The Best Christmas Eve Ever

Christmas week was packed full of good ol' fashion family fun. Both my sisters were here as well as my Nana, Aunt Shirley, and my sweet niece and nephews. We had a great week and I am already missing them!

We started the week with Honey and GP treating the grandkids to Build-A-Bear. They ALL had a blast. Thank you again!

We saw Santa. This trip was much better for my kids this year but little Lila HATED it.

We played at the Mayborn and saw the cool train exhibit.

We had the fabulous Jennifer Taylor take professional photos of the kids. (My dad took this one. To see her amazing photos go here click on clients -password is Purdy.) They are some of my favorites yet!

We had a Birthday party for Jesus with a yummy cookie cake.

The kids all opened a game from Honey and GP and we played then all

GP read the Christmas story

We went to the Christmas Eve service at church

We changed into our matching Christmas PJ's

And then opened gifts galore.

But by far the most amazing part of this Christmas Eve was that our sweet dear son Ryan became a Christian!!!!!!

He has been asking a lot of questions about asking Jesus into his heart for the last 6 months or so. And, after communion at the Christmas Eve service he had more questions that he needed answered.

Here's your story Ryan so you may never ever question becoming a believer as a child and that you can have details to support your awesome decision.

On December 24, 2009 we celebrated Christmas Eve at the Purdy's house and then headed to FBC Woodway for the Christmas Eve Service. During the service we sang carols, listened to Pastor Toby read a Christmas story and then took communion. In your curious nature you asked, "What is that cracker thing that you're eating?" And,"Why do only the adults get to do that?" Daddy told you that, "You are really supposed to know that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and you have asked Him in your heart." You responded, "I DO believe that." And you thought you had asked Jesus in your heart but you weren't sure. Dad told you that tonight before bed we can pray so you know for sure.

At bedtime dad read you Romans 10:9. If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved. Then you and Dad talked about what it means to ask Jesus in your heart and Dad asked you if you want to be sure. You said yes and you prayed right then and there in your bedroom at 10:15 PM!!

Can I get an AMEN!!!!!

The night you became a believer

The Lord made sure that Mark and I had absolutely nothing to do with this. We were completely distracted by the weather, colds, craziness, Christmas morning and our schedules to claim any responsibility. I am so thankful for that. I have prayed about this decision since I found out you were a little boy and I never dreamed that it would happen like this. I am so proud and excited for you Ryan that my heart leaps with excitement. I know that you are only 6 years old but anyone that knows you is always shocked by that fact. Congratulation my boy! You will be awesome in Christ!

Merry Christmas

From our family to yours

Celebrating servanthood

My dad has always had a servant's heart and has been a big time helper in our family, our church and the community. This year Ally and I got to help the Woodway Westside Rotary club make Christmas very special for a family. Each year they get 10-15 different names of families in need, and then they go all out for each family. Ten boxes of food and two to three wrapped gifts for each family member. We had such a great time giving. Here we are at the Woodway Fire station ready to load up the cars with gifts!

This little one was SO excited to see the family we were helping.

She loved the big green firetrucks too!

Food for 8 families-awesome

Hand picked wrapped gifts are inside each of these bags

Organizing the deliveries

We're ready

This picture makes me a little teary. This sweet momma is due with her seventh child in a few weeks and was EXTREMELY appreciative for everything.

It truly is better to give than receive:-).

Ryan and Stacey got to help in the giving action later on in the week. These three were ringing the Salvation Army bell like you've never seen

Dad, Thank you for always helping and for being a great example to me and my sisters. I am so proud to be your daughter!

A Candy Land Adventure...

...For our Sweet 3 year old Ally!

What a FUN party we had on Friday night for our 3 year old! Ally loves playing Candy Land so I decided to go all out and have a Candy Land Adventure for her and her friends. She loved all the decorations and was very excited each day this week to see the new decorations I created while she was asleep. Here is the birthday girl with her proud big brother standing in front of the crazy candy tree.

After countless photos this is the best family picture I have:-)...it wasn't for a lack of trying!!

The mantle decorations. We had the board game covering the walls of the living room and the garage. I wanted you to feel like you were "in the game". Ryan had the brilliant idea to make the painted arrows and they were my favorite decorations.

The candy table

The garage/food/craft area

Click on this picture to see more detailed pictures of the party. We had mini gingerbread houses to decorate, candy beaded bracelets, Candyland Christmas cards as well as a lot of snacky foods. Mrs. Crumpler really outdid herself this time on the sugar cookies-they looked exactly like the game!

The party wouldn't have been nearly as cute without the help of the Cersey Team. Thank you sisters for your willingness to help put on a great birthday party.

