Noon Years Celebrations

 Let us not discuss the fact that it has taken me 14 days to get these pictures on the internet;)  Then again, I have trouble not discussing things so....

New Years is supposed to be a fresh start, an energized beginning filled with resolutions about how you'll do things right.  The problem when you travel between Christmas and New Years is that you start your "fresh start" way behind.  Forget about the new beginning and getting ahead, I've been trying to crawl out from under my pile of "to dos" just to catch up;)  Last week I was so overwhelmed, I didn't know where to start, it was almost paralyzing.  I just don't function well in disorder!  I am so thankful my overwhelming stall happened to occur right before my sister's schedule visit.  She was just the shot of energy I needed, not to mention the girl is an organizing guru.  She gave me an amazing head start on catching up;)  Today I am finishing.  There is light at the end of the tunnel.  For me, Monday is my personal "fresh start";)

Back to the post topic and away from the tangents I am sure to become famous for....

We were still in Philadelphia area for New Years.  On New Year's Eve, we planned an alternate celebration with the kids, stealing an idea from the Children's Ministry Director at our old church.  Instead of counting down until midnight, we counted down until 12 noon.

We sat down and celebrated things we are thankful for or proud of from 2011.  Then we set "goals" for 2012.  We wrote them in tiny cards that I have saved.  We will reread them on New Years Eve next year and celebrate those goals we have achieved.  All are written in persons own words, parenthesis are my explanation;)

2011
Marc
- Very proud of celebrating 11 years of marriage
-Came back to Center on Christ with a TOUGH year at work with successful work across multiple areas
-Became the Awana Commander
-Built strong people relationships at Johnsonville
-(financially related)
-Finished the year strong with work, family, and ministry

Kim
-started Thrive officially at church
-got the opportunity to get involved with Community Health Nursing at Church
-stuck with Trainer and Weight Watchers and lost over 15 lbs., hit size goal
-completed purpose statement for self and marriage
-started silly suppers
-succeeded in making Easter and Advent, stress free and focused on Christ

Ava
-learned how to hula hoop
-started kindergarten
-learning to play nice with my friends
-started girl scouts
-learning a lot about God and memorizing lots of verses
-got ears pierced and didn't even cry!
-had a good ballet recital
-learned to do the trapeze at Club Med
-Passed level 2 swimming

Phin
-complete potty training!
-have lots of new toys and little cars
-can change clothes by himself
-wears underwear
-plays with Papa's iPhone all by himself and knows how to take pictures on it (he knows how to do everything one it- it's rather frightening;)
-knows letter and numbers (this is a stretch, but it is what he says.  He cans say them all for sure, but only recognizes some by sight;)

Chloe (our best guesses- she did not say any of this;)
-learned to walk and run
-got tubes in hear ears and has had no more problems since!!!
-feeds herself
-learned to sleep through the night
-grew nice curly blond hair that is
-has many words and gestures!
-starting to sing (on tune!) and loves to dance

2012
Marc
-Do a wisdom/proverbs study
-Hit and maintain ____ lbs. (I think the exact number is probably not something he'd appreciate me writing;)
-Fast at least monthly
-Develop the "inheritance list"- a timeline of things I want to accomplish with or pass on to my children
-Develop and execute one weekend away with Kim and four dates (I am usually the planner, so he is basically saying he is going to step up and help with the date thing...we'll go out more than 4 times, don't worry- this is just what HE will be responsible for;)
-Finish reading Bringing Up Girls
-Build a disciplined operational plan for my team/dept.
-Read and finish 2 key business books

Kim
-Get up before children for quite time...
-exercise at least 3 times a week
-quit drinking Diet Coke
-Finish Parrish Nursing Course
-Be intentional about keeping our schedule simple and saying, "no" when needed
-Getting home organized and back in order
-getting back on regular menu planning and cooking
-Taking more time to do hair and make up and care for self
-Limiting time on computer and TV in evenings and getting to bed ON TIME

Ava
-sleep better (she's had trouble going to bed, we often find her hiding in her closet playing, etc.)
-Ride a two wheeler
-Learn to read (she technically can read, but it doesn't come quickly yet- still a lot of phonetically sounding it out)
-Drink out of glass cups more often (this one was my favorite;)

Phin
-Play Soccer
-Go to school
-Wear grown up clothes and be more like a grown up
-Bike pedal with training wheels (he doesn't know how to pedal a bike.  As coordinated as this kid is, he just either can't do it or is lazy- we aren't sure.  Hopefully this goal setting will help eliminate the lazy thing;)

Chloe (or rather "mama's best guess)
-decrease number of temper tantrums;)
-get rid of pacifier
-potty train if ready
-talk in sentences (she'll probably hit this one by March, she's a little chatter box!)

