It's that special time of year, when like many of you, I don't mind being caught up trying to spread a little cheer around!
But now, even without the busyness of the season, the real frustrations of everyday life (in our home, think screaming kids AND screaming mom, especially when the boys are crying louder than the baby...
oh no, not again!) have a way of crowding out those precious moments in our lives.
But joy happens, it's there -- the sweet and funny moments (thank God!), and I like that blogging helps me pause and reflect on our blessings big and small.
Me to Vern: Hey, why you so glum?Vern to me (makes funny face): Like that better?!
And Ben gets a kick out of the silliness!
Just yesterday, I got to bask in one non-fighting moment, when Ben was overheard telling Jon, "Because I like you!". It was his response to big brother Jon's question of why Ben was always going along with Jon's choice of things.
Aw, that's such music to my ears! 
And Kait, too, with her squeals of delight, in the middle of sitting there in my lap during Jon's homework time. It had us looking forward to more -- the giggles and chuckles, not so the homework that was going beyond bedtime. But we'll just have to wait for when Kait is in her next laughing mood, to be tickled again!
Just past the 4th month mark now, she is learning to sit up, and likes to bend forward, trying to eat her toes! For me, my goal to reach for her is still, lesser middle-of-the-night feeds. Have not stopped trying to have some routine for her, but naps are especially challenging with energetic boys tearing through the house, and surely that has an effect on her sleep at night.
Jon and Ben had two concerts in one weekend. The same boy (guess who?!) who feigned sick trying to get out of the first concert, tripped and fell splat on his face for the other... yikes! Good thing he was alright! 
Above: Boys dressed up, it's their first time participating in the Chinese school concert.Below: Joyful, joyful we adore Thee... 
Groups of children, and Ben's first time, joining their voices in praise and worship of God, and His greatest gift of love -- Jesus is the reason for the season.
About a week ago, Vern and I also crossed our 11th year as husband and wife.
No, we are NOT so young anymore -- and not-so-fine lines are as unforgiving as eyebags and dark circles. And yes, in some ways, we are still as opposite as black and white. Nonetheless, always so grateful there's each other to have and to hold, and for the gift of our children.
Besides our friends here, and loved ones back home, Christmas is also when I think of our faraway friends, and where we can, it's always nice to be able to get more than e-greetings across the miles to them. I'm thankful, too, for those of you whom blogging has wonderfully caused our paths to cross!
Stay tuned... I'll be back with our "official" season's greetings. This one's not quite it, partly because my guess is, not many people read my lengthy posts, haha!
Meanwhile, you keep doing what you do to pass on that joy, yah!
Shortcut sugar cookies waiting to be frosted, made from storebought cakemix that doesn't take the joy out of baking...
... And it's especially useful because Kait goes down for just 20 minutes or less. My problem is, how to help her stay napped for longer, as the more she cries, the more it gets her out of nap mode. The doctor says it could well be due to the "subsequent child syndrome" -- as I call it, because Ben was like this, too. The baby's schedule revolves around the older siblings', and all their noise, too!Jon holds a card he made, with glitter on it, for his teacher. Ben, more the cookie person than Jon, can't wait to dig in!
* "
Joy it on" is the catchphrase of Planet Joyride's founder, I chanced on in a parenting magazine. It's got a nice ring to it, don't you think?
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We took these pictures one fine fall day last month. Was trying to seize the pretty fall colours while they lasted, and trying to catch the boys with them when they would look in my direction. Vs. of course they would rather be climbing some tree, picking up twigs, and running as far away when we wanted them to come together!
