Busted!

My camera, that is. So no CHRISTmas pictures, no pictures of the new 'do (which is still long enough for a pony tail), and no random pics for now- not that I was any good at that anyway :). And now I must go be the consummate referee and make sure none of my children are bleeding since a couple of them are screaming. I'll post more later.

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like CHRISTmas...

With all these babies!!

And now we are expecting #4!!!!!!

That’s right; you read it correctly (don’t try to rub your eyes).

I got the sneaky suspicion for the first time shortly after the boys and I had our little tummy bug. My queasiness never went away all of the way. Inside my heart of hearts, it was confirmed when I actually turned down a cup of coffee on a cold day. “WHAT?!?!?!?!” I said to myself. It cannot be. I mean I know our timing has been weird with the last 2 (Jonah= moving into a new house with a 1 year old in tow and Judah= the start of a new business and 2 toddlers in tow). Really, Lord? Seriously, my Jesus loves to laugh- AT ME! So now, when we are moving into a home smaller than one we have lived in since having children, CJ will be out of the house more than ever with a work and wacky school schedule, and my other boys are a year apart- and THE OLDEST IS 3- God chose this time to send us a precious gift of life (Because, yes, we were using birth control as we were with the last 2 pregnancies). How can I be upset about that?

Apparently, we are about 11 weeks along and due early July. No pressure to be bikini ready. Merry CHRISTmas to us!

Here we go!!!!

Santa Truth Thursday 13

St. Nicholas statue

In our attempt to be honest with our children, we do not practice telling them Santa brings them presents. I don't want my children purposefully lying to me so I'm not going to purposefully lie to them- even if it goes against one of the largest commercial-driven campaigns. Instead, we are teaching them that Santa was a real man who lived a long time ago and loved Jesus. It was becasue of his love for Jesus he gave presents and now people like to dress up and pretend to be him. Cole says that Santa is coming from heaven to give presents out. We still have some work to do.
Having said all of that, I decided to do Thursday 13 of historical facts about Santa Clause:

1- His original name was Nicholas
2- He lived in modern day Turkey in 300 A.D.
3- He was orphaned at a young age from the plague
4- He was left a very large inheritance
5- He grew up in a monastery where he became the youngest priest at age 17
6- He did indeed give away his wealth, mostly to children, by tossing goodies down the chimney or through the window
7- He later became a bishop, hence the long robe and hat
8- After his death, the Catholic church made him a saint. When they began to celebrate Christmas (which was not always celebrated- but that is another blog), St. Nicholas was incorporated into the festivities.
9- In the 17th century the Dutch brought over their version of Sinter Klaas and gift-giving
10- In 1822 a poem was written which introduced the 8 reindeer by name and Santa Clause was given elf-like qualities (later known as "Twas the Night Before Christmas")
11- In 1863, Harper's magazine drew illustrations of Santa Clause in their Christmas editions which continued until the 1890's. Later beginning in 1931, Coca-cola created a new picture of Santa Clause every year for 33 years which is how we recognize him today.
12- In 1997, "Artist Robert Cenedella drew a painting of a crucified Santa Claus. It was displayed in the window of the New York's Art Students League and received intense criticism from some religious groups. His drawing was a protest. He attempted to show how Santa Claus had replaced Jesus Christ as the most important personality at Christmas time"
13- We too easily worship the created instead of the Creator.

Hey, Merry CHRISTmas!
1931 Coca-Cola Ad

Information Source: http://rumela.com/events/christmas_santa.htm

I Have the Go Ahead

So apparently, in his old age, CJ is getting a bit more OCD. The other day I saw him wiping off the bathroom counters and mumbling to himself, "All of this hair!" Of course he is referring to mine. I am molting and my hair is longer than it has been since we got married. I haven't cut it short in 4 years because he has asked me not to. Something about women and long hair. So I say to him, "Honey, I can get my hair cut a little shorter if you think you'll like it because this molting is just going to get worse." So he says, "Go ahead, but not too short. I know you're having a hard time keeping it fixed anyway."
I wasn't sure how to take that last statement, but I know I have the go ahead to get my hair cut! So, my appointment is on Saturday and I'm trying to find some pics of some hair styles to take with me. I like that Buffie's hair, but that may be a little too short at first. Any suggestions?

