Main reason for Christmas

Wondering why our neighbors who were "moving in a week" were still coming over everyday, we finally got word from the oldest boy that they were staying!  This immediately had Josh and I both thinking two things: 1- YAY! We have more time to build intentional relationship with these kids and 2- Oh dear, we really need to set up clearer boundaries!  We still haven't figured out good guidelines. We for sure decided that 8pm (our kids bedtime) is the latest they should be over. This became clear as last night they were over getting help on homework until 9:30pm.  It just gives Josh and I no time to unwind and spend time together. At the same time we need time as a family for dinner and time with the kids. It is a tricky balance.  If anyone has any suggestions, let me know!

The great part of them not moving is how many opportunities we have to share God's love with them. Yesterday the youngest boy came over asking for help on a paper he needed to write. The topic was "What is the main reason for Christmas?" HELLO! How much more can God open the door to witnessing about Him!! It was great to hear him say that Christmas is Jesus birthday and that is reason he wanted to write about. However, it quickly became clear he was a bit fuzzy on some things. We had a wonderful conversation about God sending Jesus to earth on Christmas because he loved us. John 3:16 became his intro sentence and it was wonderful discussing in how many ways that gives us the reason for Christmas.  Two hours later he had a completed paper. While it may be frustrating at times balancing 'neighbor' time and family time, I do have to praise God to have the privilege of sharing in His work of loving and serving others.

In a total tangent, I am SO excited for this weekend. My really really good friend is coming to visit for the weekend. This means Elf party fun is coming soon (a yearly tradition centered around food, dear friends, and watching the movie Elf).  I have been waiting for 6 months for this weekend and I am so excited that it is almost here!!!

Neighbor update

My home has been taken over by neighbor kids.  Most days I love the conversations, tutoring and food sharing that occurs. However, I am not quite as fond of the days they come over and just want to put on their headphones and use our computer. Can't have much of a conversation when aren't talking. :/ It has been great as far as helping them with school. Almost every day one of them needs some kind of homework help. Since most of it is math homework, Josh ends up doing the brunt of the tutoring (although I've gotten some English once or twice). In the meantime I've had great conversations with the kids about school, future dreams, faith, church, and home. Since they are at our house every day for at least a few hours, we have started setting some boundaries because its not very helpful to our family to never have Josh home without them over. Typically within 20 minutes of Josh coming home at least one of them is stopping by  (they see his car in the drive and then know we are home). The kids need time with their daddy too!  They don't take hints so we just tell them they need to go home when my kids are getting ready for bed. They are supposedly moving in a week.  It's definitely bittersweet to see them move.