Tri-State Adventure!

Yesterday, our family and my sister's family had a tri-state adventure. We hit Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana all in one day. Our first stop was the Creation Museum in(www.creationmuseum.org)Kentucky. It was very encouraging to see a Christian perspective on how the world came to be. The boys also loved all the dinosaur exhibits. Troy was really impressed with the Noah's Ark exhibit and so was my sister. We were able to visit a live nativity too. The boys and their cousins were thrilled with a trip across the suspension bridge there. And we all had fun at their petting zoo. I liked feeding and petting the camel especially. It was very busy at the museum and Troy kept asking "Where's Carson??". Carson was usually only a few steps ahead with his cousins. Troy's questioning of Carson's whereabouts every 5 minutes was beginning to wear on me. I told Troy "Well, if you had been with Jesus when he was a little boy, maybe he wouldn't have gotten separated from His family at the temple". Troy didn't laugh. I thought it was funny.

Our second stop was inspired by the tv show: Unwrapped on the Food Channel. In Ohio we visited the famed Jungle Jim's International Market (www.junglejims.com). It is a huge grocery store with just about anything you could imagine. Lots of unique displays including a real fire truck, a giant can of Campbell's soup on a swing and a Lion made to look like Elvis that sang. They had a candy area that was any child's dream. We all had fun traipsing through the aisles. We came away a little lighter in our wallet as we had to have candy and special cereals that can't be found locally.

Our third stop was also in Ohio at the IKEA (www.ikea.com). I love that store, they have free childcare. Our boys and their cousin spent an hour in the indoor play area, while we shopped. We also came out of there lighter in our wallet too.

Our last and fourth stop of the day was to eat at the Old Spaghetti Factory in Ohio. This is a favorite of Troy's and the rest of our family enjoys it as well. We ate a delicious and inexpensive meal together. Now our wallet is pretty much empty. But, it was vacation, right? A special treat for us all to have such a action packed tri-state adventure. We returned home to Indiana and were glad to hit the sack.

Must get ready for the New Year's Eve game night. This is a tradition for us. We started it a few years back. In addition to the games we have a prize table. Lots of munchies of course. This year Carson's best friend will join us and Troy's parents are planning to come too. If you're local, come by. We welcome drop in guests. A Euchre game will always be in full swing or you can join a round of bingo. A good time is sure to be had by all.

Why I Love My Husband! And Happy Birthday Seester!

There are all kinds of reasons that I love my husband. He loves me with all my faults and even my extra pounds. He is a very multi-faceted guy. You have heard me say that he cooks, cleans, bakes and the like.

Today, He made doughnuts from my Great Uncle Sap's recipe. Yumm-O! I like it that he spent a lot of time at his grandmother's knee learning how to cook and bake and make doughnuts.

He went to bed late last night having mixed up the dough and awoke early this morning to be sure that we had 40 doughnuts for my sister's 40th birthday. It was "time to make the doughnuts".

I love my husband because even when he is grouchy at me, he will eventually say he is sorry and he will wait patiently for me to apologize when I am grouchy. He is a very loyal and faithful husband and father. I do not ever fear his leaving me or our children. This is a major comfort in an unsettling world.

I love my husband because he loves the LORD and he wants to be the spiritual head of the household. He takes seriously his responsibilities and wants to make sure those around him are taken care of no matter what.

That brings me back to today, while today isn't about Troy, it doesn't matter to him. He doesn't want the limelight. So, Happy Birthday Seester! Today is about you and the 40 Ways to Celebrate You Turning 40! That is our theme and we are going to spend today and the next week or so, celebrating my seester.

We have a Wii and Much More to Celebrate!

The Wii did make it under the tree this year. I was up wrapping packages until the Wii hours of the morning and Troy set up the Wii and played a game at 2:30am. Shortly after 2:30am, Carson woke up and didn't go back to bed. I told him we would open presents at 6am or sooner if Ephraim woke up. He was awfully anxious and fortunately for him, Ephraim woke at around 3am.

That's right folks, we opened gifts at 3am. They played with their toys and the Wii until 5am when we finally insisted we all must go to bed. They very reluctantly returned to bed and we got about 4 or 5 hours of sleep.

