Recovering

Today the kids slept in till after nine. That is so rare. It almost scared me, no it did. It scared me. But considering the chaotic crazy Christmas 48 hours we have just experienced I should have just expected the sleeping in.
On Christmas eve we attended church. Usually the pews are so packed there are few seats left AND Maleah had to play a few songs for the prelude so we got there early. Which is sort of a miracle in itself. The service was wonderful and it ended with the traditional candle light Silent Night. Really sets the tone.
After church we all go to my mom's. We eat. We gab. We eat some more. We gave up giving presents years ago but this year mom decided to try something different with the kids.
My sister and I think alike:) Look at those handsome cousins.

Mom gathered the kids up and told them that they were going to draw numbers and then draw a name and choose a gift to give to a cousin. A lesson in giving and in receiving. It was wonderful to see them look at the gifts to choose the perfect one for the name they chose.

I think my brother in law had the most fun of the night, though:) Mom got the kids a few stocking stuffers, too. Somehow she always ignores the no gift rules:)

After the gifts were received we laughed, hugged and cried a little. Then we all went home to our respectable homes for the night.

We got up early to stuff the stockings and the kids were already awake. It was 6 am.

Tell me why I bought markers for her. WHY!?!?!?!

A homemade gift from Maleah.

We made it to Grandma and Grandpa Gordon's by dinner time. After dinner we cleaned up and opened gifts. Ryan's mom gets everyone a gift. I am not sure how she does it. Nine children and their families and significant others. Come to think of it I am not sure how she feed us all, either. She is pretty amazing. A living Saint, I do so believe.

Gavin playing the dice game
Uncle Brian giving nerf shooting lessons.

Maleah made a haul of birthday and Christmas gifts.

Addison got spoiled...again.

This year I got a special gift. I was so surprised, and elated! An e-reader, WOHOO!
Then we played our sort of new tradition of the dice game. Once for the kiddos and once each for adult males and adult females. This is probably the highlight of the day. This year I lost one of my die in a coffee cup and the whole table was screaming at me to roll. I also noticed Ryan's dad (when he had the gift he wanted and there was less than 10 seconds left) shake those dice ever so slowly only to roll doubles at the very last second! This year we had a tie at the end and there was a roll off for the winner of lottery tickets!
Kids getting the instructions from Auntie Kim about the dice game. More living Saints. Auntie Kim and Lisa provided all the gifts for the game! WOW!

We spent the night and got home late yesterday afternoon. It was fun, but exhausting. The kids were plenty worn out from all the partying.

Another Christmas come and gone. Another new year about to turn.

I hope your families are healthy and happy and exhausted from partying during this wonderful time of year.

I can do it myself

Well today was the annual decorate cookies with the kids day. I would be okay if this day never arrived and it only really happens once a year. I completely removed myself from the process this year. I let them cut out their own cookies. I baked them and I colored the frosting and then





the phone rang, the ups man came and my sister stopped by so we were left with these. All the sprinkles are gone. The frosting is mixed and the cookies are frosted and er um sprinkled.

Merry Christmas.

Can you see it?

When the Star of Bethlehem appeared in the sky it appeared to everyone. But only three men noticed the star and they were from lands far away. Our great God gives us signs and messages everyday but we need to have the holy eyes to see them. I am seeing the signs of God's goodness and mercy in all my wonderful Christmas greetings from friends and family.

Merry Christmas!

Monday Multitudes #718-739

This week I am so very grateful and thankful for;

Coffeemakers bought on black Friday that FINALLY arrive in the mail... mmmm coffee.

Clean white streets in the morning and the joy it brings.

Sunday night Christmas programs that include handmade costumes, angels, shepherds, kings, and baby Jesus.

Treat bags filled with fruit.

Christmas cookies and hot apple cider with red hots.

Getting dressed up for church in dresses I found for $3 on clearance.

Sunday morning hymn sings in church followed by sermons that blow me away!

Watching the kids wrap gifts for their teachers and friends. Then watching them present the gifts. Seeing the joy in their face as they give instead of receive.

Anticipating time with family this weekend.

Birthday preparations for Maleah on Wednesday and baby Jesus on Saturday.

Giving plates of cookies away. Bye bye yummy calories.

Healthy, happy kids.

Projects getting completed in the house.

An ice shack that may be put to use this year.

A new recipe for birthday treats. I am gonna change this one up with some flax seed!

For my Aunt Patty and her battle with the bully.

For my sister Josie and her amazing ability to help me with anything I need help with...no matter what.

For my brother Ben and his amazing talent of making things.

For my dear dear friend Gene. I am not sure what my life would be without him. My family is so blessed to have Grandpa Geno. I don't tell him enough how much me means to me.

