Happy Birthday to Me!!

Conversations with Olivia

Me: Olivia, stop sliding down the steps....
Olivia: Why?
Me: Because you throw a fit anytime you think anyone might possibly, maybe thinking about coming close to bumping your finger....
Olivia: But I am sliding down on my butt (demonstrates while looking at me like I am crazy!)

A human eating back pack

Christmas Fun

Because of God's Great Love

For those of you who have asked or wondered, the Jobe crew is healthy. Thank you for your prayers!

May the peace of Christ by yours this Christmas....




Luke 2

The Birth of Jesus

1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.

4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Wow!

What is worse than three barfing kids, two ear infections, and one severed finger? Try two sick parents with 5 kids who feel just fine....

Life is so unfair!

There should be a rule that you cannot have zits and crows feet at the same time! Now that would create quite a dilemma....which one would I choose?

a reluctant model

One Monday, Olivia was playing hide and seek with her siblings and a friend of mine. Her hand was accidentally shut in a closet door. I'll spare you the details, but at the top of the pinky finger she had an "amputation with complications." The complications being that the bone was chipped and there is a bone fragment floating around in there. The pinky was not completely severed. It has been sewn on and she will see a doctor on Friday to make sure it is healing correctly. She didn't want to have her picture taken, but I know many of you are curious about the extent to the wrapping of her hand.

Oh, did I mention Charis's ear ache and the three barfing siblings????

The 12 Days of Christmas

Makes my mom's least favorite Christmas song waaaay too much fun!

My Birthday

After the event....

What a great concert. MH was wonderful as awesome. Plus, we got to hear the world premiere of one of the funniest things ever written. Made even funnier because it wasn't supposed to be funny! It was a 'world peace' piece written to include every song about love you can imagine....just a few were, "All You Need is Love," "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," "I'll Be There," "Stand By Me." Too much fun!!

Guess who my husband is taking me to see for my birthday?????

Allow me to reintroduce the Christ

Rainy Day Fun!

Rainy Day Fun!!

Sick babies

Okay, so last week it was Elliana with the cold and fever and fluid in her ears. Today it is Charis. Of course she still feels well enough to tattle! No kids to babysit today....just a cloudy, overcast, blech kind of day.....

Off to make hairbows! I got several orders yesterday. Yipee!!!

Bow Giveaway TODAY!!

Today, 4 Princess Bows is featured on Bloggy Giveaways! Check it out and you could win!!

Kind of on Edge Today

Ever have one of those days that just kind of seems off? I'm having one of those. Taking on other people's stress, reading between the lines when there is no between to read. So I have to run to the one source of all things. My Heavenly Father. And HIS words of hope.

1-2By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that's not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.
3-5There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit! (Romans 5:1-5, The Message)

Free Hair Bows!

Do you like hair bows? Do you like free stuff? Would you like to win free hair bows? This week, 4 Princess Bows will be doing a giveaway over at Bloggy Giveaway Shannon from Rocks In My Dryer does giveaways every week. And she has graciously agreed to feature 4 Princess Bows one day this week! I am not sure which day, so check it out every day! I am giving away two $25 gift certificates!!

Breath of Heaven

Conversation with Josiah

Josiah: Mommy, can I talk to you???? (repeat in your head about 12 times, increasingly louder)

Mommy: Can I stop you?

Josiah: NO!

Good think he's so cute!!

Conversations with Grace

Grace: Mom! That nativity on your blog looks just like your nativity!
Mom: Grace, that is my nativity on my blog.
Grace: Oh! I wondered why the wall behind it looked like ours!

2 Years Ago

Two years ago today, Miss Charis Xiao-Xing joined our family. She has come so far from that scared little girl that walked into that room in Changsha, Hunan. She would have nothing to do with me for the first several days. Now she is a mama's girl. I can't imagine our lives without her......

Wordless Wednesday

My Tree

I love our Christmas tree. It was decorated by 5 very excited children! Who cares that the 'good' ornaments are still stored in the attic? Who cares that the ornaments are clumped together on the bottom left side of the tree? It brought the Jobe crew such joy to put it together! Thank you, Jesus for the excitement and laughter of children!

Baby News!!