The Wii has been popular with the cousins and the boys. I am excited to try the Wii Fit that I bought. Maybe this will be a good "fit" for me. I am not an exerciser. As is evidenced by the treadmill, weight machine, exercise ball, trampoline and exercise videos gathering dust in my basement.

All and all wii had a great Christmas. We had our first time to travel on Christmas Day as we went to visit Troy's family in Fishers, Indiana. We enjoyed good food and fellowship there and arrived home late afternoon barely beating my sister to our house for a Christmas dinner of Ham and Cheese Potatoes - "Omi style".

It has been a very enjoyable time with my sister and her family. I have gotten my sister addicted to the new show Ruby on Style Network. We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of my brother and his family. What an awesome time to celebrate the birth of Jesus with family. Today is Ephraim's baptismal birthday. Tomorrow is my sister's birthday. Happy birthday seester. So much to celebrate, so little time.

What about Santa?

At our house, we don't make a big deal about Santa. We don't discredit him or ignore him, we simply speak of him when the boys do. I must tell you, that one of the reasons I don't make a big deal about Santa, is selfish. I hate to admit it, but I don't like Santa getting the credit for the gifts I have thoughtfully and carefully picked out. Isn't that terrible?

Carson asked me if Santa was real the other day. I said, "What do you think?" He said he didn't believe in him. I said, "it is your choice.". Troy says, I need to be more sensitive and make sure that Carson doesn't ruin it for other children. Okay, I get that.

One of the other reasons, I don't make a big deal about Santa is because, I don't like to lie to my children. I know that sounds ridiculous, but I get uncomfortable when they want to know if Santa is real. I don't recall Santa being a big deal at my house growing up. I mean, we spoke of him, and I can remember visiting him at my mother's service group: Mary Martha Christmas Dinner. He always had a small gift for us, but I seem to remember that my mom brought the gift. I also remember when I was very young when Santa visited our house in Greenwood.

Other than those two visits, I don't have a lot of memories of Santa. Except when I blew his cover to a neighbor girl. The details are a little hazy, but I was probably 8 or so. The neighbor girl's name was Heather and she was a little younger than I. She had done something to make me upset. I remember telling her "Come here Heather, I have something to tell you... Santa isn't real". It was a bad scene. She ran home to tell her mother what I had said and I think I had to apologize and probably tell her I was wrong. I don't know what happened after that. To Heather, if you are reading this, I am sorry for real this time. I am sorry I burst your bubble. It wasn't my place.

So for all the Heathers out there, Santa is real if that is what you want to believe. We know from history that Saint Nicholas was real and a saint celebrated around the world. He used to leave gifts for children in their shoes, socks, etc. So is Santa Claus real? There was a man celebrated as a secret gift giver, and his motive was his love for Jesus. He was real, we can celebrate his memory, and honor his traditon. I like to give gifts, don't do well on the secret part though, but I like to give, because Christ gave so freely to me. He didn't give me a Wii, He gave his life on the cross so that I could be free from the punishment of my sins. So that I could live eternally in heaven with Him. Don't know if I'll have any questions when I get there to see Him, but I do know I won't have to ask about Santa.

P.S. I can't remember if I posted this or not, but I did break down and buy the Wii for the family. I sure hope Carson and Ephraim enjoy it. Do I have to let Santa have the credit????

Gingerbread and Christmas Card Update!

I wanted to update and let you all know that the gingerbread house did get built (though it met with an untimely demise at the hands of one very upset 7 year old).

And drum roll please ... our Christmas cards have officially been mailed. Yippee! It should not have been such a chore, and yet, I made it into one. Shame on me. These cards are to celebrate the birth of Jesus and I was doing nothing but complaining about the whole process.

