All I Want For Christmas Is...

I got such a kick reading my children's Christmas Lists this year. I actually think it's the first year the girls have even made a list. Now Will, on the other hand, always meticulously gets a list together...but, that's just how he rolls!

Check out how super organized it is...and it was of course, his list was e-mailed. He's all high tech and stuff. :-) I was totally cracking up at his #7 - guess I know what to put in his stocking this year! ha #9 is also comical since we don't even own a Mac computer.

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Will’s Christmas wish list (age 11)

1. RipStick Caster Board, silver - $59.00

2. NERF N-Strike Stampede ECS-50 Blaster - $44.00

3. The Lost Hero, Rick Riordan, Book - $11.39

4. Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the ugly truth, Book - $8.37

5. Sony MDREX33LP/WHI Sweet Little Buds Silicone EarBuds, White - $14.88

6. Epiphone SG-Special Electric Guitar, Black - $169.99

7. Essence Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant Stick – around $5.00

8. Flash Furniture Mesh Back Computer Chair, Black - $55.00

9. Apple Keyboard with numeric keypad - $49.00

10. North Face jacket/coat - $70.00-150.00

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Next Up - Abby's List (age 9)

It was a far cry from her older brother's...first off, it was bound with pink ribbon. Second of all, the list was numbered to #71...although she could only think of 53 things. She pretty much wrote down everything but the kitchen sink! Then, she went back and scratched out things she either changed her mind on, or she thought wouldn't make the cut (including #29 - a "Pet Dog-Yorkie").

#25 Justin Bieber CD - oh yeah...and, I even got her a matching groupie tee to go with it! She's gonna love me!!

#48 - Coca Cola (This is a super fun thing I started 3 years ago. Since we don't allow the kids to have caffeinated beverages, but they have to watch their beloved Daddy drink a Coke every day...this is the biggest high of their Christmas day! I get each of them an old fashioned glass bottled Coke...and they get to drink it with lunch. It's truly a magical moment!)

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Ella Bella's Letter to Santa

(she wrote at school; age 6)

To decipher the end for you: "You are so nice. Thank you for the presents. Do you really fly and do you like chocolate? Love, Ella" Priceless!

My precious baby girl is so dang cute! All she wants is a desk for her room. Truly. She has been dreaming of having her own little work space to do all her arts & crafts projects. She said she didn't really even want an iPod...just a desk. Only problem is...how does one wrap a desk??

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And, last but not least...Owen's Wish List Stocking (age 4) he made at pre-school.

Apparently, he glued on whatever he could find in the magazine...which wasn't much! He's not even into Star Wars! lol His two loves are cars and sports...and his room is already overflowing with both. Had to get creative thinking of what to get the boy. What he would choose over anything? A wrestling match with his big brother and Daddy!

Flashback Friday

Ahhh, it's been too much fun going back and looking through old Holiday photo's.

The following are from Christmas 2002

This was from the day we took our Christmas Card pic...entitled *Wishing you a LATTE love this Christmas* - Starbucks had just made it's way to Tulsa...in Utica Square of course!

Abby Lou on Christmas Morn
The homemade blankets Aunt Cindy made each of the grandkids
Nana & Grandad's Christmas - always a magical time!
A Holiday Party - Will (3 1/2), Abby (18 mo)

"When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things - not the great occasions - give off the greatest glow of happiness."
~ Bob Hope, American film actor and comedian.

O reached his Goal...off to Bowl!

My lil' guy finally reached his goal of staying dry for 4 nights in a row! YIPPEE!! Only a fellow Mama can understand the joy in a feat like that. :-)

He's been day potty trained since he was 2 1/2, but the nights just weren't comin' around.

Well...lately, he's been very into anything "Big". Since he turned 4 in October, he thinks he is no longer my "baby boy." He wants to start big school, big sports and do everything and anything "BIG"

So...I took that heartfelt emotion of his and used it toward my goal of ridding the house of diapers once and for all! After 11 1/2 years of having diapers in my home, I'm ready to be el finito!

