Merry Christmas

So I know that many of you think that Christmas is over and done, but here at the Bush house, Christmas goes on in our hearts. Please accept this belated Christmas greeting. We had the most wonderful time with our family this year. Andrew took his sweet time opening gifts while Mom, Dad, Nana, Papa and Marianne enjoyed his happiness. It was so special to have Nana and Papa here for Christmas this year. We really enjoyed their visit. Andrew was spoiled...again with many fun gifts. Hopefully we'll post some pictures soon. Paul was given a GPS and Marcie was happily surprised with a Serger sewing machine!!! What fun! Marianne doesn't know it yet, but she was spoiled, too! Thanks to all for the wonderful cards and picture updates. We love putting up all our new Christmas card pictures on the fridge. Know that I pray for each of you whenever we look at the precious pictures of your families.

More to come later.

Andrew's Birthday....Part 2

The big party for Andrew was very fun!! I made him this awesome cake which he thought was great! We delayed his party about an hour and a half in order to get Nana and Papa here. Their train was 17 hours late from Montana. Andrew was very excited to see them get out of the car when Daddy got back (from Kalamazoo) with them.

Again, Andrew opened some fun presents from very generous family! He loves the tool set and front end loader, blocks, painting stuff, Thomas movie (with engine to play with) magnets (made by his cousin Lizzy) Curious George books, moose table setting, snow shovel, and table and chairs!! What a spoiled boy!!!

How many blondes can you fit in a box??Andrew had a lot of fun building his table with Papa and Daddy, now if only those tools worked on other things that need fixed.....

We had a great time celebrating our wonderful boy!! We are so thankful to have him in our lives. He is a blessing every day!

Happy Birthday, Andrew....Part 1

Yesterday was Andrew's second birthday! He had such a wonderful day. He woke up in time to watch his favorite show, Curious George. He then went out to the dining room for breakfast and found his presents! What a great surprise.
He opened his train and played with it for a good hour!
He got these cute snow tubes.....and got to use them on the hill at Van Raalte farm!!

This game is called Lucky Duck. He didn't really get the point, but sure liked watching them go around in circles.

This is just a glimpse of his very fun day. We unfortunately didn't get any sledding pictures. Maybe next time. All in all, it was a GREAT day!

Come on ring those bells!

Andrew was in his first Christmas program at church. Ok, so it wasn't really a program, just the 2-5 year olds singing. He did great. He started off by falling on his head before all the kids were even on stage.....No tears though... All the kids were such a blessing, hearing them sing about Jesus and his birth reminded me what Christmas is all about.

Here he is doing the motions to Little Baby in a Manger.

I was listening to the radio the other day and heard "Mary Did You Know" I was brought to tears with the line "Did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters." I'm so glad that we have hope this Christmas, hope found in a savior, not a baby that is helpless, or a man hanging on a cross, but a SAVIOUR! Risen from the dead, secure in our SALVATION all praise to him!

Here is our big man ringing his bell with all he's got, wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

MMM.. Christmas

So we FINALLY got our tree up. I say finally not because it's December 24, or because it took forever to do, or any other reason except that I usally do it the day after Thanksgiving. We took the approach this year, that our tree is for Andrew. He is really the one that will enjoy it....if we do it right. So, no breakable ornaments, no perfectly tied bows (yes I've done this), and no tinsle (tear). We have snowflakes (that I made and cannot be broken) popcorn and cranberries, gingerbread cookies and candy canes....that Andrew calls umbrellas. So every day, Andrew gets unlimited access to cookies and candy.....Aren't we great parents?
So here's the bet, how many cookies will we have that don't have bites taken out of them on January 1? Any guesses?

Babies are supposed to grow....right?

This week has been most traumatizing to me as a Mom! In one day, I put away Marianne's newborn clothes, AND moved Andrew into a BIG BOY BED!!! Even though he is so proud of himself, I cried. Yep, I cried! Amazingly, I have only told him ONE time in three days to get back in bed!!! What a good boy. I'd like to say its all our good parenting, but I'm not delusional....he's just a good boy...

Just a little challenge for US all (yes, including me). Pray today. Pray often today. Pray for whatever comes to your mind. Why? 'Cuz God wants to talk to you, me, us, everyone. I have been challenged to bring my concerns and doubts, before HIM, instead of trying to fix them myself, or run to another HUMAN to fix them. He's bigger, right? RIGHT!

Only 21 more big sleeps until Christmas!!! I love Christmas, it's the reason I can sing!




I'll post a picture of the Boys room soon...