What a good break this has been. Thankful to still have 3 days left, although, Josh has to go back to work tomorrow. Not in the mood to do a long post, so here are the highlights from my break so far, in no particular order.
Baking
Brake Christmas
Christmas Eve Service at Crossroads
Starbucks and Ritzy's Fantasy of Lights with my parents
First Christmas morning as a family of 3.
Christmas Eve with my family
Kerkhof Christmas day
Bowman Christmas
Seeing my Bolen family- some of them met Eden for the first time.
Seeing Eden open presents and play with her new toys.
Newport mini-vacation- dinner at Hofbrauhaus, aquarium, lunch at Tom+Chee, Cincinatti Natural History Museum
Being home
Eden giving kisses
Looking forward to spending time with Katie & Eli, lunch with Heather, New Years Eve, and 3 more days spent at home with my little girl.
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Best time of the year.
I love this time of the year. Every single little thing about it. I love making memories with my family, snow days (even though I will not enjoy extra school days in the spring), Christmas movies, celebrating with my class, finding out what adventures our class elf, Elvis has gone on each day, Christmas parties with friends, Christmas devotionals, Christmas music on K love on the way to school, Donut Bank Peppermint Mocha coffee, holiday decorations, Christmas lights, and taking the time to give to those less fortunate. I also love picking out the perfect gift for each of my family members, best friends, support staff at school, and students. It is so much fun thinking about what to get each person, and finding cute/creative ideas on Etsy.
On giving--This year, Bethel Manor chose to bless a family of four students at Evans with gifts for Christmas that they otherwise would not have been able to have, through a program that our school counselor started at Evans. It was so much fun seeing all the things that they had bought for the family, buying some things ourselves, and them wrapping all of the gifts to take to school. The mom contacted me and let me know how grateful she was for everything Evans had done for her kids over the year and how excited they would be to receive their gifts on Christmas morning. She has promised to send pictures of the kids opening their gifts. I can't wait to see the excitement on their sweet little faces. I think that the Christmas season is so magical for kids, and I am so thankful that we were able to play a part in blessing some of our sweet Evans' kids.
On snow days-- I was a little stressed/bummed about missing school for three days, just because there is already so much to do and teach and so little time, but I decided to enjoy every minute of the days at home with my sweet little girl. We spent time playing and cuddling, shopping, and baking. Eden saw snow for the first time, and she kept wanting to touch it and put her face in it. It was sweet. We spent two of the days shopping with my mom and we were able to get most of our Christmas shopping done.
On Elvis the Elf- Our class Elf showed up to school last week, and the kiddos named him Elvis. So far, he has climbed into our Christmas tree, hung from the top of the promethean board, tp'd the Christmas tree, dove into the skittles jar, and brought us donut bank airbrushed holiday cookies. The kids get so excited each day looking for Elvis. It is so much fun!
Today, I am trying to be productive--cleaning, finishing up wrapping, and getting things ready for the Christmas party with Erin and Cassie tonight. Sure will miss the other 3, who aren't able to make it this year. Eden is in Santa Claus. My brother picked her up to take her in the Santa Claus parade on the Holiday World trolley, but then it ended up being too cold, so she is at my parents' house spending some time with them, until they bring her back later this evening. Tomorrow Miss E will meet Santa for the first time, we are going to the St. Peter's church Christmas dinner, and we are going to the light show at Lake Rudolph.
Feeling very blessed each day for so many reasons, and trying my best not to take a single second of it for granted.
On giving--This year, Bethel Manor chose to bless a family of four students at Evans with gifts for Christmas that they otherwise would not have been able to have, through a program that our school counselor started at Evans. It was so much fun seeing all the things that they had bought for the family, buying some things ourselves, and them wrapping all of the gifts to take to school. The mom contacted me and let me know how grateful she was for everything Evans had done for her kids over the year and how excited they would be to receive their gifts on Christmas morning. She has promised to send pictures of the kids opening their gifts. I can't wait to see the excitement on their sweet little faces. I think that the Christmas season is so magical for kids, and I am so thankful that we were able to play a part in blessing some of our sweet Evans' kids.
