End Of The Year Videos

Each year, Mommy interviews us. She starts doing this the year we turn two, so this was my third interview and Maxer's second. I think it will be fun when we are all grown up to look back at these. Enjoy!







Maxer's video






~Miles

Advent Devotional: Day 24

I cannot believe the last day of our Advent Devotional is here. It is Christmas Eve. This day is always a busy one for our little family. We typically do Christmas with Ted's family on the 23rd, then wake up early and make the 6 hour trek to South Texas to see my family for Christmas. We have a big Christmas celebration with my Mom's side of the family Christmas Eve Night, so Santa comes to Granny and Pop's each year on Christmas morning. But it was important to me that we finish our Advent Devotional at our home. I wanted the boys to hang that last ornament on the tree so that we could reflect on all we had discussed and on the transformation of that little tree (and hopefully their hearts a little bit).

So EARLY this morning, we talked about how Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. In this lesson, I really felt like the message is sinking in for them. They are at least somewhat beginning to grasp God's true gift to them. That makes my heart happy. And though they cannot wait to see what Santa leaves for them Christmas morning, they will also tell you (usually loudly) that Christmas Day is Jesus' birthday. They are getting it.

So Maxer hung the final ornament. We looked at each ornament and had a brief recap of the lesson that went with it. I cannot wait until they can take turns teaching the lesson down the road because we have done this so many times. It won't be "who's turn is it to hang the ornament?" It will be "who wants to tell me what this ormanent means?" What a great way to ingrain these important things into their hearts.

I am so thankful for this tree. And for what it represents. I am thankful that 24 women joined together to give of their time and hearts to make this tree happen for our family. If any of you read this, THANK YOU. You have made a big impact on The Mitchell Men, and I am greatful.

Merry Chrismtas everyone. Happy Birthday Jesus! Oh Come Let Us Adore Him!

~Miles' Mommy

Advent Devotional Day 23

Sorry folks, my internet went down for the last two days of our Advent Devotional. So let's catch up!

Today we talked about Jesus being "The Way, The Truth, and The Life." We talked about how no one comes to the Father except through the son. And we talked about how when we seek out Jesus, he will show us the way--daily. The message tonight was about the importance of trusting and obeying the Lord. So...we played a little game...

"Jesus says reach for the sky...." (think Simon says)

"touch your ear" oops Jesus didn't say!!! The boys really liked this game. They each took turns being Jesus, ha ha!

Miles hanging our ornament.

And our second to last Advent tree update!

~Miles' Mommy

Advent Devotional Day 22

"The Bread of Life" Another name for Jesus. This was a great message for the boys, who can really relate to eating. :)

We talked about how Jesus is like this loaf of bread. When we eat bread, it gives us strength and nourishment. Just like when we look to Jesus, he gives us strength and nourishes our hearts.

A Meaningful Christmas had a great activity for tonight--it suggested we make bread together and give it to someone for Christmas. I LOVE this idea. But things are a bit hectic at the Mitchell casa the next couple of days. So, sadly this activity will just have to wait until next year's advent devotional. Instead, we toasted some bread and ate it together as a family. I asked the boys what this bread did for them. Miles made big muscles and said "it gives me energy!"

don't they look energized? :) Max is obsessed with that mask on his head. Aunt Monica sent it for Halloween (and since we're sporting mixed holiday pjs tonight, I was happy to let him keep it on ha ha).

Max hanging the ornament.

He was so proud of his placement choice that I didn't dare reposition it. So we have a little clump that makes me smile. :)

When the next few days seem full of anticipation of presents and special visitors, I encourage you to seek The Bread of Life and let Him nourish your soul a bit.

~Miles' Mommy

Advent Devotional Day 21

Fun fun, it's my night! I was really happy to be assigned the night, "Light of the world." I must admit that my ornament ended up looking pretty different than I first envisioned, but I love it anyway. So, to the lesson...

Another name for Jesus is "light of the world." We talked about how when Jesus is in your heart, he wipes out the darkness. The darkness--sin--fills our heart when we make bad choices. I asked the boys to list some of their bad choices. Miles immediately started to tell me about a poor choice one of his cousins made, but we refocused on him. :) So the list from the boys included: "choosing not to share," "choosing to gag when we eat peas instead of just taking 5 small bites" (this may or may not have happened at dinner tonight), and "choosing not to tell the truth." But when we ask Jesus in our hearts, and ask him to forgive us, he washes away our sins and lights up our hearts.

So here's the ornament. I used a birthday candle to reference lighting up the dark sky (the background), but I thought it was also fitting since this season is all about Jesus' birthday. The candle was not lost on the boys at all by the way.

To illustrate how light makes the darkness go away, we turned off the lights in the living room, and turned on flashlights.

I attempted to try to capture the moment using "no flash" because (as you'll see below) with the flash on, it just looks like a lit room. But, I had two boys holding flash lights. There was just no hope for them to sit still. :)

Dark room flash light picture fail. But the illustration got the point across.

Miles hanging the ornament.

Aaah, I love this little tree. You may notice a few straggler non-advent ornaments on there. Well you see, a certain three year old got some ornaments as presents. And you see, that same three year old gets a bit upset when it's not HIS night to hang the ornament. And a certain 5 year old doesn't really mind sharing the lime light a bit. So....Max gets to hang a present ornament every now and then if he listens and contributes to the devotional. And of course, it MUST go on the Advent tree! :)

~Miles' Mommy

Advent Devotional Day 20

Did I just write "Day 20?" I cannot believe how fast this time is flying by. I cannot believe we are five days away from Christmas! I am so thankful that we have had time daily to reflect on this Season.

