Christmas Loot

We had a very good Christmas this year - the boys racked in! Of course with 2 sets of grandparents that live out of town and 5 cousins, the haul is bound to be big! I haven't downloaded pics yet, so those will be coming soon. The fun part this year was watching the kids tear into their presents and then start playing with their brother's stuff! Rob and I have wondered how different Noah's development will be because he is always playing with toys "older" than him!

Ethan had a big year - this was his "big boy bed" year. I've been shopping for almost a year and finally found a loft bed with a slide that I could afford (he's been asking for one ever since seeing his cousin Lexi's - THANKS A LOT, BRANDON AND CARLA!!!) Believe it or not, I took a gamble and bought it on-line through Ebay. Brand new and went together smoothly. It did mean, however, that Rob and I have been moving and rearranging the house since last Friday. I hope to have everything finished by this weekend so I can start the painting/decorating. Now Ethan has a bedroom right across from his brother and our office is upstairs - hopefully that will also keep the computer equipment from being a further casualty of Noah the destroyer (We had only had the computer 2 weeks when he managed to break a CD cover off the drive. Sigh)

Pics will be up soon. Hope everyone had a Wonderful, Blessed Holiday. We thought of you all and thanked God in prayer for our friends and family far and near! God Bless you in the upcoming New Year!

Oh, and if you are inclined to send me birthday wishes this year in March, I am turning 29 for the 8th time. Gotta love denial! :)

New Interactive Question

Salt or Sugar?

I'm definately a sugar girl. That explains a LOT, doesn't it?

The halls are officially decked

Well, we finally finished the decorations. Not much, mind you. A few sentimental figurines, a nativity set (I learned a new word recently...creche), the tree, the wreath, and some well placed candles. This is the first year Ethan noticed we really don't do outside lights, so I figure I'll be one of those crazy people who get up early on the day after Christmas to try to load up on lights for next year.

This year, I stepped back from my trimming and decking responsibilities and let the kids have at it. Here is the result of our poor tree:


















I forgot that when you are only 2 foot high, this IS random and scattered! And this, mind you, is after I've already sneaked and moved a few ornaments around (the bottom limbs were hanging low from the weight of about 25% of the total ornaments being on them!) Noah thinks this is a toy tree - I find ornaments in various rooms around the house throughout the day.

The boys also helped me bake cookies this year. Another bit of perfectionism I had to let go of...Man, I'm doing GREAT this year!
















































Poor Mr. Snowman didn't even have a chance in this sprinkle storm.

Idiot Knights

Today we were reviewing Sunday school lessons from this last Sunday. In Ethan's class, they learned about the Good Samaritan. Noah's class, being full of toddlers, mainly just gets a coloring page and a Bible story. Ethan is looking at the page asking me what it is a picture of. I say "that's a picture of when God helped Gideon defeat the Midianites." Ethan, always wanting more of the story, says..."so why did God help him beat the idiot knights?"

I couldn't answer for at least 5 minutes. Had to catch my breath and run to the bathroom before I wet myself!

We've had a lot of fun along this same vein with Christmas music this year as well. Some examples include the Three Kings from Glorian, the One-Horse slofen sleigh, and when you ask him to sing "Santa Clause is Coming to Town" he immediately breaks into air guitar and the Bruce S. version. He also thinks "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" is that song on Charlie Brown.

Yep. I think we've captured the spirit of the season around our house... :)

After posting today, I looked back and saw I had not updated any photos of late. Here are some photos from our Thanksgiving celebration with James and Letitia Brooks and their children: Henry and Hannah.













Hannah is a little doll!











Ethan and Henry were inseperable all day long!








These last 2 photos are of us attending the Holidazzle Parade in downtown Minneapolis. This was the first year we didnt' freeze our you-know-what's off - it was actually quite tolerable!

Nonetheless...

