Miracle on Main Street

Last Thursday evening we were priviledged to get to attend the annual Christmas Program at CCS. Once again, we were not disappointed. What a talented group of kids. This year they performed, "Miracle on Main Street." It is the story of a little group of carolers that are told that they will not be allowed to perform in the town square on Christmas Eve. Determined not to stopped they go door to door singing and asking for support and in turn learn about the real meaning of Christmas. What a delight as each child got to perform his or her part of the program and did so with such great excellence. For me, there is nothing quite like watching little kids perform. They are so care free and real, aww...refreshing!@

After it was over I was talking to a couple of different people that attended and told them that we really should start charging, it is that good. I heard on the radio the next morning that they were discussing it on the morning show and this wasn't even the Christman station. How exciting to see our school reaching out to the community is such a wonderful way.

The highlight of the evening was listening to and watching the little Kindergarten class in their sweet little voices quote from memory, the 'Christmas Story.' As I sat there wiping away tears, the thought ran through my mind, "what must be Jesus be thinking right this very minute?" It was as if they were right there at the scene and in the best way they knew how, they were trying to share what they had seen with others. It was just too precious.

The singing was wonderful, choregraphy so fun, the acting super, what a fun way to start off the Christmas season! Wish that you all could have seen it!


Brittan and his 'girl' friends before the program started!


Mrs. Trigsted and the Kindergarten Class.





The whole cast.

This, That, and the Other!

Ok, so I got discouraged by all that I had left to blog and decided to just do a BIG picture post and put it all in. I apologize if this all doesn't make sense to you, but for my record books it does.:) Enjoy a picture view into our lives from the past. 3 1/2- 4 weeks.


All of us went out to lunch to celebrate my sister Mindy's b-day.


The offical crew.:0) We three got together on Monday and tore into my Mom's house to help her get it decorated for Christmas. It was an all day job, but we had such fun working together!


It has been an annual tradition in my famiy that as we set up the Nativity, my mom reads us the Christmas story. This year some of the grandchildren got to enjoy that time with Nana.


Brittan enjoying Keaton while we worked.


The end result of the living room tree.


More labors of love.:)


While doing some Christmas shopping, look who we ran into.:)


My kids love to watch the turkey getting prepared.


Loving on Nana!


Watching Poppy get ready to make the gravy.


Keaton is ready for lunch!


Brittan playing with Allie.


Brooklyn & Rena in the world of make believe.



Our Thanksgiving Table.


That evening, my sister-in-law had the wonderful idea of letting the kids make a gingerbread house. She oversaw the entire project and my kids LOVED it! Thanks to Brittan's many hours at Kindergarten this year, he sat there the entire time.:)


Brooklyn hard at work.


Aunt Rochenda, Brooklyn, & Brittan with their finished project!


My parents with all 5 of their grandchildren.





Brittan, Kolby, Brooklyn, & Kardin
Although it was our 11th wedding anniversary, we met up with our firends in Cd'A for an over night celebration for Kristin's 30th birthday.


The Birthday Girl! Happy 30th Kristin!!

Kindergarten's Thanksgiving Program.

The Thursday before Thanksgiving break Brooklyn's class performed a little program for their parents and grandparents. They made their little hats in class, had handmade placemats to pass out, and then sang a couple of songs, said a poem, and then told everyone what they were thankful for. It was short, to the point, and absolutely darling! Brooklyn loves school and her teacher and we are thankful for them both!


Waiting for the little program to start.


Singing and doing the motions to "This is the Day for Giving Thanks."


"I am thankful for my Mom & Dad."


Our little 'pilgrim'

Happy 3rd Birthday to Brittan

I am well aware that I am way behind in my blogging and in order to try to catch back up I probably keep the posts short and to the point.

Brittan turned 3 a couple of weeks ago and we celebrated his birthday twice. Having family that doesn't live within the same town makes it impossible to only have one party because both sides want to get in on the celebrations. We started with a party at my parents the weekend before his actual b-day and then the day of we had another party at Brook's parents house.

Brittan was a little confused once his actual b-day arrived because in his mind 'his day' had already come and gone. I try to volunteer every Friday in Brooklyn's class and since it was Brittan's b-day and he thinks that he is in Kindergarten, we took cupcakes to all the class. Well, make that several classes. He has friends in 1st grade, 6th grade, 7th grade, and several of the teachers. I baked miniature cupcakes and he had a ball passing them out. He enjoyed having all the classes that he went to, sing 'Happy Birthday' to him, but plugged his ears with the 7th graders because "they were too loud."

God truly blessed our home with a sunbeam when he gave us the gift of Brittan. Dubbed 'Smiley Riley' early on, the name has stuck for a reason. He is all boy, but oh, so soft and tender. A few of his favorite things at the age of 3 include: 'Lightmimg McQueen' or anything 'Caws', Mommy, Bwookwyn, Daddy, Nana, Teechur (Brooklyn's Kindergarten Teacher, Wendy), his nannie (blanket), tools, his 4-wheeler, babies (Keaton & Allie), his aunts, hugs & kisses, and being held.