In continuing with the theme of "names He has been called," tonight we talked about how Jesus is "the vine" and we are his branches. We were supposed to use a plant to illustrate this concept, but since I don't have much of a green thumb (my only interior plant is down to a nub), and it was too cold tonight to go out and talk by the shrubs, I did the best I could and used the Advent tree. The vine (or trunk) represents Jesus. It is the base from which the branches grow--and depend. Without the vine, the branches would have no food, no water, no nourishment, and they would die. We talked about how if a branch is cut from the vine, it will die at some point. We need to stay connected to Jesus for the same reasons. That nourishment is vital. I asked the boys how we could stay connected to Jesus. Max said "pray." Two points for Maxer.

This is our ornament. There is a tree with a vine and branches (much like the one I used tonight in fact).

Max happily hanging his ornament (he's always said when it's not his night). :)

Our sweet little tree.

~Miles' Mommy

Advent Devotional Day 19

Today's lesson was about another name Jesus is called- The Good Shepherd. We talked about how a shepherds take care of their flocks. They know what their sheep need, and how to keep them safe.

Our ornament was this sweet shepherd. I told the boys Jesus was our shepherd. He protects us and knows just what we need. I asked them to tell me what Jesus protects them from. Miles said "bad dreams." Max said....vampires of course (he's on a total vampire kick--from where? I have no idea).

Miles hung the ornament.

Our tree.

I cannot believe it is only 6 days to Christmas. It has been a special month with the boys focusing on what the season is all about. They're still pretty excited about their visit from the big guy, but it's nice to know that they get what this holiday is really about too!

~Miles' Mommy

Advent Devotional Day 18

Word to the Word. Today's devotional was about some of the names Jesus was called. One was "the Word." We talked about how the Bible says that in the beginning, the Word was with God. We also talked about how the Bible is called "The Word."

The Bible was the inspiration for tonight's ornament.

Which Max happily hung.

We talked tonight about how important words are. About how unkind words can really hurt people. And about how kind words can really lift up people. The boys practiced using kind words by telling each other three things they liked about the other person. Here's the recap. Miles: "I like playing with Max, and when he lets me cut in line, and when he gives me hugs." Max: (with some prompting) "Miles is a good big brother, Miles shares his toys with me, I like to kiss Miles."

Our Advent tree update. Notice we are back to the front (see the Alpha and Omega first ornament?) I love how it is filling up with our nightly memories.

~Miles' Mommy

Advent Devotional Day 17

Today's message was called "The Greatest Gift." Isn't that entirely what Christmas is about? His greatest gift. But this message focused more on the gifts of the Magi. They brought gold, (ha ha three times I typed "golf." I'm so married to a golfer--I digress), frankincense, and myrrh.

Our ornament represents the three gifts.

We talked about how everyone likes getting presents. The boys will tell you they want: a NEW Batman castle (they have last year's model, but the new one is a must have on both lists), a wii and Mario kart. I asked them what they thought Jesus wanted for Christmas? They thought he might like a batman castle too.

I told them that I knew what Jesus wanted more than anything this Christmas, and that I had wrapped it up in this box.

Oh the anticipation of opening it!

And what was inside?

A mirror. I told them to look in the mirror to see what Jesus wanted this Christmas. Miles said "ME!!!" They looked at themselves for a while, lol.

Then Miles hung the ornament.

Jesus wants you and me too by the way! Are you starting to feel the hope this time of year brings? I know I am.

~Miles' Mommy

What Can I Say? I'm A Performer...

Today was our last day at pre-school before Christmas. We had a Christmas program. Maxer and I have been singing the songs for Mommy and Daddy over the last few weeks. I was excited for them to come and see the show. Maxer...not so much.

We took our teachers our gifts. They are vases made of pencils. Maxer and I picked out rainbow roses to put in them. I think Ms. Pam likes hers.

Thank you Pintrist for the inspiration.

My grand entrance.

Maxer's grand entrance.

I was totally into it.

Maxer tolerated the program. By the last song, he was all warmed up!

Giving Daddy some post-program love.

This is Maxer's teacher (and on of my last year's teachers), Ms. Kelli. We love her. Today was her last day at our school. Her husband got transferred so they are moving. We are so sad to see her go. :(

Maxer was wearing his good bag like a backpack ha ha!

We had a great Christmas program. I love my teachers at Sunshine Friends!

~Miles

Advent Devotional Day 16

Tonight we talked about the three wise men who came from afar to see the King. These wise men sought out Jesus by following a star. We talked about how we can seek out Jesus every day. I asked how the boys could seek out Jesus, and Max said "pray" Sometimes I am amazed at what sinks in with those two. :)

Our ornament represents the gifts from the Magi. (Aunt Toni made this one by the way. Isn't is pretty?) For an activity, I hid a baby somewhere in the house and told the boys to go find him like the Magi found their king. I gave them a "hint" that a star would show the way. So off they went.

They found Buster. ;)

"there he is!"

Max hung the ornament.

Our tree update.

~Miles' Mommy