Project 365: Week 52

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Atticus is a bit obsessed with all things Toy Story, specifically Buzz Lightyear, whom he endearingly refers to as "Woody Buzz." His aunt got him a just-his-size Buzz, which he wags around everywhere he goes. Perhaps you remember seeing "Woody Buzz" along for the crib-climbing adventure a couple of weeks ago? Today we went to Poppy's house after church, and after his nap there Atticus was so sad to discover that Daddy, Poppy, and his big brother and sister were gone--to look at a boat for Poppy.

So I say, "Maybe we can find something on TV to watch."

"Woody Buzz?" says Atticus.

"Well, I don't know about that, but surely we can find SOMEthing fun..."

Wouldn't you know it? ABC Family was playing Toy Story 1 and 2 back-to-back at that very moment! So crazy. Made his day, though.

Monday, December 20, 2010

This is what I did with our Christmas cards this year. No adhesive required. I simply bent the branches of the garland so they'd hold each card.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Saylor had a little Christmas recital tonight at a local nursing home. After the performance, the girls passed out candy canes to the residents.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

See? "Woody Buzz" even goes out for pizza with the family.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Noah was ultra-busy today...

...with a big ol' shipping box and a roll of duct tape.

THIS is why he loves this time of year.  ;)

Friday, December 24, 2010

Christmas Eve

A whirlwind day if there ever was one. There was baking, cleaning, errands, rehearsing, driving, eating with extended family, and church. Whew! Noah was crazy a little excited about the presents.

And for good reason!

Gabriel racked up, too.

And then we had THE most worshipful experience at church! BTW, our church has live streaming online, and they record everything, so you can go back and watch and rewatch. Of course, though. The time I want to rave and tell you to check out our website to watch the service, it seems they didn't record. What?! I can't believe it. It was SO good. I even sang, too! Partly in German, no less!! But you'll never believe me, 'cause you weren't there. But hey. You weren't the only one...   I thought it was a divine evening.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Christmas Day

Saylor bunked with Noah last night just for "special's" sake. (I'm not sure, but I think I just coined a new phrase.) Something about the two sets of siblings sharing rooms together for the night inspired me to surprise them with a little Christmas "magic." So in the wee, small hours of the morning I did this:

And when they woke up this morning...

It was a happy day alright.

Merry Christmas to all! It's been a fun year, Sara. Thanks so much for hosting Project 365!!

Christgiving

Perhaps you know how much fun we have around here when it comes time to send Christmas cards. Over the years, we have had the best time thinking up some prop, some theme, some cute or funny expression (both of which are highly subjective) to say with pictures of our (always cute (to us)) kiddos.

2002 

(Please don't be jealous of my amazing photography.)

Well, I have somewhat bad-ish news. For those friends and family members who regularly receive our traditional Davidson Christmas card, you won't be receiving one this year. Honestly, part of me is leaping for joy inside, as it can be a little stressful trying to get that huge task completed amidst the craziness of this household. But part of me is sorta sad about it, too, because...well, I guess it's one of those things in life you can count on. Like the fact that the sun is going to come up in the morning or that honey is sweet or... that Ned Perme will have a tan. (Local weather man. Don't mind me.)

2003

But before you think me far too Scrooge-like to continue reading, let me explain how IN LINE this is with where God is moving our family. If you've read my blog for any length of time really, you're bound to have seen the progression. From being sick of stuff to experiencing one loss after another to the point of some  major perspective changing.

2004

You might also know that I've been reading Radical (please see the Archives in the sidebar for all my response posts). Well, when we put it all together, it just didn't make sense anymore to spend all that money on printing pictures, envelopes, and many, many, (many!) stamps. It just didn't. (Don't get me wrong, we are loving the Christmas cards we've been sent so far!!! That's one of our favorite parts of the season.) But we Davidsons.......are bowing out this year.

2005

Instead, the money we would have spent on sending cards, we are going to donate to 99 Balloons, a ministry for children with special needs and their parents. (Perhaps you remember a post about selfishness I wrote about this precious couple?) They are suggesting "Dis-CARDing Christmas," and it was here that I first got the idea to do this.

2006

Does that mean we love YOU less?? No. It just means we are trying to love JESUS more than we have. When I ended up clicking on that particular blog (after and during a very looooong season of not reading any blogs), I was right smack in the middle of reading Radical and was in a constant state of pondering HOW our family could put into practice the changes that were occurring in my heart. I didn't land on the blog by accident. Surely you can agree with that.

2007

But don't fret. (Yes, I can hear you sniffing...) If you're a regular recipient of our Christmas card (or even one who would like to START receiving), please make sure I have your email address, if I don't already. Because our "card" will be going out via email this year. Leave a comment with your email address (be sure and spell everything out to keep the cyber bad guys from bothering us; ex.: so and so at servermail dot com or send me a message through Facebook, Twitter, etc.).

2008

I'd actually LOVE to send out "cards" to blogging friends, old friends from high school, and long-lost pals I've heretofore had to leave off the Christmas card list due to money constraints and the fact that Paul and I have a LOT of family cards to send every year. So seriously, get me your info. ASAP!!

