Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas Eve!!

We had a Christmas Eve dinner at our house w/ some friends. We had a great meal and the kids enjoyed playing.
Holding Kenna a real life baby. M loves her. She always hugs, kisses, wants to hold her and even tries to pick her up.
She even I think says her name now instead of baby.

M had a book in her arms and I took it away for the picture

Licking her plate after dinner

She is either part dog or lacks manners

These jammies fit these 2 monkeys perfectly.
My 2 lil monkeys on Christmas eve night!!!
Thanks Grammie and Grandpa. They love them!
It is always fun to have new jammies for Christmas morning

Opening a present early

We let the kids open one present each on Christmas Eve. I got to do that as a kid growing up and I think it is a nice tradition.
E opening his present.
He loves his magnetic calendar

M just woke from her nap so she was a little out of it still.

But then someone took her doll.
Give it back and no one will be hurt.

All better.

She loves dolls and is a little mommy to it already.

Decorating cookles and playing outside

We had a playdate today w/ some friends. The kids decorated some cookies and then we went to the playground as it was a nice morning. Man I miss that playground. It was in the complex we used to live in and it is just the right size for the kids and we always could just walk to it. What a luxury.
My pics are out of order yet again. Sorry!!!



The wind is a blowing!!!


Making his candy cane



Her star

Big smiles!

Nice stripes

Makenlee-"Can I jump down there?"
Mommy- "No, MAKENLEE!!!"

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Christmas Miracle

Last Thursday I found a envelope that was filled w/ a gift for our family. I have no idea who you are but you know my family and maybe you read my blog. God Bless you!!!!

Dear Gift Giver,

One word. WOW! I opened my mailbox Thursday and found a VERY nice gift. You do not know how much that blesses our family. We so appreciative of your generosity and sacrifice. I wish I could tell you in person but you want to remain anonymous. That is OK. God knows and HE will richly reward you as he already has. We are so truly thankful for what you have done.

The Cox Family

Merry Christmas Eve Eve

I have had this for a few years and I love reading it. Thought I'd pass on to you to read tomorrow to your families.

’Twas the Night Before Christmas... Bethlehem Style
Adapted from the C.Clarke Moore story
Written by Erin Hagemeister

’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the land
all the creatures were stirring for the Glory at hand.
The stars were all hung in the crisp evening sky,
but one shone much brighter and hung twice as high.

The shepherds were watching their flocks o'er the hills,
while Angels appeared to tell them God's will.
And Mary on her donkey and Joseph with his staff,
had just arrived from a far away land.

When a rap on the door, arose such a clatter,
the innkeeper answered to see what was the matter,
“Away to the stable” was all he could say,
for the rooms were all full, there was no place to stay.

The star shining through the rafters with a glow
gave the lustre of riches to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should behold,
but a miniature manger that belonged to a foal.

With a little whimper, and a cry so mild,
I knew in a moment it must be the Christ Child.
More rapid than eagles, His Angels they came,
and sang Glory to God as they called Him by name:

"Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Our Savior and King!
Emmanuel, Eternal Father, new born Prince of Peace!"
"Holy, Holy, Holy" their voices they rang,
more beautiful than harps or bells as they sang.

The hay glowed like Gold as we all stared in awe,
at the sight we beheld that night until dawn
Even the animals, they lay there so still,
With a sense of reverence, to abide in Gods will.

And then, in a twinkling, I saw down the road
three shadows approaching with camels in tow.
As I drew in my head and was turning around,
from the Orient, the East, Three Kings came to town.

They were dressed in fine robes, from their heads to their toes
and had crowns of bright jewels that sparkled and glowed.
And each bearing a gift, of the finest of things,
Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh, the first offering to their King.

His eyes-- how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, His nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
and His soft precious skin was as pure as the snow.

The star twinkled above with a wonderful light,
as the glory of God, it pierced through the night.
He had tiny hands and a little round face,
that shone when he smiled, with humility and grace.

