They are sleeping...

My big boys fell asleep way too late into the afternoon today. Daniel falling asleep at 3:30, is still asleep at almost 6. John fell asleep at 5. Oh boy! They have been sick with a bad cold and we have yet to venture out since my cousins wedding. Okay, we took one big trip to Sam's Club but we gotta eat! That's been it since December 31. I am so ready to get out of the house. We have errands planned for tomorrow. Dare I try to wake the boys since they have not been feeling well? No, I will let them sleep a little longer, wake up naturally and then stay up with Moma late into the night. Peter is at work and night's like what is coming always produce sweet memories. Have a good night. I know I will.

The Boxing Boys

I smiled while I watched Peter explaining to the 6 and 5 year olds how to mold a mouth piece. They practiced three times before he started the real molding, hot water and all. They had it down, they knew what to do. Then, he dipped the piece in hot water and put it in their mouths. It became hot chewing gum! Not molded, rather bitten repeatedly. Daddy saying, "Now wait to bite... okay, bite, wait! no! ow!!" At this point I was rolling with laughter. He tried a couple more times and then told big J to spit his in the trash. They tried again. It was better. He re-dipped Daniels and it went a little more smoothly. I only wish I could have caught the whole thing on film. I cannot do it justice. My husband was so animated as he described how to do it and so calm while he said, "wait, bite, no, ouch, bite, wait, suck, suck the water out." "Good job boys!" My husband, my hero. Especially in circumstance like this. He is a good example. I love you Pete!

And now, The Boys!


Come on Daddy! Come box!

It's a new year...

I have not blogged because there has been too much to blog about! Peter was on call for Christmas so we celebrated early, then he wasn't called in. God is so good to let him be home with us all that time. He was able to join us for both extended family fellowships. After Christmas we rolled right into my cousins wedding, in which Daniel was the ring bearer. We had the rehearsal, dinner and then the wedding followed by Happy New Year! It was such an exciting time. Peter had us stay at a hotel near the wedding so that we would save a couple hours of driving with the kids. It was the perfect opportunity for the children to roll out their new sleeping bags. No one wanted the 2nd bed in the hotel room. I volunteered to stretch out in it but couldn't stand the thought of not feeling Peters feet all night long. Ashley decided she could take the bed. So there she was, our growing 11 year old, stretched out on a double all by herself while Dad and Mom cuddled in the other double. The other four were scattered here and there with no one blocking the way to the bathroom!

So now we are home and the temperature is a mere 25 degrees. We have a fire going, the kids are braving it after a long morning of back-to-school time and I am listening to the sound of laughing children along with pots and pans rolling down the back steps. What could they be up to? Probably wanting to freeze some more water to make ice. Peter has volunteered to take them on an ice run after they have a few blocks to use to slide down their grandparents hill. Though this will not be today as my husband picked up something during our week and has been laid out for 3 days. We are praying protection over the rest of us while we take turns waiting on him. He is up and about more today, but our sweet Daniel over heard that Daddy was going to drink water today and then showed up with one of his hot wheels cups full of water for Daddy. Oh when I see the precious hearts of my children, what joy!

We began last year with a decision to read through straight through the Bible in a year. We have read everyday, but with little ones we didn't quite make it all the way through. We are continuing this year where the 31st left off. We are in Luke. God's timing is good. If you have not read through the Bible we encourage you to do so. He still speaks and His word is right and true. We pray you will have eyes to see and ears to hear what He wants to reveals to you this year.
Blessings to you in this New Year!
We stand amazed at how the Lord has showered His mercy and blessing on us.

Our Merry Christmas!

This guy tried a Shocker candy.
We celebrated early because he is on call for work the next few days.
We had a sweet celebration and are all still in pjs. We are off to watch a movie and eat more candy. There are so many costumes because after Halloween I spend a whopping $20 and load up on dress up clothes for my kids. This year we decided to save it all for Christmas. The kids loved it. Daniel had been asking for a Monkey dress up costume. He loves it so much he told us he wants to take a nap in it. The boys all loved their Pendragon knight costumes and started sword fighting right away. The girls are beautiful in their white lace gloves and medieval dresses. Ashley's big gift was a tea set from Vision Forum. We are so pleased with it. She loves it as it is so delicate and has roses all over it. Abi received Heelys and is starting to get he feet under her. John's big gift was a Ripstik and he loves it. Daniel had been asking for the Vision Forum RC Amphibious car-he was so pleased! Isaiah is our big boy riding a skateboard. I am off to re-join my family.

