A Life of Gratitude

Lately my sweet three year old, Evan, has been a little bit scared when we turn the lights off in his room at night. He sleeps in the bunk bed with his big brother, has at least 5 stuffed animals to sleep with, has a night light, and (by his request) we leave the blinds open, but he's still scared. We taught him Joshua 1:9 several months ago and he has started reciting it on his own at night when I say, "remember, you have nothing to be afraid of." His precious little voice says, "Be stwong, do not be afwaid, God is wid you!" Usually he is just fine after he recites his verse and usually he goes to bed without another peep. The last two nights have been different though. For some reason, he has still been afraid. I've been explaining that the reason he doesn't need to be afraid is because God is with him always. I say, "Evan, God is right here in this room with you." And do you know what that three year old cutie pie said?? "I know, Mommy

Our family has had an absolutely wonderful Christmas. This year has contained a lot "new" things for us (like our new home and our new family member!) So we decided it would be fun to start a new Christmas tradition also. Instead of just another fun activity or another event or gift,  Bryan and I wanted to start a tradition that teaches our children that Christmas isn't about all that we can GET but about sharing what Christ has given to us....life! He came so that we might have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). So since we have been given so much life, we need to share it! It breaks my heart to think of so many people who are lonely on Christmas. There are so many who could use a little cheer. And who better to share life than the liveliest of all....children! Since we enjoy visiting nursing homes and there are so many lonely folks there, we decided to make a Christmas Day visit to a local nursing home a yearly tradition. And that tradition began tonight!

Some circumstances have been a little different this year with our family get-togethers so for the first time, we were able to attend our church's Candlelight Christmas Eve service. I was incredibly blessed by this service tonight. The choir sang a song that I had never heard before. It was called, "Love Came Gently." Here are some of the lyrics: "No applause, no fanfare of trumpets Heralding Hope had come to Earth. For the Promise tenderly entered Choosing instead a humble birth. Love came gently, sweetly to save us. Knowing the price He'd have to pay. And to all who trust in the Savior Love comes gently still today" As I listened to this song I was holding my 3 month old son, holding the hand of my three year old son, sitting a few people away from my 6 year old son and sitting next to my 33 year old husband. I couldn't help but picture Jesus at all of these ages. Instead of entering our world in a triumphant way, He was born as

 Decorating our new house for Christmas has been so much fun! I've really enjoyed finding the perfect spot for new and old decorations. As soon as we began decorating, I knew I wanted to do something fun with the staircase since we've never had one before. As the beautiful Christmas cards started to arrive in the mail, I had a great idea! I decided to decorate the staircase with all the cards we've recieved! It turned out so pretty!! This has to be my favorite part of our Christmas decor!  I've always loved getting Christmas cards in the mail, especially the photo cards. I love seeing how families grow and change over the years. Last year we started saving the photo cards, making a book out of them, and then using them during our family devotions to pray for the families we care so much about. It's been so neat to hear the boys interceding on the behalf of their friends, cousins, and grandparents. Now I love these cards even more because as I look at

We've been doing small acts of kindness throughout the month of December. It's been a lot of fun! My sweet boys have really enjoyed it. The act of kindness for Christmas Eve is to deliver sweet treats to our local Fire Department. Since Christmas Eve is already full of fun ways of celebrating, I was excited to have a friend invite us to do this act of kindness today instead! So this afternoon two other Mommies, me, and our 9 children delivered cookies, brownies, white chocolate party mix, and handmade Christmas cards to 4 Fire Stations. Out of 9 little ones, we only had one little girl in the group. I'm sure you can imagine how excited all of these boys were to visit the fire station! While it was a lot of fun for us, the fire fighters might have enjoyed it even more than the kids! They were so grateful for our spontaneous visit and the yummy treats. I don't think they get visits like these very often. They seemed absolutely shocked. They just couldn't believe w

Tonight Dylan's cub scout troop went to a local nursing home to sing Christmas carols. We decided to make it a family affair because we always enjoy bringing a smile to the faces of the elderly. My boys are so good with unfamiliar people. They always have a good time! The cub scouts did a great time singing. All the residents were singing along too. It's so sweet to watch them respond to the children. Evan wanted to sing too, so once the scouts were done, he climbed on the lap of a resident and sang the ABC's to her...a personal concert! She LOVED it!!!! He also wanted to stand at the front of the room and sing Jingle Bells so of course, I stood with him and sang. He has such a big heart!  A cute group of cub scouts! (and a few girl scouts) Evan singing "ABC's" to one of the residents Dylan handing out candy to the residents. Evan doing his "concert," Today I am thankful for Dylan's cub scout troop. He's only been a cu

