The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I LOVE Christmas! I love the lights, the shopping, wrapping presents, receiving cards in the mail, the tree, the baking, but most of all... celebrating the birth of Jesus. After all it is all about Him. My church, Revival Christian Fellowship, had an amazing Christmas service. Pastor Gary is so annointed by God to send the message of the gospel in terms that a child could understand. Anyone can listen to the message on the church's wesite http://www.revial.tv/. The worship from Gabe still gives me goose bumps. I can hear in my head.. Emmanuel God with us. Jesus doesn't have to be with us on Christmas we can have Jesus with us every day. My prayer and gift to Jesus this coming year is to know Him more and to show others who He is through my life. These last couple of years have been hard and I feel as if my light for the Lord has had a dimmer switch on. But I do not want the trials and tears I have experienced to be in vain. I hope and pray that they could be used to help others going through the same situation. I know that it has been through His grace that Gary and I have gotten through the death of our son, the loss of our home, the death of his twin brother, moving twice, the loss of 75% of our income, and recently the death of our sister-n-law. God has provided everything we needed in His perfect timing.

Here are some pictures from our Christmas:

The girls were so excited to open their package from Aunt Nene.

The Maingot Cousins singing for Granny at the Maingot Family Christmas Party.Hannah and Hattie on their way to church Christmas Eve.We could not find the cat Hannah got from Gary's lifelong friend Lorne. After much searching I found him in the Christmas Tree.

Hannah waiting patiently to open her presents Christmas Morning.

Truman and Bailey were excited for Hattie to get a dog she could walk instead of them!

Remember... God Keeps His promises. A rainbow appeared on our ceiling when Gary and I made the painful decision to walk away from our home. On the way to Gary's parents' home Christmas morning I am again reminded to trust in God, He indeed keeps His promises.

Brenda

Time to Reflect

I am writing this post with a heavy heart. My brother-n-law's ex wife passed away Wednesday evening of an aneurysm. It was very sudden and unexpected. In fact Gary and I talked to her a few hours before it happened. Susan is the mother of my beloved nephews Zack and Philip, and niece Amber. When I first met the Maingot family she was already married to Greg, Gary's older brother. She was one of the first people to reach out to me and make me feel welcome in the family. She absolutely loved her kids. It has broke my heart to see my niece and nephews hurting so bad. The only thing I know to do is pray. I pray that they feel the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. The same peace that was with Gary and I when Levi died and then two years later when Larry, Gary's twin brother, died.

Greg , Amber, and Susan at Amber's High School Graduation June 2007

For me, Thanksgiving this year was a time to reflect on what is important. So many times I tell my kids just one more minute mommy has to finish this or do that. Or, I can't right now because I have to get this or that done. I put off writing letters to my mom or sending emails out to family because "I just don't have enough time". I find myself so busy, busy with what? Am I making the ones I say I care about a priority on my list or do I take for granted that they will be there later when I get around to them? I challenge you blog readers to send out a card or e-mail, call, something, to that person that has been on your mind. You will be so thankful that you did!

On a lighter note here are pictures from Hannah's Thanksgiving Day Feast.

Lots of Love,

Brenda

Blog I love

Below you will find a link to a blog that I love. Jessics is having a baby scrapbooking session starting in December. So, for all my new mommy friends take a look and she what she is up to.

The Life, Faith & Creativity of Jessica Turner

The Life, Faith & Creativity of Jessica Turner

I am Back!

I have not been a good blogger. I have had a lot going on. Few of the things I was dealing with were up in the air but now things seem to be settling down. I hope to be on some kind of schedule soon, i.e. cleaning on Monday, shopping on Tuesday and spending the day with friends on Wednesday.

I have 6 students. The learning curve has been HUGE! I really enjoy the job and the flexiability. I can still work in Hannah's class and take Hattie to the park. I pray for 5 more students so I can qualify for health insurance.

Gary's buisness has picked up slightly. The $700,000,000 bailout plan might be working. Pray for us through the holidays, that is when it is the slowest. But we know our Lord always provides for us.

So, during the past 7 weeks we have had Hattie's second birthday.

We have been to Disneyland twice to celebrate birthdays. It is so nice to have passes. We bring our lunch and drinks and if we spend any money it is less than $20.00!

Hannah has advanced two levels in gymnastics. She is now in Starfish 2 which is preteam level.

She received her first award at school. It was for showing "HEART". That is her school's motto. Each letter stands for something but I cannot remember what.

As for me I have been in the mood for fall. I have decorated the house and scrapped the pages hoping that if i do it the weather will come. It has not happened thus far.

We have gone to the Pumpkin Patch with both friends and cousins. Tomorrow is our Churches' Harvest Fest. It is an alternative to Halloween. We go and the kids get so much candy! Our church has collected over 30 garbage cans worth of candy.

