ella 10 & 11

Ella's been up to her antics again.

 

Grace and Sarah woke up with red noses with Ella holding the evidence.

The girls were thrilled and wanted to go to school this way.

Ella you are a creative one!

 

One morning we found her on her own ski jump, complete with pillow landing. 

 

The fun continues.

i believe

Tonight I had the privilege of caroling at the home of a former ATA students home.  This student was not in my class but the memory I do have of her is one of pure childhood joy. 

It was our Christmas program at the preschool and through every practice this little girl stood out.  She sang loud and proud, above all her other classmates.  So sweet, beautiful and full of JOY.

Tonight we sang for her.  H (the little girl) is suffering from an inoperable, cancerous brain tumor and sadly is fading.  Standing there singing for her was an honor and also surreal.  So many times I've heard others say they couldn't go through what these parents are yet I stood there, watching them, trying to understand it all.   The pain they must have in their hearts is overwhelming to me.  It was a moving moment, one I will not forget.  As we stood there singing I felt God moving in the group, I felt his love for this little girl, for this family.  Even with all the questions as to why this would happen God was there.  His presence was among us. 

Grace and Sarah went with me.  H is the same age as Sarah and graduated from ATA the same year as my girl.  It puts things into perspective.  I watched my girls sing, feeling very blessed.  They asked many questions in the car.  Their understanding is so innocent.  To know there is a heaven and that H will be there soon, to them was a good thing. "She wouldn't be sick anymore," Sarah said.  "She would be with Jesus," Grace said.  Sweet innocence.

Please pray for this family.  Please pray for H.  It's the season to believe.  I believe in a baby who was sent to save me.  I believe that God loves me so much to give up his son.  I believe in miracles.  I believe he can heal her.  This is what I pray for this little girl. 

downtown Christmas

This was our second year to go to the festival at downtown St. Charles.  This could become a tradtion.  The girls love it as well as Art and I.  Shopping, characters, caroling = family fun.

The biggest thrill is for the girls to collect all 35 character cards.  The characters interact with the kids and they love it. 

 

 

In front of the town square tree.

 

Of course we got a dozen of Grandma's Cookies.  We waited in line for these but they are all worth it.  Her chocolate chip are the best.

 

We visited the gingerbread display.  Very neat creations, the girls couldn't believe how they made them come to life.  My personal favorite...

We met Befana from Italy.  She brings the children their gifts and is always searching for the Christ child.  Sarah's class is doing Christmas around the world and she was highlighted just this past week so we had to get a picture with her.

Along our stroll we met the Sugarplum Fairy who asked the kids to dance for her card.  She asked Art to sprinkle them all with sugarplum dust after their performance.  I believe she called him the handsome, young lad who would accompany them in their dance.  He didn't dance but did a wonderful job as sprinkler :).  He wasn't thrilled I took these pictures but it's only once in your life you get to help the Sugarplum Fairy.

 

It was a great night.  We ended our cold evening with a stop at Steak n Shake for some warm Chili.  We think we have started a new tradition for our family :).

ella 9

Ella's been into the coffee, Art's St. Louis Cardinals cup was empty and dirty.

 

She also took a ride on the coffee carousel after building a wall of apple cider.

 

I'm sure the coffee intake had something to do with her busy-ness last night.

home alone

 It's noon on a Thursday and I'm home alone enjoying some Christmas music and taking pictures of our Christmas thus far.  My week is done, it consists of Monday - Thursday mornings, leaving me free in the afternoon.  Not all afternoons are free in the sense that I'm sitting around.  There are errands to run, grocery shopping to do, preparing teaching lessons for the next week,  laundry, menu planning - all the usual things.   Today I blog which is kind of nice :).

 

 

Earlier this year the opportunity to work as the half day teacher for the new year became available.  It sounded like an answer to prayer.  Taking on a full day job 2 years ago was hard on me after being out of the work force for 6 years.  I have to say I threw myself into it and in the long run while I was blessed by the experience, I felt it affected my family.  I was planning and working even in the down time.  My kids noticed, Art noticed.  So when the idea of half day came up, I was excited as well as my family.  God saw my heart, saw my family and he provided. 

 

I get asked at work how things are going with my change.  It has been a really positive change in many ways.  I am doing less, preparing less which is a stress reliever.  I'm not worried over my time involved and away from my family because now my alone time is used to play catch up at home, lesson prepping, grocery shopping etc...  It's not perfect but there is more of a balance.  My nights are spent with my kids, with Art.  My only concern over our half day decision is that I have to prepare 13 kids for Kindergarten in the time I'm allowed.  I take this seriously, probably too seriously :). 

 

Would I change my decision?  No. 

 

Do I want to continue working half day?  Yes, as long as God wants it.

 

It's his work and I am blessed.

ella 8

Ella's been causing quite the stir this week with her antics. 

 

 The latest is a race between Barbie, Ella and the Lalaloopsy girls. 

The girls are wondering how all of this went down without them waking up.  It's the magic of Ella!

ella 6 & 7

Peek-a-boo Ella.

 

Ella hidden amongst her friends under the tree.

 

ella 4 & 5

Ella, holding onto the end of a role of toilet tissue.  The rest of that role decorated the tree on the way down.

 

We think Ella has a thing for sugar :).

 

christmas card preview

This picture did not make the card but it's my favorite.

 

Here it is in color.

 

 

More to come...