I have been mulling over my true reason for the cards taking so long to get out. Here is what I came up with. Yes, the whole process is tiresome, but I have this problem. Not only am I a procrastinator extraordinaire, but I was once told by a pastoral counselor that I was a "discouraged perfectionist". That meant, I want things to be right or perfect, but if I perceive they will not be I get discouraged and often chuck the whole thing. In this case, I did not chuck the cards, but I did drag my feet, because I knew they weren't going to turn out just the way I had planned. I had a picture composite I didn't care for and a letter that just didn't seem to come together as I had hoped. Not to mention a major ordeal with the envelopes. So it wasn't going to be perfect, and I knew it. Ugh. I hate that.

Now, I have been accused of turning things too often back to the spiritual side, but the other reason the biggest reason of all that these cards seemed like a chore, was because I have not been spending time (in prayer or the WORD) with the LORD as I strive to. Nothing sucks the joy out of Christmas like a heart bent on the world instead of the LORD. Worrying how the cards are going to look or whether or not the perfect letter is written is a poor substitute for time with the LORD. I am realizing a pattern for myself. If you have read my blog with any regularity you might notice at least one other time and probably countless others not recorded where I have noted that I have been out of touch with the LORD and felt great distress because of it. When will I learn? Daily time in His WORD and prayer are the greatest ways to stay joyful, to have peace, to develop trust in HIM.

Will tomorrow be different? I guess technically today is tomorrow because I am writing this a little after midnight having started it on Thursday this will post on Friday. Perhaps, I should start now. Spending time with Him on this day which He has made. May I rejoice and be glad in it. Merry Christmas a little early!

Snow Day! No School, but No Snow...

This morning I was woken by these words from Troy ..."I just got a call from my coworker, school has been cancelled today". Troy had gotten Carson up and ready for school and was on his way out the door to take Carson when he got the call.

No school, good for Carson. I expected that when I looked out the window that we would see piles of snow or at least a blanket of it. No such... I began to question the information Troy had been given. I quickly checked the website and found that indeed school had been cancelled. Apparently due to ice. Carson was already up so that meant I was going to be up to. No problem, I should be anyway, but I had thought I might get a few more winks of shut eye.

Carson and I headed to the couch to stay quiet and watch a little TV so that Ephraim would stay asleep. Yeah right!!! Shortly after we set down, Ephraim awoke. Glad to see brother, sad there was no snow. Oh well, now we were all up.

I have been wasting the day away, I am sad to report. Still haven't finished my Christmas cards. I just can't get myself motivated to finish. I am in the final stretch really. Cards are addressed, pictures are ready, letter written, return labels waiting to be affixed. I just need to print the letters, and enclose, then label, stamp and lick. I should be getting my children involved. These are mostly steps they could handle. Instead, I am writing this and they are begging me to come so we can make the gingerbread kit I promised.

Okay, it is in writing now, I am going to get up and go do what I need to do. But before I do, one last thing... I wanted all of you to know that our prayers have been answered as far as Troy's job being protected. Troy's boss told him today that his job was secure as of now. We are thankful for God's provision for our family. Good news on a "no snow, snow day". Now, if only the cards were done and the gingerbread house made. On to that business now.

If you are too sick to go to school then you are too sick to...

Sorry for the long blog title, but I am still a very novice blogger and I felt I had to get it all in there. Anyway, I am home from school today. I was supposed to substitute teach, but I have lost my voice. Ephraim very sweetly offered to help me find it this morning. We didn't find it, so I stayed home. Of course, Carson went to school, Troy to work and I took Ephraim to CMO about an hour late.

My mother always said (maybe your mother did too) "If you are too sick to go to school then you are too sick to... (you fill in the blank)". Maybe you were too sick to play, or too sick to go to a ball game (not ever my problem) or too sick to go to violin lessons or ballet (boo hoo, yeah right). So, maybe, I am too sick to blog, but I couldn't help myself. After all, I lost my voice not my ability to type. Though, I am sure rest in its purest form would be more beneficial to my recovery.

I really need to finish my Christmas cards, but maybe I am too sick to do that??? I should be doing a few things around the house like putting away that ever growing pile of laundry, but after all, I am too sick to go to school. I think I can work this to my advantage.

