Trim the Tree

Justus helped us Trim the Tree on Friday afternoon. At first Neil and I were going to put up the lights on the house. We have to put those hook thingys on first since we didnt do it last year and the people who had the house before us didnt ever do it. So we got the drill out but the battery was dead so we opted for indoor decor instead. So I pulled J out of quiet time to come help. I actually felt kinda bad cause I didnt let Haven help (she was asleep). I feel she is old enough this year, but we were ready to get it done, ya know? So J helped us out. He was really good at putting all the ornaments at his level. But you know that is so cute!

When Haven woke up I took down their Little People nativity sets and let them take them out of the box and set them up. That was really cute. I read the Christmas story to them out of Luke chapter 2. As I read we identified all the people in the nativity so they understood and helped to make the connection. It was good times!

Thanksgiving Day 2009

We had a great, fun filled Thanksgiving. Neil was awesome as always and got up with the kids to make them breakfast while I slept in a bit. Then he made his traditional sausage balls - yummy! After that he went and played flag football with a few friends out at Harlan Ranch. They had 19 teams and his team came in 3rd, or was it 4th? I dont recall. Anyways, the kids and I went out to watch one of the games but then we had to go back home so I could get my green bean casserole put together.

Then off to Gigi and Papas for our Thanksgiving feast. Very yummy! After our lunch we stayed and hung out for a bit but then it was time to get Haven home for her nap. So off we went.

Once Haven woke up we went over to my sisters in-laws so we could hang out with Katie and her fam. That was fun. We ended up playing a game of Trivia which I thought was a blast and my team won (and we got real prizes) so of course I was all over that!!

Talked with my mom for a little bit after their crazy day had died down.

It was a great Thanksgiving with much to be Thankful for. I do Thank my God for being an amazing faithful and true God. I am blessed!! Thank you Jesus!!

Justus' Thanksgiving Feast

Today we got to celebrate Justus' Thanksgiving Feast at Preschool. All the parents brought yummy food. The kids sang some super cute songs that they had learned and then Miss Kathy read the answers to the questions about what we do at Thanksgiving that she had asked the kids.

A great bonus was she had typed them all out and laminated them so the parents got to keep it. They also had made fabulous turkey hats to wear - so cute!! And they each made a candle and pumpkin that were used as the centerpieces for the tables. What a great time of togetherness, sharing and being thankful!

A Family Classic

Today I had the kids help me make Eskimo Cookies.

This is a very special (and yummy) recipe out of a cookbook that my mom got when she was 8 years old. Ive enjoyed making these cookies since I was a young girl and somewhere in my adulthood, my mom passed this cookbook down to me. Now I am privileged to share it with my kids. I love the the look of the cookbook and the classic 50s feel of it. It truly is special in many ways!

A family classic!

Take up your mat - its your responsibility

John chapter 5 talks about the "Healing at the Pool." Jesus goes up to a man who had been crippled for 38 years and asks if he wants to be healed. The man did not answer very decisively. But Jesus ready and eager to heal him said "Get up! Take up your mat and walk." The man did and was healed.

The part that really got me was the "take up your mat" part. The lady who gives the lectures for BSF said that taking up his mat was his responsibility. In essence it represented all that he was accountable for. So tonight Im sitting at church and it finally clicked. The Pastor said he spends time with the Lord through prayer and bible reading every day and has not missed a single day in like 8.5 years or something ridiculously long like that. He said it was his responsibility. Ok, I get it. Just like I pledged some 14 years ago to make my bed every morning because I wanted to be a lady of diligence (and Ive only missed a handful of times). That was my action to being responsible. But God is calling me to be responsible in a new way. I must spend time with him daily. It is my responsibility in Faith action. I must take up my mat and walk. Walk with Him.

He can write his name

Justus brought home this lovely piece of artwork the other day. I loved how he colored his picture, but what most caught my eye was his signature at the bottom. I love that he wrote his name. I know that is what he can do all by himself because his teacher told me. I think its all pretty impressive!

