Bring on the New Year

Today I boxed up the last evidence of Christmas. The plastic 6 1/2 ft Colorado Pine was folded up much like an umbrella and crammed back into the closet where it will live for the next 10 months. The three wise men, along with the whole nativity, are wrapped in newspaper and packed into their 30+ year old box. I wonder what memories of Christmas 2011 my children are locking away to treasure for years to come.

Christmas morning

The picture cards will grace my kitchen all winter long.

Christmas weekend Mom and Dad came up from Missouri, not a long enough visit, but I'm happy they came.

We spent Christmas Eve at my grandparents with my brothers and their families. Unfortunately, my sister and her crew weren't able to make it. We were surprised with a short but sweet visit from them a week later, though!

grandkids minus jody's 

Jody took some pictures of all the kids last summer. One was made into a canvas for Mom and Dad's Christmas gift.

This is the first time I have ever seen my dad with a beard. I even let out a gasp at first look.
He's just a fuzzier big teddy bear.

The highlight of the day was watching and listening to the carols, worship songs and country music played by the talented musicians. New tradition? I hope so!

My dad, brothers, son and nephew

Josh teaching Kodi some chords

future guitar player

Dad playing the mandolin

One of the headbands Mom crocheted for Faith

We left our Christmas tree up so when Jody came it could still feel like Christmas. It didn't work, but that's okay. It was the best ever New Year's treat!

It was so sweet to catch E and L reading the Bible before they went to sleep. 

Fun memories were made with the other side of the family too.  We were blessed to finish out the year and bring in the new year with loved ones. I'm optimistically excited to see what 2012 holds in store.

I have (loosely) made resolutions. I do every year. We won't talk about how they are usually the same ones as the year before....be more organized, exercise, eat healthier, blah blah blah. This year I'm also resoluting (yeah, it's a word.) to stick with the resolutions. :-) But instead of resolutions I'm going to call them goals.
Goal number 1. Make life simpler. (Be more organized)
                     2.Increase my energy. (Exercise)
                     3. Meal plan. (Eat healthier)
:-)I think those are things I will always be working at and I'm okay with doing great sometimes and not so good at other times. Having goals is important but it is also freeing for me to take a break from the rigidness of a schedule.

There are some things this year that I really want to improve on, mostly on what God is calling me to do and who He wants me to be. I want to be a better wife and mother, more patient and aware of what my husband and children need. I want to be an encourager. Above all, I want to be in His will at all times.

Lord, here I am, your servant, your hands and your feet. Use me as you must. Open my eyes to what You see.  Give me the courage to do your work. I am yours.

Another thing I want to try accomplish this year is to share a photo of the week. I thought about doing one picture a day but I can't add one more thing to my daily tasks. And I don't want it to be a task. So, one a week it will be.

Week ONE:

My littlest is a "doffee" thief. Don't leave your cup of joe (or hot chocolate) unattended or little hands, that may have tiny polished nails, will steal your brew and leave you with an empty mug and, most likely, a spill.

OR maybe this pic:

Theses two peas in a pod were born thousands of miles apart and live hundreds of miles from each other. Their love as friends keeps them close and their bond as family means forever. I loved seeing them read scripture together, especially without any prompting.

As you can see, there are no rules to my weekly picture(s).

Welcome 2012!

November in a Nutshell

November came in like a lamb and went out like a lion, a big, growly lion. We were spoiled with temps warmer than I ever remember for this time of year. I'm not sure where the month went. One day it is 11-11-11 (I love days that have quirky numbers!) and the next day it's December. The month snuck (sneaked??  Is it sneaked or snuck?!) by without regard for my desire to leisurely enjoy the holiday season. I'm digging my heels in and holding tight onto the tail of December to try to slow it down a bit.

 I love the look of snow! It tells of cleanness and purity. It hides the depressing dead of late autumn.

However,  I'm not a fan of snow covered ice. We had our first ice/snow storm of the year. We were fortunate to keep our electricity. Some of our neighbors weren't as lucky and were without for 36+ hours. This day also happened to be a memorable one for my sixteen year old.

He scored the coveted ticket of freedom. Well, semi-freedom. He took his driving test while the ice started to fall from the sky. What a brave instructor. I think I would have been cancelling if I were her.  This is what our road looked like when we got home.

Not ideal for a newly licensed driver. Or a seasoned driver.

Faith loves to climb on furniture and see what's going on out the window. She was in awe of the snow.

Baby girl likes to do her own hair too. I appreciate the headbands more than her brother's underwear for hair accessories. She'll dig through clothes baskets to find underwear to put on her head. Should I be concerned?

We celebrated Court's birthday mid-month. Okay, we didn't really celebrate, but we did sing to him (I think) and he got cake.

He's loved. Speaking of love, we also celebrated our 17th anniversary in November. Seventeen years?? I don't know how that is possible when it was just last year that I was 17. Wasn't it?

picture taken by Apryl Deeter

Another highlight of the month was getting to go out with my long time (as in since 4th grade) best friend Sheila. Since she lives in Colorado, we only get to see each other once a year when she comes "home" for a visit. I'm so happy that her husband landed an awesome job 2 hours away and they are moving next summer! How appropriate that our date was going to see a musical!

I had such a good time. And I am all the more wiser now since she taught me how an expert orders at a coffee shop!

For one reason or another it has taken over a week to finish this silly little post, from internet problems to busyness to forgetfulness.