Big O finally did it...he stayed dry 4 Nights in a Row - the requirement to go "Bowling" at Incredible Pizza! And because Owen has the most amazing Dad in the whole world, he took time from his busy day at work to come join us in the celebration! :-)

O went from bowling to hoops

to choo choo

to the raceway

It was One, Incredible Day!!

Ella Bella's 1st Piano Recital

What an AWESOME feeling it is to go a recital & get to see 2 of your girls play! Talk about "double your pleasure"! :-)

1st up ~ Abby Lou (who's been playing for 2 years now)

She blessed us with "Silent Night"

I had the best time just watching Ella as she sat and waited her turn. She was all SMILES :)

And her big moment arrived! "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas" was perfectly executed!
Ella was especially giddy this night because her 1st grade teacher, Ms. C, has come to see her play. Is it me...or do these two look alike?!
Grandad & Nana were there to support my girls. I think it is the coolest thing to have a Grandad who comes! It's often a rare thing to have a Grandad willing to be there...my children are such lucky recipients!

My girls with Miss Sandi, their piano teacher

One proud Mom & Dad!

My hope & prayer is for all of my children to learn a musical instrument. It paves the way for the opportunity to worship in a deeper, more meaningful way. It also allows them the chance to touch others with the Love of God as they play the music that He created.
I Samuel 16:23 Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

1Chr. 13:8 David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, cymbals and trumpets.

The Next Noel

Last Sunday night was a night I greatly anticipated...

It was the night of Asbury's children's Christmas program, "The Next Noel."

This was part II to last year's production http://bellefamillevie.blogspot.com/2009/12/three-in-oneoh-what-night.html "The First Leon"
I had the awesome privilege to have my three older children perform in this wonderful program! (Still kicking myself for not begging the 4 yr old choir to let Owen join - even though he missed the cut off date by 2 months! I could of have ALL 4 in 1 program!!)
Abby, my 9 yr old, had her 1st Speaking Role!! She definitely had a little "Katie" in her - she fell right into her roll with a little *Spunk shining through! :-)
The "Young Musicians" did a beautiful job as they told the story of how Leon, played by my Will, loses sight of what is most important.

I loved how they had the younger children's choirs come and sing a song throughout the program...this was "Sing Noel" by Ella's Choir (on left with leopard bow)

But, of course...my all time favorite part of the program was when "Leon" realizes what Christmas is really about and sings the solo:

You are my Shepherd, loving me so,
Guiding me gently, and holding me close.
Jesus, I come to You, just as I am,
Bowing before You, just like a lamb.

As you can see by the picture below, Will fully got into the role. You could feel his spirit and see him truly worship the Lord as he sang his song. My heart melted...

Abby also played the role of one of the Wise Women!

Here's Miss Marti leading the children in the Finale!

We were so honored to have Will & Abby's 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Majors, come see the program. Words cannot describe how amazing she is!

And here's another amazing lady...Miss Marti. She has been an incredible music teacher for my children! One of my great desires as a Mom is for my children to love and appreciate music. I want them to learn how to be great Worshipers! (After all, it is what we will be doing for an eternity!)

And last but not least, our family...truly my children's biggest fans & supporters. We count our blessings every day for each and every of them!

May each of you be like Leon & find the True Meaning of CHRISTmas this Holiday Season!

You will go from feeling stressed...to feeling BLESSED!

Cookie Decorating!

My girls & I were invited to a dear friend's Cookie Decorating Party

Nothin' says F*U*N like decorating cookies!!
Trays & trays of cookies were adorned with love, icing & sprinkles!

and a few nibbled on along the way... :-)

Not a big fun of the hustle & bustle of Christmas, but I sure do love good ol' fashioned Holiday parties like this one! Pure *~YUMMINESS & JOY!~*

Flashback Friday

Will & Abby December 2001

My 1st Christmas as a Mom of a boy & a girl..oh, how I had fun!! :-)