Merry Christmas

Christmas was a little different for us this year - which I guess is to be expected this year. 

We began the celebration on Christmas Eve with a birthday party for Jesus at church.  It was a church service just for the kids.  Sean gave the message, and they sang some favorite songs followed by birthday cake. 

After a brief dinner at home, we went back to church for Christmas Eve service.  The girls were real troopers and crashed when we got home.  I finished wrapping presents while Sean helped out at the late service.  It was quite a busy day for us.

On Christmas we spent the morning at home, then headed over

to celebrate with some of our Fishers Family. 

 It was great - the girls felt right at home, and I enjoyed getting to know them a little better.  We ended the day tired and happy.

Birthday Party for Jesus

Kaitlyn's preschool threw a very fun birthday party for Jesus on Thursday.   The kids were so cute, and even sang us some songs.  This time we have a video from our camera - which means it's a little shaky, but super cute!
Video of Kaitlyn singing

Our Tree :-)

After much deliberation over getting an artificial or real tree, we finally went to Home Depot and selected a nice "Kaitlyn sized" tree.  We love it!

Labels for Education

Kaitlyn's school signed up for Campbell's Labels for Education of which I am the "coordinator" for this year.  If you would like to help support her school, please clip and send me the UPC codes from the Campbells, V8, Pepperidge Farm, Swanson, Prego, or you can see List of Products that participate from their website.  The logo is the creepy Campbell's kid with a graduation cap over a circular sign that says labels for education.  It's small and you can find it next to the UPC on the box or can.  You could also just see a rectangular graphic simply with Labels for Education and an apple.

Thanks!

The Amazing Christine

Our little Christine has decided to try everything at once.  She is currently working on crawling off her belly, pulling up on something other than our hands (the diaper bag, laundry basket, her bouncy chair ...)  We have a gated area that we've affectionately named the Christine Cage which pretty much covers our entire living room. 

Christine is also getting better at eating Cheerios - less than half end up on the floor now - and loves her sippy cup.  She just figured out to swallow the water instead of letting it fall down her chin. 

She's such a beautiful addition to our family.  I just can't imagine life without our little sunshine!  Sometimes I watch my girls playing with their Daddy and am just amazed at how God has blessed us.  Sean and I just agreed that in our adult life we've never been as happy as we are right now.

Kaitlyn's Christmas Program

At the first Advent service, Kaitlyn's preschool sang for the congregation.  They were so incredibly cute.  At the beginning of the show, a very excited boy behind Kaitlyn was bouncing around.  She didn't like that, so for the first song turned around and gave him a dirty look. 
There's a small chance we'll get a link to the video on here... but for now here's a picture.  First one to find Kaitlyn gets a prize.

Snow in Houston?

Yes folks, it snowed in Houston.  It mostly melted when it hit the ground, but for a couple hours we had a beautiful white shower to gaze at.

Christmas by Candlelight

Last week I had the pleasure of attending a great event put on by the "Lady Fishers".  What I thought was going to be a festive looking room with yummy desserts and pleasant (kid free) conversation turned out to be so much more.  Each circular table was decorated to the nines by a pair of women or one woman.  I didn't have a chance to snap pictures of all the tables, but I've included the decoration on my table.  There were no paper plates or cups - they actually brought their Christmas china and dishes from home to go with the theme of the table.  One had a christmas tree in the middle.  We were entertained by the Decibelles who are a group of retired women in matching sparkly red sweaters adorned with large silver pointsettia coursages who sing Chrstmas songs acapella.  They were a hoot.  It was a great evening away from the house, with some much needed girl time!

Thanksgiving

I hope you all had a wonderful and festive Thanksgiving this year.  We did Turkey Day Texas style.  It started with a lunch/dinner at the youth guy's house which was amazing.  They were so welcoming and loving, we felt right at home.  We were excited to sample the casserole side dishes of potato caserole, squash casserole, corn casserole (all topped with cornflakes), candied yams and cornbread dressing.  It was super yummy.  Unfortunately we forgot our camera, so there are no pictures from the beginning of the day.  Bummer.  But we went home to pick it up before going to the McNamara's home for dessert.  We had a blast - especially Kaitlyn who cried when it was time to go home.  All in all it was a fabulous day.  We continue to be blessed with our "Fishers Family".  It will be sad to leave them.

 This is why Kaitlyn didn't want to go - she was playing drums on the Rock Band game

So Mary Beth got a little craft out for her.

Who says you can't make butterfly glasses on Thanksgiving? 

Christine had a great time hanging out with Jerry

... as long as he fed her Cheerios!

Christine made my night when she caught on to the kissy game. 

"Kisses for Christine" (Mommy kisses her cheek)

"Kisses for Mommy?" (she slimes me!) 

Mary Beth got a huge kick out of it which

only encouraged her to do it again!

