O Holy Night

Night #1 of Christmas:
The first celebration of Christmas this season was our little family Christmas. We ordered Jason's Deli and watched Elf as we opened presents from each other and from Grammie. I read Luke 2, about Jesus' birth and why we celebrate Christmas. We got some great clothes from Grammie and Eric got some special gifts from his girls. Mali's big gift from Grammie were pink Legos. Eleri's big gift was a Busytown play center that she has really enjoyed and especially enjoyed watching Daddy assemble. Eleri was fascinated with the drill. Eleri also got a talking tea set that both girls have enjoyed playing with. Grammie got the girls lots of other great things including clothes. We got the girls hooded bath towels. Mali got a TAG reading system, Tinkerbell book, fleece dress pajamas, and a Dance Me Daddy Book to go along with her favorite song about her daddy. We got Eleri a walker/riding car that she has enjoyed, although I think she prefers to hold onto our fingers and walk around.
This was also the first time that we celebrated Santa coming. It was Christmas Eve Eve, but Mali didn't know the difference. She left out milk, cookies and a note to Santa. Santa came and filled the girls' stocking that night. Eric and I were both really tired from our trip to the cabin and it was hard to stay up to wait for Mali to fall asleep so we could load the stockings. The next morning, Mali awakened to open her stocking and dragged Eric out of bed to watch.

The Best Decision Ever

This past Sunday, December 20th, Mali prayed and asked Jesus into her heart. It has been a decision in the making, but she has told us several times that she had already asked Jesus to live in her heart. After talking with some of our friends, we decided that we were not going to hinder Mali from asking Jesus into her heart if that is what she was going to do. We also believe that choosing to walk with Jesus is a life long decision and some times a moment by moment choice, that this initial decision is so important but that throughout her life Mali will have to choose to serve the Lord. I did write Mali a personal letter of the details that took place that night, it was a sweet night as Eric, Mali, me and Eleri all gathered together at the cabin in Cuchara and prayed together amidst the beautiful Christmas lights glistening off of the snow. Jesus has washed Mali white as snow!!! In the coming months, she will take a baptism class at church and eventually will be baptized. I am sooo thrilled that she has made this decision and have been praying and greatly anticipating this day since I found out I was pregnant with her. I wanted to share scripture that we have read and believe as Mali has made this decision.
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." John 1:12-13
"Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." John 17:3
"Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." Acts 2:38-39
"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 8:9-13


This decision of Mali's is solely by the grace of God. I'm so thankful that God has allowed her to make this initial decision and that He has allowed us to lead her to this decision. BSF (Bible Study Fellowship), The Clubhouse (Hillside's children's program), and all of the godly people that God's has placed in her life have led to this decision. I'm also thankful that she has made this decision despite all the wrong choices that I've made as a parent.

What Christmas Means...

This is what Mali drew that Christmas means to her. I have to admit, I was relieved that it didn't mean presents or candy. I'm curious about when they worked on these at preschool and wonder if it was around the time we bought our new tree or were decorating it. At any rate, Christmas trees are some what less materialistic, granted Mali didn't draw her family like a few of the other kids (specifically boys...only the boys drew their families, maybe they were all sitting together or maybe they are just mama's boys!;)). So, this made me think, what does Christmas mean to me and what do I hope to teach Mali and Eleri about the meaning of Christmas? Last night, we were able to go to Chris Tomlin's Glory in the Highest Christmas tour. Louie Giglio spoke and he pointed out that we have these expectations that Christmas be so great, but really it is crazy. We all have craziness at Christmas....from hurt to major problems. AND, the very first Christmas was very crazy! Louie pointed out that Mary was probably praying one thing "God, please don't let this baby come tonight, please let him wait until we get back home." But when DID God chose for Him to come....at the peak of craziness. That is what the meaning of Christmas is...that we need a Savior to save us from the craziness and that God sent Jesus as just that. Surely I can help Mali and Eleri see that I am in desperate need of a Savior. That daily I fail and that I hurt and that I just can't do it all on my own and that I'm in desperate need of Immanuel....God with me, to enable me and to help me through the craziness and to bring glory and honor to Him!

Thoughts about God

One thing that I LOVE about the Christmas season is how much time we spend talking about Jesus and God! Mali is super inquisitive during this time and it provides a great opportunity to teach her! Yesterday, as I was driving her to preschool, Mali said the following
Mali:"Is there a little piece of God in everyone?"
Mommy: "Yes, exactly Mali!"
Mali: "So, I have His hand and other people have other pieces of God in them?"
Mommy: "Well, we all have His spirit in us, that's the Holy Spirit that lives in us when follow Jesus and believe He is our Lord."
Mali:" So, I don't have a piece of His body just the Holy Spirit?"

