kids are growing and changing so fast! I know I say that all the time. Last night we were clearing the table from dinner as the kids finished up and Abigail (who is talking more and more all the time) said "Mama, I am heavy." It took me no time to realize what she was saying was that she was full! How cute! I don't know why but it struck such a cord in my heart. Maybe because it shows that she's thinking and trying out new words and concepts...? I don't know, but I loved it!

Fall

Ruby loved the leaves, Juan was moving too fast to get a great picture, and the headless child is Noah!

PB & J

So peanut butter and jelly is a relatively newly introduced food in our house. Really just in this past month have they been given peanut butter in a degree larger then a quick taste. As do most kids the girls are loving it and Kaelyn's jam covered face tells just how much.

{as a side note, those big beautiful brown eyes get me every time :) }

Our turn again

Well I now feel part of the sick kids club once again. Kaelyn and I were up on and off all night with her puking and coughing, poor thing.

I'm getting good at quoting any scriptures that have to do with healing!! Cause I'm sick and tired of sickness! (pun intended :)

My Latest Date

Noah didn't have school on Friday so I took him on a date to an art museum on campus. It was soooo fun. I rarely get to spend one on one time with him, so it felt really special. We rode the city bus. The minute we stepped on, he said, "Mom, this is already fun and it's going to get funner!" After the museum we ate Chinese food in the commons area of the student union. :) Kind of funny. He said it was the best meal he has ever had, and we spent the meal talking about some of the art we saw. The whole outing took less than two hours, but was a memory I will always cherish. I am sure that I want to make it a point to have special time with each child and this was just perfect. Sorry we forgot the camera.

I'm exhausted.

My kids have colds which meant nooooo sleep last night. One would cry and wake the other. I was up giving medicine (or trying to force it down), rubbing vicks on chests, and nursing at least every hour. I even spent part of the night freezing in Juan's bed because there weren't enough covers for both of us! This is one of those days that I wish one of you could just come over in your p.j.s and we could sit, drink coffee, and watch the kids run around!

Sunday Afternoon

Kids and husband sleeping, I'm baking bread {for chic chefs :) } music quietly playing, blue skies outside.....God is so good and always faithful.....

Right now I'm loving life!

My Favorite Pic

This is my favorite picture right now. It makes me smile just looking at it. We've been having such a good "sissie" week. They have been such good pals and good at sharing and being gentle with each other. I love watching their unique relationship and pray they will always be the best of friends who will support, encourage and be proud of one another.

SHOES!!!

This past weekend was the Eastside Mother's of Multiples sale where I scored 8 pairs of shoes for the girls including three pairs of Stride Rites, and two European brands and then three pairs of boots from Target (don't ya love those pink cowgirl boots!) Anyway brand new these shoes would have cost me about $350! I got them all for $43! I love a good deal!!!

Fall Fun

Noah, Juan and I carved a pumpkin Sunday night. It was really fun. Here are some pics.

The Battleground of Parenting

Juan woke up way too early from a nap the other day. He was sobbing and obviously still tired. I went to put him back in bed and he threw a doozie of a tantrum. It was a tantrum where he threw his head back with all of his two year old force. This has happened before and I generally just ignore him until he calms down. The problem this time however, was that my face was in the way. Juan's head smacked me right in the nose. I have never been hit so hard. I crumpled to the floor and said words I have never meant to say in front of a small child. It alternated between prayers to Jesus and the f-bomb, a really horrible combination! I knew that it was probably broken. Our friend who is an emergency room doctor came over and examined me and said that there's really nothing to be done for a couple of weeks. It is a little crooked - not bad, but I notice. He was willing to reset it (gross) but I was headed to class and knew I would pass out. My nose really looks pretty good considering that I thought I would look in the mirror and it would be sideways or something. It's bruised and swollen and yes, just a tiny bit crooked. Brant thinks Juan felt bad that he never got to change my body through pregancy and child birth (stretch marks, etc.), so he found a way to alter my body. :) Can I just say, this job is not for wimps!

Just Because

Ok so I''m bragging on my husband again, he loves to give gifts and yesterday he brought me home a just because I love you gift. It had two girlie movies I like :) and my favorite candies which he was considerate enough to even buy in the 100 calorie snack packs because he knows that I'm trying to watch what I'm eating and that way I can have a totally guilt free snack! (That said I ate 4 of the 80 calorie twix bars last night but hey I have the option of self control if I can just use it!)

Anyway, I love you Babe! Thanks for the sweet gifts!

Tired

I just want to say I'm so so very tired right now....and I didn't make it to the grocery store so what the heck is for dinner!

Say Mama!

Ruby has started saying words, which is so fun, but she's learning so many of them from her older brothers, which makes it a bit more interesting. She calls me "Mom". It's so weird, because she's so little. Mom! Mom! She yells. I am always saying, "Mommy" or "Mama", but she insists, I guess, on sounding just like Noah.

Rough Night

Girls have both developed a horrible constant cough that has left them feeling miserable and exhausted and thus us too :) We had a rough night as the pic kind of shows......I'm actually not frowning in my sleep but squinting at the bright camera. Sadly J is doing music at an event today so its just me and the girls. Which is why I'm even making this blog because they are watching Baby Einstein so I can get some coffee in me! Cheers to all Mom's today who are not sleeping in on a Saturday (what's that!) and who instead are wiping running noses and cuddling sick kids.

Andrew Jeremiah is 1!

(Andy had to work all weekend so we celebrated a little on the day but today was the party.) Well, my baby is one year old - thank God I am not pregnant at this one year birthday! We had a party today and had a few friends over. It was so much fun. I was thinking this evening about how unique one year birthdays are because SO much change happens in the year to come.
The big tent thing was AJ's gift from us. We had it set up last night and got the kids dressed and showed it to them first thing this morning. After we played for a while and Abigail was asking to eat we came in. I was making breakfast and heard AJ crying "mammaaa, mammaaa", I looked at the slider screen and saw that he had got it a couple inches open and was wanting back out. As soon as I opened it he ran (1 year old style) to the tent/tunnel! So cute!