God sent His richest blessing to you all in His Son Jesus Christ--the true reason for this holy-day season. If you do not know Him, then your Christmas is meaningless. Our prayer is that He will call you to Him, that you will love Him and live your lives for Him! If you don't know what I am talking about, grab a Bible and start reading the book of Luke.
Merry Christmas!

Cookies!

The clan and the candies

I thought about titling this post Half-Baked but then realized that is some kind of reference to drugs, of which I do not take part. So, Cookies it is! I spent several hours getting gingerbread dough made and then cutting out shapes to assemble a house and train. Peter cut out the last thing---a dinosaur of course.

It's done! We have about 30 gingerbread people to go with the house, train and Behemoth.

By the way, the icing writers are fantastic. Just don't let the two year old have full liberty when using them. Somehow Isaiah got a hold of the red writer. The next thing we knew he was covered, hand were red, lips painted to perfection and just enough in and under the nose to resemble a terrific nose bleed! I didn't get a good picture of that, just the smiling, already cleaned up boy:

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

We had 18 inches of snow and some huge snow drifts. The kids began working on an igloo last night but didn't accomplish much today as we went to breakfast at Papa and Gramommy's and then they rode around with Peter helping some family and neighbors dig out. Breakfast was fun as Papa and Gramommy made egg in the hole (you may know this as eggs in a basket) using a reindeer for the hole. What a fun Christmasy surprise! We also started our Christmas celebration with Dad and Mom yesterday, opening stockings and sharing a few gifts. Peter is on call on Christmas Day so our snowy celebration was perfect yesterday. We had my sister, her husband and their daughter there. We were missing my brother as he couldn't make it over from downtown. I was just informed that the igloo only needs a little more work before it is inhabitable. Since we spent part of the day helping others, we didn't get to do our own driveway. Dad just walked his super-duper-imported snow blower down the street and took care of it for us. We are now doing a 5 minute pick-up around the house as it has totally fallen apart between yesterday and today. Then it's on to reading and snuggling on the couch. We feel so blessed that our Sabbath was surrounded by God's blessing of beauty and a sweet reminder that when we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful to wash us white as snow.

Busy, busy.

The Daddy-Husband-Pilot is at work.
The holy ones are currently lying on the floor surrounded by books.
The Wife-Moma just finished reading several of said books to said holy ones
We are busy living life, rather than writing about it! I know you understand.
However, a quick update as to what the happenings are around here...

We arrived home Monday morning (so early it was really Sunday night!) after a wonderful week learning more about our Lords creation at The Creation Museum and His word at the Sufficiency of Scripture Conference. We enjoyed the museum so much that we decided to purchase a year long pass even though the facility is located an almost 10 hour drive from our house. Want to come along with us next time we go? The SOS conference was wonderful and so affirming as to what God has been showing us in His word this year. I mentioned at the beginning of the year that we had committed to reading through the Bible in a year. We have read everyday but with five little ones just recently started the New Testament. We are all loving it and learning so much. If you have never read the Bible cover to cover, I highly recommend it.

Peter is on reserve for Christmas so we will celebrate with the children a few days early. This has my mind reeling with what needs to be wrapped and possibly purchased. The following week my cousin is getting married and Daniel will be the cute, tux-wearing, flower girl escorting ring bearer. It will be a fun time.

That's it for now. Blessings to you and yours. Possibly more on the conference later. It was really good!

The Wrestlers

My man and three little men had their first private wrestling lesson this week. It was so fun to watch them. The boys have the whole "heal toe knee" thing down. They can do it from one end of the mats to the other, each of them saying, "heal-toe-knee" as they go. What a fun time for the boys and fellowship for us all. Their fantastic coach happens to be my State Champ cousin. It pays to know people. :)

All I want for Christmas...

I was going through my phone videos and found this one of John. I thought it was a good way to kick off the Christmas countdown. Just for the record I am the "mean Moma" stating that I didn't think he would get that for Christmas! This video is from last year. He had justed turned five...iPod!?!?

Thankful

We were able to spend the morning with Peters side of our family as his parents are in town. Then Peter left for work and I took the children to the Thanksgiving celebration for my side this afternoon. Some of us had turkey at both celebrations, some of us did not. I will not name names.

As I sit here pondering my day, my children are laughing and playing throughout the house. They have run up and down the stairs too many times to count.

I am thankful for many things:

• My husband who is willing to lead this family and works hard for us.
• My children who are healthy, laughing, playing and absorbing God's Word.
• My extended family on both sides...parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins.
• Another birthday.
  

We truly are abundantly blessed. I hope you had a chance to give thanks today and every day for our Lords gracious provision, endless mercy and saving death.