Armor of God

In Caden's Tuesday morning Bible Study class, they made the armor of God...

Christmas pictures

a quick look back at the Christmas pictures we've sent in the last couple years...

skipped a year here...

Little Boy, Big T

Caden and Alyssa love to pretend that they're puppies in the pound, and that I come in to adopt them. On this particular day, Alyssa is a Yorkie, and Caden is a Pomeranian puppy ("because they're so cute and fluffy").
But then wait, it turns out the Pomeranian is an inventor puppy. He's just made a huge gun, which he uses to strike fear into the hearts of those nearby. And then the invention is taken to another level. The puppy adds a grappling hook to the end. Everyone in the pound is afraid of the baby Pom and they are just begging someone to take him away so their pound can be safe again.

I try to play along, but I'm at a little bit of a loss as to how to care for a cute and fluffy puppy with a gun.

Thanksgiving highlights..

Playing "old maid" with Grandma is always a highlight (we're still working on the poker face when one draws the Old Maid). Seeing my Grandma Nancy...
Helping decorate Grandma and Grandpa's tree
Isaac finds a new toy...or does Mark find an old one?


Aunt Mindy, Isaac, Grandma and the kids and I went downtown to see some sights... it was a bit chilly.
Bruce the talking Spruce

Camp Gingerbread
Gingerbread Mansion
Train ride through Tower City

Another Day, another issue

Most recent issue for which I have no answer: Hyperactive Gag reflex.
The first recent occurence was 2 days ago. We had a play group over including 7 additional children and 2 moms. Caden noticed a baby sucking on a wooden block. Then it was set down in his sight, he started gagging, and then threw up in a corner of the kitchen. I found him still gagging and put him out on the patio until he could get under control. Really.
Tonight: a sour taste was left in his mouth after having chewed his vitamin. He started gagging, and threw up in the sink. I admit I smacked his bottom while this was happening tonight. It just seems ridiculous. Any ideas?

Noah's Ark

We read today about Noah and the ark, so we decided to go out and measure in this field how long the ark was. We started at the willow tree...and this is only half way! This is how we measured...this stick is 2 cubits long - or about 3 feet.

And 300 cubits is....from here to the willow tree. Thats a big boat!

And of course, while at the park, we had to climb in the climbing tree, as its fondly called.

A tiger on his way to the ark.

a Bear, climbing down from his perch to follow the tiger

And..hm I'm not sure this could be anything but a lissy!

A dollar store meets contemporary worship

Sweeties

In Celebration...

of a new camera, a fall afternoon, and an attempt to get a Christmas card picture.


How do you think it went? I did get a couple good ones. :)

Coming from Alyssa's room...

"Hey over there."
"Hey over there!"
Now sounding more urgent,
"Hey! Hey over there!"

I say, "Alyssa, who are you talking to?"

She says "no one". And then continues.
"Hey over there".
"Hey over there!"
"Hey,.. hey over there!"

I concluded that some rude doll must have been ignoring her.

She was my child

She was my favorite. She accompanied me many places. She had many outfits, some made by my mom, some by my grandmother. And after a 20 year nap in a box, Meleida Joy now belongs to Alyssa.

So I guess that makes me a grandma.

Jasmine Genie and the Red-Headed Ninja

flowers in fall

While my parents were here, we stopped by a nursury that was more like a botanical garden!


They have this beautiful display of mums every year! The kids raced about on the paths that went over the hill and through the tunnels underneath it!

Witness

I got to be a small part of something last night that was very special. It was like nothing I've seen before, and like nothing I may ever see again. I got to witness our great friends, Jay and Amy, meet their long-awaited child. This child for whom they've been preparing and praying for years. A child they've dreamed of, longed for and wondered when the Lord would finally bring him into their lives. It was SO emotional. I'll never forget it.

I'll never forget how they looked in the dark grainy picture above, waiting for the first glimpse of him. This experience helped me see just a bit of how God must feel about each of his children when they Finally turn to him. This child he created; this child he has longed for. And when they come into his arms, and call him Father, what incredible joy he must feel.

He feels that way about you. And me. Amazing.

Final Soccer Game!