The Day After Christmas

We seriously had a great Christmas this year! All month we tried to make it a special point to teach our kiddo's the true meaning of Christmas and I think that's why we could really enjoy the season so much ourselves. "Jesus" came to pick up the box they filled with toys to give away, and they found some new toys in it's place Christmas morning. We had an awesome time with both of our families. The kids did get spoiled maybe a little too much by the grandparents... but, that's just the way it is I guess!! Actually mom and dad got spoiled too.... we recieved a Wii and an awesome IPOD dock... we appreciate the gifts soooo much and love them!! The girls have loved staying home all day today to play with their new stuff. Christmas Eve we cooked up some food and went to enjoy a meal that Kacie Ellis had planned for those who needed it or wanted it. We sat with a lovely couple from Cannelburg and had good conversation and some laughs. Well, the girls and I did... Nathanial was busy setting up his new blog.... thejesuschallenge.blogspot.com, he'd be thrilled if you check it out.

Here are some pics from the night of Ava's preschool program!

She was sooooo excited to get to wear her Christmas dress Aunt Shelli bought her!





Backtracking a little, Aspen turned 2 on the 19th!! I can't believe it! She is so much fun right now and so smart!! She's pretty much got the potty training thing down, as long as she wants to anyway. You just never know what mood she's gonna be in.... but we have definately been saving money by not buying as many diapers!!! That makes momma happy! She is putting words together and kindof speaking in sentences.... like: Mommy, bobbi (paci), pink. Yeah, yeah,yeah.... we shouldn't still have the bobbi.... but i've become quite the softie in that area! She was so excited to open gifts this year! I love watching her face light up! She LOVES to read books, and rip pages out of books as well.








Aspen's new ride!!

My little baldie!!

Loving her chubby cheeks!!!

Ava with her favorite Christmas present!

worth watching

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkTyPzRzuwc

This video is really a good expression of what we've been feeling.

Nathanial found this video last year I think and I love it too. But I still struggle with wanting to buy a lot of "stuff". Last night we went Christmas shopping and it was NOT fun.... not that I'm ever a good shopper though!! :) But seriously, it's hard to go for a few things because I want A LOT!!! Then I get overwhelmed with decisions and end up mad and getting nothing! So annoying!!! I'm all in the Christmas spirit until I go shopping! Isn't that the opposite of most people?? I think I'll stick to shopping at "It's a wonderful life" for the remainder of my gifts. I love that store!

Tis the Season

Written by the husband this time :) (you can probably tell!)

Well, the Christmas season is upon us. As parents, this time of the year presents us with so many challenges and joys. We always try to engage whatever culture we live in with a critical eye and present creative alternatives when we feel there may be a better way. We refuse to let commercials and consumerism hijack the celebrations we cherish. We're experimenting with our own family traditions. This is what we've come up with so far:


Instead of shopping on Black Friday, we observe Buy Nothing Day. This year we all had breakfast together, read stories, and started decorating. We talked with our kids about what Christmas really meant, and told the parable of the sheep and the goats. Jesus said "whatever you do to the least of these, that you do unto me." In that spirit, we got out a large box and asked the kids if they would want to give any of their toys to kids who might not have or get very much. They had tons of fun and put a lot of thought into what they chose. They filled up the box with toys, and mommy and the girls wrapped it together.

We've bought an Advent calendar, and the girls enjoy taking turns opening it each day and reading the bible verse with it.

We thought that maybe it was hypocritical to celebrate the birth of the guy who said "sell your possessions and give to the poor" by purchasing new possessions and giving them to the rich. We decided to either create gifts, make donations in someone's name, or, if we do buy something, buy local or fair-trade items.


We've limited the gifts we purchase for our kids. We each choose one smaller gift for each girl, and then we'll get one larger gift for the whole family.


Last night we went caroling at a few nursing homes with Miriam and Jordan Briggaman, Andre and Mandi Knepp, and Brianne and John Davidson. The kids seemed to have a blast and were definitely a blessing.

We're still trying to figure it all out, but we mainly want our celebration and anticipation to bring glory and honor to the One whom we anticipate and celebrate. Hopefully we'll make some fond memories along the way.

Pictures from the last few weeks.


A typical evening at the Rainey house.