 Hats, blowers, and lei's for all!

 Then I set up our Countdown activity.  I wrote 2012 on large piece's of bubble wrap, one for each person, and placed them in a large circle.

 With blowers in hand....

  

  We stood outside the bubble wrap circle and counted down until noon....

 

  Then we "jumped into the new year", by jumping onto our bubble wrap and went to town poppin' bubbles.

  You can never go wrong with bubble wrap;)

  

 I wouldn't want to spend New Years with anyone else;)

Why I am not a Supermom...

I have had a few comments on here, facebook, or in person about how "amazing" I am because of some of the activities I do with my kids.  Everytime someone says, "You are amazing" or "You really ARE a Supermom!".  I feel like an impostor.  I think it is good to celebrate our strengths so I have no problem admitting that I am really good at planning fun things.  As I've mentioned before, it's my favorite part of motherhood.  I put an obscene amount of time and effort into my children's birthday parties.  I don't do it because I think it's expected.  I know they actually don't appreciate it quite yet.  I do it because I LOVE it.  Sure, it gives them a fun day, but there is also a self motivation in there.  I get to craft and create and I love that sort of thing.  It gives me an "excuse" to push other things aside in the name of a good celebration.

The problem with this being what people SEE is that they automatically assume I am a good mother.  Why does this make me a good mother?  If I fail in all other areas, I am guessing my kids would actually resent the parties and silly suppers.  Those are such a small piece of what makes a successful mom.  I am still learning and failing and growing in most areas of motherhood.  I do take great pride in the things I am good at; it helps balance the feelings of failure I struggle with on a daily basis.

After completing my mission statement, the thing that stuck out to me was the need to be INTENTIONAL about achieving what I want to achieve as a christian, wife, and mom.  The silly suppers and holiday celebrations are easy for me to be intentional about.  It's much harder for me to be intentional about pursuing godly interactions with my kids.  I struggle with selfishness and hate that many days I count down precious minutes until bedtime.  I hate that sometimes I'd rather be blogging or on facebook that seizing these precious days with my Itty Bittys!  It's harder to make sure I am pointing them to scripture and taking time to help them understand their hearts motivation.  I struggle with finding myself just focusing on behavior.  Often, when I go before God and let him examine my heart, I have to confess before him and to myself that my motivation for behavior correction is often selfish.  I am strict and that is fine- but when I am motivated by my own convenience or embarrassment, it's wrong.  I struggle with caring more about my children's behavior than their hearts.  I easily lose perspective and need to refocus.  Motherhood for the most part is difficult for me.  I do find it easier over time, I do find myself delighting in it more now than ever, but I have so far to go, such room to grow!

I want to be authentic.  I don't want to over correct and give you the impression that I am a horrible mother.  I know I am not.  I am just a real person- with plenty of faults mixed in with my strengths.  I am on a journey folks and I fall in pot holes on a regular basis.  I honestly sometimes think I am completely unable to raise these children.  I find myself saddened with the reality that no matter how hard I try, I will be imperfect.  I wonder what baggage my imperfections will be for my kids; how will imperfections in our family carry over into their own?  The task can be daunting and if I focus on the task, I can find myself paralyzed.    I am learning daily that the key is not to focus on the task but on the One who has assigned it to me.  If I can keep my eyes on Christ, he gives me just what I need.  He gives me wisdom to speak life giving words, to point my kids toward him, to examine my own motives and behavior.  I am so flawed it's ridiculous...any good that comes out of this home is solely due to Christ's gracious work in my life.  I am no supermom.  I wish I didn't even WANT to be....see the very struggle with being a wannabe is struggling with wanting YOU to think that of me.  I refuse to struggle with that- it's the whole purpose of my title.  I want to authentically tell you I am so far from the supermom.  I am completely unable to be.  Whenever I try to achieve supermom status, I end up failing and even damaging my family in the process.

The prayer of my heart is that you can rejoice with me in my strengths but not compare them to your weaknesses...cuz then you'll find me comparing your strengths to MY weaknesses.  That only results in us all feeling insignificant and inferior.  Instead let's journey and learn from one another and just be honest...we are all flawed beings desperately in need of grace.  Let's rejoice in one another successes and support one another in our weakness.

