Christmas Pictures

Mom in her new chair.

Vickie and her girls.

4 Happy Campers and 1 Not

Me and my Daddy

Ella enjoys her doll.

Joe is no longer the only person at work with no cell phone.

The Nieces and Nephew with Uncle Andrew and "Aunt" Kristine

Yard Art

Matt went out and played for awhile and then rang the door bell because he was locked out. He said "Don't look outside I have a surprise.-I just need to get some supplies" So he goes to the fridge and opens it up. What are you looking for I asked him. "Something long and pointy." I laughed. "You mean like a carrot?" "Or celery" he says. He then took some cherry tomatoes and a handful of garbanzo beans from a Tupperware in the fridge. Here is his masterpiece.

Round Two

It snowed again last night. Our new neighbors from Ohio aren't going to believe that we rarely get snow! It looked like 3-4 inches before the rain started to smoosh it down. I think it may be all gone by tonight as it is still raining and we are hovering right above freezing. I sure love to see the snow (for a few days) and do enjoy getting out of school (as long as we have power!) but I am very glad not to live where it seems like winter forever. I remember Minnesota and Michigan unfondly in that aspect.

The Season's First Snow

Here is the first snow we had this winter. I think it was Wednesday the second of January. We got a dusting of snow but Mom and Dad did not. So we filled up a couple of buckets and took it over in the trunk for my nieces and nephew to play with. They had a ball even though it was very cold and windy.

Just For the Record

He has gained 164 lbs 3 oz. and grown 48.75 inches since birth.

(Actually it may be more since he hasn't been on

the scale in awhile)

A Special Day

Today is one of those days you don't foresee when you hold that tiny newborn little body in your arms. It seems like they will be a wee one indefinitely, but today my baby became a teenager. What a blessing and a heavy responsibility all in one! The last two years have taught me just how precious our children are. We have a tiny one waiting for us in heaven. Since that time I have really had a hard time with dwelling on wanting another child but my beloved husband reminded me awhile back that I needed to focus on the one that the Lord let me have here with me. I also have two dear friends who have walked through the valley of the shadow of death and lost their tiny son and treasured daughter. It does not escape me that today my friends Sarah and John had a memorial service today for their sweet angel. In it all I am reminded that our lives are but a vapor which vanish so quickly. I have learned to value my son each and every day and to try and look beyond the things that annoy or frustrate me to see the blessing that he is. So all that to say...The small sprig is unfolding to become a strong stalk. My prayer for my son comes from the Psalms. Ps 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Gingerbread Fun

I had fun making a gingerbread house with Matt and my nieces and nephew. We had a bit of trouble getting them pieces baked. First I left the dough at home and had to make more at Mom's house, then the oven got turned off or something during baking (we don't really know what happened) and the pieces baked for a LONG time only they didn't harden up. Finally we were able to start working and we got it done very fast. With all those helping hands.

Here you see Julia's helping hands. Helping herself to some candy. Vickie said she ate almost no supper. Is this why? =) Ella was very funny! She kept trying to take the candy off the roof. I would give her a piece with icing and would help her put it on and then she would try to take them off. The first thing she did when she got up into my lap was to reach over get an candy and put it in her mouth. Let me tell you, even a one year old knows candy! The final product.

Please Tell Me It is Not This Bad!

If you click on the link below you will see a British newscaster asking American questions about basic world geography. I absolutely cringe at the answers that the people give! Please tell me it in not this bad!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJuNgBkloFE

A Gentle Reminder Fom the Lord

I tend to try to do so much stuff in one day. Often things that I shouldn't be doing because it is worthless, wastes time or because there are more pressing things (like laundry and dishes). I came across this quote by Elizabeth Elliot this morning and thought it is just the right thing to start the year off right. I hope I can keep my focus on the things that are God's will for me and push the other things to the side. I really want to be a better wife, mother and child of God this year. As you think of me please pray that for me. Happy New Year all!

"One reason we are so harried and hurried is that we make yesterday and tomorrow our business, when all that legitimately concerns us is today. If we really have too much to do, there are some items on the agenda which God did not put there. Let us submit the list to Him and ask Him to indicate which items we must delete. There is always time to do the will of God. If we are too busy to do that, we are too busy."~ Elisabeth Elliott ~