My little Sunshine

Helen has a style all her own.

She fell asleep reading to her babies...I know the feeling.

Knights and Castles and Dragons, Oh, My!

This month, we've been learning about Knights and all things related.  We choose a topic that interest Matthew every month or so and spend some time each week learning all about it.  Learning about knights has actually been interesting and we've found tons of good books to read.  It also fit perfectly with our Bible verse this month - the Armor of God (from Ephesians 6).  This is right up Matthew's alley...it's much easier to make a good choice when you're "using your shield of Faith to defeat flaming arrows!" and not just trying to "be good".  Gotta love little boys...

Matthew's replica of the interior of a castle

The catapult the guys built...they were so excited I wanted a picture

When I threaten to continue snapping pictures, they can be very cooperative

This is what happens....

...when your big brother gets you up from your nap!

We're so proud!

The game that started it all!

I usually reserve my bragging for the kids (for their grandparent's benefit, of course), but this post is all about Alan.  Why?  Well, because he deserves it.  Besides being a super-hubby and amazing daddy, he's also become a semi-celebrity in the gaming world for geeks (his words, not mine).  Last year, he had this idea for a weekly video with an emphasis on his favorite computer game.  It's really taken off and now he also heads up a large group of gamers and helps host online shows about different aspects of the game.  I'm so impressed with his willingness to take a risk and try something new.  I'm so proud of the results.  Matthew, of course, thinks his dad is now incredibly famous.  Just ask him.  Helen thinks he walks on water no matter what he does.  There's definitely a little bit of hero worship going on around this place.  And it's totally deserved.

Final Photos

Soon, this blog will be turned into a family scrapbook.  A friend recommended blurb.com, and I'm anxious to try it out.  I'll let you know what I think!  Here are a final few photos I want to make sure are included.

Playing outside - gotta love short sleeves in December!

My little sunshine

Helen loves to look at this picture on our phone - She says "Oh, baby mess!" 

Candlelight Service

This was one of the many times as a mom that I wished I could freeze time. For the first time, Matthew had gone with Alan and watched him take Communion.  It was also his first time to hold his "own candle" at our Christmas Eve Service.  He was fascinated with all of it.  His eyelashes made shadows on his cheeks.  He was wearing his "fancy, but not too fancy" new shirt and had a fresh Christmas haircut.  I wanted to memorize every detail about my too-quickly-growing-up boy.  

Often, he asks me to tell him how much I love him.  It's a game for us.  I always answer that there are no words that would be enough.  But, once, he said "I really want to know!".  My answer?  When you're all grown up, and you're lucky enough to have your own little boy, then you'll know.

Christmas Card Prayers

Christmas cards are a big hit around here.  I love the new photos, especially from far-away friends and family.  This year we kept them in a basket on our kid table so Helen could reach them. She loved looking at pictures of "babies" and Matthew liked seeing his friends with their families.  After Christmas, though, I never know what to do with them. This year, I saw a fantastic idea online:  Keep the cards in a handy spot and choose one family each day to remember in prayer.  Love it!  So, if we got your card, we'll be praying for you this year!

Side note: After 4 attempts at a family photo shoot and Helen's still-ongoing relationship with RSV, I managed to send cards only to the grands and great-grands, plus a few other family members.  Feel free to pray for us without the card...sounds like we need it.