MorningSong: 2008

This was a very unique year for us. We've had our share of ups and downs but the last three months really shook up our plans for Christmas. One big problem we faced was when our van broke down in September; the repairs were costly. The transmission usually is one of those things you never want to repair. That sort of job takes the BIG bucks. Steve knew this repair would require more than we could muster up on a whim. He prayed for direction and it was amazing how God showed Steve the way to pull our funds together so we could repair the van. It was truly a plan we would never have come up with on our own. Before long our van was repaired and our bill was paid in full - no credit either! Thank you very much! We used to (about 4 or 5 years ago) approach the unexpected times like this with plastic in hand. We've learned a lesson or two since then and we now prefer cash.

Earlier this year I participated in a small group that taught me how to save money at the grocery store. We covered many topics, the main one being that God wants to provide for us. He wants to be in our lives more than we realize and more than we often allow. We are often so busy trying to 'fix' the things that pop up in life that we forget that God can still provide miracles for us today. Well, I found out my friend (who led the shopping small group) was moving and I wanted a second dose of her teaching. I knew there were things I could use refreshing on. I never expected anything more than dotting those I's and crossing those T's. God was smiling as He watched me open every surprise along the way.

We were at the point of the class where we barter and I thought with Christmas being so close that I didn't want to join in on bartering (crazy thought right). I intended to sit back and watch - to take notes really. The last meeting before bartering we were talking about what to bring and such when one of girls mentioned she may bring a key thing I was in need of. In fact it was something I put on my barter list last time and thought it was too much to ask. She mentioned having that very item and I knew that was the Holy Spirit nudging me to join the fun. Although that barter did not work out in the end, I spoke up and did mention a few other wants. Why not - I wanted to see what else God had in store for me this semester.

I hesitantly mentioned we wanted to get our kids bikes for Christmas - I thought 'who would want to let go of a bike at Christmas time?! Really!' So I mentioned that we were looking for a girl and a boy bike. Someone had a boy bike. Gulp. Then they also mentioned an outdoor play house. We've always wanted to get one of those for the kids but it's not been a high priority so.... we've waited with the hope that we would one day buy one before they outgrew the fun of a play house. I was beginning to think HE had a plan in action. He KNOWS what we have need of before we ask! (Where have I heard that a million times before?) Wow! That's a GREAT God! So.... I listened on as request was made and request was found. This was getting to me. This was a beautiful thing! What one person needed another person wanted to let go of - amazing.

I prepared for barter night while fighting the inner urge to shop and handle our Christmas gifts myself. Would they REALLY want to release their bike? Really? Still I needed a bike for HC. She even asked the big guy for a bike - this was a must have now! I didn't feel I should buy her bike yet and then that Tues (we bartered on a Friday night) I was prompted to look at one of the many emails Toys R Us was sending daily. This email had a $30 off coupon for the very bike we wanted for HC. We bought her brand new bike at $39!!!! I had deleted many an ad from Toys R Us over the weeks leading up to Christmas and felt the urge to open that single email. That's a miracle! So we bought our HC's bike for $39 and I will share what else I left with (that finished off our blessed Christmas)! Here's a glimpse of our tree Christmas Eve. View 2
Here was the play house - it is a little small for them (they cannot stand while inside) but I think for now they are thrilled! :)
Here was our set up to keep the kids from seeing the goodies 'Santa' brought in the night.
The second barrier between them and the goods. This gate worked wonders last year but not this year! We forgot to give the play by play of what they should do in the AM and sadly JB woke first. He climbed over the gate, crawled below the fabric barrier and tip-toed into our room. We woke to his sweet face at our bedside saying "I think I saw something! I think I saw my Spider Man bike!!!!" Steve responded "No, you didn't see anything." and he swiftly put JB behind our barrier for a drink of milk. We woke HC and the giggling began!
Beneath the tree.
Free to see the joys of Christmas unfold!
So the bike. HC's bike was a super deal and JB's bike was via barter. The friend who bartered this bike with me had 2 bikes for her son who is the same age as JB. She got bedding that she needed and the girl who gave the bedding received a window pane and my Sit and Spin. So I ultimately traded my Sit and Spin for her bike when it was all said and done. On paper that doesn't seem right but.... the purpose is for all parties involved to be satisfied and we were all pleased so... barter was done. The ultimate goal is to be fair and to bless one another. We all left that night feeling unjustly blessed.
Here is HC posing with her Daddy. She chose his Christmas gift and would not be swayed away. She picked a GREAT gift for him!
We didn't know of all the goodies hiding in the bottom pouch. Since Daddy travels on the airplane more these days - this was a perfect gift. The 3 ounce bottles and all!!! :)
I know this is a blurry shot but it captures the first free moments of JB on his bike!! THRILLED! Oh... and I bartered for the bike helmets too! A totally different barter.
Here's HC concentrating! We had to fill the bike tires with the right pressure - this was a trial run. We tightened the straps on the helmets too!!
Back to the goodies of Christmas. Scarf, hat and gloves came in HC's stocking. The boy baby came from Mom and Dad. All her babies were girls and they needed a brother (according to HC). This was a $5 baby from Wal-Mart. And HC made it ABUNDANTLY clear that she HAD to have this $10 stroller - so JB bought it for her.
Here they are finding the playhouse. JB didn't make it out of the door in time to be in the picture.
Peek a boo - I see you!
Official bike ride around the block.
That's what I call a HAPPY face!
Strong legs.... go... go.... goooooo. Slight incline here.
Rounding the corner first is HC
with JB pulling up the rear. Still on an incline here.
I have no idea what provoked this expression but it was blog worthy! :) Yes - I wore that out of the house and around the block twice. hee hee
Taking a break in the driveway.
OK so.... we bought HC a robe and PJ's, JB gave her the princess alarm clock but I bartered for ALL the dresses. HC asked for clothes from the mall. She loves the things I make for her too (direct quote by the way) but she likes mall clothes too. :) She was tired by this point. Counting the dress she was wearing that would be 9 summer dresses.
JB LOVES puzzles. You may have guessed - I bartered for ALL the puzzles! HC bought him the tire and a few cars. Plus he made it SUPER DUPER clear that he wanted a dancing car. She bought him that too. I bought the books earlier in the year and I bought the Zingo from a friend.
Here I am with JB. He chose this blanket (wrapped around me) and was DETERMINED that Mommy MUST have THIS very blanket. Steve could not convince him to change colors or anything. Not that I am opposed to this color - I just bet Steve saw a color he knew I would prefer. But how can I NOT adore this very blanket? JB asked "Mommy, is that the bestest comfy-est blanket ever?!" It is super soft and YES JB... it IS the BESTEST COMFY-EST blanket ever!

