Tis the season

Christmas is here! Let's give a cheer. All together now. Put up the tree!

As is tradition here at the Rouse House, the Christmas Tree was put up the Sunday after Thanksgiving. This year was extra fun because all three of our girls are old enough to help.

They love going through the ornaments and finding the one that belong to them and reminiscing about when they got it. Like Ella when she saw her Baby's First Christmas Ornament, "Oh, I remember when I got this!" I smiled, as Ella was a whole 4 months old when she got that, but hey, who am I to say what she actually remembers and doesn't. The point is, she has happy memories. And isn't that what it's really all about!?

I also really enjoyed picking out their 2009 ornaments. Every year I give the girls an ornament that they will someday take away with them when they get married and started their own family tree. I always try to get something that reminds me of the last year. This year Ella got a Nutcracker, Avery got Elmo and Claire got a cute snowman.

I got a little tear in my eye this year as I realized that yet another year is almost over and my babies are getting so big. We say it all the time, but really, where does the time go? I am so grateful for the events in my life that have made me really slow down and enjoy the moment. I am so grateful that I have a God that loves me so much that he's willing to guide me in the direction he chooses, even if it doesn't seem like the path I want.

I am also thankful for the gift of humor. I pray that my children always keep me laughing, as I'm sure they will.

Rouse family shopping for their 2009 ornaments.

Mother all sentimental and glowing with holiday love and cheer.

Oldest daughter picking out her ornament, "Mom! I found the perfect one!"

Mother, thinking of something sweet like a smiling snowflake or peaceful angel, walks over to see.

The ornament: A stocking that says, "Santa, you can leave the presents, but please, take my sister!"

Nice, real nice!

Happy Thanksgiving

Holiday happiness

Ames to see our family and eat and eat and eat!

Playing games

Picking up, again and again

Yelling out the answer (I love Cranium!)

Tree hunting and holiday planning

Happy laughter from the girls, and the boys!

Apple pie, did I mention how good that was?

Never enough time with the ones I love

Kissing my babies goodnight and thanking God for family

Sampling a little of everything. What great cooks I have in my family!

Guitar Hero. Enough said.

Ignoring the occasional grumpyness. Give me a break, I'm tired!

Vicious game of (cards, train, jewelquest, dominoes, fluxx?)

Increased waistline by Sunday : (

No not that Jackie, the other Jackie!

Giving, getting, grateful for you all.

I'm not that old!

It just can't be! This can't be happening! Where did the time go?

My baby is 8!

It's official! We had the "well-baby" appointment today, although I guess it's called a "physical" now that she is 8 years old!

My Claire: sweet, sensitive, caring, kind, strong, healthy, funny, clever, loving, thoughtful, amazing!

She makes me so proud. She makes me proud to be a mom. Proud to be her mom.

She makes me want to do better. To love more, to live more, to watch more, to document more, to remember more, to be more present.

She makes me step back in awe at God's almighty ability. She it truly a gift from God.

I am so very thankful f0r her and for the village of people that helped make her who she is today!

And, most important, I'm so grateful for the village of people that are going to help me take care of her over the next 10 years. Because, as she reminded me, she is "half way to driving". Lord help me!

Here are some pictures from her awesome Waterpark/sleepover Birthday party:

Game Plan

Okay, Team Rouse.
On 4...
Grandma take Ella to dance
Mom frost cupcakes
Grandma take Avery for nap
Dad take Ella to Nutcracker Rehearsal
Mom take Claire to swim meet
Grandma, Dad, Mom head to end zone for birthday party
On 4...
Hut, hut, hut, 4!!

Oh my, there are days when I think I can't handle this game of life. Too many places to be, too many things to do, too many kids to care for. But then I remember, I'm not alone.

I have a great team! I have parents that are always there to help. I have friends with a shoulder to lean on, a phone to cry into, and an extra booster seat in the back of their van.
I have a husband who is actively involved in the care of the kids and house. A husband who gets up early to make breakfast and pack lunch boxes so I can get a few extra minutes of sleep. A husband who empties the dishwasher, just because it's full and makes the beds just because they need to be made. Yes, we are a great team.

But, the most important part is our coach. When I can remember who is calling the shots, who has the game plan all laid out, and who knows exactly how the game is going to end, I don't have to worry so much. I can just focus on my part of the action. If I can spend a little more time in the huddle, in prayer and meditation, my game is definitely better.

Dear Lord, Thank you for being my coach. Thank you for surrounding me with such a great team. Lord, help me to remember that you have the game plan. That you are my defense, my offense and my cheer squad. Lord, help me to be a kind and loving team mate. Help me to be an example of your love, both on and off the field! Lord, I put all of my teammates in your care. I ask that you love and protect them and bless us all. Amen.

They'll make fun of me...

Congratulations to the Rouse girls on filling up their marble jar!

We have a Positive Behavior System at our house that entails a jar, some marbles and good behavior. Every time we catch the girls being respectful, responsible, safe or caring they get to throw a marble in the jar. Once the jar is full, they get a special activity with mom and dad.
Now, before I get too much "great mom" credit, I should tell you this is straight out of their classroom. It works there so why not at home too!

Anyway, the girls filled up their jar and chose to go to the new Waukee YMCA swim park for their treat. Sunday we packed up the swim bag, threw on our swim suits and headed for the door. Until this....

"Mom, I need to change my swimsuit", says Ella, a little teary.

"Why? You have your favorite suit on. Let's go!" I respond.

"I can't wear this. They'll make fun of me." Replies my sweet, innocent 5 year old. Pointing to her Disney Princess pink swimsuit with a tutu ruffle.

I can't tell you how quickly my heart fell. How low I felt. How sad I felt to hear my sweet girl tell me such an ugly truth about our world today. "They'll make fun of me."

Uhg, I hate that! Where does this come from? Why have we become people that A. worry so much about what others think of us and B. make fun of people or judge them based on how they look or what they wear!

I of course tried to reassure her that people wouldn't make fun of her. That she looked great. And then I turned to the important point: we don't care!

I reminded her that the only people whose opinion we care about are mom, dad and God. I reminded her how beautiful she is, inside and out. I reminded her that God loves her and made her perfectly the way he wanted. I reminded her that people that make fun of us aren't worth worrying about and certainly aren't our friends. I told her to keep that suit on and wear it proudly....

Ella looked at me, smiled, and said, "um, I'm going to go change my suit now, okay?"

Oh well! I tried!

The only other thing I can do is try to surround her with people who are kind and loving. I can make sure that I know her friends, that I know who she plays with. I can be present, whenever possible, to listen to how they play and how they treat each other. I can make sure that she stays active at church and in it's wonderful fellowship. I can make sure that she continues to have her special times with grandparents. That she gets treated with all the love she deserves.

Thank you to our good friends and family for always loving my girls no matter what. For being such great examples of love, tolerance and kindness. It really does take a village, and a couple of busy minivans!

God bless you!

Oh boy! Are we in for some trouble....

Here is the latest shenanigan from our dear Aves.
Where do you suppose she learned this? : )

Tell me what you really think

God has really blessed Avery. He has given her so much strength, courage, perseverance, determination, intelligence and a whole lot of attitude.

Here she is climbing into her high chair by herself. I had been taking pictures of the big girls dancing so I was lucky enough to catch her in action.

Enjoy my lovely child's attitude in all it's glory!