My wonderful, adorable, hard working and even harder playing husband whom I love dearly but have not gotten a Christmas present for.

Being content and even excited that my present will be watching my babies open gifts, hug grandparents and sing Silent Night. It will be the greatest gift of all.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Monday Multitudes #680- 717 (long overdue)

I ain't gonna lie. These past two weeks have been rough. The jingle jangle has been more like crashing and banging. But, somewhere in between an invite to a big girl party and some long awaited quality family time I found my thankfulness again and my eyes opened wide to the glory of the newborn King and all his wonderment and along came the tidings of comfort and joy, tidings of comfort and joy.

I am back to crunching the numbers.

This week I am so very thankful for;

the amazing and wonderful joy of motherhood

piano recitals

decorating the tree with family

hanging up lights in 40 degree weather

dancing to Christmas songs

packages in the mail

workout buddies who plan cookie exchanges

kids singing songs at the program with all their heart and soul (I am talking about you Andy:))

monogrammed stockings

Christmas cookies that look great even if they took me all day

advent calendars

snow days with dad at home

sledding for hours and then

drinking hot cocoa

parties with great women

tasting some new wine flavors

gift exchanges

cookie exchanges (worth mentioning again)

grandma's birthday and her extended vacation with her sisters (a snowstorm blessing)

Aunt Patty's health and safe travel for Mom and Aunt Pam

JoAnn's return home

a cleaner house than last month

a warm garage for dad to do projects in

Christmas cards that are almost ready to mail

breakfast with grandpa

crocheting again, this time a new scarf for me and my sissy

a baby that takes after her daddy (remind me to post about her)

roast beef in the crock pot

cookies in the freezer

a paycheck to deposit

a very special birthday present just waiting for grandma

an organized baking cupboard

a clean car even though the doors are frozen shut

seeing a familiar face at the mall

the nativity on the piano

watching the girls put on a 'show'

a full DVR for when I get a chance to watch

a son who enjoys the kitchen as much as I do


In spite of the many benefits God has blessed us with, how many times do we complain about little difficulties and trials? We lose sight of the big picture and fail to appreciate the really important things. Just as we cannot benefit from a wrapped gift under a Christmas tree until we open it, so gratitude can be seen as our way of opening the gift of God's love intended by all the small and big positive events of our lives.

Ronda De Sola Chervin

Snow Day

I tried this new recipe for my cookie exchange it was a long and tedious process for dainty cookies. I don't know if I would do it again. The checkerboards gave me heck and I ended up making striped cookies and then marbles with the rest of the dough.

Marble cookies:)
Salted nut chews. Ryan's favorite.
8:30 am. The kids were out sledding in a blizzard.

They lasted 15 minutes.

Hallelujah

Man this brings back memories of Acapella Choir in college...I miss it so much.

Perception

I received this in an email recently, something to think about...




Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.


4 minutes later:


The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.


6 minutes:


A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.


10 minutes:

A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.


45 minutes:


The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.


1 hour:


He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.


No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.


This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities.

The questions raised:

*In a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?

*Do we stop to appreciate it?

*Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?


One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made.

How many other things are we missing?

Happy Thanksgiving!

“Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” 1 Chron. 16:34

Workout with friends CHECK

Macy's day parade on the tube CHECK

Kids sleeping in CHECK

Apple pie in oven CHECK

Corn defrosting CHECK

Green been casserole ingredients assembled CHECK

Port o' casseroles bags found CHECK

Veggies chillin' waiting to be cut up CHECK

Black Friday ads waiting to be read CHECK

Have a blessed day everyone!

reformation day 2010

Two puppies, a kitty and ...a pirate. The pirate manifested last minute from a birthday party (theme) that Gavin attended the day before.

I didn't do makeup cuz it was a school night. But, note the improvement on the costume :)

Spooky Slideshow

Customize your own digital ecard

The holiday weekend begins...

Happy Independence Day America!

The Gamedogs celebrated a win last night thanks to a great pitching effort by number 5 :)

The van is sporting a great souvenir of the game in the form of a hood dent and

Nora learned to whistle like grandma!

EE Hunt, April 2010

I think that Scotland does such a great job of celebrating community for Easter. The local retirement home dyes hundreds of eggs and then leads a group egg hunt by dividing the kids up into age groups. Each child gets $2 of Bunny Money to spend at any business in Scotland. Then if you find the "golden" egg you get an extra $5 to spend. My kids bought ice cream bars and popcicles with their bunny cash. They had a ton of fun :)

Resurrection Buns (Sweet Easter Buns)

photo by Ann Voskamp @Holy Experience

These buns form a 'hollow' in the middle after baking. This hollow represents the empty tomb when Christ arose on Easter. They taste very much like cinnamon buns.


