Lucy's Sushi

For Christmas Lucy got all the ingredients and kitchen ware to make sushi - she was super excited about trying it all out and tonight we feasted Japanese style (with a little cheese, sausage and crackers thrown in). She might need a little more practice making it all stick together but she did pretty good and we all shared in her excitement and fun. She says she wants to open a restaurant - Lucy's Sushi...

Merry Christmas 2013!

We didn't forget to send you a card...we just didn't send any snail mail cards this year...but we thought of each of you - so here's your card!  We're blessed beyond measure and full to the brim with life and joy around here.  We hope your Christmas is Merry and Bright as you celebrate the Light who came to shine in our darkness - Jesus.  Merry Christmas from the Noonan's!

Christmas Brownie man!

Brownie man makes his annual appearance!

With anticipation for Wednesday

On the Sunday before Christmas - we send Tidings of Comfort and Joy - and much red from our family to yours!

Good Morning, Sunshine!

Displaced

"Hey - That curly headed dog you call punkin is sleeping in my bed - whatcha going to do about it?"

Let her sleep.

Time with Daddy

Curled up tight to watch some Christmas music videos with Daddy - precious family.

Pondering these things...

Samuel and Lucy are super excited about Christmas break and can't wait to sleep in (probably all the way to 7:30 :), do all things Christmas-y and see the grandparents.  They have both worked hard this semester and been challenged in new ways with their work.  First and Third grades are challenging years but they are tackling their work, learning and excelling.

Samuel was chosen as one of the final 8 out of all 3rd and 4th graders in his school to compete in a Reading Bowl in January.  He's been working hard and I'm glad his mind for story and literature is blossoming and growing.  He's also worked hard at Math this year and I'm so glad to see him tackle difficult things and not give up - especially when his Math is all in Spanish.

Lucy's reading has taken off this year and reading some of the chapter books we usually read aloud - like the Boxcar Children.  She has particularly enjoyed the added component of Social Studies to First Grade - she's learning about Thomas Jefferson and Harriet Tubman.  She loves to draw and create and especially likes making lists for herself at home so that she doesn't forget thing (Things I want to cook one day, What I need to do on Saturday morning so that I can watch a movie tonight, What I need to do this afternoon).  

All of these school accomplishments are wonderful and I know they have YEARS ahead of them (lots more challenges, chances, failures, difficulties and triumphs) but the things I most treasure are the seeds of character and faith I see popping up, sometimes at the most unexpected times in small glimpses.  Sometimes I can wonder what is being planted - what is beginning to grow in those hearts - what will last - here are a couple of glimpses, brief moments in time that I treasure and I'm grateful for the opportunity to see and continue to wonder at the grace of God at work in the mess of life.

Samuel -
Earlier this fall we went to a dear friend's house and my three played with her three (her #3 and mine are two peas in a pod).  There had been some trouble with an older neighborhood girl who was being rude/mean to her daughter and on our visit she was being rude to the girls.  I found out Samuel stood up for his little sister and friend and made sure they were safe - I see seeds of courage and justice in him.

I was encouraged to hear there is one boy at school who doesn't seem to have any friends, is having a rough time at home - but names Samuel as one of his only friends - seeds of compassion.

Soccer - he was a maniac on the field - always, everywhere - NEVER giving up and always giving 100%.  His team mates didn't always share his drive and they didn't win a game but despite all of that he was always trying, always working, always getting better.  Seeds of perseverance and determination.

Lucy -
On one of our trips to FL (in the Honda with three kids, dog and bike on the back) Lydia was having a hard time in the last few hours of our trip and screamed continually.  We were all enduring the weary cries and in the midst of me thinking - what are we going to do? - Lucy began to pray outloud for her little sister.  Seeds of faith and compassion.

Lucy loves to make things/cards/goodies for others and multiple times this fall she has taken time to write a card, color a picture or run a goody down to a neighbor.  She also shares with her little sister - she gave her a quarter and a penny when we went to the aquarium the last time so that her sister could have a souvenir.  Seeds of generosity and gratefulness.

They are all three a joy to me - even in the seeming chaos and disquiet of my house.  I love their laughter, I love to hear them play and wonder, I love to see them learn new things.  In the weary time of evening when I think I can't go any more - I remember these glimpses into the people they are becoming and I'm humbled knowing He is at work in them (and me).

I've got my eye on you

This cutie's always up to something - I think I need four eyes to keep up with her!

Christmas Dance Show

++++OK - so the video didn't post but I'll try to find a way to post later :(
"All I want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth!"

Lucy's first ever dance show was this past Saturday.  I got to help out back stage and watch from the side so the video is a side view but she is front and center with pink hat and stripped gloves.  She loved it and we enjoyed seeing her dance!

 Lucy and her friend Julia

 Ready to go to the show

 Lucy - second from the right waiting back stage to go on

Lucy with her class on the far left

The Ramblin Wreck

The kids got tickets the to the Georgia Tech game through their school last weekend. It was our first college game and had a chilly but great time cheering on the Ramblin Wreck

Cheering on his team with Daddy!

Lydia took a great nap :) - definitely the picture of peace - sleeping in a stadium with blaring speakers, cheering crowds and loud bands.

A note from school

Just had to laugh when I saw this on the table this morning.  Glad for the opportunity to read at my children's school... BUT maybe I should teach a botany lesson...of course, it really might be a Japanese maple.

Today

Yesterday after 14 hours on the clock - I barely made it home and through the shower and night-time kisses before I fell into bed exhausted.  TOTALLY spent.  nothing left.  barely could make a complete sentence. 

BUT then there is today - I will be spent by the end of the day - but differently (and with better compensation!).  Today my scenery is more precious to me.

I'm smelling the orange peels from all of those clementines my children are peeling right now mixed with some cinnamon simmering on the stove

I'm hearing the leaves crunch under little boots worn by all of my kiddos

and I'm soaking up the shower of leaves from the trees and the rich sunlight as it hits the golden yard.

I am so grateful for sleep, for rest.  I am so grateful for my hardworking, caring husband and dad to my three walking loves.  I'm grateful for the beauty of fall and for days at home with my family. Thank you, Lord!

Fall! Yes!

This weekend I spent some time with the girls out in the fall loveliness.  I just can't contain myself at the beauty around me and the richness of the light as it dances off the leaves and their hair.  We built a teepee last week with some branches in the yard but had not had a chance to have a proper picnic or hot chocolate in there.  So we did.  And it was lovely.