Yesterday I was reading a fellow mommy bloggers new post and I was really struck by it...it could have been me writing the exact same post...you can read it here http://www.thenatos.blogspot.com/. (the post is from December 28, 2010 titled "You have a big job") I originally started this blog two and a half years ago for friends and family to see what the kids were up to as we were living across the country from everyone. It quickly turned into my own personal journal for myself and especially for my children. I have been wanting to make my blogs into books for a long time but I always put it off due to cost. After reading the blog yesterday I decided that I am finally going to take the plunge and print my books. I think they are going to be such a wonderful gift to give to my children and grandchildren some day. No matter how long I am here they will always have the words of their mama...keeper of the best childhood memories :) How cool is that? I wish they would have had this kind of technology when my mom was raising us because she seriously has the best stories and lots that I have never even heard I am sure :) I am sending a big thank you  to my grandma...this is my Christmas present from her this year. I am so excited and will let you know how the books come out :) If you are a fellow mommy and are intersted in checking it out go here http://www.blog2print.com/

Happy Thursday



NO WORDS.....just perfection. Thank you Jesus...I am humbled by your mercy and grace.

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy–the Son of God. Luke 1:35

So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son. John 1:14

We hope you enjoyed your Christmas service as much as we did...it was so beautiful and an amazing time of worship. Florida LOVE!





Christmas Traditions

I LOVE creating Christmas traditions with our family. Our first tradition that is my personal fav is our Photo Christmas card. Scott and I sent our first one with the 2 of us and our 2 dogs the first year we were married...

It's so amazing to me this picture was taken 7 short years ago...the dogs now have a new home with Scott's parents and our 2010 Christmas card looks like this...

 front

back

I have so much fun getting just the right picture and designing the card and then sitting there with Christmas music our Christmas Vacation on tv and addressing all the cards to friends and family all over the country. This will always be a favorite tradition of mine and I am sure I will be like my own mom still sending them when I have grandchildren...

LOVE THIS! :)

During this amazing season we try to take a lot of time and just slow down...enjoy each other and remember the true reason for the season. The birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We make lots of goodies...our favorite are the traditional sugar cookie cut outs that we decorate with icing and a ridiculous amonut of sprinkles and assorted toppings ;) We make gingerbread houses every year and have a total blast...we sure missed our dear friends the Bleys this year...

We also take the kids and make the trip to the mall to see Santa every year...some years are better than others! ha!

poor Whitney...I am seeing a pattern ;)

We always go to Christmas Eve service at Christ Church...this will be our first year away from home for Christmas so that will change this year (tear) after service we come home and the girls open one gift...it is always matching Christmas jammies. After they put out cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer they head off to bed and wake about EARLY to do gifts on Christmas morning.  I LOVE the traditions we are creating with our kids...and I really LOVE how every year they have a better understanding of the true meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate it...just the other day I heard Mallory saying to Whitney "No Whitney Christmas isn't about what you WANT its about what you are going to GIVE" Whitney asked her why and Mal replied "Because Jesus gave to us so we give to others we love" ohhh my mama heart could hardly take it...maybe I am doing something right ;)

I am so excited for Bentley's first Christmas and for him to start celebrating and joining in our traditions. This year will be very different for me being away from my family but I keep reminding myself how blessed I am that our family is all together. I hope ya'll have a wonderful Christmas season and remember the reason we have Christmas "Glory to Christ the Newborn King"

Love to all of you,

Scott, Sarah, Mallory, Whitney, and Bentley

Happy 2 months to our precious baby boy...I can not believe how fast the past two months have gone by. I love spending my days with you and your sisters. The three of you are such amazing blessings to daddy and I . We feel so thankful and privileged to by your parents.  I am so excited about how much you have started smiling!! It is my favorite part of the day and I love to try to make you smile at me :) You are such a sweet cuddly little boy and I am just overwhelmed with love for you! I love you my precious little boy! xoxox

This past Saturday we went on a family outing to the Florida vs KState game....we had the BEST time :) It was a fun atmosphere and the first time we had taken the girls to a big sporting event. Of course it was Bentley's first time too ;) we all dressed in Gator gear because I thought it would be such a cute family photo to have us in Florida wear while we live here...but it POURED down rain all day and we were SOAKED and all had crazy hair...no family pic ;) My sister Steph will say that is what I get for cheering against KState :) ha! Florida LOVE!!!!

The girls and I have been having a blast with crafting latley :) Well...I guess really we always do but it seems to be more frequent lately ;) We cleaned out the art supply box the other day and collected all the broken crayons and peeled the paper off...

Then the girls broke them into little pieces and we put thm in a cute little Christmas shape baking pan I have...

When they were all full we put them in the oven at 225 for about 10 minutes until nice and melty...

Then after they cooled we popped them out and VOILA fab new crayons...which we have been having so much fun coloring with :)



We have discovered this fun PlayMobil park not to far from our house...it cost one dollar to get in and the girls have hours of fun...they have every playmobil toy they make all set up in little areas divided by theme...it is the best imagintive play...Whitney and I go there in the morning after dropping Mal off sometimes and just have so much fun togehter...the other day Whit really wanted to show it to Mal so we headed there after school :) We had a great time...and a total bonus is the really nice bathroom with changing tables and benches to sit on with Mr. B :) Woot! 

So...the other day I decided to try to get back into some exercising...I love Jillian Micheals from Biggest Loser so I thought I would give her video a try...OUCH...I highly reccomend it ;) Anyway...Whit wanted to be a part of my morning routine so she borrowed my mat and got busy...HILARIOUS...she kept saying "watch my exercising MOVES" Love it...



There are no words...he is perfection! "Every good and perfect gift is from above" James 1:17