Amelie's *1st* Big Girl School Concert!

Oh my--the Kindergarten class totally stole the show at the Christmas concert! 

They were so cute and funny! 

Here's a few pictures (thanks to my friend Amy!!!) from Amelie's concert last Friday!

Puhlease Help!

My husband's amazing music team has made it into the semi-finals of Philadelphia's B101 Christmas Choir Competition!!!!

They are up against 2 other larger schools and could really use your help to vote for them! 
I should mention they are *BAPTIST REGIONAL SCHOOL* **What Child Is This?**

First prize is $5000 for their school music department!

All you have to do is click *HERE* and vote for them! you can also help them out by pressing the *Like* button for Facebook!

After you vote make sure you CONFIRM YOUR VOTE through your email! 
**Check your spam folder just in case!!

You just click through and you're done!

Easy Peasy! =)

Thank you so much for helping! It will only take a minute!

Christmas Concert Numero Dos

Last night the kids put on a super cute and fun little Christmas production at church.

It was the story of the nativity from the perspective of the *stars*.

All of my pictures came out poorly because you couldn't use your flash and I just bought my little point and shoot!

Oh well! =)

The girls singing sweetly (and yes the singing was sweet even though Amelie has demon eyes from the camera =)

Maeve and Amelie's class sang together for a few songs!

(Amelie is on the right in the back and Maeve is front and center)

Blurry but a funny Maeve face. =)

Amelie in the *big kid* production for the first time this year!

So cute!

And, for the *fail* of the century (or week or whatever) the *only* video I got was my test video to set up the distance for taking the actual video. Boo. Still you can see a cute Maeve, Leah and Jack though! =)

There are so many wonderful people at our church who work with the young people!

What a blessing!

Send Help!

The children have lost their minds!
It's *Christmas Fever*

Concerts!

Parties!

More Concerts!

More Parties!
Presents!

Candy!
Presents! 

Chocolate!

Presents!

Cake!

In other news, Mr. Wonderful is my favorite (as always) for being super willing to get groceries even when it's cold and rainy and I hand him a mile-high stack of coupons.

And *that* my friends, it what LOVE is all about!
Also, keeping my fingers crossed that my camera doesn't die on me tonight so I get some good shots!!

Overwhelming Cuteness!

Amelie's big elementary Christmas Concert was tonight!

She has been *beside* herself with excitement all week and nearly lost her mind this afternoon waiting for *the* moment to arrive!

And oh my, what a moment it was!

The Kindergarten kids were so stinkin' cute! 

Amelie was an amazing little *star*

(totally unbiased opinion tyvm!!)

Loved it!

And of course, as Murphy's Law would have it, my camera died promptly as I turned it on 

(even though when I checked it earlier in the day it had a "full" battery charge.)

So, all I got were a few shots before the big event. =)

*This* Guy! J'adore!

My Maevey had the privilege of a Grand-girl-day today so that left me with a quiet house and the ability to run errands!

It was sooo easy! Delightful even! To run errands with just one of my precious babes! Ezra was a dream and I remembered the days when I used to run errands with Amelie and it was "so much work" to do...

Live and learn, I suppose!

It was a fun day with my little guy but I am always super thrilled when all my babies are under the same roof!

Miss Sassy Pants

Did you ever wonder how kids can be so stinkin' adorable right up until they turn 3?

And then the ugly *talking sassy pants attitude* comes out and they are *still stinkin' adorable* but also really really naughty. =)

It's hard to tell that they are naughty just by looking at them....

...but the naughtiness is there, my friends

And it rears it's head at the most unexpected

(and expected)

of times.

and honestly....expressing your own opinions and point of view is such an important part of growing up that I don't really mind my naughty little 3 year old...

but mostly, I don't mind too much because the extreme cuteness covers a multitude of

*no!!*

*it's not fair!!*

*i don't want to!*

=)

Today I'm thinking of my Grandma Rose

Who would have celebrated her birthday if she were still with us

But I'm sure, is celebrating something much greater since she is in Heaven!

This little picture of us has always made me laugh =)

I miss you Grandma!

The Phamton Of The Pasta

The other night we had spaghetti

(e? @SRV?! HA!)

and Ezra was in heaven!!

I thought it was kind of hilarious that only half of his face ended up covered in pasta!

It kind of reminded me of...

this guy!

Also this..

*pa pa pa pasta face!*

Shelly's Snippets

*spent the entire day *home* {LOVE}

*asked Granny of the East to come watch the littles so that I could go on a cleaning spree

*accomplished so many of the *little things* projects that had been piling up on me

*got out the tree and started to set it up during naptime!

*tested the lights*

*put them on the tree

*1/2 lights stop functioning immediately

*fail

*just put three clean kids in bed and will conquer the buying of the new lights and the decorating of the tree/house/etc tomorrow

**needs* to start taking more pictures again!!

*happy monday

Whatta

busy

weekend!