He was perfect and precious, possessing Eternal Wealth,
and I bowed when I saw Him, in spite of myself.
The Peace that I felt and the Joy in my heart,
soon gave me a Hope that my new life would start.

I spoke not a word, but went straight to my home,
to tell of His story to all that I'd known.
And the love that surrounded me, I just had to share,
The Prophecy Fulfilled, the Messiah was here!

And as morning gave way and the Angels ascended,
They sang of this Christmas and the Gift that was given.
Then I heard the Lord proclaim throughout the whole Earth
“Eternal Life I give, through my only Sons birth”

The Christmas Card...

How I love doing my Christmas card/photo/letter and how I love getting them. It is so fun to see how the families have grown and kids growing and maturing over the years. I also love the letters that catch you up on the year. Love it all! But why is it getting that perfect shot is so stressful. Kids looking one way, not smiling, picking noses, me the mom pulling my hair out and screaming, bribing, coaxing, etc. doing whatever to get them to look and smile at the SAME time. Why don't I send that pic out. B/c I want everyone on my list to see my family happy and so attentive...Ha! I have a new respect for the whole drama that entails Christmas card pics. I would one yr. like to send a picture that entails the stress. But I will probably just keep trying. I always tell the photographer I just need 1 shot that is all. But it makes great memories.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Happy B-day Jesus Party

We had our 3rd annual Happy B-day Jesus party. I tried doing it with the kids friend's outside of small grp but with school schedules I could never find a day that would work for everyone so we did it at small group this year. We have 13 kids between all the couples so it was more then enough fun.
Easton was really into this year. Maybe b/c he is obsessed w/ b-day's as much as I am. But the kids all got to decorate cupcakes. A party w/o cupcakes is not a party in our book. Ha! We only got pics of them decorating the cupcakes. It is always fun to have the kids bring a gift to donate for a child who may not get any other gift this year. It also is teaching our kids the act of giving to others. Other then planning my own kids b-day party this is one of my fave things to do with them.
Here is 1/2 the kids decorating
Jaylon and Jonah decorating
E, Clay and M

Showing off his cupcake


Yummy! A frosting stache!!




Saturday, December 20, 2008

Rainy Day fun!

It was kinda rainy yesterday but it stoped long enough for M to go out and play outside. It was windy but she enjoyed getting some fresh air.

Check out my lady bug rainboots!
Yes, this is this weeks obsession. She loves her boots.
You may ask oh, why did Easton not come out. Well, it was windy and he had this crazy fear he or Makenlee were going to blow away so he kept screaming at Makenlee to come inside. Which just made her laugh and she in turn played more. She probably enjoyed the fact she could do whatever she wanted and play with whatever. Alas not having to share w/ big bro.

More sprout fun

I had to work today so Jon took the kids to Sprout's 1st B-day party. They had fun of course.

The conductor



new silly glasses



Easton would make a great vet but only if the animals were not real. HA!

letter to Christmas dress deisgners

Dear Dressmaker,

Why do you design dresses for little girls that are sleeveless? Christmas dresses are worn in the winter not summer. Thus the need for warmth. OK, granted if you live in a sunny place like CA. It is not a big deal. But I live in TN and it is getting a bit cold, rainy and wet here. Plus don't you know tans have faded by December so I don't want to show off my baby girls white arms if I do not have too. Don't worry I bought a dress w/ sleeves last year for her but just an note for the future. People say well, put a sweater on her. Well, that is fine and dandy but sometimes they don't match right and well, I like my girl to match (even though she could care less at times).

Sincerely,

A distressed mother

Friday, December 19, 2008

gold, frankincense and myrrh

By: Marybeth Whalen (Proverbs 31 Ministries)

“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.” Matthew 2:11 (NIV)

Whether you grew up in church or not, you’ve probably heard the story of the three wise men placing gifts before the baby Jesus, throwing their own little royal baby shower. Christmas carols tell of it and many a Christmas pageant has featured children with crowns askew, tottering in with their royal gifts.