Dear Mali

Disclaimer:
I really debated posting this. It is very personal and is written to Mali, not in the fashion that my posts normally are written. I wrote it first and then thought to post it, so I never considered who my audience might be reading this. But, I'm using this blog to keep up with digital scrapbooking now too, and honestly, it is just an easy way to have these things organized that I will use one day in scrapbooking. Especially since I'm not really sure where last year's letter is. Each year, I've written a birthday letter to Mali. This is my letter for her 5 year old birthday. I really can't believe that when we wake up tomorrow, we will be celebrating 5!!! I'm a little sad and almost want it to not come, but it will, and five will be a wonderful, maybe wonderfully difficult, year!

Oh sweet Mali, you are five! I cannot believe it has been five years since you were born. It has been so wonderful to become your mother. Most days I’m not sure how God could entrust me with such a precious gift, but He did and I’m soo glad. You are a treasure to me! This year I’ve prayed for you less, cuddled with you less, been less patient with you…but I have not loved you any less! I’m thankful for God’s mercy in parenting and confident that He will grow me to be the mother that you absolutely deserve as well as provide other people in your life to make up for where I’ve failed. But this letter is not about me, and neither is this journey, it is about you! For four years, life was about you. This past year has brought a huge change! You are now a big sister and you have to share everything! I’ve loved watching you in this role. Some days and moments you make me beam with pride. I love watching your tender moments with your sister! I love watching you help her walk and how you teach her too. I love how you repeat little phrases that I’ve said in passing, like “look mom she’s learning!” You have such potential and I can’t wait to watch you and Eleri’s relationship strengthen as the years go on! Most days and moments are really hard to share mom and dad’s laps and attention! I pray that these hard days teach you and strengthen your character and that I’m faithful with those teachable moments.
This year has really flown by! You have really grown up and are loosing a lot of the little girl in you! You amaze me with how smart you are! You love to learn and have really excelled in preschool (based on my observations!) You can write anything that we spell for you! One of my favorite things to do with you is to tell you how to spell words and watch you write! One time you wanted me to spell Chocolate Lab Weimeraner Mix! (Which I don’t think I spelled right!) YOU are learning, and I love it! I’m so very proud of you! You’ve also started rhyming and it is so cute! I’m amazed at how you have just picked up on this! I think you now officially learn more outside of the home. Even though this makes me a little sad, I’m still so proud of you and know that it is the best thing for you! I’m also amazed at how you can draw! I love your drawings and your creativity! I love the picture of Daddy golfing that you drew! You have some talent, albeit 4-year-old talent, but I think you certainly outdo me! I treasure these drawings and hate to part with them! It’s so hard to throw anything away that you’ve written or drawn because I’m just so proud of you and what you’ve done!
This year has also ushered in a new issue that really I just don’t like to deal with! You like little boys! How does this happen soooo early? Miss Mali, I am just not ready for this! To be honest, I want more for you than to be a boy crazy little girl. I see so much potential in you that I worry that you will waste it on being interested in boys. The times that I take to pray, I’m praying about this!!!! Your interest has been in a boy named Parker in the other preschool class. He doesn’t seem so interested! I have noticed that you do pick the cute ones though, so I guess at least you have good taste! I still don’t know how to handle your giddiness when any cute boy, at any age, is around you! I pray and hope that you will hold your head up and be confident in the beautiful, strong girl that God has made you! I think my heart rate has increased just now just thinking about this! Oh am I praying for wisdom and guidance in this area. I know we can really mess it up, but you are also only five!!!
I love watching you dance and sing! You really do like to perform and entertain! You have a beautiful voice and you always seem to sing songs in the same key that you’ve heard them! You can repeat almost any song that you’ve heard and liked whether it is the score from Annie or some of Daddy’s songs! You are precious and there is nothing sweeter to me than to see you smiling as you sing or dance on stage! You are a beauty and really like to enjoy yourself!
I love your funny little jokes and just witty things you say! I think you must get that from your Daddy! It is so cute and I love that my five year old can crack me up like you do! These moments are soooo soooo precious!
This year we have had a lot of discussion about Jesus living in your heart. You’ve told mommy and daddy that you want Jesus to live in your heart and that you have asked Him to live there. You’ve talked with us about what baptism means! I want you to know that walking with Jesus is a decision that you make every day, sometimes every hour or minute. Each decision you make is a choice to either walk with Jesus or not walk with Him. I believe that these decisions are so important and pray that you will choose to walk with Jesus! I know, from the other side, that this is the best choice that you can make! You enjoy going to BSF where you are the “leader” and going to the Clubhouse and singing praise songs. You’ve learned scripture and Truth at church, BSF and preschool.
I can’t believe you can swing on your own! You are also doing so great riding your bike! I love our outdoor time!
You talk about the cabin a lot! That warms my heart! Because I love the cabin and I love you so much. You have memories there that we are creating as a family. You also talk about San Diego. I’m thrilled that we have made sweet family memories together!
We’ve had some hard times this year! You are so strong willed, but I absolutely know and trust that God created you this way! So even though it is difficult sometimes as a parent, I also love it! There are days that I see a lot of me in you. I’m not sure how good that is, but it is the way that God made you. You have your bossy moments and we’ve had to work a lot on obedience and respect this year. But I see that you are getting it! You are doing so great saying “yes ma’m”. I can so sympathize with you on these areas, so sometimes I don’t always enforce discipline like I probably should!
You have also seemed to find your role as the big sister, or the older one in our family. When you see mommy cleaning, you like to help me clean! You like to work hard at cleaning your own bathroom. You also are finally motivated to keep your room clean. I think it just clicked; maybe it was age, or really wanting to please your Daddy. You’ve done a great job in the last few months of picking up your room. You also like to race Eleri to get ready in the morning and after bath at night! You win most nights! But I don’t care, as long as you brush your hair with out a battle!!! You really want bangs and keep saying funny things like “Jinni said bangs don’t hurt” and “Grammie has bangs Mommy.” I won’t let you have bangs, end of discussion!!! I can not have the added drama of having to keep those bangs trimmed!!
You really are my five-year-old princess! I love you deeply, even though I may be bad at showing it some days. I love your big smile! I love your funny expressions and how expressive you are when you talk and tell stories. I love how you are so social and can make friends anywhere. I love that you love to talk! I love that you dance like crazy and sing like crazy. I love watching you love your daddy! I love when you give your sister a sweet kiss or speak sweetly to her. I love when you help mommy clean and do your very best to be my helper! I love watching you play with Aspen. I love that you love the cabin. I love that you have such a great memory! I love watching you draw and write. I secretly love your style of dressing, because it is you, and I love you! I LOVE YOU MY SWEET MALI! Have a wonderful wonderful fifth year!
Love,
Mommy

