Stars

I was so proud of my Connor for memorizing, practicing, and taking part in our church Christmas program.  It was extra work, and memorizing lines can be challenging during a busy school season.  With the support of his church peers he did an amazing job and so did the rest of the youth!

set design- awesome!

The night of showtime when Connor did his role, I began to shed a few tears backstage.  I was having a mom moment, and I was proud, and God is good.  It was a beautiful memory.

Don't worry, my young backstage peeps made me get over my tears by making me laugh and cheering me (and Connor) on.  

(sigh)  I love these kids.

backstage selfies (in the dark)

also backstage with the lantern keeper,
such a mature and smart young man!

What better way to recap the Christmas program than to retell the Christmas story on Christmas Day!

Isaiah 7:14. Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 

Precious R.
the same age as Connor, I have known her since age 3

Matthew1: 18. This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about[a]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 

 The sweetest Mary and Joseph around

Luke 2:10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people."

Sweet Angel

sister love

Matthew 2: 3. When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 

Luke 2:15-16. When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 

"Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."  And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger."

shepherds:  A for Awesome

Nativity Set 

Four years ago had you told me these two boys would memorize, perform, and take a play seriously.....I wouldn't be sure they could sit still long enough!
However, they were great with the third shepherd and they all supported each other.
(pictured with one adorable lamb)

Matthew 2: 9.  After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 

wise men including our own wise youth pastor

Matthew 2:  12.  And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

you can NOT talk to these two without smiling
great performance you two!

John 3: 16.  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

1 John 5:11.  And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

I played a Mom, Pretty Easy
(these are my three darlings)

Romans 15:  3. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. 

Our Stars
I was very blessed to be a part.

God was born-

James 1:  17. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Family Stars

What a weekend!

I'm pooped, but it was great.

I left work Friday feeling so depleted and down, so I am thanking God for reminding me of the important gifts in life.

I felt well enough to watch Connor play his second basketball game!  

I speed ordered some ear buds to assist with the noise. 

The last game went terrible due to the LOUD stop clock.  

Once the stress of the noise was diminished, he had a fantastic time!

Connor and Dad

Although, it was a little hard to hear directions.  Connor just roamed the court, oblivious to coach calling his name.

I got tickled because he guarded this pretty girl the whole time.  I saw him chatting with her and she would laugh.  I definitely think Connor is more into the "social" aspect of the game over the competitiveness.

Baby Carlee watched her brother the whole time! 

#1 Cheerleader

He even made a basket, a score, a goal...I don't know what you call it.

By the end of the weekend he was telling everyone he did a 360 degree dunk!

(Just a slight exaggeration.)

The best part was cousins O and O came out to cheer him on, and then took him out for celebration pizza!

We are talking a full buffet of pizza!

Double YUMMO

What a treat to be together as a family, to love and celebrate the "slam dunks" in life.

Your a STAR to us Connor.

DORT (disciples of round table) sunday school girls in all our tacky glory!

That night was a wacky, tacky Christmas party.

Darren opted out, but I just couldn't turn down a party, much less a tacky Christmas party!

Off I went by myself

....I couldn't stay long, but the food and fellowship was well worth the drive.

(plus my outfit rocks)

Gingerbread Man at Church

Psalm 139:

13 For you formed my inward parts;
    you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.[a]
Wonderful are your works;
    my soul knows it very well.

One thing God showed me through the youth and children-

God created you, and it wasn't an accident.  Don't let others determine who you are or who you are NOT simply because they don't understand or agree.

 

"God never changes his mind about the people he calls and the gifts he gives them." Romans 11:29 (NCV)

Tonight was showtime!  

I played the North Star in the Christmas play tonight.

The North Star is totally full of herself and totally full of DRAMA.

(I loved her!)

Prep work was great fun.  

I looked everywhere for a movie star dress. I finally found a discounted (party, pink, plus, peasant dress to be exact) on discount for 25.00!

I later decided to wear a sparkly jacket and purple tights.

This morning in church, a child asked why I had white hair in the front, so I decided to give my hair a little Clairol #119 before showtime!

It took a lot of work....

but I totally achieved DIVA STAR status.

After the play everyone told me how perfect I was to play a DIVA. I was like...ummmmm.... gee.... thanks...I think.....

(I'm taking this as I'm a movie star and not a jerk, ignorance is bliss.)

I actually flubbed up a few lines, but Nova kept going (thank goodness).

Every Christmas play I get stuck in the side room before showtime.  The room is too small, too hot, and there are too many people.  The weird thing is I actually love it because I always get to know people from my church a little bit better. 

This year I got stuck in with several youth, the youth minister, his future wife the angel, and three little (gassy) clouds.  (No. really they were GASSY.)

I enjoyed my time laughing and bonding in that little room with everyone (minus the gas)!

The STARS:  

these little boys and girls were so amazing in telling the story of Christ Born!

They touched so many at such a young age.

My favorite part was the Christmas music at the end.

I love to hear children singing Christmas music.

The manger feeding area.

My little wise man and baby lamb.

My little lamb- so happy to be in a lamb costume (not).

'Glory Be to God!' -Angel

Showtime!

This year I was so excited when Connor decided he wanted to be in this year's Christmas play as Snoopy in 'Charlie Brown's Christmas'. 
Practices are not always fun when your heart would rather be playing with your monster trucks and rubber snakes.  He was also worried about the crowd, the costume, and the noise from the smoke machine.
Still, he hung in there and performed as the lovable Snoopy.
I'm really proud of Connor for stepping outside of his comfort zone, trying something new, and doing a great job!

I mostly enjoyed how all the children helped each other on opening night.  They were all fantastic.
Let us all remember the reason for the season-  celebrating Christ through family, love, and togetherness!

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
That is What Christmas is all about Charlie Brown!"  -Linus

My friend J. took some great pictures for me.

Snoopy was very expressive.

Time to decorate the doghouse.

Lots of garland (don't you love that tail)!

Snoopy Laughter

Dance Time

I love this picture...look at those sweet children!  

It's not Christmas until you've heard the kids dance and sing.

Wonderful Performance by Lucy as a sassy girl!  

We loved it.

Wonderful Performance by Charlie Brown

Snoopy mocking Lucy- my fav. part.

Shermy and Snoopy- 

 pals

Here is a picture of part of the cast.  

I would love a whole cast picture so I can add it to my online blog  for memories.

We ended the night by celebrating with Connor's most favorite restaurant- Mc Ds!

He was even allowed to have cc cookies after 8:00pm.

He deserved it.