Prayers...

For anyone who might read these meager ramblings....

JoyAnn has a stomach virus and is running a fever. We have to be moved by the end of the month. I am not recovering as quickly as I had hoped. Nathan is NOT handling all of this very well. Our lives are so full of blessings yet in such a state of chaos simultaneously. I am trying my best to hold it all together and I feel as if I'm coming apart at the seems. My mother and father's house is a WRECK, and I feel as if we are intruding. WE HAVE TO HAVE A PLACE OF OUR OWN.

Pray that the snow melts. Pray that we can get moved. Pray that we all stay as healthy as possible. Pray. Pray. Pray.

Thanks...

Finally...

So last night I wasn't able to blog because I was too tired and we had last minute Christmas "stuff" to complete. However, I FINALLY felt like Jonathan and James' mother last night. At our visit Nathan and I were able to change their diapers, take their temperatures, and feed them. It was GLORIOUS. They are doing well and are so sweet. They are really starting to take on a presence of their own. I can't wait to see whom they favor and really get my hands on them. They both weigh 4 pounds 8 ounces at this point. Keep praying and I will try and post new pics as I am able. Merry Christmas...

Janelle

3 More For You...

Here are three more wonderful Christmas songs to help fill your lives with joy and cheer. God bless....

Janelle

Rascal Flatts version of "I'll be Home for Christmas"! Praise the Lord it feels GREAT to be home this year. Even though James and Jonathan are still in NICU I am blessed beyond measure!!!!



How about Sting and "Lo How a Rose..."


Here's Jim Brickman and Richie McDonald and "Coming Home For Christmas"

Here's James Paul Flint

We haven't been able to photograph him as much this time, because he is usually sleeping or Nathan is holding him while I hold Jonathan and no one is there to take a pic. But here is what we have (for now)....

Here They ARE!!!!

(Mommy looking at her boy for the first time REALLY)
(more family care)
(Nathan, Janelle and Jonathan enjoying kangaroo care)
(Jonathan stretching out)
(Jonathan right after he was born on his ventilator)



So here are the first few pics of the newest Flint family members. I can't wait for you all to meet them. Thanks for praying us through!!! Here's Jonathan Israel Flint aka "Soup" aka "baby A"!!!

We Interupt Your Regularly Scheduled Program....

So our lives were interrupted last Tuesday when my water broke shortly after midnight. Nathan and I came to the hospital and I've been here EVER since. Well in the last week a LOT has happened. Our move was postponed, the Christmas program was cancelled due to a foot of snow, AND Jonathan and James Flint were born!!!

Yes they joined us on December 20, 2009 at 8:26 and 8:27pm (respectively). I had to have a repeat C-Section due to positioning. I was bummed out, but know it was the safest option. Looking back on the last week of my life I have seen God's hand protecting the Flint's and preparing us in MANY ways. I want to share just a few
of them with you.

The Monday night before my water broke Nathan took me to Bonefish Grille for dinner. We LOVE the Bang, Bang shrimp. We met a mother and daughter at the table next to us when we were talking with our waiter. He had a seven month old and was asking us parenting advice. When the ladies heard us talk of our twins they began to talk to us. Well Marcy is a NICU nurse and she is helping to take care of our babies. Little did we know that we would really get to know her. Isn't that funny?
Oh and my DEAR friend Beth works in Labor and Delivery. She works on weekends. Well she was the nurse for "baby A" and came with me to recovery after my surgery. Even though I had the boys early...MY discharge will be Thursday (Lord willing) and that means I will be home for Christmas with Jesse, JoyAnn and Joseph. Nathan has only had to miss 2 days of work so far. I have been surrounded with excellent care. Nurses that share my faith and have been compassionate and caring. I am sure there are other "God incidences" but right now I'm too tired to notice them...lol!!!

How blessed we are this Christmas!!! So here is one of my ALL TIME FAVS for Christmas and I pray you are blessed by Phillip, Craig and Dean's version of "Welcome to Our World".

In Him,

I think I'm All Caught Up!!!

CeCe Winans and her version of "Do You Hear What I Hear"



Here is Manheim Steamroller's version of "Silent Night"



Here is Sixpence None the Richer with "Silent Night"(I thought you might like words...)

So I'm Gonna Catch Up...

Here are some songs to help ME get in the Christmas mood, and maybe they will help you too!!!

Here is Michael Card and Steve Green with "Immanuel"



Donnie McClurkin with "What Child is This"



One of my favorites from our 2007 Christmas production. Here is "Blessing" singing "Holy Lamb of God"

Just So You Know....

Sorry I haven't posted since Tuesday. At midnight on Tues. my water broke (well at least one water bag...). I have been in the hospital since then hoping to keep these babies inside until the 26th or 27th. We are well, but I am MISSING my older three. Due to infection control policies I cannot see them. How cruddy is that??? I won't get to see my kids on Christmas. Keep praying for us ALL. Oh and to boot we got a snow storm yesterday that dumped 12 inches in Black Mountain. Oh and the move was postponed obviously. Too much stuff happening. But ultimately...these boys will be here SOON. We will try to keep you updated and post pics ASAP. Although they will have to go to NICU so we'll see. Love you all...