Nathaniel is home from the hospital! Kathy stopped by on her way home today, around 4:00. God is so good and faithful! Thank all of you for your prayers. Hopefully, Aiden will be ready to come home in a couple of weeks!

Go here for some recent pictures of the boys.

Our God is truly an awesome god!!

My Deliverer

1 I love you, O LORD, my strength.

2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

3 I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
and I am saved from my enemies.
Psalm 18:1-3

Do you ever need delivered from anything? I know I sure do! Mainly from this muck of a life that I have created. Okay, before anyone who knows me protests, we've all made messes in our lives. Created pits that we get really comfortable living in. So, yes, there is muck in my life. And some days are 'muckier' than others.

There is just so much stuff that gets in the way sometimes. In between me and God. So I need to be delivered from that. Rescued from that.

Now, I can sit around talking and bemoaning how hard that is. And it can be difficult. But I am done with that. I am just going to let go and let God. I am going to ask him to be my deliverer. I've asked him to be my savior. But I seem to always relate that to eternity. I'm not there right now. But he can deliver me, right now, while I am living in time.

So, this advent season, I am expecting a deliverer! Praise God!

Thankful Thursday

I am so thankful that Jesus is not a wimp! Huh? Let me repeat....JESUS IS NOT A WIMP!! Yes, he loves us desperately. That is love...LOVE not LUV. It's not a soft, fuzzy, do whatever you want kind of love. It's a deep passionate, I want what is best for you kind of love.

So many times I hear people say they cannot stand up for themselves because they want to be a good Christian. I don't really remember anywhere in the Bible where Jesus was wimpy. I remember him toppling tables in the synagogue. Showing the pharisees the fallacy of their reasoning when they challenged him. I remember him asking the hard questions (Peter, do you love me?) and giving the hard answers (feed my sheep, sell all you own and follow me.)

Jesus doesn't call us to be nice, he calls us to be his. I am grateful that I am allowed to be strong in him. How do you see Jesus? Maybe this Advent season is a good time to research that for yourself.

Babies!

Don't you just love babies? They are so sweet. Those cheeks. The innocence as they sleep. The smells,the noises. Love love love babies!

Last week I went shopping with my friend, Erin, who says my baby radar is off the charts! (okay, not an exact quote.) But I feel like having a baby with you in a store is an open invite for compliments and an attempt to make your baby smile. I must admit, I've never had a parent get upset when I stop them to gush over their parcel of sweetness.

And waiting on a baby can seem interminable! Nine months of aches and pains (and 9 months of morning sickness in my case.) Nine months of preparations! Decorating, washing itty bitty, sweet, little clothes. Nine months of wondering what your child will look like, act like.

Nine months of waiting.

Nine Months of waiting.

NINE MONTHS OF WAITING.....

I don't always wait all that well.

I wonder how that waiting was for Mary, mother of Jesus.

18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us." (Matthew 1:18-24)

It is generally assumed that Mary was really young. In her early teens. I can only imagine how scared she was. When did it really become real to her that she was expecting? Right away? The first time she felt a kick? How amazing to know that the child moving in you is God!

I'll bet people stopped Mary to tell her how beautiful her baby was.

Isn’t He (isn’t He) Beautiful (beautiful) ?
Beautiful (beautiful)Isn’t He (isn’t He) ?
Prince of peace Son of God, isn’t He?


Praise God that we are no longer waiting for that baby. Jesus Christ is Born!

Isn’t He (isn’t He)Wonderful (wonderful) ?
Wonderful (wonderful)Isn’t He (isn’t He) ?
Counselor, Almighty God, isn’t He?
Isn‘t He? Isn‘t He?

Yes You are (yes You are)Beautiful (beautiful)!
Beautiful (beautiful)Yes You are (yes You are)!
Prince of peace Son of God, yes You are!

Yes You are (yes You are)Wonderful (wonderful) !
Wonderful (wonderful)Yes You are (yes You are)!
Counselor, Almighty God, yes You are!

*"Isn't He" lyrics by John Wimber

Christmas Prayers

As part of our Advent celebration this year, Kevin and I have decided NOT to send out Christmas cards....WHAT!?!....how can we celebrate the season without Christmas cards?? Aren't good Christians supposed to send out cards?

Now, I love Christmas cards, but I can't find any Biblical reference requiring them. So, here is what we have decided to do. I am contacting my Christmas card list to let them know that instead of receiving cards from the Jobe crew this year, they are going to receive prayer.

