BrAnCh ChRiStMaS PaRtY...

We had a fun time on Friday evening (December 11th) at the Branch (Church) Christmas Party. The kids took part in a Nativity display that was so cute. I guess it was just Bethanie that took part. I am not sure why Madison didn't, but Matthew likely didn't want to. Bethanie was an Angel, and so pretty at that! We sang songs, saw Santa, ate great food. It was fun! What a fun way to invite the Spirit of the Season!!! Our favorite niece, Heather was there. Bethanie had a friend there (Shay) and they all had so much fun. Madison was not as brave to sit on Santa's lap this time. Bethanie wouldn't hear of it at all. I had to sit with her, hence the reason I am in the picture with them! LOL!

AcCoMpLiShMeNtS...FINALS WEEK!!!

My most challenging part of finals week came today, when I had to play "Catch-up" with work. I had to complete two tests for my online Personal & Community Health class. I had a unit test to complete (70 minutes, 100 questions, and believe me it takes every minute to do it) and the final which was 200 minutes for 100 short answer questions. I am so burned out on hearing about drugs, alcohol, sex (hehe), STDs, heart health, exercise and so on. I am SO GLAD to have this class out of the way. I ended up with a 92% which = an A. Tuesday, I need to go and take my Abnormal Psychology final. I am not too worried about it. For some reason, I am LOVING psychology. I don't know if it is because I live with abnormal people (myself included) or what the deal is. LOL!

This has been such a challenge, this semester. I didn't plan on having to be a teacher so soon with having Matthew home each day. I have to say, I am LOVING being his teacher. He is making this so much easier for me than I thought he would. However; it makes getting to my classes much harder (impossible). I still have four hours to exercise this week to finish off my PE class (if I want an A, and I do). So somehow it will all be done. I am not sad to see the semester be finished. On with CHRISTMAS!

WiNtEr WoNdErLaNd...

We have over a foot of snow! I cant believe there is so much snow on the ground! We have been out of school for two days, and the kids have had a blast! So have we! Yesterday we took all three of our kids and three of their friends out sledding. I took Madison down the hill first and we plowed through fresh snow. By the time we stopped, we were UNDER the snow. I tried to cover up Madison's face as we went through it but was not successful. I stood her up after we stopped and turned her toward me and tried to get the snow off her face so she could breathe and see. She said, "Me not LIKE it". :O) It was funny. So I put her in the van to stay warm so I could watch the other kids sled. She watched the DVD player and was nice and toasty. Matthew then joined her soon. He is sensitive to temperatures. But the rest of the kids had so much fun!

Today we spent the day scooping out our driveway with one shovel. We took turns scooping and it was A LOT OF WORK. But it is done. I think the worst part of the day was that Jeff tried for an hour to leave for work and was not successful. Then, the battery to the van died because someone left the light on the DVD player on and it killed the battery. So we struggled all day to GET TO THE VAN through the snow so we could jump it. It was just kind of a challenge all day long. But the kids played out in the snow for a while and I made some delicious homemade cinnamon rolls to reward our labors. :O)

TiNy DaNcEr...

Once again, my sweet Bethie has stolen my heart with her performance. There is just something about seeing her so excited about being on stage performing! Yesterday she was a Toy Soldier in "The Nutcracker". Her dance company puts this on every other December. The last time she was in it, she was a dancing Christmas Tree. :O) She seemed a bit shy on stage this time. She has been in several of these recitals by now, and she knows what to expect. Her nerves got the best of her, but she was up there, she did her thing and she looked as beautiful as ever! GO BETHIE!! I am so proud of her!

Next month, Madison will start dance. I hope she enjoys it as much as Bethanie does!!!

LeT iT sNoW!!!

We are supposed to be getting dumped on tonight and tomorrow! I am so excited to see it is supposed to snow, FINALLY! We had little snow last winter. I was so disappointed because the kids didn't get to play in any snow. I hope we get a couple of really great snow falls this winter.

Madison loves putting on her snow boots and going through fresh snow. Bethanie cant wait to get out there and build a snow man. Matthew will like being out for a bit, but will want to come back in. Hopefully we will go sledding. That would be fun too! YAY SNOW!!!

BiG GiRl...My SwEeT MiSs MaDiSoN...

Our sweet youngest child, Madison is turning THREE! Where on earth has the time gone??? We had her birthday party tonight with our family. She has been excited for her birthday for WEEKS! Finally, after whispering in my ear daily that her birthday was coming up, it is here! Not officially but close!

I remember my pregnancy with her. I was HUGE! I had gestational diabetes and I was on quite the heavy dose of insulin (both kinds). She was born at a whopping 9 1/2 lbs, nearly two weeks early, upon my intense insistance. :O) But she came into this world and she instantly captured the hearts of her entire family, one member in particular, my dad (Brown Grandpa). She really favors his dad in features.

One of the many neat things about Madison is that she has a very outgoing personality. I think she gets that from her brother. What she gets from her sister is that she is shy but only when attention is ON her. ;O)

Madison is really into the color PURPLE. She LIVES for that color. She is also in love with Snow White. It is crazy since she has not actually SEEN the show. We have the DVD but she doesnt have the time to watch it. LOL!

Madison has learned about friends this past year. She has a friend at church, and two friends who also are friends with Madison's older sister, Bethanie.

She is also very willing to learn. She counts to ten, knows tons of colors and shapes. She is our singer.

Two things that struck me tonight about her that was really funny was, as she was opening presents, she finished opening one and stood up and said, "Next!". What a hoot! After everyone left, we were picking up the mess (you would think a gift bomb exploded in our house and it isnt even Christmas), Madison pipes up and said to us, "Thank you for my birf-day!) Oh my heart MELTED AWAY! Suddenly I remembered who I was, and why I was here-for my children! I love them all so much and I am so proud of each one of them!

Happy Birthday, my sweet little Butterbean! I love you sweet heart!

(Above are pictures of this past year with Madison).