Hannah and Hattie with cousins Hayden & Nolan and Baby Drake!

Well, I think I posted enought pictures for now. Have an awesome day!

Brenda

Look Where We Have Been!

Last week our really good friends invited us to stay with them at a hotel near Disneyland. They already had the room and we have passes to The Magic Kingdom, so, it was FREE! Here are a few memorable photos from the Happiest Place of Earth!

I am reading a really good book, The Shack. It was recommended to me by two good friends. My friends and I started reading last weekend at My church's Women's Retreat. I am the only one not done with it. My friends are pushing me to get it done soon so we can discuss it. I love the book but I get so sleepy when I read. I hope to finish it tonight after Couples Bible Study.

I have gotten 4 students thus far. I have enjoyed meeting the families and getting them set up with homeschooling. I have yet to volunteer in Hannah's class. I hope to get in there this week or next. It is strange not being in the class everyday after being with my parent participation preschool. But I guess change is good.

In this picture Hattie is asking Mickey to come to her birthday party. The theme is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. That is as close as she would get to him.

This is as close as Hattie would come to Minnie. If Minnie came any closer she would say," I don't want to."

Hope your Labor Day Weekend was great!

Brenda, AKA ScrappyB

Hannah a Kindergartener

Hannah started Kindergarten yesterday. She is attending Lisa J. Mails which is a public school that has a focus in the arts here in Murrieta, California. I learned tonight at Back to School Night that the last 30 minutes of the day they have a rotation in drama, music, art & singing. This is so up Hannah's ally. I thought I would be crying my head off the first day, but I didn't. Hannah was so excited to line and get into the classroom that I didn't want my emotions to ruin it for her. Now, the second day of class I started crying real tears. The growth in her amazes me. When she went to the 3's class two days a week 9:15-11:45 she cried almost the entire year every time I dropped her off. Last year in Preschool she didn't cry but still hung around me when I was dropping her off. This year she has such confidence. She wants to get in line and sends me away.

Okay another subject, my job... love it. I am amazed with how nice everyone is. I have had weeks worth of training, now I need a student. So, if you could please pray that I would get a least one so I can apply all that I have learned I would appreciate it. Also, I have an unspoken prayer request. It is personal and I really do not want to talk about it for multiple of reasons, so if you think about it pray for me.

I hope you enjoy the photos and hopefully video if I can get it uploaded.

God Bless,

Brenda

Sisters Wanna Have Fun!

Today the girls really seem to play well together. Hannah received a Hannah Montana dress up kit along with 2 CD's of her music. The girls decided they wanted to sing her stuff. Hattie went and got the Hannah Montana Barbie doll and Hannah put on the get-up. I realized I can video tape from my camera. Notice the picture of Hannah before the video and then how everything is falling off and landing on the floor.
I am bummed that I wasn't able to post the video, the file was too big. I will have the girls do it again tomorrow and make it shorter. Until then, goodnight

Brenda

Happy Birthday Hannah

Hannah had her 5th birthday party on Saturday. My Aunt Bonnie hosted the Luau pool party. Hannah had 25 of her closest friends, including her sisiter, come and swim with her. My Aunt Bonnie made the cake. It tasted as good as it looked. Hattie swam until she fell asleep sitting up on Hannah's former teacher's lap. We had hot dogs and chips for the kiddos and Hawaiian BBQ for the adults. It was so much fun! Hannah received everything and more than she could have ever wanted. I was overwhelmed with the love I felt from all of our friends and family. Most of the kids that were there have been to every one of Hannah's birthdays. It is so cool seeing these kids grow up together. Here are the pictures to capture the event.

What Fun!

The Maingots are in full summer swing. Hannah had a Lemonade Stand and made $9.50 in just an hour of work.

We have been going swimming almost every week. Last week Hannah and Hattie went to their cousins house to play on their water slide. It was a blast seeing them together. Every time we visit over there I wish that we lived closer. (we live 1 1/2 hours away) I then realize that I just need to enjoy the moment and the now. Not seeing them everyday makes these times more special.

Hannah lost her first tooth! I can't believe it, she is not even 5 yet! We happen to be at her cousins house when she showed us her tooth was hanging by a thread. Daddy pulled it out for her. It was a great moment. She had to call her memaw, and other little friends. (on west coast time zone). Her Aunt Heather gave her a pillow to put the tooth in for the tooth fairy to get it, whcih also had a spot for the tooth fairy to leave a gift. She got $5.00! Boy, days have changed from when I only got .25.
Here is one last picture of the girls at the beach. It is was so much fun watching the girls play in the sand. We went with Hannah's friend, Mia, and her mom ans sisters. Mia's mom is a pro at it. She knew what time to go, where to park, and set up. I will definitely tag along with her again.

Until next time, enjoy your family and capture those moments in pictures.

Brenda