Viewing it from the other side

Over the years, I have been involved in countless Christmas programs. Today I was able to sit back and enjoy Tizita's Sunday School program. I had to restrain myself from running up there to take over the director's job. It felt strange to be just an observer, but I settled in to my role and thoroughly enjoyed the show. Take a look at the little star.

Next Sunday I will be back in the director's role. I pray my students can perform as beautifully as these children did today.

We also celebrated Tizita's fifth birthday. It was a wonderful celebration and I will share more on that in my next post.

Oops, I done it again

I looked down at my feet this morning about 10:00, (I just mention the time because I had already been at school for three hours) and this is what I see. Yep, I done it again! Walked out of the house with two different shoes on. And might I add, these were two very different shoes with little similarities. Ugh!
At least none of the kids or any adults noticed or if they did, they did not say anything. Of course, to a four year old, this is really not so odd.
Okay, I do this once a school year, so it is behind me now.

Let it Snow, let it snow, let it snow

This year my new classroom has windows. Can you guess what my kids are looking at out of one of the windows?

It is something pretty exciting especially to them.

It is magical in their eyes.
Did you guess?

The first snowfall of the season!

In our old classroom we didn't know if it was sunny, windy, rainy, or snowy because we had no windows, so this year as soon as the first child noticed the snow everyone had to run over to the windows and check it out. The kids were so excited and I wished that some of that excitement could rub off on me, but instead of pretty white flakes, I see shoveling, cold temps, and icy roads.

I keep hoping it will be the winter of no snow or cold, but I don't think that will happen!

Birthday party, Pops, Lis, LIghts, a Big Weekend

It is Sunday night, we are waiting for a pizza to be delivered while watching a rather stressful Packer game. Courtney, Paul, and Tizita left a bit ago and we are tired from our very full weekend spent with Tizita.
It started on Saturday morning at Mehandis' birthday party which was held at Your Big Backyard in New Berlin. Since Courtney and Paul had a big craft show in Madison, John and I were given the job of getting Tizita to the big birthday bash. I have been FB friends with Mehadis' mom and grandma for a long time now and I was very excited to meet them in person at the party. I had never heard of Your Big Backyard and I was not sure what to expect, but as usual with these kid friendly places, I was not disappointed. The building is a big warehouse which has a huge playground structure as well as many riding toys for all ages, an area for basketball, and an area for younger children. A great place for little ones to run around, climb, and have fun. The staff, especially our hostess were so helpful and friendly.

Tizita enjoyed some time with Mehandis' little brother, Aberra. He is the cutest little thing. Both Mehadis and Aberra are also adopted from Ethiopia. Aberra is actually just three weeks younger than our Natnael. That really put things in perspective for me!

Here Tiz is taking part in a lively basketball game with Mehandis and some of his other friends.

After an hour of playtime the cake was served. It was a yummy ice cream cake.

Mehandis and Tizita having some fun together.
After our fun time at the party we were off to visit Pops at the Care Center.

He had some crafts that Tizita worked on while we were there. Pops was unusually quiet and said he was missing MaryAnn. That is understandable especially at this time of the year. We hope Tizita cheered him up at least a bit.
We spent an hour or so at Alissa and Nathan's apartment. They gladly took a break from packing for their move to spend some time with Tizita. It was good to see them, they are so excited for the next chapter in their lives and so are we.

We headed over to Candy Cane Lane to check out all the beautiful lights and decorations. Tiz was thrilled to sit up in the front seat with us. The cars drive so slowly through streets of Candy Cane Lane that we figured she would be safe out of her seat.

Then it was on the the light show in Waukesha. It was awesome. We enjoyed some hot chocolate and cookies before heading home after our long day.

Santa came and filled stockings for Tizita and Natnael. Tiz was excited with all her gifts.

I also wanted to add that on Friday night we all watched the Live Nativity at St. Luke's. What a wonderful presentation about the true meaning of Christmas. We ate dinner after the nativity at El Mariachi where we were seranaded by the Mariachi band. It was a great night.

Note to Natnael - We cannot wait for you to join on all these fun activities next Christmas. Your name came up so often this weekend. We love you so much already. Stay safe and healthy. We will see you soon!