Decorating the houses

Singing Happy Birthday. Ally was singing Happy Birthday all night to herself...so CUTE!

Look at my yummy cookie!

The guests. These people bless my life every day. Thank you for celebrating with us. Sorry Honey, GP, Grandma and Grandpa for the lack of family pictures. Thank you for being there and loving Ally SO MUCH! Click on this picture to see all their beautiful faces.

The Warren family

Presents and more presents. We are so blessed by our generous family and friends!

Ally really enjoys this cake stacker game. The teacher in me loves an educational gift. You can stack this cake by number, then make an 'even' cake and an 'odd' cake. (Really, really cool!)

"Dad look at my Tiny Tot basketball!" She loves dribbling this all over the house (and so does her brother.)

The kids were very interested in the opening of the gifts:-)

Ally, Daddy and I love you so much and we truly count it a privilege to be your parents. Thank you for a wonderful 3rd year!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Ally!

I absolutely CANNOT believe that my baby is three years old today! Where oh where did the time go? Ally, Daddy and I love you more than you can imagine and we are so proud of the kind little girl you are. You are so funny and have the best smile in town. You are in love with your brother and get so excited when you get to play with him. You give fantastic hugs and kisses and you need a lot of attention from your family. I adore being your mother and love how expressive and hysterical you are.

We have had quite a year with our little princess. I thought it would be nice to list all the changes from 2 to 3 but then I realized that there are way too many to list so I am doing a top five birthday post for my angel girl!

The things we said bye-bye to this year:

1. Her crib. She is a wonderful sleeper in her big girl bed. This is a HUGE blessing since she was an awful sleeper as a baby.

2. Diapers. Amen and Amen!

3. Binky. This was a tricky transition but she has been great now for months.

4. Barney. Enough said.

5. Her hot pink Mickey Mouse crocs...they are finally too small. She still tries to wear them but really needs a bigger size.

The things Ally did for the first time this year:

1. Ballet

2. MDO twice a week

3. Tiny Tots basketball. This is brand new and I can't wait to see them in action.

4. Watched Dora, Dora and more Dora.

5. Her first Dentist appointment. We need to start saving now for her future orthodontic needs:).

I always feel a little sad that your birthday is the week before Christmas, but I love reflecting on the day you were born (3 weeks early). The Lord's timing of your birth was perfect and you were an answer to countless hours of prayer. I feel so blessed to be your mommy.

Happy Birthday baby!

We love you SOOOOO much!

Christmas Around the World

Last week I got to attend a field trip with my favorite Kindergartner in the whole world! FWCS headed to the Mayborn Museum and learned all about Christmas in different countries. We had a great time and Ryan loved it. Sorry these pictures were taken with my phone...better than nothing:-). Ryan was chosen to bring a gift to baby Jesus (note he chose not to wear the wise man costume...that's my boy!)

I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to throw the gifts to Jesus.

The entire class thought this was hi-larious. I think you need to be 6 to understand why giving gifts to a fake baby is so funny. I do love hearing his sweet class laugh and enjoy learning.

Next up was the senses room and then onto Ryan's favorite, Science.

They learned all about refraction, static electricity, weather and so much more.

Thank you Ryan for wanting your mom to go with you on this trip. You made my day. I think the best part of the field trip for Ryan was the car ride there with two classmates. The giggles never stopped!

December happenings

Don't you just LOVE December. This year has been so fun to decorate and celebrate the real meaning of Christmas with my family. Each night we have been participating in Advent which actually means coming. Our church put together an Advent activity book with scripture, prayer suggestions and an activity to do together as a family each night. We really enjoyed this special time each night and this has helped us keep the focus on the birth Jesus and off ourselves. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Here is the book of Advent (email me if you're interested in a copy:-)

I must admit that at first I was a little hesitant of doing a family craft or activity each night, but it is VERY easy to modify if you need to. This night we were going outside to enjoy the night sky. Ryan and Ally thought it was AWESOME to go outside in our PJ's and coats:-).

I also love all the Christmas lights this time of year. Here are our three trees. The kids have been making a lot of homemade ornaments and I love how excited they are to show me each and every one!

Another cool thing in Waco this year was the 30 minute snow fall. Ally watched from inside. She really doesn't like to be cold (another fabulous trait she inherited from me). Ryan got to play outside in the snow at school. I am so thankful for his amazing school and teachers!

The snow didn't last long but it sure was pretty.

We also have been lighting a lot of fires and snuggling up each night to stay warm.

So sweet!

I hope you remember the reason we celebrate Christmas is to honor the birth of Christ and the fulfillment of prophesy. This daily reminder has taken a lot of the crazy December pressure off of me this year.

I also hope you stay warm and peaceful this December!