  Daddy got one kiss... until she realized he's too prickly. 

But we got a pretty good picture anyway.

Halloween and Growing Girls

The days have been flying by and I just can't believe it's time for Christmas already.  We're all doing well, currently nobody has a cold. We started off the month with a wonderful visit from my aunt and uncle.  The girls really enjoyed the extra attention.  The weather turned very mild recently, so we are thankful for temperatures in the 70s.  It's been so nice to have the windows open after months of being shut.  We're enjoying our time here, and the lifestyle we are blessed with.  I love being around for my family instead of working, although it has taken some getting used to.

We all had a great Halloween which included a trip to the pumpkin patch, a party at preschool and trick or treating with the McNamaras (Sean's supervising pastor). 

The pumpking patch was a blast.  Kaitlyn of course rode the pony, and was all business.  If you don't know her, you'd think she was miserable, but she wanted another turn. 

Kaitlyn also got to play with a corn cannon - something we had not heard of.  they put ears of corn in an air cannon to shoot at metal figures in the field.  She did better than the adults that went before her.  Maybe she's a natral shot. 

Christine had a great time taking in the sights and smells.  She does like to be part of the action.

We were also able to get some great pictures of her to use as her 6 month photos.  She's my little sunshine.

Kaitlyn had a great time at her class party.  The kids had a parade and then a little party in their classroom.  It's so fun to see her in preschool! 

On Halloween we were invited to our pastor's home to go trick or treating.  Mary Beth took us around the neighborhood, and I think she had as much fun as Kaitlyn did.  Our little princesses were just adorable.

Christine has figured out how to sit up all by herself, and is trying to crawl.  She does rock on her hands and knees, then gets frustrated that she can't chase after Kaitlyn.  But she can scoot across the floor pretty fast if she wants something.  She's also started babbling with the /ba/ and /da/.  Her new favorite game is peek a boo where she turns her head to the side in her high chair to "hide".  She's such a little monkey! 

  Kaitlyn is still thriving in preschool and Sunday School.  We hear nothing but positive things about her, and each day she wants to know if she can go to preschool or Sunday school.  Watching her develop a relationship with God is absolutely beautiful.  We are so blessed to have the programs here for children.  Kaitlyn is also learning to write letters, and can almost spell her name independently.  She still likes to sing, and makes up songs about whatever she sees around her.  Every day is an adventure in our home.

Sean's doing great.  His natural gifts are flourishing and it's amazing to see him serving God.  The congregation seems to really like him, and he receives very positive and encouraging feedback after his sermons.  My bible study is going well, and I am very glad to have this experience.  My adult interaction consists of weekly bible study and short chats with my friends from St Louis when we time it right.  I miss my friends, and am really looking forward to seeing them next year.

We're looking forward to an exciting and busy Christmas season.  There will be several activities to report on in December.  Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Fall is here, but not in Houston

Hi Everyone,

Things have been a little off since I last wrote. Sean had bronchitis that put him out for a couple weeks, and he's still getting over it. Both girls also had colds. Somehow, I was the only one who didn't get sick. Praise God for that! Fortunately we're all healthy minus Sean's lingering cough.

We're settling in to life in Houston. Kaitlyn started preschool at the beginning of the month and is thriving. Her teacher has glowing reports of her helping the other kids and participating. She's really enjoying herself and tells us all about the Bible stories she learns and sings the songs from chapel. Her imagination continues to provide constant entertainment as she plays with her dolls and tells us stories. She's a challenge but a joy.

Christine is showing her personality. Where Kaitlyn was a firecracker from day one and commanded a room, Christine is more reserved and just happy to be here. She has a smile that lights up her whole face and makes her eyes twinkle. Kaitlyn is her favorite form of entertainment, and will only laugh for her. Christine doesn't care for tummy time, so still has no motivation to roll from her back to her tummy, but is very good at going from tummy to back. Everyday she gets better at sitting unsupported and loves to stand and play in her exersaucer. Sean thinks she'll skip crawling all together since she will put one foot in front of the other to walk while we hold her. She is also on solid food now and loves eating from a spoon. She's not crazy about the new tastes, but we're figuring out the right combination of cereal and fruit or veggies to please her pallate.

Sean is doing well with his vicarage. He has delivered great sermons, done hospital and shut in calls by himself and is training members of the congregation to be Stephen Ministers beginning tomorrow. He's really enjoying his assignment here, and the people couldn't be nicer to us. We feel very welcomed and well taken care of.

The weather here is frankly miserable, and I am very much missing this time of year in St. Louis. Fortunately it's cooled from over 100 every day to the low 90s/upper 80s. It's still very humid, but things should be just beautiful towards the end of October and continue through the winter. Other than the miserable weather, we do like the town of Sugar Land.

Please let us know how we can pray for you, and if you would pray for Sean to heal and Heather to find a niche while we're here we would appreciate that.