Fun times on Saturdays!

So, the biggest little person in our tribe plays basketball.  And let me tell you. . . .he is having a blast! 

(We might be too!)

Celebrating at a team shot made!

Snacks and cheering, of course.  :)

Getting ready to take the shot. . . .

CELEBRATION!!!

Half-time meeting with the coach.  (How we love our coaches!!!)

I think it's going to be a fun season.  :)

Just so you know. . . . we are still here, AND. . .

. . . . look how big we are getting!  

Someday I'll figure out something to blog about. . . but

until then, look how big we are getting!

On a different note. . . .

I've decided to try a new tradition this year.  At church this past week, I was praying that the Lord would show my heart this week, which of our traditions are precious to him and which ones he might could do without.  ;)  It was about that time that a new thought came into my head.  I have often told my kids the stories of their births.  I think as a new event, every Christmas eve we are going to tell how Jesus brought them into the world.  It is VERY obvious, with all three of my children, that the Lord chose- not only the day of their birth, but also the means and the testimony of healing that came with it.  It is an amazing story, and I want them to know it well.  There is also a really good birth story that we read through every year, sometimes forgetting how incredible it is.  So, we'll end the evening with the reading of Jesus' birth story.  I don't know how it will work out, but I'm pretty excited to try it out.


Anybody else have any good recommendations about what to do to celebrate Christmas the right way?

The Christmas Tree-

So, my apologies.  It's been a while since I've blogged.  It appears that there is much going on, and blogging isn't stress relieving- as I so long for it to be.  Oh well. . . another post for another time.

We have had a growing tradition of having our friend take some photos while we are decorating the tree.  It's been such an amazing blessing that I thought I would share some with you as well. 

I love this one.  Everybody needs some daddy love.

Everyone must have hot chocolate breaks while decorating the tree.  It's hard work!

Can you see that sweet face behind the tree?

Oh my, we are SOOO happy.

Samuel got to put the angel on top of the tree this year.  He did a great job.

Merry Christmas everyone!  May we strive to see the first coming as a sign and a reminder of the hope offered in the second coming.  Can't wait!

Christmas Begins in our house.

So, today was the day.  The second-in-command asked ALL DAY long, when is daddy chief going into the attic to get down the Christmas boxes???  When Mommy????????

As one can imagine, it was a long day for both of us, but there was a lot of post-Thanksgiving, week-long trip crap lying in my living room and I can't really begin the next major pulling out of new crap until the existing crap has found it's way back home.  (Was that over-using of the word crap?  Can you tell how I feel about it all?)  Anyway, side note.

We eventually found ourselves at dinner time, eating frozen pizza and broccoli, since I didn't get to the grocery store either today.  (another bunny trail, sorry.)  By this time, it was getting close to bath time, daddy chief was leaving to go to a meeting, and we hadn't gotten any Christmas down.  Drama ensued, and wanting to be a parent who is trustworthy, we got a few boxes down before heading to bed.  This was tonight's project.  It involved lights, always fun.  Beads on string, or a train, to a three-year old.  And red, green, and silver ornaments.  AND stockings!  You can't see them here, but they were placed in the appropriate places.  :)

Here's the completed project.

Here's the close-up.  If you are extra observant, you can see my greasy head.  Please disregard.

Anyway, all that to say, it wasn't particularly calm and peaceful, but it was well worth it.  Then, when it was time to go to bed, no one wanted to.  The second in command was sure he wasn't dirty and that he didn't need to get in the shower.  And the first born, through tears, was convinced that he wasn't tired.  Hmmm. . . .

We were finally all clean and brushed and we sat down to read one of my favorite Christmas books, which also came out of the boxes.  "Humphrey's First Christmas" is an absolute delight.  Humphrey the camel learns how sacrifice and obedience from a heart of love are central to Christ and his first coming.  I know, my kids may not get all that, but still, I came out of their bedroom reminded why I love them so, and why my Father in Heaven loves me so.

Then I came out to the living room where I sat looking at my twinkling lights and proceeded to read Isaiah 24.  (not that I was doing my entire BSF study the night before group, but that's a different blog for a different day)  Sorry, another bunny trail!  Anyway, I was dumbfounded again at the word of the Lord over my heart tonight.  Very simply put, he came- in real form and flesh, lived and died, and is coming back.  And when he returns he brings the great and terrible day of the Lord.  It will be amazing, but it will be terrifying and I am learning to look for his beauty in the midst of his judgement, his light in the midst of darkness, his joy in the midst of suffering, and his love in the midst of sacrifice.  I pray to see it better this Christmas.
 
Isaiah 24:14-16  They raise their voices, they shout for joy; from the west they acclaim the LORD's majesty.  Therefore in the east give glory to the LORD; exalt the name of the LORD, the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea.  From the ends of the earth we hear singing: "Glory to the Righteous One."

THE lizard. . . . .

