Mitchell Mob 25 Days of Christmas

A few years back I did 25 Days of Christmas with the boys. Some days had really big treats while others had a craft or a book to unwrap. When we got into fostering and had FOUR KIDS and then FIVE KIDS the thought of the 25 Days of Christmas was just too much. We were surviving at that point! 

I thought since they boys' world was about to be rocked with the addition of baby sister we would make this last Christmas as a family of four fun for them. 

Here are the Mitchell Mob's 25 Days of Christmas 2015: 

Day 1: Setting up their Christmas tree

 Day 2: Making twig stars for their tree

 Day 3: Coffee filter snowflakes  

Day 4: Watching Polar Express

Day 5: Riding the Polar Express Train

Day 6: Christmas Cards for packages

Day 7: Unwrapping Christmas books

Day 8: Paper strips Christmas tree

 

Day 9: Christmas color by number

Day 10: Edible Christmas trees

Day 11: Cotton ball snow garland

Day 12: SFA basketball game

Day 13: Christmas shaped rice krispies

Day 14: Unwrapping Christmas books

Day 15: Playing with snow

Day 16: Looking at Christmas lights

Day 17: Christmas cookies with friends

Day 18: Candy

Day 19: Mitchell Christmas

 

Day 20: Cotton ball snowmen

Day 21: Cardboard gingerbread houses

Day 22: Christmas Family Game Night

Day 23: Judges for Taylor Cutthroat Kitchen

Day 24: Taylor Christmas

Day 25: CHRISTMAS!

I don't post these to make you think I'm a cool mom. Because the fact that something happened every day for 25 days is miraculous. And let's be honest I threw in candy as Day 18 and bummed other people's holiday activities (Day 5, 17, 19, 23, 24) to make it through. There were days that my kids weren't grateful because they had just gotten to ride the Polar Express and then the next day they were getting Christmas books that they've had for years. Parker man just wasn't always feeling it (see Day 20). 

My hope is that they can look back on these times and feel special. It wasn't a lot but it was fun. Here's to a new year of adjusting to a baby girl in the house and being the best big brothers ever! 

My Dad has Cancer....Again

A few weeks ago my Dad facetimed me. This isn't out of the norm really, he's funny that way :) He told me he had been to the dentist twice that week and had found out the his jaw was deteriorating. The dentist diagnosed him but wanted him to see a specialist at MD Anderson because of his history. I am grateful the dentist compared his X-rays from a few weeks ago to 13 months ago. The damage was happening rapidly. My heart sank. I got off the phone and the tears began to well up but I willed them away until we heard from MD Anderson.

They did a CT scan that Friday at MD Anderson. While we were all waiting to hear back about those results we found out they wanted a biopsy and should have those results in 30 minutes. An hour went by...two hours went by...the freak out began..."they had to have seen something on that scan to want a biopsy. We haven't heard back about the biopsy. This is bad. This is going to be bad. It's cancer. And Bekah's wedding is just in a few weeks...."

I got the phone call as we were heading to our Mitchell Thanksgiving. It was cancer (I'm not going to try to type the whole thing) and they caught it early. One side of Dad's sinus cavity had completely been deteriorated. There was also a tumor. It's also in/around his mouth which is why he was having tooth pain and went to the dentist. Now to pull myself together before Jonathan's family Thanksgiving... and oh yeah the kids' court hearing that following Monday.

Here's the thing CANCER SUCKS. Like big time. What I'm noticing this go round (and last time too) is the Lord's graciousness. I know it sounds funny to say God's being gracious when my dad has cancer. The thing is my dad's tooth was hurting so he went to the dentist. That dentist felt the need to compare to past X-rays (huge blessing!) and sent him right away to the best. Dad had no idea he had a big tumor in his sinus cavities! He wasn't having any pain or symptoms from it. Graciousness from a loving and sovereign Father.

Dad went back the Wednesday before Thanksgiving for a MRI and PET scan. It hasn't spread past the spots they knew about. Praise the Lord. And now we'll get Bekah married and surgery is scheduled the week of Christmas. The surgery will be pretty crazy. I'm pretty sure he'll be half robot after it's all said and done.

When I started thinking cancer might be a possibility I asked the Lord a lot of questions. Some obvious ones..."Why is this happening again? Why him?" and some selfish ones..."Do you not remember I have 5 children?!? And I'm planning a wedding that I didn't want extra kids for?? And you remember Christmas is coming??"

I think I'm still in denial really, but thoughts creep up throughout the day and I cry thinking about walking through this again as a family. A few more grandkids this time around. Having to explain it to Luke and Parker. Having to come up with answers for their tough questions.

