Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Jesse Tree: Day 1

The Branch From Jesse
Isaiah 11:1

1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

Isaiah 11:10

10 In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.

We (this year) are starting a Christmas tradition in our house, decorating, storytelling, learning about the Jesse Tree. The lineage of Christ. The plan God had for conquering Sin, by sending his son Jesus Christ into the world, to live sinlessly, declare HIS glory, and died a sinners death to defeat death, be raised and ascend to Heaven. The tree will be fun for Noah to decorate and we will abbreviate these bible stories to have family time every night, and spend time with our boys. To be intentional about telling our children about Christ every moment we get, is not done as often as we would like, but this is a start.


1 Samuel 16:1-13

1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”
2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”

The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’
3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”

4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”

5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.”

7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”

Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.

Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”

13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.

3 Boys

My 2 boys

Mr. Eli

Luke having tummy time.

Nov 28 2011

For the next 2 days we have sweet Elijah Oakley at the Taylor house. I get a taste of 3 children (a taste, because he is such a laid back good baby) (my boys are much more active), Luke gets to share my attention, and Noah gets to help Momma with another baby. He really is such a good helper, if Luke is fussy he will go sit in front of him (and I guess repeat what he hears me say), "It's Okay, Noah is right here." So sweet.

Putting up the Tree

Nov 27 2011

My 1st chance to get a tree, well I jumped at it, I was so excited to get going with the decorating. To have a house, a real tree, and a fireplace, well some things just make this girl happy.

This isn't the finished project but as soon as I get it decorated I can sit down and enjoy some hot tea, my boys, and my husband. He really humors me and lets me get into the decorating.

Here we are picking out the tree, we fully intended on doing the Christmas tree farm, cutting down our own tree, but I think the boys will enjoy when the are bigger. Plus who can beat a 7-8 ft tree at Lowe's for $42.

The big excitement for Noah today was borrowing Babu's truck, getting to sit in the front while Daddy drove, and riding to get the tree and then home again. He could care less about the tree.


I called Drew while he and Noah rode, and Noah talked to Momma on the phone, all he kept telling me was he was riding in Babu's truck.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Luke baby ornament

Blank Project Ceramic Ornament
Find unique birthday party cards & address labels at Shutterfly.
View the entire collection of cards.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Turkey Day with the Taylors'

Gigi, Pops, and Noah

The whole Family

Aunt Bryce and Luke

Another attempt at a family picture. We will try again another day.

Pops, holding Luke in the football hold.

Nov 24 2011

After driving back from Meridian, Ms we headed to Madison, Ms to spend the rest of the afternoon with Drew's family. It was good to see everyone and show off how our Luke man had grow since they say him last.

Happy Thanksgiving

The Snowden Family

The Taylor clan (yep it was too bright)

The FOOD!!!!!

My little Lukers big day

Uncle Jeremy and Luke

Grana, Noah, and Aunt Joe (LUV)

The Babu

Nov 24 2011

We are truly Thankful to spend today with our families. It really has been a while since we were all together. We tried to coach Noah on how to say "Happy Thanksgiving" this morning, he was into it. It was Luke's 1st Thanksgiving, and it was fun to look back and see how the Lord has blessed us with so many things to bring us to this point. And now has given us a 2nd son to raise. We are amazed at our Saviors' goodness, faithfulness, and provision over our lives.

1st Christmas Present





Nov 23 2011

Mimi brought us the Little People Nativity Scene, complete with the shepherds that keeping watch by night, and the wise men that came bearing gifts to the KING JESUS. Noah loves it and we will definitely keep it out for a while to remember the True Reason we celebrate Christmas.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Birmingham Zoo

Nov 19 2011

Before we left town to come back home we headed to the Zoo. This was both of our boys 1st trip to the zoo. WE HAD A BLAST!!!

The noisy parrots.

The tiger.

Lions

The lioness.

The african wild dog.

Pumba, the hogs.

Zebras


Noah looking at the giraffes

Momma with her boys in front of the Giraffes, MY FAVORITE ANIMAL

The lone Elephant

Monkeys


Peacock

Black Swan

White Swans

Looks like the mean bird from RIO

Lorakeets

Feeding them nectar


Drew was not so excited about this bird on his shoulder

My sweet Nuhu.

Akin Visit

Nov 18 2011

We were able to travel to Birmingham AL to visit our sweet friends Paul and Kari Akin, we first met them in Kenya and it is so interesting how God has weaved our lives to still be close-ish and still be able to let share our lives and let our kids play. Micah, Jordan, and one little girl on the way. Micah was actually there when Noah was born and was his first friend visitor in the hospital.

These boys are so fun together. It looks like Micah is saying, "here is how it is done", instructions on how to use the mower.

Noah looking at it thinking, "it can't be that difficult."

Sweet Jordan and blowing bubbles

Getting a mouthful of bubble solution

And the racing begins. They wore themselves out.

PROOF POSITIVE: they crashed and watched TV together. This makes me think they are growing too fast.

This pic is when Noah was born, so fun to see how they have grown.


Luke, Drew, and Paul

Me, Luke, and Kari

Me and that beautiful Jordan

Kari and our little Luke

The kids and guys played outside while Kari cooked dinner and we chatted.

Look at those eyes, being around such a precious little girl made me really what to try for a little girl, in a couple of years.

Playing soccer


The daddies getting in on the action.

Jordan was such a big helper and always wanted to put the pacifier back in Luke's mouth.

Our wild boys

Micah's attempt to "help" Noah look at the camera

Playing the drums

Our PJ babies

the out-take

The whole Akin family.

Spider man Micah

A review from halloween, the boys played dress up. While we packed the car.

Saying good bye to his buddy.

Miss Jordan.


We had such a fun visit with our friends, plan to head back before too much time passes. We will after all have to meet the new Akin addition in Feb.