So, yesterday afternoon Benjamin was playing outside by himself for a little bit and suddenly he came running in.

"Mom, I just saw a HUGE lizard.  It was this big around."

 

And it was this long.  Really.

Just for our daddy to see. . . .

So, today was a big day.  Bethany ate her first bit of cereal.  And since Daddy didn't get to see it, we thought we would show him, on the other side of the world.  :)

First we started with a little bit of bottle.  Benjamin was telling me the whole time that she wasn't going to eat her cereal.

Then we decided we could take some ONLY if mommy was holding her.  :)  It went down okay.

Then we realized if we stuck the paci in right after the bite, then we would swallow it better.

Then we found our fingers.  Yummm. . . . . .

Sending out a little love. . . .

SO, a little late, but we had a wonderful day with daddy before he left.  We wanted to be very intentional, and do things that the boys love.  SO, in reverse order. . . 

 

John and the boys slept in the tent Saturday night.  It was GREAT fun, only got down to about 40 degrees and everyone made it all night long.  That in itself is unbelievable.  Needless to say, Bethany and I were happy down the hill in the warm house and soft bed.  :)

There was a wonderful bonfire, complete with friends, smores, and hot dogs. 

And a pretty cute Samuel sitting in a chair with hat.

Before the campfire, we went to Union Station to see the trains.  It has become a favorite activity, and every fall they make a huge display!  It is truly amazing, and the boys LOVE it!

We began the day at IHOP Pancakes. . . . ymmmmm.  Bethany is with us, I promise. 
She's just on the end of the table in her car seat facing backwards.  :) 

Just a shout out to papa!  WE LOVE our hats from Peru!  Thank you loads!

Friends. . .

So, instead of moaning about all things that I can do nothing about, I am choosing to be grateful.  And today it happens to be a couple of precious women.  First, we went to Shrevepohrt last weekend and had a blast.  As Sunday afternoon rolled around, we both lamented (Mama at TLLOM and I) about how our time was ending so quickly.  You see, this precious woman and I became friends in KY.  Even more so, she was the first real friend I made.  Little did we know, it would last 2 moves, four more babies, and five years in another city.  And for some reason, we felt like this trip could have lasted, and should have lasted, much longer.  It's like our kiddos just got a little bit older, they slept a little bit longer, played a little bit better, and we laughed a little bit harder.  We were so encouraged.  Her heart is longing for encounter with the Lord daily, and the hunger that I see in her causes me to want more.  She read the bible in 90 days people!!!  If that doesn't stir you. . . . (i digress) 
And so, with this, I shout out to my dear and precious friend, Candace.  This is what I found on the kitchen counter at her house as we were trying to get out the door quickly and make the 10-hour drive in one day.

Coffee cups . . . . with a fresh pot behind them.

Snack bags for my sweet boys.  Filled with yummy, healthy treats to eat along the way.  If you look closely,
you can see that Samuel's bag has a lightening bolt on it with #95.  Very appropriate, thanks Lightening McQueen.

 And this is my friend Jodi.  She (and her husband) were the first people we met in Kansas City when we moved here.  Her husband and mine were the only people in their FSM class who were married and parents (their oldest Aiden was only about 8 weeks along, in utero, and our oldest chief was only a year old, but that was a HUGE step ahead of the rest of the unmarried, 18-year olds!)  The daddies were immediate friends, and Jodi and I had a wonderful time together.  Since that first meeting, we have had 5 more babies (the two littlest were already in bed), grown together in the Lord, laughed, cried, cuddled new life in hospitals, and prayed together.  This is an amazing woman of faith, and she inspires me in so many ways.  She diligently and fully sets her heart before the Lord daily.  She has strength in her heart and faith the fills a room.  She is obedient to the spirit and tender before the Lord.  She is Mary, at Jesus' feet.  This past summer their family moved away for her husband to go to law school.  And though we are thrilled for them, we also miss them terribly.  She has come for a visit, and as I love to say, "Six little people with TWO mommies is way better than three little ones with one mommy." 

(and no daddy)

Four little boys sitting on a couch reading.  (Yes, mine do have cloths on, you just can't see them. 
I would never put a naked picture of my children on the internet.)

I think what was striking me so clearly, is that both of these women were the first ones I met upon making a major transitions in my life.  Both are dear friends.  And both live too far away. 

However, what the Lord has done in our midst is nothing short of precious.  He has united our hearts and he sustains our friendships.  I am honored to be surrounded by women who encourage, remember, serve, love, and cry with me.  AND, at the end of it all, encourage my heart to love my Savior more.  Thank you friends.  It is precious.

Dinosaurs and Butterflys. . .

Okay, so for all of you who love to see it, I'll just connect you to my dear friends blog.  We were out of town for the weekend with some WONDERFUL people and she is very good and posting pictures.  Anyway, here are some of my sweet babies, and her's as well.

Mash down here.  :)

This one however, was the best.

I love my husband.