Merry Christmas,

Janelle

Three of the FINEST tenors EVER!!!!

The quality of this video isn't great, but you will be amazed at the voices. I have this CD. Be blessed. I am everytime I hear this song. Praise the Lord that HE bears our grief.

Merry Christmas,

Janelle

Take 6

It has been a long time since I've listened to this group. Mainly because everything I have by them is on cassette. How funny is that? I need to update to CD because this group is WONDERFUL. Enjoy them today as they help to prepare you for Christmas.

God bless,

Janelle

I AM a Hippo for Christmas....

I feel like a hippo this Christmas. Just wanted to share a laugh with everyone...

Enjoy,

Janelle

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

This has to be one of the most beautiful versions of this song that I have ever heard. I am hoping to pick up this CD SOON! Oh and their Christmas CD is a 2 disc collection. Right now it's on sell at Target. Have a great day and keep walking toward Christmas.

In Him,

Janelle

Do You Hear What I Hear????

This is Third Day's version...

Enjoy

Crossing off my "dream list"

Back on May 17, 2009 I posted this....

Down to the nitty gritty...
Here are a few of my dreams...
They are not in any particular order...

Write a book
Lose weight
Have another child (or two)
Travel (both pleasure AND missions)
Lead someone to Christ (especially my children)
Climb a mountain (even a small one)
See the sunrise over the ocean
Read the Bible completely through cover to cover

Isn't that ironic that I was actually pregnant with twins the day I wrote that. HOW FUNNY is our God!!!! Guess I can cross that one off....

Breath of Heaven

So I am feeling quite overwhelmed these days. I found myself acutally saying to someone that I didn't know how Christmas was going to "happen" this year. How arrogant of me. The Lord just laughed at me in His gentle way and reminded me that He had planned the birth of the Savior from the beginning of time, and He certainly didn't need my help. Christmas is so much more than decorating, cooking, a tree, presents or having the "perfect" ambiance.

How foolish of me, and I'm sorry Lord. Christmas IS going to happen. It will happen at our current address OR at our new place. It will happen with or without a tree. It will happen if I am in the hospital having babies. It will happen with or without presents or fancy foods. It will happen if I don't bake a SINGLE cookie.

Jesus HAS come. EMMANUEL God with us is here. Let's celebrate. No matter how it looks...enjoy it!

So my friend Beth told me yesterday as her son Quin was being born eight weeks prematurely back in 2004 that she just kept singing "Breath of Heaven hold me together". I got to thinking about that and so I wanted to share it with anyone who might read my blog. That is my heart's cry today. "BREATH OF HEAVEN HOLD ME TOGETHER".

Merry Christmas,

Janelle

For Unto Us a Child is Born

I have been wondering lately why we silly people spend MONTHS preparing for the births of our children. We paint, plan, shower, shop, go to appts., tell everyone we know, take pics, etc. Especially if it is our FIRST child we go gaga over the proces. Don't get me wrong. I certainly did that with Joseph...well all my children :-).

I guess what is really bothering me is that we as a world are about to celebrate the birth of the MOST AMAZING BABY EVER BORN, and it seems like merely an afterthought. It seems like we should be spending nine months preparing for His arrival. Yes I know He was born 2000+ years ago, but every year is a chance to renew our part in that experience. For unto US a child is born. No matter what you have done. No matter where you are. No matter what you look like. Christ was born for YOU!!!! Let's get gaga over JESUS. EMMANUEL GOD WITH US!!! Let us celebrate like CRAZY!!!!

Merry Christmas and plan a party,

Janelle

Here is Bebe and Cece Winans version of "For Unto Us..."

The Muppets

I had never seen this version until today when I found it on YouTube. You gotta love Fozzie. I can relate to him these days. I am forgetting a lot! Hope you enjoy...all you muppet fans.

Merry Christmas,

Janelle

One of My Brother's Favs...

Every time I hear this song it makes me think of my brother Greg. He has a knack with lyrics and remembering songs. He still knows EVERY word to this song. My mom still has this RECORD. AHHHH...the joys of childhood.

Enjoy "Snoopy vs. the Red Baron"....

A Disney Offering

Today's selection is from "Beauty and the Beast the Enchanted Christmas". "As Long as There's Christmas" is a sweet song. I'm not completely crazy about the movie. You can't beat the original Beauty and the Beast, but the kids like it.

Merry Christmas,

Janelle

The Original

There have been many versions of this song over the past years, but this is Mark Lowry's version (with a lil' help). He co-wrote the song with Buddy Greene. Have a GREAT day. Oh and if you are counting "sleeps" there are 21 left until Christmas!!!

Janelle

The Christmas Waltz

Another song that embodies the "classic" Christmas. Here is Frank Sinatra's version of the Christmas Waltz.



Be blessed today,

Janelle

They don't make songs like this anymore...

Perry Como's beautiful rendition of "The Christmas Symphony". Enjoy today as you continue to allow God to prepare your heart for the coming of Messiah.

In Him,

Janelle

Tacky Christmas Song From the 80's

Every year I hear Wham's version of "Last Christmas" and I just can't help but sing along. You gotta love those mullets, oh and all those earrings. Feathered hair and leggings. Laugh, sing and enjoy...

Merry Christmas,

Janelle