Merry Christmas 2009

Traditionally, we start every Christmas at our house, just the four of us. After lunch we head to my parents' house, then around dinner time we head to Chris's mom's house.

Christmas Eve 2009

Traditionally, we head to both sides of the family on Christmas Eve. At my parents' house, we open stockings. Here's a few pictures to describe our evening.

Chris and the boys decided to pretend they were on a roller coaster toward the end of the night. The boys LOVED it!

Christmas Cookies 2009

We made peanut butter blossoms, sugar cookies (including Ninja Bread Men,) and butter balls. YUMMY!!!

Decking the Halls 2009

The boys and I worked hard decorating the tree...

Chris worked hard watching the football game...

A King Family Thanksgiving 2009

We decided to host our own Thanksgiving dinner a few days after our traditional Thanksgiving celebrations with the families. Prior to dinner, the boys decided to get a little crazy with clothes pins...

Drew also had to model his creations from kindergarten.

The King Boys' Christmas Wish Lists 2010

Lead Me by Sanctus Real

I look around and see my wonderful life
Almost perfect from the outside
In picture frames I see my beautiful wife
Always smiling
But on the inside, I can hear her saying

"Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone."

I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes
They're just children from the outside
I'm working hard, I tell myself they'll be fine
They're independent
But on the inside, I can hear them saying

"Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone."

So Father, give me the strength
To be everything I am called to be
Oh, Father, show me the way
To lead them
Won't you lead me?

To lead them with strong hands
To stand up when they can't
Don't want to leave them hungry for love
Chasing dreams that I could give up

I'll show them I'm willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this out home
Lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

Father, lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

---------

I feel so blessed to have a man who loves Jesus as my husband and father to my children.

Even More Songs

Two awesome songs about my boys growing up. Listen to the songs, if you can! Watercolor Ponies by Wayne Watson
Lyrics:
There are watercolour ponies On my refrigerater door And the shape of something I don't really recognize Drawn by careful little fingers And put proudly on display A reminder to us all Of how time flies Seems an endless mound of laundry And a stairway laced with toys Gives a blow by blow Reminder of the war That we fight for their well-being For their greater understanding To impart a holy reverance For the Lord But, baby, what will we do When it comes back to me an you? They look a little less Like little boys every day Oh, the pleasure of watching The children growing Is mixed with a bitter cup Of knowing the watercolour ponies Will one day ride away And the vision can get so narrow As you view through your tiny world And little victories can go by With no applause But in the greater evaluation As they fly from your nest of love May they mount up with wings As eagles for His cause Somewhere in the World by Wayne Watson Lyrics: Somewhere in the world today A little girl will go out to play All dressed up in mama's clothes At least the way that I suppose it goes Somewhere in the world tonight Before she reaches to turn out the light She'll be prayin' from a tender heart A simple prayer that's a work of art Chorus And I don't even know her name But I'm prayin' for her just the same That the Lord will write His name upon her heart 'Cause somewhere in the course of this life A little boy will need a godly wife So hold on to Jesus, baby, wherever you are Somewhere in the world out there That little girl's learnin' how to care She's pickin' up her mamas charms Or maybe, swingin' 'round in her daddy's arms Somewhere in the world to be Though the future's not real clear to me Their's could be a tender love Grounded in eternal love above Repeat Chorus

I love my boys!

Just wanted to reiterate the fact that I love love love my boys. I am so proud to be their mom. I know I am WAY behind in both my scrapbooking and my blogging, but that does not negate the fact that I love them.  They have changed my life. They are incredible. <3

More Songs

Again, for my boys. May you grow to be the men of God He has called you to be...


I Am by Mark Shultz

I am the maker of the Heavens
I am the bright and morning star
I am the breath of all Creation
Who always was
And is to come

I am the One who walked on water
I am the One who calmed the seas
I am the miracles and wonders
So come and see
And follow me
You will know

Chorus:
I am the fount of living water
The risen Son of man
The healer of the broken
And when you cry
I am your savior and redeemer
Who bore the sins of man
The author and perfecter
Beginning and the end
I am

I am the spirit deep inside you
I am the word upon your heart
I am the One who even knew you
Before your birth
Before you were

Chorus:

Before the Earth (I am)
The universe (I am)
In every heart (I am)
Oh, where you are (I am)
The Lord of love (I am)
The King of Kings (I am)
The Holy lamb (I am)
Above all things

Chorus:

Yes, I am almighty God your father
The risen son of man
The healer of the broken
And when you cry
I am your savior and redeemer
Who bore the sins of man
The author and perfecter
Beginning and the end
I am



The Words I  Would Say by Sidewalk Prophets

Three in the morning and I’m still awake
So I picked up a pen and a page
And I started writing just what I’d say
If we were face to face
I’d tell you just what you mean to me
I’d tell you these simple truths
Be strong in the Lord and never give up hope
You’re going to do great things, I already know
God’s got His hand on you so don’t live life in fear
Forgive and forget, but don’t forget why you’re here
Take your time and pray
These are the words I would say
Last time we spoke, you said you were hurting
And I felt your pain in my heart
I want to tell you that I keep on praying
Love will find you where you are
I know cause I’ve already been there
So please hear these simple truths
From one simple life to another
I will say come find peace in the Father
Be strong in the Lord and never give up hope
You’re going to do great things, I already know
God’s got His hand on you so don’t live life in fear
Forgive and forget, but don’t forget why you’re here
Take your time and pray, thank God for each day
His love will find a way
These are the words I would say

My Jonathan

Every day I am thankful for my boys. They are both amazing! I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to be their mother.

My Andrew is confident, daring, and silly. He also has a tender side that peeks through.

My Jonathan is intelligent, intuitive, and strong. Sure, he believes he's he strongest and fastest boy ever, but I'm talking about a different kind of strong.

My Jonathan has had to use an inhaler for his asthma for many years. Every night he takes two puffs. He also struggles with itchy skin. Tonight, while scratching his back, I saw little red bumps. Itchy bumps. Poor guy! Because of these two things, my heart already aches for him. But recently, my aching heart has hurt a little more. I'd like to take this opportunity to tell you what he's been dealing with lately.

Jonathan has always had a cross bite and an under bite. This summer, we decided to trust the doctor and have an appliance put in his mouth. It is cemented onto his upper molars on both sides. The cemented portions are attached by a metal expander that we have to crank every night. Just today he added  head gear to the contraption. Thankfully, he does not have to wear the head gear in public, but it is recommended that he wear it for 12 - 14 hours each night.

Besides some discomfort voiced after each crank, my Jonathan does not complain about his appliance or head gear. His speech is slurred, food gets trapped, he can't eat certain things, he drools more, it's hard for him to control how much food gets on his face, and his sleeping patterns are changed. He does not complain about these inconveniences. He has such a positive outlook. He knows that his current situation is temporary and that he's enduring it for the awesome results.

I have cried while watching him sleep. While hearing him talk. While watching him eat. I fear for what he will have to face once school starts again. But my Jonathan is strong. He only focuses on the positive. I admire him. I am so proud of him.

I love you Buddy!