Troy mentioned I might want to go to the doctor. Maybe he was thinking we should get all the visits to the doctor we can in before the end of the year, after all we did more than meet our huge deductible with Ephraim's surgery this summer. Or maybe, he didn't want me to suffer unnecessarily or maybe he didn't want to have to suffer through my whining. Either way, I have opted not to go the doctor yet. I suppose that is in part due to the fact that my mother never took us to the doctor unless we were on our very last leg.

I remember in high school, I didn't get to the doctor until I had burst an "air sac in my lung" trying so hard to breath. I had to have a few days of breathing treatments at home. My mother talked them out of putting me in the hospital because she said she could do the treatments at home with a rented machine. Somehow they agreed to it. That mother of mine, could do anything she set her mind to, including persuading the doctor, she knew what was best. Indeed, I did survive my treatments at home. She was also probably trying to avoid unnecessary medical debt, as I don't think we had any serious health insurance to speak of.

Maybe Ephraim will find my voice while he is gone at CMO, he did promise to keep looking that sweet little boy. Until then, I guess, I will have to be on "restriction". After all I was too sick to go to school.

A good time had by all...

A good time was had by all this weekend. I had the special privilege of visiting my sister and her family in Munster without my husband and children. It was a time to connect and reconnect with each other. The boys had a good time with their dad and grandparents. And I not only got to be with my sister and her family but with my brother and his family on Saturday night at the traditional St. Nick dinner that my sister held.

Traditions are such a wonderful thing. I sure miss my mother and father especially at Christmas time. So to have time with family and to be able to be a part of something larger than myself is a good thing. My mother was all about traditions. She had a way of creating traditions and celebrations that made you feel special. She was able to take simple things and make you feel so lavished and cared for.

My father was a simple and quiet man. Simple in that he didn't require a lot to be satisfied. He wanted things mostly for other people. Not necessarily grand things, but things that were needed. My mother did the majority of the Christmas shopping, but my dad had one job. He was to choose a new Christmas outfit for my mother. He always chose the best. (The best that he could afford). He spent what he had on that one gift. That one special outfit whether it came from the Fashion Shop or Locketts.

My parents did many things that showed me what God was like. Though I may not have realized it when they were doing it, I can look back and see how they exhibited God's amazing qualities. I think of 1 John 3:1 - "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!". We have that love because He sent His Son Jesus as a simple gift of a baby in a manger. God does things in a lavish way and a simple way. He sets us in families and gives us parents, grandparents and others to show us who He really is.

What are your traditions? How are celebrating the Baby Jesus' birth? Are you showing those around you (your children, your friends, your family, total strangers) what God is like? I pray that I am doing that. I pray my boys (God's boys) can one day say "I remember how my parents showed me what God is like".

Hold on to your seats...

Hold on to your seats... you are going to be shocked I have decided to post twice in one day...

I had such cute stories to tell about Ephraim, but I did not want to leave Carson out. Carson has been in the process for quite sometime now of learning to tie his shoes. We have been remiss up until recently of teaching him to tie his shoes, because most of his shoes had been slip on or Velcro. Anyway, with some encouragement from his teacher we have been more diligent.

He came home from school yesterday with two good reports. His teacher had given him special recognition for tying his shoes at school all by himself. And he had also received a Star Student award for exemplary behavior. Another parent had noticed Carson stopping on his way to the car line to pick up hangers that other children had carelessly knocked down.

Pretty cool kids that God has entrusted to our care. We sure do love them.

Someone's in the Kitchen with Mama...

Okay two quick cute stories to share...

Ephraim has been singing "Someone's in the Kitchen with Dinah" for the last few days. Today, Ephraim was helping me make brownies and he started to sing "Someone's in the kitchen with Mama, someone's in the kitchen I know -ooo- someone's in the kitchen with Mama, making brownies oooo.

In the line at the Starbucks drive thru this morning, after I ordered I left my somewhat sluggish automatic car window down, as I was approaching the place to pay. There was a bit of a line, so we were having to wait. From the backseat I hear this very melodramatic cough. I turn around to ask Ephraim what is making him cough. Ephraim says "The smoke" as he points to the exhaust fumes from the van in front of us. I could not smell it and I was sitting right by the window.

After a dramatic pause, Ephraim rolls his head and his eyes and says "Why do people have to smoke around children". I tried to explain the idea of exhaust fumes, but he wasn't buying it. Oh well.