Rob and I were talking about a conversation he had recently. The man asked him if he could sum up the Bible in one word, what would it be. My thought was "love". Rob couldn't do one, but he managed two: "grace" and "truth" (as the scripture describes Christ). This man had a very interesting response that has had me thinking. His word: "nonetheless". Then he proceeded to quote scriptures that used "nonetheless" or "nevertheless" in them such as (paraphrased) "nonetheless Samson's hair began to grow again", "nonetheless God would not listen to the curse of Balaam and blessed instead", "nonetheless, though God was angry with Israel, he raised up judges to deliver them from their oppressors"...just to name a few. The point? Scripture is full of examples of men who failed God, yet was still blessed or used by God, or examples of places where God was completely fed up with man yet still extended mercy. Wow. Isn't that wonderful to know? That God can use me DESPITE me? That it is not contingent on what I do, or how I act? That I can stumble or fall a million times and still come to the cross and find grace and mercy? This, of course, does not mean I can live any way I wish (Romans 6:1) for though the gift of salvation is free to receive, it costs everything to pursue. It's just liberating to know it's OK to NOT be perfect. It's OK to make mistakes - and to not be looking over my shoulder for the "hammer of God" or that lightening strike from the heavens.

I suppose that "nonetheless" is really another way of saying "grace" or "mercy". I may be wrong here (I have not studied all 'holy' books), but I believe the Judaeo-Christian scripture is the only holy writing that does not shirk or hide the fallen nature of man. God puts it all out there for the world to see as an example of His mercy and longsuffering with mankind. Adultery, murder, incest, theft, lying, deception, blackmail, cheating, rape, homosexuality, greed, lust, gluttony...you name it, it's there. Hollywood has NOTHING on the Bible. These examples do not dishonor our God, but display Him as the God who is merciful, patient, gracious and loving. I like this definition of grace: when we get what we don't deserve, and don't get what we deserve." Praise be to God! His love endures forever!

High School

If you could go back and do high school all over again, would you? Would you do all of it or only portions? Is there any part of high school life that you would never repeat even if you were offered a gagillion dollars?

I had a pretty good high school experience - especially being involved with the swing choir and drama. I think I'd do it again. However, I'd want the option of being the person I am now and not the silly, petty, insecure girl I was then. Hmmmm...don't we all want that? I think it was Twain who said "youth is wasted on the young".

I would also repeat college - what a blast! As great as my high school friends were/are, I have maintained many very close relationships with college friends.

Of course, that's not to say I'm living in the past or anything. I also enjoy where I am right now, though I often wish I could have arrived here without much of the pain and lessons of life. Ah, well...no pain, no gain, huh? I also wish I could be closer to family and some of those aforementioned old friends.

Superpowers

So if you could pick just one super power, what would you choose?

I'd like to be able to fly. As a matter of fact, I'm hoping in Heaven, I will be able to . And I'm not talking angel wings - I'm talking more like Superman. :)

Second choice - I'd like the ability to communicate and therefore control animals. Kinda like Aquaman, only with all animals - not just sea creatures.

I have no use for invisible jets, truth ropes, or the ability to change into any form of water. What was up with those Wonder Twins, anyway?

Today's random question

If you had to pick one food (or food type) to eat from now on, what would it be?

My answer: anything Mexican. YUM!!!!

Your turn! :)

Random Topics

OK, I have been inspired by a recent e-mail I received from a friend and want all of you to be more interactive with my blog. So I am going to, on occasion, pose meaningless questions to you that I will also answer. Hopefully, we will find out some interesting things about one another.

Today's question: What movie (or movies) could you watch over and over and never get tired of?

My answer: (in no particular order) The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Monty Python's Search for the Holy Grail, and Yellow Beard. Those last two just crack me up! (and yes I realize that may label me as a "nerd"...I don't care. They are brilliantly funny!)

Leave your answers as a comment!

Ethanisms

So we are sitting at the table eating dinner last night. A song comes on the radio that he's heard maybe a dozen times in his short 4 1/2 years. He has an amazing memory...he starts singing along "gimme the beat boys to free my soul, I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away..." So, naturally I start singing with him. That little twerp stuck both fingers in his ears and smiled the most devious smile I've seen on him yet! I was laughing too hard to be insulted!