Sesame Place

Who would of thunk it?  Our week spent in Philly from 12/12 to 1/2 was warm as could be.  The kids were able to feed ducks, ride around in my Father-in-law's golf cart, and enjoy the 50 degree bliss.  The highlight of the week for the kids by far was the ability to visit Sesame Place!  Sesame Place is typically a summer theme park- bursting with water rides.  This year, however, they were opened from December to 1/3.  They had plenty of rides geared towards little kids and shows...and of course, live meet ups with the characters.  We never go to Philly in the summer, so this was a first experience for my kids.  It is the "off season"...so lines were short, but fun was long;)  The visit happened to occur on our 11 year wedding anniversary and I couldn't help but think how blessed we are- we are still crazy in love with one another, but have three itty bitty's we're crazy about too.  Life is amazing.

 11 years and 3 kids later....

 BERT and ERNIE!!!

 The Carousel

 Sesame Street Christmas- onstage

 Phin, Ava, Grandpa Babb, and myself on the swings (Can I just take a minute to say I was internally FREAKED out that Phin was tall enough for these things?  I was sure he'd get scared and try to climb out, but no such occurence- he showed me he truly is a big boy.)

 Babb, Marc, Phin and Ava climbing to the top of the ropes course.  Phin is so small and agile, his only disappointment was "everyone kept calling my name and making me wait for them."

 Grammy, Babb, Me and kiddos with ELMO and MURRAY!!!!

I thought the swings were bad...turns out he was tall enough for the roller coaster too.  He loved every minute of it and wanted to ride again.  Ava thought it was amazing too...and seriously, how many children get to ride a coaster with their 71 year old grandfather...three cheers for Babb!

Good Bye perfect day....

Birthday Party for Jesus

If you read my previous posts, you know we moved Christmas up a day due to Christmas travel plans.  On the "actual" Christmas Eve, we spent the night with my parents before flying to Philly on Christmas day for visits with Marc's family.  It was celebration, after celebration, after celebration;)

On Christmas Eve (the actual one) we had a Birthday Pary for Jesus with my parents and my niece Jordan.  I couldn't find the words to express how special it was- my kids had a blast.  My parents and Jordan were amazing at making it perfectly geared towards my children.  It completely felt like a birthday celebration.  It was just plain fun.  My heart is still gushing just thinking about it...

 Ava and Jordan Decorating the Cake

 "Happy Birthday Jesus" written by Ava (can I just tell you how much I LOVE the backwards J and S....and I am pretty sure Jesus smiled at it too!)

 The writing wasn't sufficient so they kept decorating....

 Thank God I took a picture of the writing right away, by the time Ava finished sprinkling...the writing was completely obscured;)

 

My mom actually does decorate cakes and since I was itty bitty, every time she was decorating cakes, she'd call us into the kitchen and decorate a "rose" on our finger tips purely for our delight and consumption.

The rose on my pointer finger (yes, she still decorates my finger- somethings you just never out grow;)

 Chloe had her first rose bud experience...and no surprise it didn't stay on her finger tip very long;)  Yummy

Before blowing out candles, the kids opened a gift.  We had wrapped up their musical instuments (meaning ones we already owned) and they opened them up.  We used them to sing "Happy Birthday" and a slew of other sings glorifying the Guest of Honor. 

A sample...sorry I am singing RIGHT into the camera...oops:)  (Still you get a taste of our joy;)

 We had blowers

balloons

a banner;)

We all blew out the candles together.

Could there be any birthday more precious than that of our precious Jesus?

Pause

After regularily blogging through Advent, it feels weird to have such a lengthy lapse of time between posts.  I feel the need to explain myself, and yet also know that need is certainly self imposed.

We have been away visiting my in laws for post Christmas and the New Year.  I have lots of fabulous things to post- Christmas Eve (on the real day) with my parents for a Happy Birthday Jesus Party, a visit to Sesame Place in Philly and our "Noon" Years Eve party with my kids and in laws.  It will all get posted in due time, but for today I am placing life on pause.  I am emotionally spent post traveling and we have much to do yet to fully settle back into routine.  While tempting to put blogging and uploading of pictures at the top of my "to do"s....my children, husband, and yes, even myself will need to come first.  I will slowly post things in the order in which they occurred or in a flash of late night energy post through it all at once, but for today, I will take a deep breath, use my kiddos nap time for personal stillness and see you, dear blogging world, when I find myself filled once again.