Tis the Season for Snot

I was so excited for Neil to come home after being out of town a lot the past month and a half. When he walked through the door last night you could see it on his face - he definitely was sick and needed to just rest. So this morning I was up with Neil and saw him blowing his nose so I went to go get a box of tissues to have in our room and I just thought - tis the season for snot! Ha! Justus just over got over his little cold and we have friends all around us that are sick. Thankfully those close to us just have colds.

So it begins....

Hidden In My Heart

Im claiming a victory for Justus. Since he was a brand-new baby in my arms Ive always prayed that "Justus would hide your (Gods) words in his heart that he might not sin against you (God)" That scripture is from ps 119:11. Im so thankful for my Husband. He has been teaching Justus scripture. So far Justus can readily say John 3:16, Ps 20:7 and Matt 4:4. This is without helps and you can ask him at any moment and he can recite them for you. Currently they are working on 1 Cor 13:4. I think this is pretty impressive for a 3 year old. But mostly, I think that God has honored my prayers and has give Justus a great aptitude for scripture memorization. Thank you Lord that Justus is hiding your words in his heart that he might not sin against you!!

Ranch Day

We had the privilege of visiting a Ranch today. One of the couples in our Sunday school class, his dad owns a Ranch. So we got to go out and visit the cows, chickens, water buffalo, dogs and puppies that they had. We also got to see the men round up some chickens with a net and hold them by their legs. Fun stuff! We grilled out hamburgers - which were totally yummy - old school charcoal grill, fresh cow meat (wonder where the meat came from??) - totally good stuff! Not to mention we have some great cooks/guac makers in our class and the food they bring is always delish!!

The boys LOVED playing in the dirt, running around, climbing the fence, picking up walnuts, sticks and whatever other treasures they could find. Haven LOVED her some puppies. She just loved and loved on them. She would just lay down next to them and talk softly to them. So super cute.

Then after we were all full from yummy food, we hoped on their "mule" which is a type of vehicle thing. If you dont know what that is, its like a glorified golf cart/ATV thing. So then we got to ride a bumpy fun ride thru the cow pastures and get up close and personal with the cows. So fun! Then home it was to baths and nap time. Gotta love Ranch day!

What God Said to Me

Ok, not audibly but in my heart. Ive been having a few worrisome moments. So Ive been trying to remedy it all on my own. (Go figure!) I was sitting in BSF kinda unloading some of these worries on a friend. She had some good encouragement for me, but then BSF started and it always starts with singing. Do you know what God had me sing yesterday, right in the middle of my "need"? First we sang I Surrender All followed by Great is Thy Faithfulness. WOW! Yes God, Im listening. I do give my worries to You! I surrender them all! And yes, I KNOW You are faithful. Thank you for the reminder!

Halloween

We had a great time. Justus was Super Justus and Haven was a Geisha. We had Cliff and Ashley and their kids Reece (who is the exact age of Justus) and Merrick who is a few months younger than Haven come over to Trick or Treat in our neighborhood. Our neighborhood was actually really fun. A lot of families were out and our across the street neighbors went all out with costumes and decorations. They also were serving coffee to the parents. We only went up and down our street tho cause we didnt want to miss the block party. At the block party there were lots of games like Candy Walk. They were playing Monsters vs Aliens on a big screen. There were train rides and food/hot cocoa.

Haven really took to Trick or Treating . She did get a little shy saying trick or treat when the people opened the door, especially if they had dogs. She gets a little scared. But she kept right up there with the big boys. She loved holding her pumpkin basket and thought it was so cool to have people put the candy in. She totally got the whole process. Justus and Reece were just having a blast running around and getting candy. Merrick did really well also. So cute. Reece was Larry Boy and Merrick was a guitar. Cute stuff!!

After the block party we parted ways with our friends. Then we went to see some friends that live in the next neighborhood over cause they had wanted to see the kids in the costumes. Then home it was with two very worn out little ones. We did let them choose one candy to eat before bedtime. What has been interesting for me is since J is allergic to peanuts not only have I had to go thru his candy to take out all the peanut ones, I feel very responsible to teach him what the different candies are so he doesnt mistakenly eat something he shouldnt. That can be a daunting task. But he takes to it well.

We had a very fun Halloween. The kids totally dug it and it was fun to hang with our friends. Good times!!