The ability for quick memory comes from me...the instigator tendency he gets from his daddy. :)

Seasonal Affected Disorder

So since the daylight savings time switch, I've noticed those subtle changes in Rob and I. Feel lazier, lost motivation, eating terribly (snacking all day, not drinking water, lower fruit and vege intake, etc.), and feeling a touch of the blues. Luckily, this year, we have FLY Lady in our home! Even on the days I don't want to do anything, I have become somewhat "programmed" to do at least part of my routines. So at least we also don't have a messy house or piles of laundry, or empty fridge to add to the lack of sunlight in our lives.

Another thing that is different this year - I've done the Beth Moore study "Breaking Free". I tell you that Bible study has revolutionized my faith. I have come to realize that daily time with Christ is not an obligation, but a necessity. Not a "have to" but a "get to". Not a drudgery, but a sheer joy. To have the lover of my soul speak softly to me and to feel Him smiling on me as I delight in Him and as I learn more and more each day to walk in obedience. I've found obedience is not the chains so many of us think it will be - it's actually freedom. True freedom like I've never felt. I understand why Christianity is not about religion - it's about relationship. And it's so fulfilling and beautiful! So now that I am armed with a deeper, richer relationship with my savior for my spiritual sustenance, and I'm armed with FLY lady for my physical and mental well being, I should be able to lick this mopey-ness much quicker than I have in the past.

For those of you who are of the praying sort - please remember a dear friend of mine who is going through a much more oppressive depression right now. It's a recurring thing for her and this time of year is always the worst. Remember her family as well.

While daddy's away, mom goes insane.

I've had several calls these last 2 weeks from many of you dear friends and family checking up on me while Rob has been out of town. I am doing fine, but the experience has given me a new profound respect for single mothers. I honestly don't know how they do it day in and day out. Of course, my experience might be exaggerated a bit since 1) I do not live near a grandma that I can bum childcare off of, and 2) I am not used to going it alone, so I have not learned the specific skills to do so gracefully.

Yesterday I yelled at my 19 month old for dumping his plate of fruit in the floor. Ugh. He looked at me like "now honestly, mother, how is this behavior any different than any other day? Why are you yelling? Have you gone mad?" and proceeded with his little gravity experiment. Ethan would have been in tears, and I would have followed. Not Noah. He points out the absurdity of my behavior by not letting it phase him. So one deep breath and a quick trip to my knees in prayer and we were all back to "normal"...whatever that is.

In that respect, having Rob gone for an extended period is good - it makes me take stock of me. It gives me a chance to see how easily I rely on him for my strength or spiritual guidance, when I should be relying in Christ. It gets me back on track.

Not that I'm advocating for him to be gone more often....oh, how I miss him! His absence also reminds me what a terrific man he is and how much I love that my husband is also my best friend. :)

More Fall Fun: the Apple Orchard

Last year we had a lot of fun at Minnetonka Orchards, so it seems this is becoming an annual tradition along with the state fair. Peak color today, so I enjoyed myself thoroughly!

Click to enlarge and zoom in on Noah - he's turning into quite the ham!

The boys enjoyed climbing and rolling in the large mountain of hay.

Simply cannot get enough of John Deere tractors! My boys will be customers for life!

There was a very cool wooden train for the kids to climb around in and on. Noah is slowly starting to catch on to the whole "pose" idea for a picture. I say slowly because usually he either won't even look at you, or will just stare blankly. He only today started copying big brother and saying "cheese" whenever mommy had the camera out.

Mom suggested (much to dad's chagrin) that they boys bury dad in the hay. I think Rob was picking hay out of his shirt the rest of the day! (hee-hee)

Even though they have a rather large sandbox at home, this proved to be one of their favorite activities of the day!

We also went on a hay ride, enjoyed some yummy apple donuts, and played hide and seek in the corn maze. It was a very fun day! Noah wore himself out and was asleep within five minutes after heading home. Even Ethan took a short nap in the car.

After all this beautiful weather, would you believe they are predicting snow flurries by Wednesday? That's Minnesota for you. 9 out of the 11 years we've lived here we've had our first snowfall before Halloween. Guess this year's unseasonable warm streak will not stop the trend. Batton down the hatches....winter's comin'!