So... all the details of what was bought/bartered wasn't meant to brag or show off. Well, that's not true. I am bragging on how God did much with our little. With all of the goods I bartered I was free to buy for nieces/nephews and a few small things the kids asked for. HC and JB didn't ask for much really but boy were we able to do abundantly more than we would have ever done had we paid for the items we bartered for. Truly a provision to our family. I know many families who bartered with us can say the same but... God showed me that it isn't about running to chase down the best deal! Trust HIM and HE will guide even the tiniest details of our lives. Even our Christmas buying can be more than enough while spending FAR less. I found it hard to wait to shop and trust that this would all work out, but man was it worth it. I think this was the least stressful Christmas season of our lives (after I endured waiting to buy). We had more than enough, without spending. We were able to give like we enjoy giving - to family and to our kids. We had time to sit back and enjoy the beauty of Christmas this year without all of the bustling about. It was truly the BEST Christmas I've had. What made it even better was hearing both HC and JB saying 'This was the BEST day Mom. The BEST Christmas day!" throughout the day. Who could ask for anything more? God is STILL in the details - just in case you have forgotten! I hope your Christmas was as blessed and precious as ours was!

This post is for the family who sent gifts to the kids but we were unable to see. HC and JB were THRILLED with all of their gifts!! Even gift cards were well received! Who can resist an after Christmas sale with a gift card!? :)

Here is a look at some of the gifts JB opened. Starting with JB's loot (excluding Buster the dog. He came in JB's stocking but managed to sneak into this pic too). Below you will see JB's train tracks, two trains, a scooter, an LSU tee for CooCoo (and a football for CooCoo too), a Handy Manny watch and 2 gift cards!! JB was so happy! He scootered about for a long while. HC had a Diva sort of Christmas. She received make-up, glitter hairspray, earrings and a Hannah Montana watch too! She can't wait to spend her 'money cards'. :) I think she's already spent them in her mind.
Here are some action shots. HC is opening her Hannah Montana PJ's from Aunt Kristy!!
JB opening his truck from Aunt Kristy.
HC sporting her twirl skirt! Mimi and PawPaw sent her this really cool skirt. It plays a CanCan song and the Hokey Pokey. She danced around for at least 15 minutes. Spinning and twirling and practicing her ballet. She loved it!!
Here are JB and HC opening their Apples to Apples game! They love to play games!
Aunt Candy sent HC her annual Fancy Nancy book. HC loves Fancy Nancy.
JB opened his punching bag from Aunt Candy and Uncle K. They both loved this one.
HC posing with her new bow and her necklace. :)
Twirling and Dancing.
See the music box in her hand. It goes in a pouch on the skirt. She just had to hold it and push the button again and again and again.
More twirling.
JB trying out his punching on the bag vs. Dad. They normally play 'punch Dad' but now Dad gets a break.
What a TOUGH guy! Don't mess with JB!
Ka-POW!
And then it was off to build with Tinker Toys.
While they were busy we put the train tracks together.
And they were quick to find the tracks were ready for play.HC spent much time concentrating and building while JB was content with his water gun from 2 years ago and his newly created TinkerToy sword. After all the UN-wrapping.... I took each of the kids aside to wrap the gift they bought for each other. Here is JB putting his gift for HC beneath the tree.
And here is HC putting JB's gift beneath the tree.We watched the Grinch and off to bed! What a fun Christmas Eve. We really had fun relaxing together. We missed all of our family and we hope to see you all next year! It's not the same without all of you to enjoy this time with us. MERRY CHRISTMAS!