Diet update, bowling, and big brothers.

January has been a good month so far. Steven and I have been dieting together, which is actually kinda fun. And this low carb business works! This is the first time, other than cutting out sweets for a month, that I've done an actual diet. The beauty of this is it doesn't retrict calories, so I really haven't been hungry! I've been sad, like when I was making homemade pancakes (see my little helper in the above picture) and I had to eat a lousy excuse of a pancake made out of soy flour an almond milk. Most of the recipes from the book are good but the pancakes were a flop. Steven has done awesome, and lost twice as much as I have, I think his body was like "what in the world is going on?" Steamed broccoli with cheddar cheese is like dessert to me. And spinach smoothies are my new treat. I cant get anyone in my family to try it, though! 

 Enough about the diet, thankfully it has not consumed our lives. While I have one or two kids that are becoming helpful around the house, I still have a lot of work with this one. One of her favorite activities is now unloading the dishwasher while I'm cleaning up the kitchen. Oh well, we wont kick her out just yet for not pulling her weight. 

Steven had two speaking engagements in Richmond, VA, so we had two little family weekends this month. The first one we left in time to make a matinee movie, but got up there to find the times had changed, so we went bowling instead. It was really cute!! The kids loved it. Sadie could do it all by herself, as could Eli. D needed a little help. 

We took turns helping him roll it, and each kid got a spare all on their own! (with bumpers, or course). 

The ball rolled so slowly but he intently watched it every time. 

Mary Jo was cute onlooker. 

Big brothers are the best. Thankfully, David has done a 180 with his attitude towards Mary Jo. He actually tries to pick her up (which is discouraged, of course), he keeps a lookout for when she is climbing the stairs, and he shares toys with her. The other day Steven was trying to train her not to climb the stairs and he hurt her feelings over it - but it just devastated D, he was crying more than she was. 

Eli, on the other hand, has always been sweet to her. He lights up when he sees her and talks to her in baby talk. Here they are at Chuck E Cheese, he's holding her tight on a ride. I pray both boys are always protective of her, guiding her in this crazy, sinful world. I really want my kids to be close, now and as adults. We had the privelege of spending one of the afternoons in Richmond with the Brown family of 13, the kids ranging from 3-23. Taking our kids somewhere for an entire afternoon is usually stressful - but not at this home. Their kids were great, not just to my kids but to each other. It was clear to see that they were close-knit, they truly cared about one another and worked together as a family. I think Sadie would have happily stayed - they had 3 little girls around her age. What a blessing they were to us, and an encouragement as we try to raise our little family so that our kids turn out like their young adults. The Lord knows what we need! Oh that note, He and I know I need to get some sleep, so I'm out! - 

We LOVE Christmas vacation!!

Merry Christmas from the Harrells! We decided to change things up a little this Christmas, mainly from a blog I read about how little time we have with our children, and making the most of it.  I bought an Advent devotional book for us and we made a Jesse tree. We also decided to break the news about Santa, which had been hard to keep up anyways. They promised not to tell because it was very important to me that my kids would not be those kids that told everyone at school. Although Eli "forgot," and did exactly that. Even after all that talk Sadie still wanted to leave out milk and cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve....which verifies my theory that kids are just hung up on Santa to make sure they get all their gifts. And they got plenty. David is clear on how cool Christmas is now, too, here he is with his beloved Grandpa after a chaotic but fun time opening gifts. 

 And here's my sweet boy the day after Christmas, quite exhausted. He got a new red Radio Flyer wagon, which has done about 1,000 laps around our house. He loves it. And he has no idea it's actually a gift for me. When I go to meet Sadie at the bus stop I'm usually carrying the baby and Sadie's bookbag while pushing David's bike. Now it's all going in the wagon!  

 The days around Christmas were great for me. I absolutely love not having to get up and get ready for school in the morning. I went 3 days without leaving the house! I actually entertained ideas of homeschool, although I don't think the motivation should be "I don't have to get out of bed as early." If the Lord does ever lead me to homeshool, however, I will not start our day at 7. Harrells (except Eli) just aren't morning people. 

 My lilttle caboose has not been doing much laying around, however, quite the opposite. She's getting more and more mobile and enjoys making as big a mess as possible. But oh so sweet. She even slept through the night on Christmas Eve! Merry Christmas, Mama! Too bad it hasn't contnued. 

Here's Eli trying to feed Mary Jo. Speaking of eating, there are some changes coming to our eating habits starting tomorrow. I rang in the New Year working a 24 so I went shopping today and am all geared up for Steven and I to start our "Belly Fat  Cure" diet tomorrow. I really am terrible at diets but unless I want to go out and buy more clothes something's gotta give. Including Steven's candy and soda addictions. I just loaded up on a bowl of ice cream, I kinda like to "prepare" for a diet. Wish me luck!

I've been thinking a lot about past Christmases, how it was when I was a child, then a young adult, and now as a wife and mother. As a child, Christmas mornings were counted down the entire year, I used to cry when I was out of presents. As a teenager and then when Steven and I dated - it was all about those his present. As awesome as my husband is, gift giving is not his specialty (however this year he did great. We got a new setting for my diamond and it's gorgeous!) As a mother, naturally, my focus has shifted, and watching the pure delight on their faces is the only present I need. The past few years I've enjoyed paying attention to the old Christmas hymns, the lyrics are awesome with so much depth. No matter what stage of life I'm in, it's always the sweet family time that's always the cherished memory, I am so blessed with my sweet hubby, these 4 little ones, our four wonderful parents, and most importantly the reality of Christmas - our Saviour coming to this earth to reconcile us to a holy God. My prayer for 2014 is that during busy times or slow times, happiness or trial, I will remember Him and grow closer to Him throughout the year. Happy New Year, everyone!