Fridley Fire Dept. Open House

Every year, our Fire department has a shin-dig for the kid-os. Lot's of activities, free stuff, and big machines. It's heaven for the boys!

We met up with James and Letitia there. Henry, Ethan, and Noah had lots of fun together.

Better in the front seat than the back, huh?

Fall Family Fun

Well, we've gotten an "Indian Summer" here the last week - the rain stopped and we've had temps in the 70's. That, along with the dazzling color has made me giddy. We've been outside a lot the last week or so. Tuesday, we went to Springbrook Nature Center to enjoy the scenery and see the animals. Of course, one cannot pass up an inviting pile of leaves!
















Honestly, now. Is it possible to be any cuter?

Historic Ft. Snelling

Fort Snelling had 4 special homeschool days this last month. We attended one on frontier technology. It was really cool! I can't believe I've lived here for 11 years and have never gone before now! Not only was the Fort demos fun, but we also caught a glimpse of a barge coming down the river!

Ethan and Noah posing on a soldiers bunk in the living quarters.
Not sure why Noah is sticking out his tongue here. Maybe he is really feeling his "horse" character...

Ethan as a soldier circa 19th century.
I think this was both of the boys favorite part (besides getting to help make a brick)!

All the historians inside are dressed in period. They didn't take it quite as far as the Plymouth Plantation interpreters did...they at least would answer your 21st century questions like "where is the bathroom?" It was a lot of fun, though. The boys got to work pulleys, a wood turner, pretend to chop planks from logs, play in the old schoolhouse, scrape a moose hide, make a brick, build a rock wall, and watch a blacksmith. Ethan thought the potty chairs in the hospital were "GRRRROOOOOOSSSS!!!!!"

September in Ohio

We recently found ourselves on a whirl-wind, action-packed family adventure to Ohio! It was kind of last-minute, but lots of fun. Here is our jouney in pictures...















We got to go to KY for a family reunion of sorts. KY is a beautiful state full of interesting people...many of which are related to me. I can assure you, however, this vehicle did not belong to anyone in my party. This was spotted at a small gas station in Mt. Vernon. You may want to click the picture and zoom in on the license plate. I really don't know what else to say about this - I can't even believe they sell these, much less that someone would actually buy it and display it in public. Ah, Appalachia....















Our flight home had a brief layover in Michigan. The airport was designed with kids in mind! They had several play areas along the way. Ethan and Noah enjoyed this little playhouse while waiting to board.















Here is a picture of the extended family that was able to meet in KY and go spelunking. This is taken outside our "family cave".















This cave was on family property and run as a tourist site by our family for years. I have many fond memories of our yearly reunions that always included a tour through the cave and all the facinating stories that went along with it. Many years ago, it was sold to the University of Cincinnati and there is no more tourism. We were able to pull some strings to go through it one more time. Lots of history in that cave. "Fire Down Below" with Steven Segal has some scenes that were filmed in there. Haven't seen it. You couldn't pay me enough to watch 2 hours of Steven Segal...hurts just to think about it!















Ethan and his cousins enjoyed picking up large "logs" and "rocks" - leftover props from the movie. It's really amazing what they can do with styrofoam!




















Part of the reason behind our trip was my brother's 30th birthday bash. Yep. Nothing will make you feel old like your little brother turning 30. We had a great time. Of course, what would a party be without dancing? And you know me, even if I'm the only one out there, I gotta dance! Usually the kids felt sorry for me and joined along.






























That's my dad. Now you know where I get my goofiness! :)
Also note Ethan...took him a while to warm up, but he was really bustin' some moooooves!

And here is mom and dad both getting into the rhythm. I didn't have the heart to tell them that no one does the "bump" anymore... :)

Been a while...

In response to a few of you e-mailing me to find out how the dramas went...they went very well. I ended up having to try my hand at writing on some of them. Last minute scheduling changes with certain actors caused 2 re-writes, and our writer was in the hospital. So between the Pastor and myself, we tweaked them. Funny...I was only supposed to direct, but ended up having to be in 3 of the 4! Sigh, guess church drama is like any other church ministry...folks just don't seem to be really committed to it. Hopefully that will change.