Yet far from soft blue blankets and a selection of baby toys, these three kings brought seemingly odd gifts for the tiny Savior. They placed at His feet gold, frankincense and myrrh. The Bible doesn’t tell us what Mary and Joseph did with Jesus’ gifts, but I have to wonder. Unless she understood what they meant, I can almost picture Mary saying, “Wow, umm, thanks. I know just where I’ll put these!”

I recently learned that each of these gifts has a symbolic meaning. When we study these meanings, the wise men’s gifts take on much greater significance, a significance that is at once sobering and amazing.

Gold has always been a symbol of royalty. This gift signaled the wise men’s understanding of who this child was, and how we should receive Him. Because of this child, we are transformed from lowly paupers to royalty seated with Christ (Ephesians 2:6). He had to leave the perfection and grandeur of heaven in order to walk among us, trading His royalty for a time, but never losing His deity.

Incense was a symbol of His purity. Because He was born sinless and lived a perfect life, Jesus was that perfect lamb, without blemish, offered up for our sins. Incense was used as a fragrant offering to God. But the beauty of the scent couldn’t be released without being touched by fire. Jesus’ life became a fragrant offering through the flames of affliction. And in His death, we receive His purity.

Myrrh symbolized death, as it was used for embalming in those times. Nothing says “congratulations on the birth of your baby” like a little symbolic death! As these men laid this odd collection of gifts at the feet of this child, a little shiver had to have run down His mother’s spine when that last one was placed before Him. Already Lord? She had to be thinking. Do I have to start letting Him go already? But I suspect Mary knew that to accomplish His purposes on earth, Jesus’ life had to end. And now as we seek to follow Him, our lives have to end as He asks us to die to self and to take up our cross and follow Him.

Have you ever asked yourself why the wise men chose those gifts? While we will never know for sure this side of heaven, I think it’s because they listened to God. He directed them to bring these gifts as an outward statement of Jesus’ ultimate purpose. Each one points to suffering and death that ultimately leads to transformation. Jesus didn’t come to earth to be born, He came to earth to die so we could be reborn.

This Christmas I pray we keep our hearts focused on the meaning in the wise men’s gifts – and give our lives to Him, just as He gave His life to us.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Tree

So the other day I was blog-hopping. New term I got off a friend's blog and I saw this picture of this tree and dining room. I thought it was so beautiful and modern. I would love something like that. It is very shabby chic and cottagey. Maybe in 18 yrs (once the kids move out) when my house could potentially stay looking like that, right?
photo by yvestown
We took the kids out to Dollywood on Monday. It was started raining but we still got to do a few things and of course use the new camera.
E likes the reindeer's.


Giving Mama kisses


They look so cute here I think. But I guess I am biased. But heck they are both smiling and looking at the camera. It is a sheer miracle!

A bit small?

I told E to get dressed the other day and this is what he come down wearing. A pair of M's pants got put in his dresser drawer and he tried to put them on. I see him struggling to zip them up and I was like why are they so short until I realized they are M' pants. Too funny!

Saturday, December 13, 2008

What are you thankful for?

We are starting this thing each night where we ask everyone what they were thankful for that day? So this is what the fam said last night

Easton-That I got to see my friends today
Jon-That we got to spend time as a family
Mommy-That I got to have a nice morning out w/ a friend sans the kids
Makenlee-Shoes

My flippin almost 20 mo old says she is thankful for her SHOES!!! Chip off the old block! HUH! Jon and I looked at each other and could not stop laughing. So today we asked what she was thankful for and she said, "Braa Braa" Her Brother. So sweet. Can they love each other like this forever? I hope b/c it is the sweetest darn thing in the world.

Shots of the boy

E was playing with the kids nativity scene. All in plastic and I let the kids do whatever to it as it will not break. The next thing I know I see Easton taking out the sheep.
He will make a sword out of anything. These poor sheep did not have a chance.

