Happy New Year!

2008 is on the way out and, really, what a good year it has been. So many happy memories:

*Shawna and Jordan's wedding and the chance to see all of my extended family and many friends from the past

*Christina and Zach's wedding

*Visits from all of our parents at one time or another (and other special guests too)

*Living in this house which has been perfect for growing, active kids

*Billy growing in his career, gaining his confidence and being affirmed for his hard work

*Wrapping up my responsibilities with SCI and entering a new chapter of being a full-time mom and wife

*John's amazing growth in his speech and the way he is overcoming his sensitivities (I'll post about this in the next couple of days. I know I'm overdue for an update on him.)

*A wonderful trip to see the Lewis family and then an amazing family vacation to the D.C. area

*The birth of my incredibly cute nephew Ezekiel

*Havilah's explosion of skills and sweetness

There are so many other things that I am thankful for, especially my husband who I am grateful for every day. 

I have a few ideas of what 2009 holds for me and my family. No matter what, I'm looking forward to a new start and am trusting that whatever God brings, he will bring the energy and strength to see it through. Welcome, new year!

reading with Papa

P.S. Recognize the post-Christmas mess of toys? Please tell me the presents in your house turned into a mess too...! Though now the new toys are slowly finding their homes. (-:

he's here

All the waiting and hushing and biting my tongue has paid off. Bill (Billy's dad) arrived on Wednesday night...much to Billy's surprise! We had a lovely Christmas day together with plenty of fun and food and playing!

Surprise!

Today has been more of the same, including a trip to the park. The kids are absolutely loving the Papa time--and we are really enjoying his visit too.

feeling angelic

Last Sunday, John performed in his first Christmas musical (but surely not his last!). He loved, loved it. He has been "talking" about it all week and anytime he hears "Angels We Have Heard On High" he breaks out the motions and sings "oooooo" (as in "glooooria"). So cute.

I know it's hard to spot John in these pictures--just trust me that he's in the middle, taking it all in:

Taking a bow (he's the one with his hands hanging down):

Havilah was part of the "angel walk"--all the kids two years and under walked across the stage with little silver halos:

Well, I'm off to make cupcakes for Jesus' birthday party tomorrow--a bunch of three-year-olds, some carrot cake and cream cheese frosting with Christmas sprinkles cupcakes, and Jesus. It promises to be a festive start to Christmas week!

another Christmas thought

This one is brought to you by my Portland church, the Pearl, from their advent service last week:

Insignificant man, escape from your everyday business for a short while, hide for a moment from your restless thoughts.  Break off from your cares and troubles and be less concerned about your tasks and labors.  Make a little time for God and rest a while in him.

Enter into your mind’s inner chamber.  Shut out everything but God and whatever helps you to seek him; and when you have shut the door, look for him.  Speak now to God and say with your whole heart:  I seek your face; your face, Lord, I desire.

St. Anselm

(different sort of) working woman

As of Friday, December 12, SCI has been acquired by Credo Communications in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After nearly five and a half years of working for SCI--and my parents--I am no longer a working woman. Billy asked me yesterday, "what will you do with all your time??" But there is plenty to do, at least for the next few weeks before Christmas (which I am so excited about!). It has been suggested that I could keep the house a bit straighter, and there are always sewing projects, books to read, kids to care for, food to cook, errands to run, ok...you already know, you do most of those things too. 

But I will miss SCI and all of the fun, stimulating projects (won't miss the tedious ones--of which there were very few). There is always the possibility of more editorial work from other sources (including Credo), but we'll just have to see what happens with that. In the meantime, it's bittersweet. I am happy to be unemployed for the first time in my married life so that I can focus more on my kids, especially now that they are older and need a LOT of attention. Yesterday afternoon I felt a teeny bit more free when it came to playing with John and Hava, and not so rushed to get them off to sleep. Today is only day #2, so I'm curious to see how long it takes for my brain to stop thinking what do I need to do for SCI? In the meantime, I'm so thankful for my years of working for my dad, and so thankful that God provides for everything we need so that I don't have to rush out and get another job.

Sorry this is so random, but I had to mention this big change in my life. I wonder...what will 2009 have in store?

Hiking with the Mullins

This past Wednesday we enjoyed a leisurely 1 mile hike with Megan, Jim, and Shane Mullins in the White Tank Mountains (who knew? only 30 minutes from our house...). It was quiet (except for our own children screaming) and we hardly saw anyone else. It had been too long since we were all together so it was good to catch up and let the kids play.

Even though we've known each other for almost two years, this is our very first everyone-in-the-same-shot photo:

Pretty cute families, aren't we?

Christmas prayer

Loving Father,

Help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be Thy children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

[Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)]

Play dough!

The kids and I made homemade play dough the other day. It turned out better than any of my previous attempts, so I am sharing the recipe (courtesy of these folks). We did add a little cinnamon to make it smell nice, too (that idea came from Jenny Hunt).

We made a snowman (and a mess) and it was fun for everyone, even Havilah who kept sneaking salty bits into her mouth and saying "mmm!"

Earth Friendly Play Dough

• 1 cup flour (not self-rising)
  
• 1/2 cup salt
  
• 1 cup water
  
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  
• 1-1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
  

Mix in saucepan over low heat. (It does not have to heat long.) Dough is ready when it rolls into a ball (not doughy). Keep dough fresh in an airtight container. If you need to make different colors, add food coloring while mixing over heat.

P.S. No, I don't know why it's "earth friendly."

One of those days

Today began early--too early--and involved a certain three-year-old's poop on the carpet. It was a disagreeable morning between me and him and it was with mixed feelings that I put him on the bus. Fortunately, the short time of separation erased his memory of my sucky mom morning and he had a fun time at preschool and a very productive speech therapy session. And God is good because my sweet husband cleaned the house while I was at the therapy with John.

So the plan was to have a low-key afternoon with plenty of playing and not so much disciplining (do you like how I plan for my kids to be well-behaved? It doesn't hurt to hope!). One thing we enjoy around here is taking the 1 block walk to get our mail. This afternoon we got all ready, put everyone's shoes on, grabbed the mail key, locked and shut the front door, and remembered that we (uh, I) had forgotten the house key. Thankfully I had my phone and called Billy, who was at work (35 minutes away). But, alas, he didn't know any secret way into the house.

The next plan of action was to check all the windows and doors. Alas, I'm a thorough locker, so even our side gate is locked (it's about seven feet high). But we still needed to check every entrance, you know? Since the gate was locked, we would have to climb it. I gathered up our stepping stones and made a little stool about 18 inches high. I climbed up, grabbed John, and gently threw him over the gate. Next up: Hava. She didn't mind being tossed to John, who kindly caught her so she wouldn't get a face-ful of rocks. The most elegant part of the operation was when I hoisted myself up and over the gate. I was praying that my neighbors were busy watching TV or something so they wouldn't have to witness the event. (and yes, all the windows and doors were locked--good thing we risked it all to check.) The whole time, John is saying "Home, I want home." Yeah, bud, me too. There was no choice but to go back over the gate (this time using cinder blocks) and head down to the park while we waited for the door to unlock itself. The good news is that we are not at the park any longer...a very hot police officer came and kindly opened the door for us. We were so grateful that we all kissed him and asked him to flash his lights at us.

What a day!

P.S. Congratulations to my sweet friend with a sweet pea on the way--you know who you are!