Growing Up

My baby is three and a half years old today.  She has reached another milestone, which means that I have as well.  I no longer have children who call me to get them out of bed in the morning.  Until recently, Lily-Anna has loudly called out, "Mommy," or "Daddy" upon awaking in the morning.  I would go to her and get her out of bed and perhaps cuddle on her chair.  Now she comes out on her own, unless it's still during the night, in which case I am awoken when she yells my name.  After I help her with something such as fixing covers, she'll ask, "Is it wake up time yet?"  She'll go back to sleep if it's not time.  When she does wake up in the morning she'll find me and give me a hug.

During the first major snow this year when the kids woke up and snow covered everything, they were outside in their pajamas (and coats and boots, etc) before 6:30 in the morning.  It was dark out.  We then had hot chocolate to celebrate.  The boys have been excited to shovel some snow and earn some money.   

First snow early in the morning

I realized tonight that in ten years Isaac will be 19 (almost)!  Wow - it's definitely going by too quickly.  His birthday will soon be here and for the first time he will not be having a friends birthday party in our home.  We're going bowling.  His first choice was a home birthday but I didn't think we had room for 10+ boys running around and this was also the first year that I couldn't come up with a theme.  While we have great memories of the last four birthday parties, I must say that there is a lot less work for a party outside the home.  We are actually going to put up our Christmas tree tomorrow afternoon (we've never been able to do that before Isaac's party before due to space).  It is a nice blessing to be able to focus on Christmas earlier.  Isaac has always wanted that too so it's a win-win.

I think I've mentioned that I've been going to a parenting class each week.  Last week was the last class.  We have a ways to go but Graham and I are both trying to improve our parenting and we are seeing some positive results.  I am excited about our weekly family meetings.  We have had four meetings now.  We start with everyone giving everyone else a compliment or a thank-you.  Last week Kohen couldn't wait to start and told Graham how patient he had been at something.  We also plan a fun family activity which meant we were all at the skating rink last week during which Lily-Anna skated for the first time.  I thought she did well for her first time, though she doesn't want to return any time soon.  We also come up with a proposed solution to some issue going on and we enjoy some ice cream together. 

First skate

Hot chocolate and goodies and Grandma and Grandpa Lucas' home

One night I could hear that Kohen wasn't happy after lights out.  I went to see what the problem was:
Mommy: What's the matter?
Kohen: I want to have kids but I don't want to get married.
Mommy: Why don't you want to get married?
Kohen: I don't want to get separated.
Mommy: Why would you be separated?
Kohen: Daddy said we won't stay married in heaven.

**

Kohen is in Isaac's locker

From the washroom one day I could hear Kohen and Lily-Anna.  They were under the kitchen table apparently having a secret prayer meeting.  I heard Kohen thanking Jesus for dying for them.

**

Lily-Anna made up a game trying to land hangers on the stairs

Lily-Anna and I were walking back to the van after dropping the boys off at school and waving goodbye.
Lily-Anna: Mommy, can I have a piece of pretend gum?
Mommy: Sure.  Here you go.
Lily-Anna: Thank you Mommy.

**

Lily-Anna likes to send emojis to Graham at work.  We took at photo of her lunch plate which looked like a face and was made out of vegetables.  We were sending it to Graham.
Mommy: Is there something you want to say to Daddy?
Lily-Anna: I like crowns.
Mommy: Is there something you want to say about daddy?
Lily-Anna: Daddy, you love me.
Mommy: Anything else you'd like to say about Daddy?
Lily-Anna: Daddy, I hope you are having a great meeting.

**

This was news to me but Isaac told us this week that when he eats coloured candies such as Smarties or Skittles he organizes them and eats them in the order of ROYGBIV.

**

Kohen was excited to give Lily-Anna his old pajamas

It's time to say goodnight to November.  Thanks for any prayers.  May you and yours enjoy a wonderful Advent and Christmas season, celebrating the birth of Jesus our Saviour and anticipating a future glorious. 

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.