Although 

(I'm sure)

that my definition of 

busy 

is others' definition of

takin' it 

easy.

We had much fun

(but even fun can be exhausting).

=)

Saturday we were lucky enough to have a date with Granny and Pop to the local shop of Christmas wonders.

They have super fun *free* display of cute/creepy electronically moving people and animals

(It's A Small World Style)

and lights, lights, lights!

Followed by lunch and playtime and naps!

Saturday night we were lucky enough to have a lovely dinner with some of our church family.

The kids were so well behaved and the food was yummy and the company was fantastic--it was very nice!!

********************************************

Today I had the privilege of taking my sweet babies to church.

Alone.

(Mr. Wonderful had a music-team-singing-commitment) 

It's hard to wrangle the 1 and 3 year old at times.

I am trying to cherish it but mostly it feels like a workout. =)

We ran errands and picked up some birthday/Christmas presents tonight and cleaned and I still feel like the list is a mile long.

Oh well. The little things always get done eventually.

Right?!?

Anyways it's 8 and the kids are sleeping and I desperately need to find something for dinner!

Happy Sunday!

The Cutest Glasses-Girl In The World

Love!!!

Breaking Free, Being *Real* And Taking Baby Steps

     Today I finally cracked open the study I've been procrastinating getting into, Breaking Free. I actually picked up the book a few weeks ago and did the first lesson and felt like maybe this study wasn't for me. I just didn't *get* much....but silly me, so glad I picked it up for the next day's work because it pretty much sums up the whole of my struggle in walking closer to God.

     Today's lesson focused on the loss of a hero (through the example of Isaiah and his own life). I feel like I haven't really lost a *hero* per say in my life, but I have lost very important things and relationships that have left me lonely and questioning. Beth Moore has such a way of bringing the Old Testament to life--I have read the book of Isaiah but have never *felt* it. 

      Isaiah chapter 6 relates his struggle with the loss of his own hero, King Uzziah. 

Is. 6:1, "In the year the King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne high and exalted and the train of his robe filled the temple."

     It took the death of a major hero and fixture in Isaiah's life in order for him to be drawn to God. It wasn't until he experienced this great loss of someone he held in high regard that he could *SEE* God. 

***************************************

She also included a quote by Oswald Chambers that really spoke to me,
***************************************

"Our soul's history with God is frequently the history of the "passing of the hero." Over and over again God has to remove our friends in order to bring Himself in their place and that is where we faint and fail and get discouraged. 

Take it personally. 

In the year that the one who stood to me for all that God was, died--I gave up everything? I became ill? I got disheartened? Or--I saw the Lord?

It must be God first, God second and God third, until life is faced steadily with God and no one else is of any account whatever. "In all the world there is none but thee, my God, there is none but thee." 

Keep paying the price. 

Let God see that you are willing to live up to the vision."

****************************************

     For me, this was most clearly illustrated in my life through, during and after the loss of my two babies to miscarriage. I am ashamed to say that it wasn't until God removed the hope I had in having more children-

-which felt like all the hope I held in my heart had been removed forever-

-that I really began to turn to Him for a deeper relationship. 

It was so deeply painful for me. 

It was so lonely. 

It was dark and sad and I was no longer myself. 

     But through that terrible year and the following year of carrying my Maeve that God started to change my heart. 

That He pushed and pulled and prodded and poked until I became a little more pliable. 

A little more soft. 

A little more open. 

A little more tender. 

A little less full of me. 

A little more willing. 

******************************************

I am so not perfect.

I am so far from being where I want to be

where I should be

where I could be if I were disciplined enough

loving enough

kind enough

open enough.

But little by little He is working on me.

And honestly, the thing that holds me back, most of all from desiring a closer walk with Him is my intense desire to hold onto everything He has given me.

I have learned from past experience that the times of greatest growth in my life are the times of greatest pain and I honestly don't want to go through pain.

It's scary to grow and I am fearful of losing the things I hold so tightly to.
 ***************************************

These quotes by C. S. Lewis perfectly sum up the whole of my fears:

"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world" ~CS Lewis

"We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be."  -CS Lewis

****************************
I am praying that someday my desire for His best will eclipse my desire for what I think is best for me.
That's all. 
Goodnight!

Must Type Before I Become A Couch Bound Vegetable

We had a wonderfully lovely morning, in spite of the monsoon outside, with friends who keep our hearts so happy!

I attempted homemade pizza.

It was mildly successful.=)

I heart my bread machine and it's fancy schmancy dough setting!

Then I took a nap.

It was the kind of nap you wake up from and feel like you could have slept another 2 hours...it was good. 

Naptime will never stop being my favorite!!!

This is Ezra.

He is 13 months old today.

He's perfect and kissable and wonderful in every stinkin' way.

He walks.