During Advent, we are going to sit down as a family and pray for each of the people that would normally get a card from us. And for lots that might not usually get a card. Here is what you need to do. Email Kevin or myself with any specific prayer requests that you might have this holiday season. It can be ANYTHING! Health concerns, praises, requests for friends and family members, prayers for those who do not know Jesus, for those completely stressed out by the holdiay season.

We don't even have to know you personally! Feel free to pass this on and we will pray for anyone who gets back to us! Just leave a comment to this post. You don't have to leave a name if you don't want to. We might not know your name, but God does!! Isn't that cool?

Lord,
I lift up to you right now, every person who reads this post. I pray your mercy and blessings on them. I pray that this Christmas season may be the beginning of a deeper relationship with you. I beg you, Jesus, to touch hearts. To create revival. To help us remember who YOU are.
In the name of the Risen King
Amen

29"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ." Mark 8:29

Who are you preparing for this Advent season????

(more to come on this topic!!)

Thankful Thursday/Wordless Thursday

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Birthday, Princess Olivia!! Tomorrow, Olivia will be 6!!

Lookie What I Made!

I am so excited about this bow. I finished it this morning. And it is so versatile! The bow attaches to the head band or can be worn alone. The holly berry clip can be worn on the bow or by itself. I love how it makes the Christmasy-but can be removed for wearing all the time! I'm pretty proud of myself, can you tell? Check out these and more at my store 4 Princess Bows

Looks Can Be Deceiving

Doesn't she just look precious? Innocent? Butter wouldn't melt in her mouth?? Let me tell you what.....Ella has run full force into the THREES (threes...threes....threes..does that sound like an echo?)

She's had an ear infection. So that account for the sleeping issues. But what about her refusal to leave clothes on? She has decided socks are evil. If we put them on her, she screams at the top of her lungs. And she is one LOUD little thing. Apparently, she dislikes the seam across the top of the toes.

Today she took the lids off of her older brother and sister's milk cups. She then (and don't you dare laugh, I know this sounds funny...) she then poured the milk into a bowl she found. And then, tried to lap it up like a dog. In the meantime, she managed to spill milk all over the already dirty carpet and all over the couch.

I went to put her down for her nap to discover she had emptied the clothing out of the dresser in the girls' room.

Oh, did I say NAP???? Didn't manage one of those today. So now, the darling little princess is sitting on the milk soaked couch, naked, throwing pretzels on the floor.

Ah, the joys of being 3!! (someone help me!)

What a weekend!

First, I apologize. I try to regularly post. I know how disappointed I am when I read a blog loyally and then there are several days without a post. But, life does get in the way, doesn't it?

I was at the doctor on Thursday to have my cholesterol checked. My weight was down...YEAH! And to talk to her about my migraines. I have been in such a cycle with my migraines the past month or so. More days with than without. But we have a plan to get them under control. I actually had a day and a half where I was migraine free!

On Friday, sweet little Elliana had to go to the doctor. She has a double ear infection...AGAIN! Poor baby. No wonder she hasn't been sleeping.

On Saturday, we had our Thanksgiving dinner at church and our first Family Fun Night (also known as THE NIGHT OF AWESOMENESS...ask our youth pastor.) It was lots of fun. We had a bon fire on the front lawn, games in the lounge, a movie upstairs for the kids and nursery care. Something for everyone!

Sunday morning we had church as usual. A wonderful service. Our pastor rocks (not that I am prejudice at all.) After naps, it was back to church for my sister in law's ?? birthday party. I won't give her age away, just tell you she was 17 when my hubby was born....did I mention he's 43?

Then, of course we had to get the kids to bed before The Amazing Race started!

A really great weekend, but with kids so small, it can be exhausting to have fun!

Wordless Wednesday

A monster in my basement

You know, when you decide to have kids, there really are somethings that you just don't think about. Like never sleeping in again until they are teenagers! How one small person increases your bills, let alone 5 of them! Where are you supposed to keep all of those hand-me-downs? Not that I don't appreciate them, but I swear they are multiplying and taking over our third floor. And the toys! I don't know what they are doing in their boxes over night, but I KNOW that there are more of them around today than there were yesterday. So why do the kids always complain that there is nothing to do?

