Night Eights

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

1 Peter 2:9

"Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel... I made it out of clay. Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel... my dreidel I will play."

What were we thinking when we taught Jonathan this little song. He has sung it everyday and was VERY excited when we played dreidel tonight- complete with gelt!

Night Seven

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12

It is hard to believe that our Hanukkah celebration is so quickly coming to a close. These last night are just as awesome and special as the first ones though.

Since Eddie had the day off we enjoyed celebrating the entire day. I attempted to make cookies... but once again... they were a failure!

Another thing that there is No Way I could make is Sufganiyot. What do you know... Dunkin Doughnuts just opened in Athens! So I treated the kids to jelly filled doughnut holes.

Night Six

The sixth day of Hanukkah fell on Sunday (Christmas Day). We decided to head over to Granny John's house early in the day (11:00 AM) before everyone else would be arriving in hopes of visiting with Granny and then being home in time for every one's naps. We didn't get to stay for lunch. At 1:00 lunch was almost ready. But the children were getting really really fussy. Here's what happened:

Everyone was arriving, Granny was busy in the kitchen when we heard a loud POP come from the kitchen. Lo and behold the Pyrex dish full of Granny's corn exploded. No other way to explain it... it was sitting on top of the oven [with no heat] when it exploded. Glass and corn were all over the place. Poor Granny- Daddy and Tim got it cleaned up while she prepared another dish of corn. When we got ready to leave, she snuck we Isaac's favorite pie.

Rachel and Jonathan thought they were Granny's heroes when she gave them paper towels and ask them to keep the front door cleaned off.

Aunt Kaye with Noah Bates. There are about 2 months difference in Noah and Rachel.

More Night Five

I'm so glad Sherry shared some of her photos with me. In the midst of feeding little ones, helping hand out and open packages and then Rachel's surprise episode of diarrhea, I only took two photos!

How sweet! Brody and Jonathan exchanging gifts! All the "little cousins" ... Jonathan (2), Ben (7), Brody (3), and Bradley (6).

Night Five

For He who is MIGHTY has done GREAT THINGS for me,
and HOLY is His name. Luke 1:49

This night was also Christmas Eve. Soon after Eddie got home from work, we just had to light those candles! The kids have gotten to where they stand at the window and watch for Eddie to turn into the driveway.

Night Four

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

Genesis 1:3

The fourth night of Hanukkah was Friday evening. We picked Daddy up at the office and headed to see some awesome lights.

While we watched the lights and listened to their synchronized music,
we opened our packages. Pez for both little ones, a York Peppermint Patty for Dad,

and an Astrojax for Isaac.

Night Three

This was probably the most special night of Hanukkah! We are having so much fun anticipating during the day... they are just ... exciting with special surprises like Panera Holiday Bread!

Tonight was Latkes. I tried a new recipe this year because it was suppose to be easy. Once the oil gets hot- things get a bit crazy around here with toddlers under foot, latkes cooking, and just the excitement that is already in the air.

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Psalm 91 was our prayer for these precious children. Eddie anointed each of them with oil and prayed over them. The Holy Spirit gave each child a special prayer, protection over Jonathan's life, use of Isaac's God-given gifts and skills, and the gift of prophecy for Rachel. What precious gifts for each one.

Night Two

Well... we tried our hand at making dreidels out of marshmallows, pretzels, and nutella. Laiel and I decided the nutella and pretzels are a hit. Jonathan on the other hand loved the monster marshmallows.

For our devotion, we talked about the difference in a menorah and the lampstand that was in the temple. I had bunches of coloring sheets for the little guys. Know the difference? Then we watched a Sesame Street DVD about Hanukkah and the pressing of olive oil. Poor Isaac... sorry to make you suffer through that Sweetie!

And the kiddos were so excited to get to play with their new Play dough that they received as gifts last night. Doesn't take much to make them happy, huh?

The Golden Lampstand

"Then you shall make a lampstand of pure gold. The lampstand and its base and its shaft are to be made of hammered work; its cups, its bulbs and its flowers shall be of one piece with it. Six branches shall go out from its sides; three branches of the lampstand from its one side and three branches of the lampstand from its other side...."

Exodus 25:31-40

First Day of Hanukkah

We have been oh so excited about Hanukkah this year. I sat down and made out a schedule of all the things we wanted to do/study. Dionne sent me some great crafts to do with the kids. Isaac and I have wrapped, wrapped, and wrapped some more. I think everything is set up, planned, and ready.

"And it was at Jerusalem the Feast of the Dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch." John 10:22-23

After we opened our packages, sang a Hanukkah song, and lit the first candle, we watched our Nest video "The Macabee's." Year after year it encourages me!

Gingerbread Man House

We had such a good time starting our Hanukkah week with a Gingerbread workshop.

Jonathan callled it a "Gingerbread Man House."

Daddy gave our "gingerbread man house" a face....

And Jonathan gave his gingerbread man clothing.

My Precious Boys

I have been banned from the den! Since I am approaching 72 hours of stomach "stuff," my Dr. Husband is right in doing so... I just don't like not being with my little crew. It has given me time to do some much needed catch up on blogging. I came across this photo on my iPhone. These have to be the coolest boys. I am so thankful that they are the bestest of buddies!

One more time!

One more trip to Dollywood!

The Cookie Store

Our favorite grocery store is Ingles. Need I mention that I hate shopping at Wal-Mart. Having someone help me to the car with our groceries is still "important" to this maturing momma.

Jonathan knows Ingles as "The Cookie Store." Part of our weekly ritual of grocery shopping includes a stop at the cookie counter. They have both gotten old enough now that they are allowed to choose... sprinkles or M&M's. Jonathan usually tried to choose for Rachel.

Final Touches

It seems to have taken all year to get Eddie's office moved to the basement. We've put the final touches on it with window coverings and now lighting. But finally it is complete. And I must say... it turned out much better than I had expected.

Where Oh Where?

Oh sweet little Rachel is, well... a go getter! My friend Sandra ask me on Saturday evening where Rachel had been lately. I didn't have any exciting locations to report... until this afternoon!

We were all at the barn, cleaning, sorting, storing things for the winter. I realized I hadn't seen or heard Rachel for the past 60 seconds. So I ask Isaac to look around for her. To our shock {and my horror} she had climbed the steps to the tree house and was just ready to climb onto the platform. That BTW has a landing for the ladder. Needless to say- Isaac ushered her back to the ground and then nailed a board across the bottom step- "Rachel Proofed!"

Lai-Lai

I thought Jonathan named Laiel "Lai-Lai." But I've heard her referred as Lai-Lai by folks outside of our home- so I guess our nickname is not original. But around here, everyone is named in doubles: Jon-Jon, Ra-Ra, Lai-Lai!

I am so thankful for Laiel. And I am thankful that my children love her so much. Everyday I ask Jonathan, "So, what would you like to do today?" How many times does he say, "Um... play with Lai-Lai!"

Nice to meet me....

I took the children down to Ms Jean's salon for hair cuts. Jonathan was so taken by this little character that met us at the door. He walked up, held out his hand and said, "Hi! It's nice for you to meet me!" Isaac and I had such a good laugh.