Merry Christmas, on this eve of our Saviors Birth! The Leeke home is brimming with Christmas spirit. Boys are all tucked into their beds, stockings are standing by the chimney, gifts are waiting under the tree. Today, we delivered homemade sweet gifts to our neighbors (the one's that were at home), we hope to finish that task tomorrow, we even had one of our neighbors over for dinner. I am even about to put together a crockpot breakfast casserole for us to enjoy tomorrow morning. It seems as though Christmas has snuck up on us this year, there weren't enough weekends to get ready for the BIG day. Amidst all of this hustle and bustle, and our eldest son's special requests for gifts, it has dawned on me that we have made this holiday about everything that is not important. Thankfully, Jared's preschool has been teaching the true Christmas story to our sweet boy, and we have tried to reinforce that here at home. It certainly does make me sad that kids have become so demanding of certain gifts and requesting that Santa give them everything that they want, and this is all just replayed on tv shows, commercials, and even in the stores with strangers. My prayer for my family as well as yours, is that we all celebrate and appreciate the true reason for this season. God sent us the most perfect gift, in his son, Jesus. The King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, born in a stable...just a baby, God in the flesh. AMAZING! For God so loved the world (US), that he gave his one and only son, so that whoever believes in Him will have everlasting life. THAT is the true meaning of Christmas. Don't miss it!

Kitchen Help

So, I recently did something that I know several of my friends have been doing for years, but I never wanted to do for fear of a crazy mess or horrible accident. I let Jared help me cook dinner. Yes, my 3 year old, helped me with it. We made chili, he peeled the onion, he poured the canned products into the pot, he stirred, etc. He even tasted the sweet peppers that I put into the pot....and he liked them. WOAH! I never thought that by letting my child help me cook, I would be introducing him to new foods to try. Jared was even more willing to taste his creation at the dinner table. This attempt at cooking with him was a complete success, no wounds, no extra mess, and it kept him occupied while I was cooking. BEST. IDEA. EVER.

It's hard to believe that it has been almost 6 months since my last post. Life certainly does pass by quickly. The boys are growing up so fast. Jared started 3k at school, has a great teacher and is learning so much. Jacob is talking and running everywhere. We are savoring every moment we can with them. Thanksgiving was this last week, Josh's family was here to celebrate with us. We have now decorated for Christmas. Below are a few pics of our life over the last 6 months...enjoy!

Our new home came complete with a lot of leaves. So, the boys decided to have fun while daddy worked.

Along with school, came new disciplines that we have had to start. Jared is a class clown, and in order to keep him in line, I instituted a "good behavior" jar. When I catch him doing good, or if he has a great day at school, he gets a cotton ball. After 2 months of this, he filled it up...so a trip to his favorite place was in order...

Monkey Joes, is where he wanted to go, and Mimi and Gpa took him there, he had a ton of fun!

Great photo of Aunt Nae, Jared decided to be silly and Jacob is just admiring his big brother.

This what entertains my boys while I cook. They put on this dog backpack and act like they are walking a dog. Sometimes they walk themselves! HAHA!!

Look at all of those teeth. Jacob has been a fussy teether, hopefully he will get all of his teeth soon, and we can all rest easier.

 

 

Well, thats all for now. We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and hope that you will have an equally grand Christmas!