2009

In case you'd like to do the same, there are other ways to consider spending your "DisCARDed" money, your far-too-extravagant gift purchases, and your huge (factory-farm-raised, very unhappy) turkey. (Yuck!) What if you reconsidered?! What if you sent your money to India instead (through My Passport to India) to help send more children to Children's Bible Clubs? Or what if you bought a dairy animal for a needy family or mosquito nets to help prevent malaria through Samaritan's Purse? Or what if you helped to feed the homeless at the Little Rock Compassion Center? Or what if you donated it to Scott and Kelly Rackley to help them get to Uganda? How much more could God use that money He has blessed YOU with? All that stuff under your Christmas tree will not last. (See Matthew 6:19-20.) But all the souls in the world? They will. For all eternity. So maybe there are better ways to spend our money. Just maybe. In fact...

Project 365: Week 51

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Come on in and Merry Christmas!

 

(Note the new finish--those of you who wanted to see the final result.)

Monday, December 13, 2010

It's too cold for outdoor play, so we brought the bikes inside today. (Yes, I'm a tad crazy at times.) Saylor finally got the hang of this thing. Now she's obsessed.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

This year's ornaments made by Mimi: "Dora" from Finding Nemo for Atticus; "Scarecrow" from The Wizard of Oz for Gabriel; "Cinderella at the Ball" for Saylor; and a train car for Noah.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Having a family favorite tonight: Baked Sweet Potato Fries

(these are yet unbaked...)

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Today, Gabe's speech therapist gave him a Christmas goodie bag with bubbles, among other things. He was so excited about blowing bubbles outside after dinner. I'm quite certain he didn't even notice how cold it was. Funny how much we all love bubbles...

Friday, December 17, 2010

Tree topper

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Shopping and sushi today...both taken on the cell phone. *sigh*

I'm linking up LATE, as I had too many bunches of things going on over the weekend, not to mention ridiculous computer problems. (I'm feeling a lot of contempt and hatred for "the Dell" right now.) I hope your week was swell. Thanks, Sara, for hosting. One more week! Unbelievable...

Homemade Shampoo

It's not really all that crazy when you think about it. Have you ever read the ingredients list on the back of a bottle of shampoo? If I can't pronounce it or have any inkling what part of God's creation it came from, then I have a hard time putting it on my head, the house for my brain. Do I make everything homemade? Uh...(hahahaha!)...no. But because, for years, I've scoured the countryside (granted, an exaggeration) looking for hair care products for my children that did not contain cancer-causing parabens, and I didn't have just a whole lot of luck, I finally came to the realization that it can't be that hard to make myself. And, oh yeah, it helps to read a really great blog called Passionate Homemaking, written by a really clever au naturel gal who tries these things out and then vouches for them. 

My entire family started using this homemade shampoo back around March and, after all this time, I can safely and confidently say that it is good stuff. It lathers. It cleans well. It rinses out easily and beautifully! It saves us money. It doesn't cause me to fret over what chemicals are being absorbed into my beloved family members' largest organ--their skin! And I can't foresee us ever going back to the bottled kind.

So here's how it's done.

You'll need:

1 cup Dr. Bronner's Baby Mild castile soap

2 Tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar

3/4 Tablespoon tea tree essential oil and Vitamin E essential oil (a combined 3/4 Tablespoon, that is)

1/4 cup water

I just funnel all the necessary ingredients into a spray bottle. (This shampoo must be sprayed on, as it's very liquidy--nothing like traditional shampoos.) You'll need a decent spray bottle. And voila! That's all there is to it.

Using the baby mild soap means you can use it "across the board" at your house (from Daddy to baby), but it's also unscented, which is a good thing since the tea tree oil is pretty strong all by itself. I actually like the invigorating effect the scent has on me, especially since, on any given morning, I'm the bleary-eyed mama trying to face a day of cleaning and corralling after not much sleep. Ahem... It helps me wake up a bit.  ;)

This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday at We Are That Family.

Project 365: Week 50

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Playing dentist perhaps??

 

Wish I could explain the shorts on the head...

Monday, December 6, 2010

Uh-oh.

This could mean trouble.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Noah and I finished this book today, which, by the way, is quite cute. He'd read a paragraph, then I'd read a paragraph. (You do what you have to do...)

But Noah wouldn't let me take his picture with it.

So I settled for tickling him until I could sneak this shot. Heh heh!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Today I had the privilege to attend the taping of a FamilyLife Today show. With none other than...

...the one and only Kay Arthur! So amazing.

And a BIG thank you to Poppy (my father-in-law) for keeping four kids while I did this!!!!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Yesssssssss!! The long-awaited airing of Prep & Landing. (Follow the link to watch the full episode! You will not be disappointed.)

They really WERE happy!! I just happened to be a little too slow with the camera. By the time I was ready to snap they were already entranced with our favorite. Christmas. show. ever.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Today one of our MOST favorite people in the world invited us to celebrate his birthday.

(Oops. Forgot the good camera at lunch time.)

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Tonight we worshiped with the Gettys at an Irish Christmas concert.

Saylor (AND Cinderella) thoroughly enjoyed it. You should have heard Saylor singing along! (I even looked back and saw Cinderella clapping one time. Ha!)

That's right. Kay Arthur AND Keith and Kristyn Getty...all in the same week! Whew! Can't beat that! We're busy, busy, busy, but trying to keep our focus on what matters. Merry, Merry Christmastime, y'all! Be sure to check out Sara's linky crew for all the Project 365 updates.