On snow days-- I was a little stressed/bummed about missing school for three days, just because there is already so much to do and teach and so little time, but I decided to enjoy every minute of the days at home with my sweet little girl. We spent time playing and cuddling, shopping, and baking. Eden saw snow for the first time, and she kept wanting to touch it and put her face in it. It was sweet. We spent two of the days shopping with my mom and we were able to get most of our Christmas shopping done.
On Elvis the Elf- Our class Elf showed up to school last week, and the kiddos named him Elvis. So far, he has climbed into our Christmas tree, hung from the top of the promethean board, tp'd the Christmas tree, dove into the skittles jar, and brought us donut bank airbrushed holiday cookies. The kids get so excited each day looking for Elvis. It is so much fun!
Today, I am trying to be productive--cleaning, finishing up wrapping, and getting things ready for the Christmas party with Erin and Cassie tonight. Sure will miss the other 3, who aren't able to make it this year. Eden is in Santa Claus. My brother picked her up to take her in the Santa Claus parade on the Holiday World trolley, but then it ended up being too cold, so she is at my parents' house spending some time with them, until they bring her back later this evening. Tomorrow Miss E will meet Santa for the first time, we are going to the St. Peter's church Christmas dinner, and we are going to the light show at Lake Rudolph.
Feeling very blessed each day for so many reasons, and trying my best not to take a single second of it for granted.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
'Tis the Season
My last post was over 5 months ago. Boy how time has flown. I have been enjoying every little moment with my sweet little girl who is growing and gaining more and more personality each day, it seems. The holidays are quickly upon us, and this year they hold an even more special meaning for me, because I get to experience it all through Eden's eyes. I get to experience the awe as she reaches for the twinkle lights on the Christmas tree in her room, the excitement over shiny paper, boxes, and toys, her intent listening as we read her the Christmas story for the first time, her peaceful snoring after she has fallen asleep to the sound of her new Christmas lullaby cd. I can't wait to make her a part of all of our Christmas traditions.
They also seem even more special this year, because of trials that my family has gone through in the past few months, and will continue to go through over the years, and the tragedy and sadness that seems to be never ending in the world around us. I am realizing now just how precious and special family is, and I treasure every moment that I get to spend with them. This world is a broken world, that will not be restored or renewed until Christ comes back for us, but I believe that that special feeling that only comes around Christmastime is a teeny tiny sliver of what heaven will be like.
'Tis the season to remember all that we have to be thankful for, to focus on the gifts God has given us and to give to others less fortunate than us, and to thank him for his Son Jesus. 'Tis the season for get togethers with family and friends, egg nog, and cheese balls, laughter, and stories. 'Tis the season for decorating the house, drinking hot chocolate, watching Christmas movies. 'Tis the season for peppermint mochas, cookie baking, and Christmas cards. 'Tis the season for elf on the shelf and Santa's first visit to the Bowman house. 'Tis the season that truly is the best time of the year.
They also seem even more special this year, because of trials that my family has gone through in the past few months, and will continue to go through over the years, and the tragedy and sadness that seems to be never ending in the world around us. I am realizing now just how precious and special family is, and I treasure every moment that I get to spend with them. This world is a broken world, that will not be restored or renewed until Christ comes back for us, but I believe that that special feeling that only comes around Christmastime is a teeny tiny sliver of what heaven will be like.
'Tis the season to remember all that we have to be thankful for, to focus on the gifts God has given us and to give to others less fortunate than us, and to thank him for his Son Jesus. 'Tis the season for get togethers with family and friends, egg nog, and cheese balls, laughter, and stories. 'Tis the season for decorating the house, drinking hot chocolate, watching Christmas movies. 'Tis the season for peppermint mochas, cookie baking, and Christmas cards. 'Tis the season for elf on the shelf and Santa's first visit to the Bowman house. 'Tis the season that truly is the best time of the year.
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