Watch these video instructions that played at the Christmas Eve service this past year and tell me how long you think it took to shoot it?

Well, if you guessed roughly 3 hours – then you are dead on

Also by watching this video it looks like my two oldest children are complete pros – they ARE great but remember. . . this took 3 hours – lol!

Here’s the deal. My kids (6 and 5 at the time) are fantastic, and they did a great job, but this was no cake-walk. dsBen Sanders (the AMAZING videographer) and I had to have a different perspective than what I see from many parents today.

1. Making an experience memorable may not mean the whole experience is fun, though we did have some fun too!
2. In parenting, we need to have the perspective of what will actually be remembered – in this case, the finished product.
3. There is no way to teach that hard-work pays off. . . . unless you actually have to work hard for something.
4. Stretching me as a parent into more patience IS one way that God makes me more like Jesus.

Being a parent is not all about what you get out of it you know. . . in fact, most of it isn’t – because you almost never realize what exactly you are getting out it, until “it” is over. So, do what it takes to give your children memorable experiences, it will benefit everyone in the long run!

I decided to interview Elliana on her first day of Kindergarten tomorrow. We had a great time at the open house tonight – this should be quite an adventure for our little lady

WOW – I can’t believe our little girl is 5, and more beautiful than ever. . . . Ok, I know that I am biased, but seriously – she is so precious to Ang and I. Here are some of the highlights of her birthday celebration:

First off – do you want to know how many people bowl at 9am on a Sat. morning?. . . zero, but we do!!!

Elliana was actually beating all of us the first game (ok. . . with the bumpers, but still) – check out the form:

Here’s Kya doing some celebration after a big roll

Our Philosophy – Celebrate even when you leave an impossible spare

Boys just chill’in – I personally love the shirts!!

They look so innocent. . .don’t they?!!

Dakota’s first bowl. . . kind of looks painful – lol, but it was good!

A little Steak and Shake afterwords – yes. . . kids eat free!

Gotta have a Shake!

Finish the afternoon with an iron-on craft . . . waiting for Dane

Cake Time!!!

Thank goodness for sister’s having birthdays!!

She sure does take care of us!!!! We love our sister!!!

Finish off with a sleep-over with the cousins:) !!

What a Celebration!!! Thank you God for letting us borrow your treasure for a few years – Ang and I will do the best we can!!

sending our christmas letter on 12seconds.tv

Now for the blooper reel

on 12seconds.tv

Some of you will be getting an email or paper copy as well, but I thought I would put it on here for anyone that cared

Here it is . . .

Continually thankful for your influence in our lives, we wanted to share this past year’s happenings with you. We would say that this year’s experience was centered on Micah 6:8 (NIV) “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Let’s start with Walk Humbly . . . God has definitely shown us what is good this past year.  So many blessings. . . we are humbled by the overwhelming love and provision that God has shown us.  Our family continues to grow both in numbers and in age, and it looks like there will be another boy joining the crew in March, 2009.  Elliana (almost 5) and Kya (3 ½) have both had a wonderful transition to Countryside Montessori Academy. Elliana is often seen bringing home more and more advanced books, and Kya is surprising us all the time with his increased assortment of skills and knowledge. It really is a joy to see them love learning ☺. Dakota (1 ½ ) is loving his dedicated Mommy time and enjoys making us laugh each day; he’s a little ham.

Continuing now to Love Mercy. . . Ang took a wonderfully risky leap of faith this year. . . and I couldn’t be more proud of her transition.  She resigned as a mental health therapist from St. Mary’s College in May, so that she could be home with the kids. Such hard work. . . with very little credit. . . but we both feel much better about our “new” system of things. Ted also took a leap this year with establishing greenLockers as an official non-profit organization. There’s a possibility that it’ll be in 20 schools this year . . . just crazy!! . . . but I guess when God wants to provide for the poor – he finds a way, and we feel humbled to be a part of God’s mercy to others.
-     Mercy sure is interesting isn’t it?. . . never is it fair, but God keeps giving it to us. . . and in turn we can share it with others. I have ventured into the blogosphere this past year (www.tedbryant.org) – and it has proven to be an incredible daily tool to show others God’s mercy – feel free to check it out sometime – there is much more about India, greenLockers, my random ranting, Bethel College, and our family on there.

Now to Do Justly. . . . justice has taken a new place in our hearts this year, for starters . . . our next child is named Dane Justice Bryant. In addition, I am venturing to India in a few days with a team from our church (including Angela’s father) to pioneer efforts in discerning how we can partner with International Justice Mission (http://www.ijm.org) to facilitate the end of child slavery and prostitution in the state of Tamil Nadu. God always seems to be up to something . . . hopefully we will be still enough to hear God’s will for our lives.  We look forward to the adventure of 2009. May you feel God’s abundant love all around you this Christmas season!

So, we had a great time Saturday night going to the zoo (yeah . . . we have season passes. . .), and one of our favorite things every year is the “zoo boo”. . . . Basically, the zoo is lit up with “Christmas” lights and there are patrons that line the sides of the walkway giving away candy and flyers. . . so, you get stuff like candy taped onto “3 months of free Karate” etc…. – Good times

Here are some pictures of the kids inthe costumes . . . . did I mention. . . . all of South Bend and Mishawaka were there!!

Last night Elliana read her first book. . . she had made this little 4 word book at school, and brought it home so proud :

Elli

She has been working on her sounds for awhile now, and her school was saying that she was close. Well, I just had to get this on video . . . .

Elliana reading her first book from Ted Bryant on Vimeo.

I love how little kids are so excited to read. . . . what happens to us later on in life?? Or, like me now. . . I love to read, but I do not make time for it. . . . I have too many other things that I also love to do. . .

Have a great day everyone!!