Another Season - Sleepovers

Well, our little girl is moving into another season of life this week. She was invited to her first "sleepover". She was excited then a little undecided about spending the night. As soon as she found out Doggie could go with her, she was fine! So Friday night our little girl won't be home with the rest of us.....

Funny thing is that I was 7 years old when I went to my first sleepover (we called them slumber parties). Mom took me to K-Mart and bought me a Raggedy Ann and Andy sleeping bag. I still have it! Thankfully, Hannah has her own sleeping bag so I don't have to share it although I would if I had to.

It's Raining!

It's raining!

The rain gauge is showing a little over 3 inches and it hasn't quite stopped yet. The kids keep asking, "Is it raining over the lake?"

Praise God for the rain! Continue praying for more because we are still extremely far behind in waterfall and are close to very strict water restrictions if we don't get more soon.

Christmas Day 2007

Morning came in a usual way...until I walked up the stairs and said, "Merry Christmas everyone!" Corinne said, "What do we do now?" Such sweet innocence and excitement all at the same time. We all hurried downstairs to Dad fixing pancakes for breakfast. No one dilly-dallied for that meal! Then it was time to open gifts...

There were more gifts under the tree when they woke up than when they had gone to bed the night before so there was even more excitement. Brent started handing out gifts and the paper started flying...in a somewhat orderly fashion. There were lots of surprises from the grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

The day slipped by rather quietly and calmly (unlike the previous day, thankfully) and Mom worked on dinner off and on all day. The kids played ALL DAY with their new toys. When we sat down to our turkey dinner, Dad asked Hannah what her favorite thing of the day was. She started laughing then said, "We're still in our pajamas! We don't have to change clothes when we go to bed tonight!" That made everyone laugh! (Note: kids were still in pj's; parents had managed to get dressed for the day:)

We spent some time remembering all God's blessings and talking about the GREATEST GIFT, JESUS. May the GREATEST GIFT be part of your celebration every day of every year!

Handing out gifts...

A Word Whammer - this looks like fun!

Walkie-talkies! And see H's new boots! She wore those all day also.

Dad got Mom some footed pj's!

End of the day...still playing with Polly Pocket...and still in pj's!

For those who care...the Christmas cactus bloomed Christmas morning with TWO blooms open!

Christmas Eve

Our morning began with me (Sabrina) waking to hearing kids over the monitor saying, "Mommy, I need you!" I went upstairs to find wet sheets...anyway, they were up early! The next thing I knew I was taking Hannah to the doctor for a week-old cough that only occurs at night. Diagnosis was just "dripping" at night so we headed to Wal-Mart for some Benadryl. On the home front, Brent had taken the other 3 to the grocery store for ice cream (incentive for going to sleep at night and not crying for Emma) and who knows what else they did. Somehow I managed to get the laundry done even though I was gone most the morning (although the last load will stay in the dryer until I fold them).

Everyone seemed to be tired and grumpy from waking so early so after lunch the 3 younger ones were put in bed. Corinne was the only one to sleep but at least the other 2 were away from their siblings and not arguing (yes, I know it's hard to believe but our children do argue occasionally!:) Brent took Hannah and Brock to play at a park after Brock had rested an hour. By the time the twins got up it was time to get ready for church. We took some photos before walking out the door. Here are a few of my favorites...

We have so many photos of their heads together. They love to hug like this.

The Freeland Girls

Counter clockwise: Hannah (7), Brock (5), Emma and Corinne (2 1/2)

Taken by Hannah

Taken by Brock

We went to church, came home for dinner, put on pj's (the kids), and went driving around to look at Christmas lights in our neighborhood.

And now the kids are sleeping and all I have left to do is to get the turkey ready for baking tomorrow.

For those who care to zoom in on the Christmas cactus on our piano, it's BLOOMING MORE THAN ONE BLOOM THIS YEAR!

Merry CHRISTmas!!

The Last Rose of the Year

We were outside last week in shorts and t-shirts when the kids noticed a rose blooming at the very top (over 6 ft tall) of our rose bush. That one lone rose was begging to be cut and enjoyed on our dinner table. I thought it was funny that we had a rose next to a Christmas candle. (Recognize the vase, Betsy? 18 years, over 8 moves, and it's still in one piece!)

So here it is...the last rose of the year. It's cold now and we'll have to wait until spring to have more roses on the table.

Now...let's all hum along with Susan Ashton..."a rose by any name is still a rose."

Hannah's Sunday Night at KidStuf

If you've been reading our blog you know that KidStuf is a regular event in our family. Most Sunday nights (except for the summertime and holidays) you'll find all 6 of us at KidStuf. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, go to the Archive and read the post for December 20, 2006.) Well, tonight was an exciting night for Hannah...

She had completed her GodTime card each week and had her Virtue Card punched for all 4 weeks in November. All the girls who had completed their Virtue Cards were called on stage at the end of KidStuf. They all received a 1/2 pound chocolate bar. Then a card was drawn to do the grand prize game...and Hannah was the girl! The game was to throw a ping pong ball into a bucket. There were 4 buckets in a row and she stood at the end of the row. She hit 2 of the 4 buckets so she received two more prizes. She was ssssoooooooooo excited!

I didn't have my camera with me so I don't have any photos to post but just think of Hannah with a big smile on her sweet face...that's how she looked when she walked off the stage to sit down with us. We sure do love our Hannah! :)

Youngsville Christmas Parade 2007

Hannah with her Upwards Basketball team - the Lady Wildcats.

I asked Corinne what her favorite part of the parade was..."CANDY!"... as she stuffs it in the pockets of her jeans.

Emma waving at the fire trucks. It was very loud! Notice the missing mitten for easier candy retrieval off the ground.

Brock with Ethan, Helen and Corinne (and Mom) enjoying the parade. He had plenty of candy stuffed in his pockets too! :)

Dad was at the parade but for the first time in our marriage, he was taking all the photos instead of Mom. Hummm, we finally have photos of Mom at a family outing.

We know you all are so sad you missed the Youngsville Christmas Parade 2007. That is why I didn't put the photos of the marching band and the rescue vehicles. It would be too much for you to bear.

Let the Christmas season begin!