Merry CHRISTmas!!

..from the Jeffcoats

Most of you reading this have a lovely CHRISTmas card addressed and sitting on our desk. We really do wish you a very merry CHRISTmas, but I have not gotten the pictures made or the cards out. There just aren't enough hours in the day for me right now. Please don't think we left you off of our list- NEVER! We love you and wish you and yours a very happy birthday for Jesus! We wish you lots of blessings and hope we get to see you the first part of the new year!

13 Reasons Why I Love Leslie

...because today is her birthday and NOT Thursday


1- She wears a smile almost all of the time.

2- She is a GREAT Mommy!

3- She is one of the most self-less people I know; but at the same time knows her boundaries.

4- She enjoys super hero stuff too!

6- You just feel at peace around her. She brings so much calmness with her. Even when she is bothered by something, she keeps the peace.

7- She NEVER has idle hands. She is either smocking, or giving herself a mani/ pedi (even during a movie), doing book work, sewing... Rarely have I seen her do nothing.

8- She knows the value of keeping her man happy!

9- She is the most dependable person I know.

10-I have not heard her say one negative thing about ANYONE- even when I wanted her too- (Hee, Hee!)

11- She does not criticize- even if you need to change your clothes. She just goes, "So, that's what you're wearing. Hmm."

12- She is an AWESOME cook! I mean, really, if Leslie made it, you can guarantee it is super-yummy.

13- She has the most amazing quiet strength about her. I have but once seen her get roweled up and snap back at a person (who deserved it); in defense of a family member.

Leslie,

I love you so much. God has blessed me greatly by bringing you into my life. The hardest thing about doing this list was I only did 13! I could have easily done 20 and more! I know it's your love for Jesus that keeps you faithful. I hope you have a splendid day and this year brings you more blessing than you can contain!

She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Psalm 31:24-30

Ahh Yeah

Mista Lova-Lova!

It will be that Jonah we will have to watch out for. Every time he gets into trouble and I begin to explain why he's in trouble (aka fuss at him), before I even finish he says, "Mama, let me give you a fiss (kiss)."

There was Dasher and Dancer and Prancer...

and we even had our own Rudolph!

Some of the girls and I did the Reindeer Run to benefit the Children's hospital at MUSC yesterday in downtown Charleston. We had so much fun! I got separated from everybody but had all of our 2 lb goody bags. Of course I couldn't just leave them so after all of the runners took off and I saw no one and then all of the walkers took off and I still saw no one, I decided to begin the 3 mile trek with our bags in tow. Thankfully, I found Melissa and her sweet family to walk with; and since they had Amelia's stroller, I got to relinquish my "Bag Lady" status. Oh, and let me just clarify and say I participated in the Reindeer Walk. BUT, Leslie, Buffie, and English all ran (English the ENTIRE way!!). I am so proud of them. It was great fun, albeit a little hectic at first. A few lessons learned from my first fund-raising 5 K event:

1- Pick up the packets THE NIGHT BEFORE
2- Don't separate from your group- EVER until the event starts. You won't find them.
3- Watch for the dog poo for this little shin-dig (No direct hits, but a couple of close calls).
4- STRETCH, STRETCH, STRETCH!

We are anxious for the next one!

Summing It Up

Cole: "Mama, I'm gonna read you a story from my Jesus book" (a small New Testament Bible he got a harvest festival).


Me: "Sure. I would love that."


Cole: Opening Jesus book (upside down) and begins "A long time ago, Jesus lived in heaven. Then he told Noah to build a big boat. All of a sudden, Jonah was in the whale! And you know what's gonna happen, Mama?"


Me: "No, what?"


Cole: "Noah sent out the dove and when the dove came back, all of the animals got off the big boat. The end.
Tomorrow, we'll read another story out of my Jesus book about the race car."


Me: "I can't wait!"