And when was that exact moment that I actually turned into my mother? "If you are really hungry, you'll eat an apple." and the dreaded "BECAUSE I SAID SO!!" 'Fess up, if you are a parent, you've said that. Because a persistent 3 year old can ask "Why" 586,000 times. Eventually, you are driven to it!!

But the thing that amazes me most about a household of 7 people is the incredible amount of laundry that piles up EVERYWHERE!!! (Now, I have to bow in amazement to Katherine at Raising Five http://raisingfive.blogspot.com/ She has made blogging about laundry an art form!) There is laundry at the top of my steps. On the floor in the girls' room. In the toy boxes? I don't get that at all!! How does it end up in the toy boxes?? It is next to beds, under beds. And ALL OVER MY BASEMENT!! Sunday, it was knee high and at least five foot wide. I had committed the offense of not doing it for a couple of days. In two days I have done 8, yes 8 loads of laundry. Six have been put away. Two are sitting on my bedroom floor awaiting their final destination. There is one in the dryer, half a load in the washer, two half loads still on the basement floor and WHAT????!!?? A full basket of dirty stuff up stairs waiting to come down to be washed.........sob....sob......sigh......

Meme 10/20/30

Okay, gotta admit, I don't have a clue what 'meme' stands for! LOL!! but Dawn at Humming Birds Don't Lie tagged me, so here it goes.....

10 years ago, my life and my marriage really turned around. Kevin made a true commitment to Christ and life has not been the same. We were living in our first house and had a puppy. Everyone said a baby would come next and a year later Miss Grace entered our world.

20 years ago (wow has it really been 20 years since I was 21??) I was still in college...Ohio State...Go Bucks!!! (sheepishly reminded of last week's loss to Illinois!) I was still marching with the Pride of Cincinnati ( www.prideofcincinnati.org ) ...not dating anyone seriously. Living at home and having a great time!!

30 years ago...middle school...yuck...not fitting in....parents split.....one of the most difficult times of my life!!

Okay, Kate, yes, YOU, Kate in MD!! You have officially been tagged!! Hugs to Luci!!

Sleep

We've really been battling Miss Oliva and her sleep this past couple of weeks. Olivia is going to be 6 on Thanksgiving. For at least the past three years, getting Livi to sleep has been crazy! When she goes to bed she seems to get some kind of adrenaline rush. Or maybe just a rush of 'I wonder how far I can push until I get in trouble.'

The four girls share one room, and Grace and Olivia share a double bed. This has become a recipe for trouble. The girls go to bed and Olivia attacks. Literally. She will sing as loudly as she can in Grace's ear. She will pinch her, hit her, bite her, kick her. You name it Olivia has done it or will do it once she thinks of it.

We have tried everything. Making her sleep in the hallway (okay we did that last night. This morning she told me how fun it is!), taking away her blankie, taking away privileges, talking to her, offering rewards for not terrorizing her sister. You name it, we've done it.

Thankfully, she is an angel at school. But her teacher looks at me strangely when I ask if she is agressive with the other kids!

As you can see from the picture above, most of the time the girls adore each other......

*sigh* I think I need a nap!!

Thankful Thursday

10 If one falls down,

his friend can help him up.

But pity the man who falls

and has no one to help him up!

Ecc. 4:10

I am so thankful for my girl friends.

The ones that live next door to me.

The ones I see at church.

The ones with whom I study to better know our Abba Father

The ones who watch my children so I can breathe.

(not to mention cook and do my laundry!)

The ones who watch my children so we can have date night!

The ones who call so we can meet for coffee or dinner.

The ones I only know through the convenience of modern technology.

The ones I met in China.

The ones who call just to say 'I've been thinking of you. '

The ones who email me for prayers.

The ones that used to be students but are now friends.

The one I call 'sister', and my many sisters in Christ.

The one I call mother.

The sisters I have by marriage.

The mother I gained when I married.

The ones that I can complain to and the ones I listen to.

The ones I can call at any time day or night (and you know who you are.)

The one who doesn't even speak my language but seems to know my heart as well as I do.

I am so grateful for my girl friends!

Wordless Wednesday....He Never Stops Talking!!

What I did with my Monday

I just couldn't stand it any longer!!!!!!!