A little heart.

I must admit that I am somewhat deficient in blogging. While I post pictures and give a run down of the almost exciting events of our life, I lack the "heart" that makes the greats great. Don't misinterpret me, I do not want to be a great. Granted, I once watched Julie and Julia, a story about an ordinary person gone great through heart-full blogging, but this is not my inspiration for this post. I have been doing some self-examination for awhile now (I'll spare you the gritty, self-absorbed details) and I have come to determine that maybe I need to show a little bit of my heart to my "fans" (read: my mother [who, God bless her soul, is excited about all I do], my 4ish friends who like to stay in touch via blogs and the family who read to get the digs on the busy boys).

The only dilemma, now, is what to write about? When it comes down to it I am ordinary to say the least. A stay at home mom who does an adequate job keeping the house work tamed as well as her toddlers' tempers. Nothing less, nothing more.

I suppose there is a part of me that likes presenting a pretty picture. When people come to my house I clean like a mad women and close the doors on the messes that cannot be solved before you arrive. The same is true in my blogs. Isn't it for all of us? We want people to view our best side and so we present ourselves as such and hope that no one can see the nooks and crannies that haven't yet been cleansed. And yet, to be human, to be Christian, to be me, is to be a mess. But that is another blog.

I merely mean to say that I am venturing out from just reporting the facts. We live an emotional, messy life and there is much to be learned from each other. I have been inspired by friends who are brave enough to show who they are. Who turn a blind eye to impending judgment and just be themselves, say what they think, give no excuse for the truth and bare a portion of their messy souls in order to be authentic and sincere. I am a mess, but with God's grace and provision He is righting me and I want to be open enough to share some of that process with you, not just my "pretty pictures."

Happy Birthday Jaxter!

Another birthday. =) Well, technically its another party, the birthday is tomorrow.

We were so blessed and thankful to have most our family down to our house for a big family lunch, presents, cake and ice cream. Grandma and Gramps came down last night and helped with the preparation while A.Corrina, U. Maury, Nanannette and Grandpa came down this morning to help us celebrate. We all squeezed into our dining room for the birthday boy's current favorite meal: noodles and a came-out-pretty-well Cookie Monster birthday cake.

The big boy awoke to a decorated house. A long tradition from my childhood that we are continuing. They are always so impressed with the streamers. =)

Another childhood tradition continued: breakfast present. This one from Mom and Dad.

Birthday boy's cake: Cookie Monster cake.

The 'everyone else' cookie cake.

Opening presents.

Big wagon from Gramps and Grandma. Notice, though, the lack of sparkle in the should-be-napping-birthday-boy's eyes. He went to bed right after this picture for 3 hours.

Other recent happenings in the household...

High School Concert featuring Marc with a Santa hat, rare.

Snow angels in freshly fallen snow.

Happy bath boys.

Fun toddler version of Twister. Match color to body part. =)

Another fun toddler activity: makeshift slide.

Winter (read: COLD) parade of lights.

Our first family Christmas tree. We don't usually get one for numerous reasons but this year we did and the boys really like it.