Ava and Aspen "swimming at the Y." Aspen is in the pool.
Penny helping Than make breakfast burritos.

Some of our group of carollers.

The girls after carolling at Mandi and Andre's for hot chocolate and marshmallows.

Adopt A Jesus

If your looking for something to do tonight I would sugget going to the Cherry Ghost Coffee House in Washington. Brandt Russo will be there showing the documentary that he's in and sharing about it. Music before hand with the documentary starting around 7:45 I think. Saw it last night, we had a great time. He's also raising $15,500 to help deworm kids in Africa (so they can absorb nut...rition) and he's not eating until it's raised. It's been 6 days today. adoptajesus.com, check it out.

Adopt A Jesus

Time for catch up!

Time for a little catching up!!! We had an elephant and a ladybug this year for Halloween. We honestly didn't make it to too many places. The girls were tired and getting in and out of carseats wasn't the most fun for them! They did enjoy showing off their costumes for a little while though, and got PLENTY of candy in those few stops!!

Adara had her 4 week well-visit. She weighed 8lbs 9oz, and was 21.5 in long. She has jumped up to the 50th% from the 25th% just 2 weeks ago. She is growing and changing so fast. She is awake so much more now and focusing on things and people around her. She is such a joy to our family.... we already can't imagine life without her! Her sister's are such a big help and adore her as you will see in the next pictures!!

Aspen and Ava are shooting some kind of wild animal here.

And here they are lifting weights together! I never knew tinker toys could be so many different things. Ava also made me a cane yesterday when we played little red riding hood so i could be the grandma. I think I've seen a dog-house made of tinker toys this week too!

My maternity leave has really let us just enjoy this time together as a family. Mostly it's the girls and I as Nathanial has been pretty busy with different things, so we spend a lot of time at home or go to my parents during the day to play. Life has slowed down, and honestly, sometimes I feel like it's a little too slow. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE to sit and hold Adara and watch the girls play but we get a little antsy at times. I know I will regret saying this someday, when the girls are older and we are pulled every direction with activities and sports... so I am gonna try and just enjoy. Maybe I need to get a little crafty?? The friends that we worked with in India are coming in this weekend. They will be speaking at our church on Sunday morning and then Monday night we are having a casual soup and sandwich dinner and they will be sharing more about missions, their lives and ministry, and India. That will be at 6:30 at our church, because the response is a little too large to have at our house. If you would like to come please just leave a comment...We would love to see you there!

My two puppies!

Playdough ice cream cones at Mamaw's... they were ALL business!

Fall Fun

Just a quick photo/video update.

Adara Hope's first bath at home. Everything was going smoothly until both sisters decided to help. Luckily their "help" only resulted in a dropped camera and wet pajamas.

Pen loves to climb the trees in the orchard at Nana's

Is that joy or fear on her face? Who knew a pile of cast off plant parts could be so much fun?

A doggy prayer circle and a sample of tonight's fun.

Adara Hope Rainey

INTRODUCING ADARA HOPE RAINEY

BORN OCT. 12, 2009 AT 11:02 A.M.

6 lbs 10 oz, 20 1/2 in.

WELCOMED HOME BY

AVA FAITH & ASPEN GRACE

YIKES!

If I didn't look like a sick, tired person I would post a pic of my prego body for the last time.... maybe last time anyway!! I'm freaking out a bit and wondering how I will EVER sleep tonight. My girls went to their grandparents to spend the night, and I am crazy sad that they will just seem so much bigger tomorrow!!! But excited to meet our new addition at the same time. I love this baby so much, and sometimes it seems a little scary giving birth... just trusting that all is well and we have a healthy baby growing inside. That will be a relief after tomorrow for sure.... it seems very active, but I can't wait to see the little bundle and hear that first cry. I could go on and on.... my mind sure is!! But I think I need to pick up the house and see to all the last minute things I guess!!! May tomorrow just get here already!!!

No later than the 12th.

Well, it looks as if baby Rainey will be here no later than this coming Monday. Dr. says it's time to get this baby out! The baby is measuring small, less than the 10th percentile so he doesn't want me to go any longer than that. Anyway, as luck would have it I have developed a pretty nasty cold today and am pretty miserable, so I believe I am going to try to get some rest. I am thinking my next post will be an introduction to baby Rainey... can't wait to see what the little punkin is!

