Merry Christmas- Cleveland, Ohio!

The boys with Aunt Doula
Doula took Caleb sledding and unlike last year...he loves it!! He had one wipe out which resulted in a bloodly lip but he didn't seem to mind!! Doula is sooo much fun!

Full speed ahead...

Some of the girls at our Annual Christmas Party...this year hosted by the new mother- Liz!! What a lovely home!

Girls Vs. Boys Gingerbread Houses...I think the girls won!! Yeah! :)

1.4.09

Merry Christmas- Kokomo!!

Caleb on the couch with Great Grandma Ci Ci and Great Grandpa Dale
My good friend opened up her home this year to host a Vintage Christmas...complete with Reindeer! Caleb and I went to check it out, meet Cupid [Santa's Reindeer] and watch the train track!! What a great set-up! Here's Caleb in front of the barn

My sweet boys!! How could I ask for anything more!!! Thank you Jesus for these two precious gifts!

Caleb at the Taflingers enjoying his Holiday Hat!

This was the best picture of the three cousins in their hats....and event this one took a longgg time in the making!

We feel very blessed to have a stress-free Holiday. We celebrate with Travis' side before Christmas and then head to Ohio to celebrate with my side on the actual date. Each family is different in their celebrations and traditions but each family is so much fun and we are so honored to be apart of them!!

Highlights from the Taflinger Christmas Festivities:
1. Scattagories...an oldie but a goodie!

2. HGTV marathons

3. Visiting Aunt Dawn's house...she transforms her entire house into a winter wonderland!!

4. Nines

5. Good times with the people we love!

1.4.09

Caleb singing "Jesus Loves Me"

Sorry Dad, it got cut off right before he said, "I love you Grandpa!"

A little Christmas miracle!

I wanted to share with you my recent excitment over two employment opportunities that God has provided our family this Holiday Season. The first one is pictured above. I will be watching this sweet little girl starting in January for two days a week. Not only will this provide some monetary benefits but it will also provide Caleb with some social development. Not to mention, that Alli is so darn sweet!! I foresee a great friendship between the two of them! Thank you Jesus!
The second employment opportunity that the Lord has given us is the Nestle "Bake Love This Season" event. Simon Malls partnered with Nestle to deliver 1 million free cookies to people shopping the Malls this Holiday Season. So I was hired to work for three days [~8 hours each day] for $15/hr to HAND OUT COOKIES!! That's right..an ideal job!! Today I just finished day one of three and let's just say it's as magical as it sounds!! I LOVED IT!! Now, if I could only make this my profession! :) I will say it again and again, "THank you Jesus!" You truly are our Provider!

Wedding

My friend Derren got married this weekend and Caleb was my date to the event!!
After a few hours on the dance floor...rosy cheeks!

Making new friends.."Shall we dance?"

Off to find some ladies...

Trying to unwind after a busy night!

The older Caleb gets the funnier he becomes. I know that all parents find their kids to be hilarious but Caleb's mannerisms and demeanor keep us laughing from sunrise til sunset. He is very animated and entertaining. I attempted to capture some footage of him on the dance floor but it was too dark.

Yesterday I told Caleb that one day you will ride a bus and go to school when he is bigger. He put his little hands on his head and exclaimed "OH MY GOODNESS" in his little munchkin voice! Apparently this concept floored his mind! Then all day he talked about the day he would ride the bus...it will be an amazing day!

Micah continues to amaze us with his courageous steps. He so desperately wants to keep up with his bubby! I love watching them interact!

Micah is walking!

Here's the man of the hour!! My little baby took his first steps this past weekend. Each day he grows more confident in himself and his abilities. His little legs are wobbly and small but somehow he manages to move! He is just shy of 11 months...right on schedule with his big brother! Micah loves the Christmas tree. All of the ornaments on the bottom half of the tree are baby-proof for that reason!
Brothers by the tree

Taflinger Kids

Taflinger Family [look at Micah's sweet face!]

Caleb and his sweet cousin Landen playing with their trains.

We have so much to be Thankful for this Holiday Season!
I wanted to include this article I read on being Grateful:

Christian parents are called to cultivate character traits such as thankfulness, generosity and self-sacrifice. The Bible commands us, "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Jesus warns us, "Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions" (Luke 12:15). And Paul describes greedy people as idolaters who will not inherit the kingdom of God
(Ephesians 5:5).
One of the most effective ways to combat the cultural mind-set is by modeling a grateful attitude. Verbally thank God on a regular basis, even for simple things like a roof over your head and food.
Also, do your best to model gratitude in your other relationships: friends, relatives and co-workers — and not only when they do something special for you. Let others know how much you appreciate them simply for who they are. Express that kind of unconditional gratitude to your spouse and children as well.

This article first appeared in the December, 2006 issue of Focus on the Family magazine.

Lord- help me model a Thankful heart to my children! We love you!

~Taflingers

So much to be thankful for!

Caleb during the Candycane hunt at the Monon Center. Not too impressed with Santa/Grandpa!
One of the ONLY kids unable to stop crying while on Santa's lap...he even knew it was Grandpa! I think he was upset because on the ride to the Monon Center I explained to Caleb that Santa "is simply a man playing dress-up and that the REAL reason for the Season is Jesus." I further explained that he can watch the DVD Faith Lessons: The True Christmas Story [from Focus on the Family] when we get home to better understand the real meaning of Christmas. haha :) That's for you mom!

In the car, ready to find some Candycanes!!



Caleb had a busy morning

Precious!