In all the busyness of being a family of seven and finalizing the last details of Bekah's wedding and the upcoming holiday season...when you get that kind of news...everything stops. And you grieve together as a family because you know from experience it's not going to be easy and you don't want to see your Daddy be in pain. But then you lift your head together as a family to trust the almighty, all-powerful Healer. And you cry out for healing and comfort, but ultimately you trust His perfect will and pray for His hope and glory to be seen and heard.

We don't like this one bit, but there is a peace knowing that our hope is not in doctors and medicine (although we are so grateful for their expertise!). "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19 The true meaning of this holiday season, Jesus. And I don't say that to be cheesy. But the Gospel man! Jesus came down to die for us and He took the wrath we deserve. Oh how He loves us! So we rejoice no matter what happens because He deserves all the glory. However He chooses to receive it.

It's coming...

That thing that I always heard from others... "Before you know it he'll be starting kindergarten!"... it's here. We have meet the teacher on Thursday and there's just no way that can be right. 

I thought having all these other kids in the house would help with this big, new transition for me. And I guess it has a little because I don't really have much spare time to think about it. But in the still and quiet of nap time here I sit crying and trying to wrap my head around it. 

He's got his school supplies. He's got his backpack and lunch box. He's got his new school clothes and his first day of school shirt that he picked out himself. He's ready. But I'm not so sure. 

I come from a family of criers. When one starts we all start (we're sympathy criers!) and it does not take much to get us going. At this point I'm just praying I make it out to the car before it comes! I'm not typically a sappy person, but I barely made it through meet the teacher last year for PRESCHOOL! My goodness woman pull yourself together! Like I couldn't even speak to his teacher because the tears were already welling up. 

This means he's not my little baby anymore. 

He's grown out of needing me for a lot of things. 

And it's so fun to see the gifts that the Lord has placed in him!

 But I'm going to miss my Lukey. And I'm going to miss his little kid-ness. And I'm not ready for him to go to college!! (Insert crying hysterically emoticon!) 

Oh my sweet Lukey-pookey. The Lord gave me my heart's desire through you. I love being your mommy. I love watching you accept whatever foster child comes into our home as your own brother or sister. I love seeing the Lord's compassion and love in you and it makes my heart burst when I see you extend that to others. You defend others in need (so much so that we have to remind you we're the authority!). You make us smile and laugh all the time. I can not wait to see what big plans the Lord has in store for you.  I know you're a bit worried about this new big school and a new teacher and new classmates. And that's why I'm praying this verse over you as begin this new journey... "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love." I pray that you always know Who stands beside you and goes before you no matter where you go or what you face. I love you Bubba.

Dino-mite Party!

Ah, my boys are another year older…it makes this momma's heart sad. This may be why I throw myself into the party planning! Ha!

The boys LOVE dinosaurs. They tell me all the names and facts of everyone they own (which is a lot!).  I thought it fit so well this year to have a Dinosaur Birthday Party. 

So here are the details of the party…

I printed out a dinosaur footprint on card stock. Then my mom cut it out and colored dino footprints up the sidewalk to the door. Where I had the dino wreath. Simple, simple. Got some of the boys' dinosaurs and wrapped them and attached them to the wreath. Then some simple pendants from scrap paper to add more color. 

  

I painted this sign for the entry way to match the invitation. 

I had artificial grass squares that I cut in half to make strips for the dinosaurs to stand on. I put these on the mantle with a banner and some flags.

I covered the tables in butcher paper and spread colors out for guests to write messages and color pictures. We had some very creative guests :)

 And then there was the cake. It's been a while since I've done a birthday cake. Like Luke's first birthday…

So I started my research and tried to not over do it….this is the picture I ultimately picked for inspiration. But I wanted the fossil to be edible. And the fence looked like someone took tootsie rolls and carved wood grains into them. Ain't nobody got time for that. 

  

So here's what we ended up with…

I used these cookie cutters and stamps to make the grown up favors. And then filled the kids favors with coloring sheets, colors, dino tattoos and fruit snacks. I made the labels in my scrapbooking software then cut them out with my Silhouette. 

  

And moving on to probably my favorite part :) the dinosaur photo booth! When we got this huge cardboard box around Thanksgiving I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it! My sweet husband is so patient and understanding when it comes to my crazy party planning. He was a big help in helping me make this a reality. 

I opened up the box and used my overhead projector to make a T-rex silhouette on the box. Then I cut it out and my mom helped me paint it.  I did the same for the pterodactyl and my mom painted it.

I cut the pendants with my Silhouette and attached the circles (also cut out with the Silhouette). Luke helped me string it and thought he was all that :)  

We had a great time. And the Lord was so gracious to give us a beautiful day in the 60s! Here are the rest of the photo booth pictures!