We also seem to have a song for each of our girls. This year, this is the song for Mali! Here are the words and video...
KING OF THE WORLD by Point of Grace

Spinning around on the tops of his feet
smiles of the angels can not be so sweet
wide blue eyes and piggy tail swirls
shes her daddy's girl
cuz he knows the jokes that always make her laugh
takes her for ice cream instead of her nap
at the end of the day by the light of the moon
they turn up the music in their living room
and she yells

dance me, dance me around till my feet don't ever touch down there's nothing better than being your girl and if i am your princess then daddy you are the king of the world

its funny how life moves in circles of time to think not so long ago that face was mine
houses get smaller we take different names but some things in life stay the same

dance me, dance me around till my feet don't ever touch down there's nothing better than being your girl and if i am your princess than daddy you are the king of the world

some day she'll go off and find a life of her own
and marry a good man and make a happy home
until she comes back and sees with those same eyes what time can not disguse she walks through the door with that look on her face cuz daddy's brown hair has all turned to gray they talk for hours they cry and they laugh watchin old movies and time goes by just as she turns to go she says hey day how bout one for the road

dance me, dance me around till my feet don't ever touch down

dance me, dance me around till my feet dont ever touch down cuz theres nothing better than being your girl oh theres nothing better than being your girl and if i am your princess than daddy you are the king of the world
king of the world
smile of the angels could not be so sweet

I LOVE fall!

I absolutely LOVE Fall. I love hearing the leaves as the wind blows them down the sidewalk. I love watching the leaves change and the beautiful oranges, yellows and reds of the leaves. I love wearing jeans and a long sleeve shirt and being comfortable. I love the warm sun. I love indian summers. I love spending time outside. And, I love taking my girls pictures with all of this beauty. I read one time in "The Sin Eater" about how the seasons are yet another picture of Jesus. Winter being Jesus' death and spring being his resurrection. I'm not sure what that makes fall, but I wonder if it is symbolic of the Jesus' earthly ministry and preparation to give us the most beautiful gift Anyone has ever given...the guilt offering to pay for our sins.

King of the World

Daddies and daughters certainly have a special relationship. I've loved watching Eric as a daddy. He's pretty great at it and Mali just thinks he hung the moon. Meemee introduced Eric to the song King of the World by Point of Grace and Mali loves to sing it. Here is a video of her singing it. Her favorite line is "he takes her for ice cream instead of her nap"-could that be any more
descriptive of their relationship???

A few more wonderful daddy things: Eric figured out how to motivate Mali to get ready. He made it into a competition between Mali and Eleri. Every night, and morning now, Mali is racing Eleri to get ready...even brushing her hair!!! Eleri, and I, loose every night because I just can't get this squirmy baby diapered and dressed fast enough.
Also, last night we were all in the car together and Mali and Eric started playing 'I Spy'. It was so cute and I've never even thought about doing that with her in the car! The only bad part was she kept cheating so that her daddy would get the right answer instead of me!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com