Soon he'll talk.

I'm enjoying every moment!

I celebrated his 13 months of being by going to the hardest group exercise class I have ever endured.

If you don't hear from me tomorrow send someone to scrape me off of the floor.

Please. And thank you.

I *am* glad I went though. =)

It's not everyday you have a near death experience in a room full of 30 people.

Tee hee!

N-e-wayz....even torturous exercise is made bearable with the lighthearted company of friends!

Actually just about everything is made more bearable with the lighthearted company of friends!

Amen and passing out in 3...2...

Tuesday Tell All

Our transition back to *life as usual* has gone quite well! 

We ran a lot of errands today and visited Mr. Wonderful which is always a favorite! Ezra is getting some new teeth is so he's been a little clingy but he's still sleeping well and I'm still getting a nap so all is well. =)

Amelie got *the Target version of an American Girl doll* for Thanksmas and she is in love! She dressed up in a semi-matching outfit to bring her in for show and tell yesterday.

Cuties!

And not to be outdone--Maeve cheesing with Jessie!

That's it for now!

Mr. Wonderful is upstairs finishing up tucking in the girls and I'm waiting for our first conversation of the day....you know, because it's almost impossible to have a *real* one while they're all awake! =)

Good night!

Counting Down Christmas

Mr. Wonderful and Amelie had the whole week off for Thanksgiving so it was a little difficult today to get in gear and get 2/5 of the family out the door.

I miss "vacation"!

Luckily we're totally used to getting up at quarter to 7 since the kids always get up at the same exact time.

{At least it's not quarter to 6! =)}

**************************************

Anyways, I thought about potty training Maeve again today but lost the motivation before we even started.

Meh.

Instead the littles and I met our buddies for coffee and Ezra and PJ's favorite--*floor snacks* (i.e. anything left or dropped onto the floor and shoved in their mouths before the mothers have time to react.).

Ezra is just about fully walking all the time now so he was completely ooc (out of control). He loves his new found big-boy freedom and I swear he looks about a foot taller all the time now! 

*************************************

In other news my *Adoraboots* a la Old Navy came today.

Mine are actually black but Old Navy must have sold out of them and so I couldn't find a picture of the right color. These are more fun though!

They're pretty hideous but super comfortable AND the most important thing of all is that they keep my toes warm! It's a winter miracle!!

I was so sick of frozen toes that I had to treat myself to these and really, for $15 I just couldn't go wrong.
They're my new inanimate besties.

Not to be confused with my actual bestie who dropped by Sunday for a few with her sweet little bundle of newborn boyness, Hosea:

He's perfect and I couldn't help but touch him with my frozen fingers.

Such a handsome guy! 

Just like the rest of the handsome guys in his family! =)

********************************

That's it for now!

Happy Monday, or as I like to call it, *Back To Reality Day*!!

Literally: This Is What They Look Like When They're Waiting To Open Presents....

We had a nice and relaxing day yesterday.

Friday night when we got back from NY we did all the unpacking and putting-away-ing and the laundry and the straightening so Saturday we could relax!

Some out of town friends stopped by for a morning visit and it was great to catch up with them!

Mostly, Maeve and Ezra gave their son, Zander, a crash course on what it's like to have other people who want to "share" (steal) your toys. =)

After lunch and naps we got ready for the Fire Truck Parade!

Granny and Pop came over to watch with us and we bundled the children and waited...and waited....

It got started a bit late but since it goes right out front of our house it didn't matter too much. =)

There were soooo many firetrucks and thankfully not all of them were blaring their sirens this year! 

It was great fun and the kids loved the lights and the candy and Mommy loved the super short, non-existent commute. =)

The kids all ready to go!!

Granny and E-Boy!

Firetrucks! Lights! Candy! What more could a kid want?!

Christmas In November And Pictures To Prove It

The best part about our trip to New York?

Aside from the wood heat, wide open spaces and Thanksgiving food and Christmas celebration?

Seeing my family!

My parents!

My babies playing in my parents' home!

Cousin Ezra and Cousin Ethan--only 2 weeks apart in age!

Granny and Pop with all of their babies!

My brothers and sister in law and nephew!

Present time!

Cousin rides of danger and fun!

Girls in matching dresses with their new dolls!

Christmas Jammies!

The whole Ackerman clan!

My Mom holding Maeve, my brother Michael, Sister in Law Amy holding Ethan, my brother (her husband) Matthew, Me and Ezra, Mr. Wonderful, Amelie and my Dad!

What a treat to see them all! It's been exactly a year since I saw my brothers, Amy and Ethan. I can't believe how quickly our time together went!

Wide Open Spaces = LOVE

Our first day in New York it was 65 and sunny.

Gorgeous!

It was a perfect day for Amelie to fly kites with her Pop!

They had a great time!

(Even if it did drop 15 degrees while they were out there!)