The performance space is awesome. The church just finished building on a new "sanctuary" that is really a theater. Huge stage with a full catwalk and fly system, theatrical lighting and inclined audience seating. It was designed like that on purpose, so I hope that means there is a bright future for all kinds of theater there! I'd love to stage some community theater and see what happens!

The school year is off with a bang! I have 2 tutees and 1-1/2 homeschool consulting families (I'm sharing one family with another consultant). I'm also still doing stuff at the Science Museum and I am teaching science 2x per month at a homeschool coop. Whew! Already busy and it's just now October! I'm hoping some of these things will translate into clock hours for my license renewal in 2008...

I will have some more pictures of recent events posted later. I've been so busy adjusting to my suddenly busy life, I haven't been on the blog. Now things are starting to gel so I should be able to go back to posting a few times per month.

The fall is beautiful here! It simply doesn't last long enough. The smells, the trees, the cool, crisp air...AHHH. Today we got outside and enjoyed the sunshine by doing some yard work in preparation for winter. Ethan found a spider. We sat and watched it catch a small gnat. Ethan got so excited he suggested we find more bugs for it to eat. So we went on a safari for isopods. After a few attempts, we got one on the web and the spider responded quickly. It was a show well worth our money and time! Funny how it doesn't bother him at all to see a spider devour another creature, but he seems rather disturbed that T-Rex would eat other dinosaurs, or that animals such as owls eat other animals. Guess it's all in your perspective.

Incidently...all you family and friends who've been "promising" me for years to come and visit... Fall is the PERFECT time! So mark your calendars for Sept-Oct. Of course, summer isn't bad but we can get some hot, sticky days in July and Aug. For those of you looking for a true Minnesota adventure - come in January or February. I promise you will not be bored and you will have a story to tell your grandkids ("I remember when I had to walk through 10 foot of snow uphill both ways...)

Real Life Church

For any of you wanting to check out our new church, go to www.reallifechurch.net

I will be making my directorial/acting debut this Sunday, September 10th. I'm gonna love this church...they are multimedia FREAKS!!!!! (in a good way). I think you will see by the website.

So far, people have been very open and welcoming. I didn't expect to be acting/directing by now. I'm very excited!

The Great Minnesota Get Together!

Ah, the end of summer is traditionally marked with the Minnesota State Fair! This year we had beautiful weather...not too hot, nice breeze, slightly cloudy offering off and on shade throughout the day. Perfect. We skipped the corn dogs and cheese curds this year and went for whatever coupons were in the book - but could not pass up the traditional roasted corn! YUM. Here is this year's photo montage...

Ethan and Noah posing next to Big Foot. They both just love monster trucks!

















It's amazing how your kids change in one year. Last year, Ethan was new to rides, so he didn't want to ride anything that went too fast or too high. This year he was all about the thrill!






















Noah was too small for the rides, so he relaxed in his stroller and cuddled his bear. Cute, as always!


...or he enjoyed watching bubby have fun!


I think Machinery Hill is one of Ethan's favorite parts of the fair. He has to sit on every lawn mower, excavator, bobcat, and tractor that he can. Especially if they are BIG. This is an old restored one...he likes the sound of the older tractors. And he gets sooooo excited whenever he sees yellow and green! He breaks into the John Deere theme song from the library videos he's watched about a hundred times!


The animal barns are always fun. We skipped the pigs this year...they are just sooooo stinky. The Miracle of Birth center has been redone - bigger and better. We saw lots of chicks hatching, and a newly born sheep and pig. The kids favorites this year....horses. Especially the tiny ones!


Ethan also tried his hand at carpentry - the Home Depot booth had a kids workshop (which explains the bright orange apron). He hammered together a "really cool racecar that goes super fast". #20 for all you Nascar fans.
*sigh* Summer is officially over on the 4th. It's amazing, but up here, it's like nature knows when the fair is over to start getting colder and changing colors. I love fall, but the older I get, the more I start to dread the long, dark, winter to come. The Farmer's almanac is predicting a rough one. We've had it pretty easy the last several years, so we will see.