Awwww

Yesterday in the car, David calls from the backseat. "Mommy, Christmas is not even about giving. It's about loving."

I am thankful for those moments when I feel like I'm doing something right as a parent.

On Christmas

Another year has passed so quickly. It's hard to believe. David & Tyler are 5. They were reading stories to us this year. Where has the time gone? It's especially hard to believe since Wes is celebrating his first Christmas with us this year, already at 4 months old. It reminds of the fact that my boys were that small. While it seems like only yesterday, it also seems like so long ago. Watching the boys open their presents and light up at watching Santa on Norad has been a treat this year. The wonder and excitement with which they live leaves me filled with awe and inspiration, and even a bit of remorse. I'm adding some pics of our family time together, if nothing else as a reminder of what Christmas really means to me. Happy birthday Jesus. Thank you for my beautiful family.

Christmas Time Is Here

Tonight our church held an impromptu Christmas Pageant. No rehearsal. No assigned parts. It was perfect. With a narrator telling the story of the first Christmas, little kids and grown ups joined the story as it unfolded before us. It captured the heart-felt confusion of the time and the joy and wonder, as you watched children staring into the manger at the baby in complete awe. Songs were a capella and rang through the church like the voices of the angels themselves. We wrapped it up with a birthday party for Jesus. I couldn't ask for anything better!

School Work... school work

So, I just wanted to share that my students at school are doing some amazing things :) They are now participating in a class blog and our class wiki. Check it out!

http://hineshelpers.pbwiki.com
http://kellyhines.wordpress.com

Also, check out my professional musings at

http://keepingkidsfirst.wordpress.com

Happy Halloween! I hope you all had a safe and happy Halloween 2008!

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Remembering things I don't want to forget :)

I always think I'll remember the funny things that my kids say and do... and then I don't. Maybe this will share some joy and help me remember!

1. Riding in the car not too long ago, Tyler kept passing gas in the backseat. Finally I was fed up and lit into him to stop, lecturing about manners and such. He looked at me, in all seriousness, and said "But Mommy, I have to let the air out."
2. Eating Chef Boyardee ravioli for lunch yesterday, David looked at me and said "This is just like my grandmother used to make." The funny thing is that it IS just like his grandmother used to make. Ha!
3. As I was heading downstairs from putting everyone to bed this week, David says, "Mommy. I have a confession to make." You can only imagine my fear. "I am disappointed in myself," he continues. "I shouldn't have been on 'cloudy' today at school. Tomorrow I will look deep into my heart of hearts and do better. I promise."
4. Going to bed tonight, I hear called down the stairs, "Daddy! Tell Tyler to be quiet! I'm trying to get my beauty sleep!"
5. Sitting at a local pizza restaurant last week, David picks up a large piece of pizza, holds it to his mouth and says "Come to Papa!"
6. Riding to school last night before football, Tyler says very dramatically, "There are 3 things that I hate." After a dramatic pause, he continues, "Rattlesnakes. Spiders.... and Mustard!"
7. The other morning, Tyler got himself dressed for school by putting on jeans and a collared shirt. We reminded him that the school says we can't wear jeans to school. He promptly responded with "No it doesn't. The school can't talk!" All we were missing was a head pop and a hand on his hip!
   

Baby Time

Well, I'm an aunt. OK, so how weird is that? I can't believe that my little sister (ok, so she's not so little but she'll always be that to me) has had a baby. Lauren delivered Wesley James McConaughay at 4:06 PM on Wednesday, July 30, 2008. He was 8 lbs and 19 3/4 inches long. He is a gorgeous little man! Lauren and baby are doing fabulously. David and Tyler are so excited about their new baby cousin. What a blessing!