My home made Advent Calendar

Tomorrow is December 1 and for those of you who use an advent calendar, tomorrow would be the day that you would open the first door. When I was young, we always had an advent calendar that was full of glitter and had a pretty picture on it, sometimes Santa and his sleigh, sometimes Jesus in the manger. Behind each door there would be a cute little picture having something to do with Christmas. My mom always hung it on a window so the light would shine through the little windows as I opened them.
When my girls were little, we had that same kind of advent calendar until we discovered the ones with chocolate behind the little doors. These sweet ones quickly took over the plain ones.
Well, last year, while reading a favorite blog I read about an advent calendar that emphasized sharing with others as one got ready for Christmas. It took the emphasis off of the secular part of Christmas and put it back to where it belonged on Jesus and his birthday and to helping others.
There idea used small blocks for the numbers, but I used some of my scrapbook materials and created this advent calendar for Tizita. Each day she will turn over one of the numbers and follow the instructions on the back. Some days she will listen to the Christmas story from the Bible, some days she will make a present for someone and give it anonymously to them, some days she will sing Christmas carols with her family, some days she will help a neighbor with a chore, some days she will donate a toy to a needy child, donate food to a food pantry, or donate some of her clothing to St. Vinney's, one day she will say a prayer for our servicemen and send a letter of thanks to a veteran.
I did get many of the general ideas from the other blog, but I added some of my own ideas, too. I thought it was something that Courtney and Paul would like because of the emphasis it puts on helping others and spreading Christmas cheer. As Tiz turns over each number, she will find a sticker on the other side which will tell her what her task is for that day.

On the flip side of number 1 she will find holly and an ornament which tells her to put up some decorations in or outside of her house. On number 2 there is a Bible and on that day she will listen to her mama or papa read the Christmas story from the Bible.

My mom still bought her the traditional chocolate calendar and Courtney says she will be rewarded with one of those if she has performed the task of the day.

I am hoping that Tiz and Courtney and Paul will enjoy the calendar and use it for many years to come.

Happy Advent to all of you reading this. Make your hearts ready for the Savior's birth.

A New Toy for John

When John and I were first married, we purchased a nice camera. Back in those days you had to use film and get it developed, imagine... But anyway, John had quite a photographer's eye and he enjoyed taking pictures. He was very seldom on any of the photos since I could not use the camera, too fancy for me. When that camera broke, we chose not to fix it and instead bought an inexpensive point and shoot. I began to take on the role of photographer and ten cheap cameras later, some film, some digital, I asked John if he would be interested in purchasing another "nice" camera and taking up his hobby again. He said, "Yes," and the rest is history. Here he is with his new toy. It has two really cool lenses and lots of fun settings. He is enjoying the task of learning how to operate the new toy and has decided he did, indeed miss the old fancy camera. It is actually a gift from his dad, since he used some money given to us by Jack, so thanks, Jack for the wonderful gift.
I was quickly reminded of my job of holding the lens cap. Funny how things that I thought were long forgotten come back. I have again become holder of the lens as he switches them out.

We took a long walk on Saturday with the new camera in hand. John enjoyed taking lots of shots along the way. Here we are in Oak Hill Cemetery. Notice that he has a beautiful model for his photos.

We found this marriage proposal on two trees on Tivoli Island. It says, "Ash, will you marry me?" Not sure if she said, "Yes." Hope so.

The beautiful model again.

Check out this little branch that looks like a heart. We were pleased with how nicely the camera focused on this heart.

And, finally, look at this great water shot by the dam.

All in all, it was a great photography walk. I know we are both going to enjoy this new hobby, me as the lens holder and model and John behind the camera.

Merry Christmas from Heaven

As you know, John's mom died this past September. Yesterday, John's sister gave us a gift that MaryAnn had given her at least five years ago to give to us at Christmas of the year she died.
The gift was beautifully wrapped just the way that all of MaryAnn's gifts for us were wrapped. John and I could hardly wait to open it, wondering what she had wanted us to have.
Well, here is what we found!

What a wonderful reminder of her love and the fact that she will be with us as we celebrate Christmas this year in spirit as she enjoys the holiday in the best place ever!

We will miss her this Christmas, but we will have this beautiful reminder of her with us forever!