Our prayer for you Brittan is that you will grow up to know and love Jesus with all of your heart. May you strive to please Him in all that you do. Stay sweet, keep you smile, keep that easy going spirit, and be all that God created you to be. We love you dearly and are so thankful that God chose to give you to us!



Mommy and cake #1.


The Crane Cousins!


Brooklyn explaining her gift to Brittan.:):)


Brittan and his birthday loot!


With Daddy and his 2nd cake,:)

Going to Lock My Blog

Due to having strange people commenting on my blog that I don't know I have decided to make my blog a closed blog. If you want to be a part of my blog please leave me your e-mail address if I have not already sent you an invitation. I am no longer comfortable leaving it open for the public to view it. I will give it a few days for everyone to respond and then I will close it. I am sorry, but I feel that this will be best. Thank you! Valerie

Like Father...Like Son

My boys matched on Sunday and they looked so cute that I decided that I must photograph them before leaving for church. When I looked at the picture later it made me stop and think, not only do I love the idea of Brittan growing up to look like his Daddy, but rather, I want him to grow up to be like his Daddy. I pray that as he watches Brook each day that he will see the kindness, the tenderness, the sincerity, the thoughtfulness, the unselfishness, the easy going, caring ways that define Brook as a person. These are the traits that I so want him to immulate and if he looks like him, well, that is an added bonus.


Brook & Brittan ready for church.

And for the sake of Nana:

Brooklyn & I didn't exactly match to the 'T'(hoping for a gray sweater for Christmas), but we still took the opportunity to get a picture taken together.:):) Oh, how I love her!!!!

Nana's Halloween Darlings!!

Upon requests from Brooklyn & Brittan we went to Nana's house for Halloween this year. It was great fun for our children to get to Trick or Treat with their cousins in her neighborhood. The weather was absolutely perfect, not even a jacket was needed. I am of the opinion that Halloween should always be on a Friday, it was wonderful not to have to worry about homework, bedtimes, or school the next morning. Hope everyone else had as wonderful a time as we did!


And here they are...


The Crane Cousins:)


Brittan, Brooklyn, & Allie (LaRona & Allen's)


Keaton(Brent & Rochenda's)& Rena (LaRona & Allen's)

It's Election Day - VOTE!!!!

It is our duty as citizens of this great country to vote. Knowing first hand from having participated in more elections than I can count, every vote counts. I have no great words of wisdom today as to the outcome of this election, rather I leave you with this, God Bless America! And remember, Romans 8:28

Brooklyn's Godly Character Award

Friday was our school's monthly chapel and it is always something that everyone looks forward to. This one was extra special for us because, not only was the Kindergarten Class singing a special little song, but even more exciting was the fact that Brooklyn was going to be honored for Godly Character along with her little friend, Gabby.

Brooklyn received her award for Dependability and Contentment. Mrs. Trigsted had the following to say about her, "I always look forward to seeing Brooklyn come to class. Not only does she come prepared with her work, but she has prepared her heart and is ready for what the day brings. Her nature is such that if we have to go to a "Plan B", run out of time or even if something doesn't go her way she continues on with a happy heart. I can also count on her whenever I need help....dependability.

Brooklyn also shows such a contentment and I believe that this is one of her best qualities and will serve her well. If we are content in our Heavenly Father then He will bless us in every area of our life...I know he will do that through Brooklyn.....contentment.

One story that stands out in particular is when a new little girl came to join the class. The only place for her tub was on the bottom shelf and it was very difficult for her physically to bend to the floor multiple times a day. Brooklyn's tub was the highest shelf up and all I had to do was look at her and it was a done deal. She was happy to switch with the little girl. Not for attention, not for reward, but it's what Jesus would have done."

And we were proud!!




Mrs. Trigsted telling why Brooklyn & Gabby each one received their award.


Gabby & Brooklyn (Gabby is Mrs. Trigsted's daughter)


One VERY happy girl with her award!

Finally...

Somehow each week flies by and my good intentions of blogging are replaced by everyday tasks that must, and do, take priority. Although I am busy I still find myself finding more things that I commit to or write on the calendar. I think back on the days BC (before children) and laugh to myself, what did I do with all of my time?:) Now, sleep almost needs to be scheduled in order to get some. We have however, in recent days, been able to start scratching off some of the "extras" that have filled our time and so perhaps I am going to be able to see a little bit more of home.:) As I was sitting here thinking about this post I realized that I can best sum up our life's happenings with words that start with the letter, "F", so here goes.



Favorite...Everyone's most favorite person and especially my kids!! Mom & Mindy were able to sneak out of town to come up for a couple of days this weekend. Loved having them here!


Fun...My kids loved having Mindy here to play with!


Friends...It was so wonderful to have them here for the weekend! They were headed home and we were on our way to church.


Family...Our little clan.




Fiesty...Brittan


Frilly...Brooklyn


Forever...Our treasures!


Fall...We got several pumpkins from our garden and I scattered them throughout the yard.

Happy Fall Everyone ~