1 Corinthians 13 Christmas Style

Today at my Frazzle Female Bible Study my friend Gina read this poem.  It puts a lot of things into perspective about Christmas and what it is truly about.  So often we lose touch of the reason for the season.  I challenge you as this month continually gets hectic and our minds become 'frazzled' to try to take a couple of steps back and remember this.....

1 Corinthians 13 Christmas Style
©By Sharon Jaynes

If I decorate my house perfectly with lovely plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights, and shiny glass balls, but do not show love to my family - I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals, and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family - I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family - it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn't envy another home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of your way.
Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can't.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
Love never fails. Video games will break; pearl necklaces will be lost; golf clubs will rust. But giving the gift of love will endure.

Early Coast Christmas & Birthday

Last weekend I went to the coast.  Since Jane Claire (Chip's sister) is due with Addie on the 28th of this month she can't travel for the holidays and since I am almost a month away from my due date this would be the only opportunity I'd have to get Madison and Addie their Christmas and Birthday presents.

Friday after work I drove down to Gulfport with tons of gifts in tow!  Madison may feel like she has hit the mother load of all toy and decoration lotteries.

For Christmas Chip and I got her a kitchen....

I got plenty of practice on Toy Building 101.  I learned that the cordless drill is any parents tool of choice.  Also, I learned that it takes you 1 hour longer than you expect to put things together, so allow for assembly time.

When she woke up Saturday morning, it was like Christmas!  She ran to me as I was trying to finish it up and asked..."is dat foh me?"  I assured her it was and she gave me a big ol hug and said thank you!  Too sweet. 

She couldn't play with it enough!  She kept asking us if we wanted her to make us soup.  Of course we oblidged the first 3,000 times then we asked for brownies.  Most of the time the brownies were way too hot to eat because they were just out of the oven.  So we had to be careful.  The kitchen was my favorite toy growing up.  Yet, mine didn't have buttons that make microwave and oven noises, cordless phones that talk or burners on the stove that sizzle.

I died laughing...Madison was on the (pretend) phone - she was mad at someone and so I asked her who she was talking to, she said that the Target people called her skanky and so she was so mad at them. Only a child of Jane Claire.  Geez, I say that now, who knows what Hill will come up with!

Trying to explain to a 3 year old that the kitchen is her Christmas gift and now we were going to open her birthday gifts was like talking to her in German.  I guess it really doesn't matter that she probably doesn't understand she is getting her birthday gifts 2 months in advance.  I just know that February 7th  we will not yet be ready / able to make it down to the coast with a little one in tow.

Unwrapping birthday presents.

 

You see since Addie is arriving soon, Madison has moved to Snooks room

(where Adrienne would stay when she'd come visit) with the big girl bed.

The problem was that it was decorated like an adults room. So, Aunt Ray Ray had to fix that!

Before Photos

After Photos

Finally...a little girls room!  She was so excited when she saw all the fun bright stuff! 

The paintings of Sponge Bob, Ariel and Squidworth were all painted by her Snooks.  That little girl loves her some Snooks.  If you ask her where Snooks lives.....she's the first to tell you - In her heart.

Next time I see Jane Claire she will have had Addie.  I am just so sick that I can't be there on the coast when she's born.  Oh well, at least Addie and Hill will be mere days apart and can grow up together.  Can you imagine....two more mischevious Hawkins kids?  Are we really ready for this?

Have a great day!

Texas Snow

I'm waiting for more pictures of the snow in my hometown in Texas - it's just pouring down! 
Here is one from my brother this morning.


 

Family Vacation Minus Half the Family

Even though I've had my swine flu vaccine I guess my dad, stepmom and brother didn't want Chip and I to vacation over Thanksgiving with them in Mexico. (insert guilt trip here)

Usually once a month or every other month my dad travels to Soto La Marina, a little town in Mexico.  He has a little place there to retreat.  I haven't been in years, which is no ones fault but my own.  Anyway, this time everyone planned a trip to San Miguel de Allende while I'm all bred up and bloated...how convenient.  Then throughout the whole week they send me links of places they visit and pictures of them doing fun things and they call me and tell me what a fabulous time they are having.  My brother now thinks he's the favorite child, whatever helps him sleep better at night.

Anyway, since we all must live vicariously through my family I figured I would show you a few pictures they sent me.  Look how happy and relaxed and smiley they are......punks.

Pam, Jason & Dad at a quaint cafe having coffee. 

Jason eating up the attention.

Pam & Dad having fun without me

The view from where they stayed.....sigh.

Then I received this link of where they stayed.

Whatever.

Hill's B.F.F.

My sweet friend Marsha was kind enough to let me come over and practice baby care 101 with her 1 week old little man Pearce.  Pearce is precious.  He's absolutely tiny and makes me glad I'm already pregnant so I don't have to wait 9 months to have one of my own.  All that instant gratification stuff again.

Pearce is Hill's B.F.F.  I thought maybe when I was holding Pearce that Hill would give a swift kick or nudge to say "What Up, Man?" but he didn't.  I'm sure down the road they will have years of swift kicks for each other to look forward to though.

I sure hope that Marsha does not get annoyed with me when I'm calling her every 30 minutes asking for help.  Last night I fed Pearce and was suppose to burp him after 1/2 an ounce ....ummm 1 1/2 oz. later I forgot!  He was so fast that I was sure he hadn't had that much, but he did.  He forgave me and burped, but I felt bad that I didn't follow the rules.  I'd be the first person to make a week old baby's stomach burst from too much formula.  So much to learn, so much to learn. I probably made Marsha nervous because I was so awkward in the whole feeding/burping/holding process.  I'm going to blame it on my body.  I am very uncomfortable in my body right now, can't get comfortable therefore everything is awkward for me.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
So without further a due I present to you Steven Pearce and his big sister Swayze!  I for sure need Swayze around when Hill comes, she is so helpful!

Look at that little grin!

He's so tiny and sweet!

Pearce, Marsha & Swayze. Too cute!

Swayze posing in front of the tree

Pre cart-wheel

Thanks Marquerdt Family for having me over to play! 

To keep up with the cuteness of the Marquerdt Crew check out Marsha's Blog