Ingredients

bread dough, for buns if you are scared of bread dough I have seen lots of cheater recipes using canned crescent rolls or canned biscuits:)
1/4-1/2 cup melted butter, about
1 bag large marshmallows
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions

1 Mix your cinnamon and sugar together in a bowl.

2 Take a small ball of raw bun dough (these are easily made if you have leftover bread dough as well), and wrap it around a marshmallow, sealing well.

3 Dip the ball into melted butter.

4 Dip the buttered ball into the cinnamon/sugar mix.

5 Place the ball onto a greased cookie pan, (use a pan with a lip, because the marshmallow will melt out to make a nice gooey sauce, and you wouldn't want it all over the bottom of your oven!) Leave enough space between balls to allow them to rise to double their size.

6 Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise for about 35 mins or until doubled in size.

7 Pre-heat oven to 375.

8 Bake the Resurrection Buns in the oven for 18-20 mins or until lightly browned.

If you want to do this with your children you can use the following instructions to explain how these rolls represent Christ's ressurection on Easter.

Give each child a small ball of dough. The dough can represent the cloth that Jesus was wrapped in. Read Matthew 27:57-61
Give each child a marshmallow. This represents Jesus.
Have him/her dip the marshmallow in melted butter. This represents the oils of embalming.
Dip the buttered marshmallow in the cinnamon and sugar which represents the spices used to anoint the body.
Wrap up the coated marshmallow tightly in the dough. This represents the wrapping of Jesus' body after death.
Put the rolls in the oven.(The oven represents the tomb - pretend like it was three days!)
Let the rolls cool slightly. The children can open their rolls (cloth) and discover that Jesus is no longer there, HE IS RISEN!!!! (The marshmallow melts and the roll is puffed up, but empty.)

Now read Matthew 28:5-8 Explain:At the tomb,Mary Magdalene and the other Mary saw an angel, who told them not to be afraid.No one had taken Jesus' body,but He Had risen from the dead! The angel told the women to go and tell the disciples what they had seen, that Jesus had risen from the dead.They were so excited, they ran all the way home to tell the disciples the good news!He is risen from the dead! After that Jesus appeared in person to Peter, then to the 12 disciples and after that,to more than 500people.Jesus' appearance to eyewitnesses, those who saw Him with their own eyes, would give support and prove that Jesus rose from the dead. (1 Corinthians 15:3-6)

By rising from the dead, Jesus proved once and for all that He was the Messiah, the Savior of the World, the Chosen One, and the Lamb of God. By dying on the cross and rising from the dead, Jesus did what no other had ever done before. As both God and man, He overcame sin, death, and hell. And now because of what Jesus has done, these things no longer have any power over those who believe in Jesus and allow His Spirit to lead and direct them.

Rather than being slaves to sin and death,Christians (those who love and believe in Jesus) are free to obey God and do good (Romans 6:17-18).The Bible says in John 8:36"If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed." However, we will only obey God if we listen to the Holy Spirit our helper. He enables believers in Jesus to do the right thing. It is important that we read the Bible (God's Word) because one of the ways the Holy Spirit helps us obey God is by reminding us of what He says to us in His Word. God's Spirit will never go against his Word. In fact, when we read God's Word, we are listening to the Holy Spirit.

Of course, you won't always do the right thing; the Bible says this (1 John 1:5-10). But that is why we need to continue to confess our sins knowing that God forgives us, based on what Jesus did on the cross.

HE IS RISEN, HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Merry Christmas snowstorm

The snow is here, finally. Everyone has been talking about it for days...

We snuck out to Grandma Bonnie's yesterday morning and got some celebrating in. Last night we even got to go to Christmas Eve service, the candles were missing, but it was good for the soul and we saw the LIGHT anyway.

We miss daddy today, he left last night about an hour before they closed the interstate and we probably won't see him again until Monday morning. His employer has gracious supplied him with a warm room with a king size bed and shuttle service to and from the hospital. Now, if the hotel can only keep things as quiet as we do during the day so he can get a good day's sleep...

We will miss family today, too. Christmas dinner will not be the same without the whole crew. We are hoping we can catch up with them for New Years.

So we plan to hang out in new outfits and jammies, eat candy from the stockings, play with zhu zhu pets, parachute with screaming monkey slingshots, watch movies, snuggle up in beautiful memory quilts from thoughtful neighbors, eat cookies, make lego creations, dress baby dolls, race mario carts, drink hot chocolate, watch the snow fall, read books, play playdough, and color. Hope we have time to fit a nap or two in...