Praise the Lord!!

First of all... Nathanial and I had really been praying for baby to do it's little flip, but I had finally come to terms with the whole situation. I know God is in control, and obviously a healthy baby is of the utmost importance to us..... so I finally had calmed down and realized it would all be okay. Then a few days later I noticed that even though most of the movements still felt the same, the hiccups I felt were extremely low.... too low for a breech baby! So ultrasound confirmed that baby had indeed flipped over! Thank you Lord!!! Now, just stay put! If I have this one as early as I did Aspen, it would come on October 9th. I'm so excited! Everytime I go into a store I think I NEED to know what this child is... the suspense is killing me... but it's so FUN at the same time!

We did family pics with Brittany last night... can't wait to see them! I'm sure they will be great!

Ava started pre-school and soccer. She, of course, loves school and her teacher Ms. Jamie! She would go everyday if she could and has actually told me she wants to go to Cardinal Care when she's not at school instead of staying home! That made me kind of sad... I thought we had fun together! Soccer.... well.... isn't going so well. She gets so excited about it, and then it never fails that she gets knocked down and it's all downhill from there. We've tried to explain to her that it's just part of the game but it hurts her feelings and then she just stands on the field and refuses to play the rest of the game!! I don't think it helps that her daddy is the coach! She's so tender-hearted and I don't want to punish her for that, but I do want her to try her hardest and have a good time! I'm not sure how to handle that. We might just have to stick with dance and gymnastics... I don't know!

First day of school, 2009

Sweetie Pen cheering her sister on!

Aspen is growing like a little weed and starting to put words together into little sentences. She is definately coming out of her shell and doing so well staying with other people. A couple of weekends she and Ava spent the night at one grandma's and then the other the next night and Aspen was all about it! She didn't mind being away from us at all. I'm glad that she is doing so well, but a tiny part of me liked her being so clingy! It feels good to know your kids love so much!

All of the Rainey great-grandchildren with their Grammie!

I'm sure more has gone on, but I can't think of anymore so I'm just gonna post some pics and be done! I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful day with time outdoors!

This may seem a little silly....

but this stubborn child in my belly is refusing to flip over!!! I'm 32 weeks on Wednesday, and yes, I know we still have plenty of time to flip...I also know that the odds are getting slimmer with each passing day!!! I also know that a C-Section would not be the end of the world but for some reason I'm a little terrified by the thought!! So, if anyone who might be reading this would just say a quick prayer for our baby to please flip over so we can hopefully avoid any surgery I would soooo appreciate it!!! Thanks!!

Last day of summer vacation!!

Well, today is the last official day of summer vacation for Nathanial..... poor guy! Or poor us?? Not sure, the small amount of time that he has been home this summer has been great, but he is one busy person!! Anyway he has requested that I post an update with some pics from Holiday World. He actually wrote the last post, if anyone noticed. He writes so much better than I do! I have been totally slacking on keeping pictures updated, baby books wrote in, and blog updated since all the moving and being pregnant. I'm so sorry to my children!! It doesn't mean mommy loves you any less! I find myself watching them and thinking to myself, "I'm going to cherish this moment and remember it forever!", but we all know that memories do fade and I need to capture the moment either with words or pictures!!!

So.... here goes!

First off I'll share some pics of how well Aspen enjoyed her day! She was not a fan of any rides except the carousel! It was the ONLY one she didn't scream on!

Ava of course had to try the rockclimbing wall she found.... practicing for her future occupation of "rockclimbing girl".

This pic is from one of the days mommy had to work and daddy made breakfast... the "baby" pancakes were a hit!!

Last but not least a certain someone decided all of a sudden to quit sucking her thumb. As much as mommy wishes we could take it back, she had been promised a puppy if she quit. So as you might guess, here is Ava with her new puppy Jessie. Jessie is the puppy who has finally quit crying through the night but still poops and pees where she pleases.... if we ever get this dog trained I will be surprised. If anyone has any tips I'm accepting any advice I can get. I think one of the main problems is the lack of consistancy from us.... but you know, my kids take priority of the dog, as well as sleep. It's one thing to get up to take care of the girls, but to let the dog out at 3am... sorry Jessie! But the girls do love her, Aspen loves to "hold her", but I'm pretty sure the puppy runs from her usually!!