So long, noviembre! (Isn't it bizarre that months aren't capitalized in Spanish??) Your holiday is one of my very favorites. Although this year it seemed to come and go without big fanfare, my heart is overflowing with thankfulness. 

I'm looking forward to all December has to offer. And of course celebrating the true meaning of the season. 

It's easier to spread Christmas cheer when you are dressed the part. 

Bring on the jingle bells!

For Ages 8 and Up

Everyone except one has celebrated a milestone birthday this year in the Bitting house. Austin-16, Dakota-15, Brooklyn -13, Corbin-5, and Faith-1. That leaves Emmaly. Shouldn't every year be a milestone? I think so. Every year that passes is time that we have gained experience and knowledge. At 35, I know that I have so much more wisdom to learn and insight to be acquired. I think that, in itself, is growth. After all, I thought I knew everything when I was younger...as do a couple of my own children. :) I used to look at my elders and think they don't understand me or know much about now days happenings. The older I get the more I realize that knowledge comes from life and experiences just as much if not more than from education. People with blue gray hair and unsteady voices have so much to teach us if we would take time to listen to them and learn. I'm glad that I dismounted that high horse named Know-It-All and put it out to pasture.

Emmaly turned eight on Friday! Eight isn't exactly a landmark birthday but Em decided it was. She told me that now she gets to play every game we own, specifically the ones designed for ages 8 and up. I wonder how long she has been counting down the months and years until she could play Monopoly and Scrabble?  I won't burst her bubble and tell her that Clue actually says 10+.

She also decided that since she was turning 8 she wanted her hairstyle with bangs. I'm always reluctant towards change but I know that haircuts make her feel special. She loved doing Locks of Love earlier this year.

Before

Even though I tried to talk her out of bangs (she has such a pretty forehead), I think it turned out very cute.

After

She has come to the age where I can no longer decide her hairstyle for her. I'm okay with that. I like that she knows what she wants and isn't afraid to try something new. She isn't afraid of much at all. She's a tough girl too. She didn't make one whimper when she had to get a couple stitches a few weeks back.

Just one more scar to add to the tally sheet on how to have a fun childhood. Boring is not in this girl's vocabulary.

We made caramel apples for her special day. They were dipped in goodies like walnuts and mini Reece's Pieces.

She helped make Black Forest Cherry cake. Her new favorite.

Her birthday didn't end up being the merry day she hoped for because a few wrenches were thrown into her plans. I told her that was good because then we could stretch her birthday out into the weekend and even longer. We ended her celebration by walking the town with cousin-friends dressed up, begging for candy.

cowboy, cowgirls, rock star and transformer...what a group

The big sisters and I are in the process of making a special space for Emma in their bedroom. It's not such an easy task with three girls sharing a room. She's always had a place to sleep in there but that is it. Even her clothes closet is in another room. The poor girl doesn't really have a place to call her own. (Now that I think of it.....neither do I. :-) ) I hope when we are finished she feels welcomed and loved. She is such a joy to have  in our family! I hope you had a wonderful birthday weekend, sweet Emmaly Yvonne!

Birthday Girls Part I

I may not have the set of twins that I have always wanted but I do have children that share a birthday. My oldest two daughters were born on the same day two years apart. It wasn't planned by me, but it sure is convenient! They have the same group of friends so we have always thrown one big celebration. Last year they had invited the entire jr. high church youth group (girls). Giggly Girls. And it was a sleepover. And I just had a baby 2 weeks prior. May not have been the most ideal scenario but we made it work. And the girls had a blast. (If you don't count the girl who had facebook on her phone and updated about the lame party she was attending. Oops. She should have checked her friend list to see who could read that comment. All is forgiven. :-) ) Kodi and Brooklyn told me recently that they want to try to have two separate parties this year. (sad sigh) I don't blame them for wanting a little more independence from each other and of course they would be at each other's party. But with everything going on in our lives right now one of them would have to wait until June for their party. So we will have another year of lots of chatty girls. (I love chatty girls!) Since their big day is in TWO days....I better start planning. :-) No, actually the girls have it planned. We're down to getting a date set. Never an easy task when the calendar is already inked up.

Let's talk about my firstborn girl, Dakota Lynn; or Kodi. (Cue music for Sunrise Sunset).....Is this the little girl I carried...........I don't remember growing older, when did they??? FIFTEEN years ago Dakota was born after being induced a week after her due date because my doctor was going on vacation. Can we say, "Annoying!"? In fact, she was delivered by a nurse and another doc because mine was home packing for her trip. You know, those labor books said I should have had another couple hours. :-) But, God in His infinite wisdom knew what He was doing. (Of course) She was born with her cord tightly wrapped twice around her neck and she needed some help to start breathing. I had a peace while I wondered why I couldn't hold her right away. She spent her whole hospital stay under the watch of the nurses and not in my room. Kodi was an easy baby, wonderful toddler, and an uncomplicated kid. Then the teen years hit...no, I'm just kidding. She is a joy to have as a daughter! She is creative, smart and witty! She is a little on the reserved side. You will usually find her with her nose in a book. I've been known to ground her from reading. *GASP* What kind of mother am I?

D and B on rival teams during a volleyball game.

Every year on or around their birthday I try to get some pictures of them. I had a fun time this year just clicking away while they were acting goofy.

I love how they have their own styles, from clothes to personalities. It's so refreshing! I'm enjoying watching these gals grow into lovely young women and especially watching them grow in their faith. They are such a blessing to me! And my very favorite picture of them....drum roll, please........

Happy Birthday, my lovelies!! I'm looking forward to our special date!