Christmas is coming...

The last few days we have experienced a very small amount of snow. Each day by mid morning the dusting of snow has melted much to the chagrin of Ephraim and Carson. Today Ephraim told someone, "I love snow. It means that Christmas is almost here".

Wow, that is a wake up call. We are celebrating Advent in our home in a couple of different ways. We have a Advent calendar that Omi gave the boys and we have a paper chain that we take a link off everyday which has a scripture verse for us to read. (As I write, I realize we neglected to do both of those tonight. This makes me sad). Whether we are ready or not, Christmas is coming.

I have been purchasing gifts here and there for my family. A few things laying up in my guest bedroom suite waiting to be sorted through and wrapped. I was most happy with the purchase I made last night at Target. I chose two Knight in Shining Armor costumes complete with swords for the boys. Normally I shy away from anything with even a hint of combat. But, I was drawn to these costumes, because we are using a devotion Bible with the boys that is titled "God's Mighty Warrior Devotional Bible" by Sheila Walsh. I am looking forward to talking to the boys about each piece in the 5 piece set and comparing them to the Armor of God. Especially the "sword of the Spirit which is the WORD of God" (Ephesians 6:10-18). Having these few gifts, doesn't complete my list and then there will be the task of wrapping them.

I bought my Christmas cards last year on clearance, (I won't lie to you). I've had these cards for almost a year now, and yet, they lay unwritten, unaddressed in the basement. I thought I was getting a jump on things a week or so ago, when I proudly announced on my facebook page that I was working on my Christmas card. I have a semi-complete picture collage in my computer. I have a theme and a Bible verse, but that is it. No Christmas note/letter has been written. Yet, here I am writing my blog. Oh why oh why don't I do something more productive with my time.

I seem to be neglecting the most important thing about Advent. Preparing my heart. Yes, I have been doing my Bible Study and we have except for tonight done our Advent activities, but my heart has not been in the right place. I am feeling overwhelmed by the noise of Christmas. Instead of the sweet call of the Baby Jesus. Yes, I will eventually want to get my Christmas cards out and I will want to finish my shopping and wrapping, but I must take time to be with my Savior first. To remember what is important and to put aside that which gets in the way of time with Him. So, I will spell check this post and then I am going to go immerse myself in God's Word. I am also looking forward to going to the "Advent Tea" at my sister's church in Munster this Saturday. A time to reflect and connect.

Quiet as a Church Mouse

Normally, we have supper with Troy downtown before his BSF meeting, but tonight they had an earlier meeting than usual. Therefore, the boys and I had to fend for ourselves when it came to supper. I decided for a change to eat at home.

I let the boys play downstairs while I pulled together supper for us. Did quite well for me. Yes, their plate held protein, dairy, fruit, starch and vegetable. I thought I might have trouble getting them up from the basement to eat, but God provided perfect timing. Just as I was ready to call for them, they were already headed up the stairs.

Even more amazing, Carson suggested we play "quiet as a church mouse". I told Carson I wasn't sure Ephraim knew how to play. Carson carefully explained in his own words what was supposed to happen. Ephraim said "So, pretend we are at church?". Carson said "yes". I was curious to see what church behavior might be for them, because, we don't always have still and quiet while at church and Ephraim spends most of the service in childcare.

They both were surprisingly quiet for a very long time (in kid time anyway). Soon though Ephraim began to whisper. Carson said, "Wait, maybe I better explain again.." He told him "no talking, no whispering...". "Okay" said Ephraim and we started again.

Soon squeaks came from Ephraim, the kind you might hear... you guessed it, from a mouse. Carson admonished him "church mice don't squeak". I said, "Are you sure Carson? Mice do squeak." Carson confidently spoke "Mama, church mice do not squeak.". I asked him "Why?". To which Carson even more confidently replied "Because they want to hear the WORD of God".

Alrighty then. I guess he told me. I had to concur, it only made sense. Oh that we all were quiet enough to hear God's WORD on a daily basis. Taking the time to listen and just be still is a good thing. I need to do it more often. How about you?