My lil moose boy. Yes, there is a moose on his sweater and I specifically put him in this sweater to match the ears. At least one of my children will let me match them. HA!!



So we are still messing around with this bad boy and I love close ups. So I did a lil shooting of the boy while we sat on the couch together.









Love this look!

I love this one. What a chesser boy!






Christmas at Chilhowee Park

We went to Chilhowee Park last night for their Christmas tree lighting event. We love going but this year Easton was a bit of a whiny boy so we left early. He is and has always been TERRIFIED of mascots well they were out in full force their and he kept yelling, " I want to go home." Plus it was cold and my CA boy does not weather well when it is COLD.
We are still figuring out all the settings on the camera. All the lights threw it into a tizzy.

M had this light wand toy they passed out.


All bundled up but still cold.

New Toy

Jon and I got our Christmas present early from my parents. A new camera. It is a sweet toy. Needless to say Jon and I are taking pictures of everything as it is so cool to have something that takes pics super quick and clear. Our old one we got the week before we found out we were preggo w/ Easton boy so much needed.
I am now determined to get a good pic of all 4 of us looking and smiling.
This bad boy could do it!!

The other night Jon was sitting on the couch taking pics of the tree and ornaments and a cross we have on our wall. So I am looking at them and I notice the nose on the snowman ornament is rubbed off and the cob web in my cross. Hillarious what a good zoom can do. I never noticed it before. HA!

Poor little nose on M's snowman is rubbed off.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Christmas Card 2008

Here is our Christmas card and letter for all my bloggy friends I do not have addresses for. If you are dying for a hard copy then email me or post a comment and send me your address and I will send you one. If not enjoy it online.

The pics of the kids in blue and pink were taken when it was like 40 degrees outside. Way too cold but they managed to smile in a couple.


Cox Family Highlights of 2008

-Easton started preschool in August. He loves it and is learning so much there. He does a lot of fun things and brings home some cool art projects. He will be 4 years old in January. He is a funny little boy and he loves to make us laugh with all the things he says. He started AWANAS this Fall and learns a bible verse every week. He enjoys it a lot.

-Makenlee Avery is 19 months now. She is all GIRL but she is one tough cookie too!! She loves to dress up and wear fun hats, shoes and dresses. She has quite the Miss Independent I think I am bigger then I am attitude. It is very fun to watch her grow and also to see how she loves her big brother. Easton adores her too.

-Melissa started working part time at Children’s Hospital in the admitting department in November.

-Jon is working at a local grocery store now and we all enjoy him being home a lot more now due to his hours.

-We took our first family road trip to Barron, WI in July to go to Jon’s grandfather’s funeral. The 15 hour drive through the night sure was fun
The kids slept the whole night and did great for the reminder of the drive.
We did enjoy seeing all the family and now we know the kids do well on long drives like that.
.
-We got to take a family vacation to Hilton Head, SC and Savannah GA in September.
We enjoyed it so much and it was great to be at the beach again.

Sunday, December 07, 2008

Latest outift

Her is another picture of our lil fashion plate. Yes, she is wearing TWO jackets and she would have been had a complete outfit and matched if it was not for the argyle gray and pink hat she was ADAMANT on wearing. She is So obsessed with her Minnie shoes so looks like I will be looking for things to match them as the ragamuffin look is driving my nuts.

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

"Are you my friend?"

Easton and I have some conversation this was latest on the way home from the store today.

M-"Easton, I love you. Did you know that?"
E- "Yes."
M-"Are you my friend?"
E-"No, Mom. I have enough friends. You are just my Mom."
He cracks me up. I am just the Mom.

Monday, December 01, 2008

Spinning

Scroll down to the bottom of the page to turn off the music

Jon was listening to U2 and Makenlee kept spinning around and around then she would try to walk and it did not go well. It was funny to watch and she was having so much fun.

Also check out my 3 yr olds hot pecs. HA!! He had just put his jammies on and had not buttoned his shirt.