I've been making Moravian cookies since I was a very little girl. My Grandma Davis invited all of her grandchildren over to her home every Christmas to make Moravian cookies. She was the best at it!! Since she passed away I've started making these yummy treats with my little guys. I even get to use her rolling pin, board for rolling, and some of her cookie cutters. Every time I make these cookies I feel her smiling down on me. She'd be so happy to know that this tradition is being carried on! The boys LOVE helping me make Moravian cookies. They enjoy rolling the dough, picking out cookie cutters and cutting each cookie. They also like to eat them! I like that the dough makes so many cookies so I can give them as gifts and take them to all our holiday parties. Plus, it makes so many cookies that I can invite friends and family over to make cookies! So, if anyone wants to make some, just let me know! I made hundreds of cookies today and have enough dough to make at least

This morning we visited Santa with our friends, the Almodovars, for the 5th year in row! This has definitely become one of our favorite Christmas traditions. Each year the kids get all dressed up to visit Santa and we make sure to get lots of great pictures. This year Dylan and Evan both shared what they want for Christmas and then told Santa what Tyson needs...diapers! Mommy sure did appreciate that! After our visit with Santa we always go to lunch and the little ones share gifts with each other. We always enjoy our time with our friends! A fun morning out with friends! Tyson, Evan, and Dylan with Santa! Hugo III, Sergio and Fiona with Santa Sharing gifts with their buddies! Fiona loved her new tea set! Today I am thankful for fun Christmas traditions and sweet friends! Amanda and I were pregnant with our first boys at the same time. They were born 2 weeks apart. So our families have been close ever since. We enjoy this tradition each Christmas and our childre

I usually wait to write this blog at night when the kids are asleep but I didn't get home until 10pm last night (baby Tyson is playing baby Jesus in a big Christmas production!)  and I was too tired to write it. After spending all morning with a full, grateful heart, I am about to bust at the seams....I just can't wait another second to write this blog. I would guess that most Mommies worry like crazy when their husbands drive long distances and I'm no different. My husband works an hour and 15 minutes away so he drives 2 and a half hours every day that he goes into the office. Every morning that he leaves my heart fills with worry and I pray and pray until that worry fades and I remember that my God is in control and I can trust him. For the 10 years he has driven this long drive, nothing "bad" has happened but still, I find myself praying like crazy every morning.  Things change though.  In the past few weeks my hubby has been involved in two accide

Each year our Connection Class (otherwise known as Sunday School class or small group) buys Christmas gifts for a family in need. This year was no exception. Our class collected money and I went today and used that money to buy lots of nice gifts for a 6 year old boy and a 9 year old girl. It was so much fun!  I'll admit it, I really enjoyed picking out some little girl things! I tried to get it all done while Dylan was in LIFE classes (classes with other homeschooled kids) but I had to run to one more store after I picked him up. He enjoyed helping me so much it made me wish I had taken him to all the stores! He loved picking out items for other kids! When we got home Dylan and Evan helped me wrap the gifts. I was a little nervous because of Evan's excitement over the scissors but they did a really good job! It was sweet to watch them wrap presents for other children. They never asked if the toys were theirs, which really surprised me! I was able to get so many nice

If you know the Shaw boys, you know a couple of train lovers! They have watched the Polar Express so many times that Dylan has it memorized. So Bryan and I decided to surprise them with a ride to the North Pole. They were soooo excited to ride the Polar Express! I'll tell you, there is nothing better than seeing your sweet little one's eyes light up with excitement! I love doing things like this as a family. We are making memories that I'll never forget! We're ALL aboard the Polar Express! So much fun!  Looking for the North Pole! Listening to the story... They we're so excited to see Santa! Tyson was excited too! Look at Dylan listening to the bell...he could hear it ring! I love my littlest guys so much! They LOVED the Polar Express! Today I am thankful for the memories we are making together as a family and for the ability to do such exciting things with our little guys. I know one day I'll look back and fondly re