Farewell November, Hello December

The big topic of conversation around here this week is Santa Claus. When Jack wakes up, he asks if "Santa Claus come see me on Jesus' birthday." We have begun decorating our house for the season and he is so interested in everything - the nativity, baby Jesus, Santa, reindeer, and even remembers jingle bells! It will be a fun Christmas no doubt but any advice on how to focus a 2-year old on GIVING and celebrating JESUS' BIRTH AND LIFE....I would love to hear.
Well November came and went in the blink of an eye. We had fun here in GP with family and friends. Some of my November memories (good and bad) include singing and dancing with the kids in the morning, Jack's busted lip gone bad, watching Will play softball, converting our office to a playroom for the kids, sliding in the backyard with Jack, watching Josie become the messiest eater ever, visiting with my parents, laughing with Will at our favorite tv shows, and staying with Sam and his family (aren't the blue-eyed cousins cute?)in San Antonio for Thanksgiving. It was a memorable month and we anticipate the coming season.
On a side note, I have to write that Jack knows the alphabet song, "This is the Day," "Jesus Loves Me," and "You are my Sunshine" by heart. This is proof that repetition and music is key to learning with a little one. Josie also imitates singing each song by moving her mouth and making sounds. Jack and Jo continue to bring us more joy than we could ever imagine. We thank God for lending them to us for this short while.

Pep Talks

We have a lot of pep talks around this house. I like to call it encouragement. Yes, I am a full-time cheerleader/coach/teacher to a one-year old and a two-year old! I think I spend at least 80% of my day instructing and guiding these little guys to "love and good deeds!" (Hebrews 10:24) I sound a little like a broken record but that's ok because it's important. I take my job very seriously.
Some examples of my pep talks:
1)Jack, say please. Have a grateful heart and say thank you.
2)Jack, no whining. Go to your room, and you can come out when you're happy.
3)Josie, no throwing food from your tray. Food is for eating, not throwing.
4)Josie, no playing in the trash can. Trash is yucky.
5)Jack, no jumping off the couch. It's not safe.
6)Jack and Josie, obey Mama the first time and with a happy heart.
7)Be kind to each other. Say you're sorry when you hurt one another.
8)Give each other a hug and forgive.
At the end of most days, I am the one who needs the pep talk! This is a tough job - the toughest maybe - but what great benefits! Some of the bonuses I have received this week are: wet kisses from JoJo, hugs around my legs from Jack, huge grins from both, and perhaps the best....the other night when Jack said "I love Mama." I also happen to have the best co-worker and teammate in Will. There are many days when he gives me pep talks and encourages me in this job. I hope my kids grow up to be like their Dad!
I love this photo, where the roles have been reversed. The kids just love watching their Dad play softball and insist on giving him "pep talks" each time he is in the dugout. Jack's encouragement sounds like this - Daddy, hit ball, run fast! Josie just points.
Right now the kids can't give us feedback on how we're doing as parents.........but I hope they will say that our pep talks helped them become people who love the Lord and want to serve others. I will continue this job with all my love, time, and energy. Then I will ask the Lord to do the rest! To all you parents out there - keep it up!

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Very few things warm my heart like seeing my children hug and love on each other. Jack and Josie are rivals but they are also best buddies. Here is a photo taken shortly after we returned from Hawaii. I am going to keep this handy so during the teenage years I can remember how much they really love each other deep down.

Time Flew

I'm not sure what happened to the month of October but it FLEW here at the LHIGP. While you were sleeping Halloween night, the girls of the LHIGP were flying home from a wonderful week-long visit to Kailua, HI. We spent a week with Kat and my boy Clay-Jack. What a week! Other than Josie being a little confused with her days and nights, it was a perfect retreat with our favorite friends. I loved hanging with my sis-in-law in her cozy home....envision shopping, crafting, redecorating, cooking, and watching tv with your best friend. Since we have been to Hawaii a few times, we didn't feel pressure to see the sights or really even get out of the house! Thanks Kat for being the best hostess. You can read her blog for more details of our opposite children - makes for interesting photo shoots, mealtimes, and bathtimes! I already miss my hilarious nephew.
The boys of the LHIGP had some fun on their own. Jack told everyone that "Mommy and JoJo on plane to Hawaii, see Kat and Clay!" He split time on the farm and here in GP with his Dad. His vacation included a trip to the Ft. Worth Zoo, going to youth group with Dad, walking every acre of the farm with Dutch and General, throwing hay, and hanging out with his cousins Caroline and Garrett. He was our SuperMan (he is also a super boy, I think)and had a great time gathering treats with his buddy Ethan Starr. I think his vocabulary tripled while I was gone (yesterday he asked if we were going to Target)and I have been laughing all week at his new Jack-isms.
Life is slowing down a bit but the holidays will be here before you know it. It's hard for me to believe this time last year I had a newborn and a one-year old! Time has flown and we are definitely having fun.