Water for Christmas

If you are like me you are now constantly adding to or crossing off your christmas lists. I don't know about you, but my list of "needs" vs "wants" gets even more blurry this time of year.

Well...
"Statistics show that Americans spend 450 billion dollars on Christmas every year. Experts estimate it would cost 10 billion dollars to give the whole world clean water. This has become a national campaign to see if we can change these statistics. To swing the pendulum from consumerism to compassion. To see what happens when we come together and buy Water for Christmas."

If you still haven't clicked on the Water for Christmas logo to your right, please do so. Or check out these cute shirts, my friend Courtney is making, that you can give as gifts and 100% of the proceeds goes to this charity.

Last but not Least

The tail end of our 9 day trip was spent at my parent's house. We had a late Thanksgiving (non-turkey) celebration with my parents, grandparents and sister and brother-in law and their dog.

I didn't get a good shot of Mason with Yeager but here he is pretending to be a dog. He and Yeager had a great time following each other around. Mason even got on his hands and knees a lot. I think this is amazing because Yeager already towers over Mason when he is standing. Owen on the other hand, spent most of the day on the couch out of reach from Yeager.

We had a wonderful trip, but we are so glad to be home! Now it is December. Yikes!

Visit with Mim

The second half of our trip was spent with EJ's mom (Mim). We had a wonderful time but it went by a little too fast. Thankfully we'll see her again around Christmas.

More baking and eating!

Mason loved watching the Macy's Day Parade. (I didn't let him stand that way the whole time)

EJ's highlight on Thanksgiving Day is to play flag football with his best High School buddies.

We enjoyed a yummy Thanksgiving dinner with EJ's grandparents and Mom. The rabbit was a visiting guest and kept the boys entertained most of the night.

Happy Thanksgiving!

To all of our loved ones that we can not be with today, We love you! We are so thankful for each of you. I pray that the Lord will open your eyes and hearts to see all His rich and merciful blessings.

Too cute

PopPop's Birthday

Yesterday was PopPop's birthday. Here he is making his own birthday dessert. (Nana was busy with the early Thanksgiving meal) He didn't seem to mind. He took great pride in his work.

I have no idea what it is actually called. It's made with Italian creme, dark rum, lady fingers and whipped cream. Owen refers to it as "finger pie." I personally couldn't get enough pumpkin pie so I only had one bite.Happy Birthday PopPop!

The Apprentices

I wasn't the only one who learned a thing or two.

Carving the Turkey.

Owen making a little whipped cream. Check out Nana's trusting eyes ;)

Nana's great cooking

We've been eating and eating and eating. And if we aren't eating we are cleaning the dishes. Nana (EJ's dad's mother) is an amazing cook and baker and we've been taking full advantage. Good grief, we still have two thanksgiving meals to go. I may need to buy new pants on the way home.

Apple Pie- Owen was actually excited, not that you can tell by this picture.

Mason didn't eat very well, but Nana quickly forgot once he climbed into her lap. Two slices of bread for dinner, hmmm!

More Pizzelles! We have a cookie tin with our name on it and she insists on filling it when we come and or sending it with EJ's dad when he comes for a visit.

I learned some tricks of her trade this visit. I can't imagine doing Thankgiving all on my own, but I know that day will come. Truly cooking from scratch is becoming a lost art. I can see why, it's exhausting and the food is consumed just as quickly.

The Clown vs Sleepyhead

Mason is terrible at sleeping in the car! If he does its never at the ideal time. He humored himself with putting EJ's hat on his head and letting it slide off. Whatever keeps him happy!

Funny Bone

Today, while Owen was in school I intentionally got down on the floor to play with Mason for awhile. It's so easy to want to get more done while I only have one around, but this is Mason's time too. We played with their toy castle, knights and a firetruck. Don't ask me why, but we got to laughing and laughing. The kind of laugh that comes from your belly and then makes you laugh even harder b/c the other person is laughing so hard. I can't recall Mason ever really laughing this hard without tickling being involved. It was a sweet time and I am glad I took the time to be there.

Snow ?!?!?!

Yep, at our house. Snow flurries this morning and this afternoon. Suppose to be in the 20s tonight. UGH!!!!!!!!!!

So well-spoken

Got all that?

Owen, watch out!

Mason is getting bigger and he is getting even!

Following Him

Amidst the noise and busyness of my days, I have been feeling a tug on my heart. A tug that I have tried to ignore for almost a year but it won't go away. So I am hesitantly taking steps to see what God has planned. Yesterday, EJ and I attended an Orphan Care Seminar given by a local group and hosted by our church. EJ graciously joined me, probably out of fear for what I would throw at him when I came home;) Thankfully we were equally blessed by the various speakers and stories and he was glad he went. Now, before you jump to conclusions we had no real agenda for attending. As a mother, I have recently been burdened with sadness for the children in our world without families and a home. Yesterday, I learned just how many orphans there are, an overwhelming 124 million in the world.
The conference focused on several topics: Biblical Basis for Orphan Care, Beginning an Orphan Care Ministry, Foster Care, Adoption and International Relief.

This verse really resonated in me. Psalm 82:3-4. "Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." This is not an option. God desires his people to help those in need.

I am no longer an orphan. Gal 3:29, "If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." So, that's as far as I've gotten. I have no idea what any of this means. Now I must pray. Pray that God would lead us as he sees fit. Fortunately the Bible makes His heart clear; He is the Father to the Fatherless.

There are so many ways to get involved. If you interested in learning more, visit http://www.kingdomkidsadoption.org/ and http://www.awop.org/ (just to name a few)

Great Weekend

We have had such a great weekend that I delayed blogging because I am not sure where to start.

Friday, I took the kids to meet my parents for lunch. Then they took the boys for an overnight. I had almost five hours to myself before EJ came home. I felt so spoiled and totally enjoyed myself. I wasted an hour in Micheals, bought a pair of sneakers at DSW, and picked up groceries for a special dinner. The two of us enjoyed a quiet dinner of crab cakes and fresh green beans! We completed sentences, asked each other questions and even returned answers ;) Then we went to a ComedyImprov show with tickets we'd received from a neighbor. It was very entertaining! Imagine an amateur version of "Whose Line is it Anyway?"

Saturday, we slept in! Then attended an all day seminar at our church. This was the original reason my parents kept the boys. I will post a separate blog about the seminar. It was very challenging and eye opening. Then after the seminar we drove to my parents and celebrated my grandfather's 93rd birthday. Owen had helped grandma bake the cake and could hardly make it through dinner b/c he was so excited eat a piece of cake.

Today, after the church service, I had the privilege of praying with a group of friends for a couple who has just received a referral for a Chinese baby boy. They have named him Walter and are praying boldly that he is home by Christmas. They have been waiting over 3 years for this wonderful news.

The rest of the day has been spent catching up with life and preparing for a full week ahead. Oh, and watching the Eagles.

Vrrrrooommm

Mason's little car sounds are the cutest. Everytime I try and record it on video he stops. But you can tell by his lips how hard he is working.

Tis the season

to bake

Yummy gingerbread cookies in christmas shapes :0

NO, don't worry its just because these are the only cookie shapes I own. Guess I better add a gingerbread man to the collection.

P&Q

EJ had the day off today and it was so nice having him around. He took the kids for their flu shots while I was at a meeting at church. Then he took the kids outside to play while I fixed dinner. Ah, such a treat! I had forgotten how much I enjoy cooking. It was almost therapeutic. Now we have a yummy meal to look forward too. And hopefully a relaxing evening.

Family Tree

Almost a year ago, I decided to create a family tree. I got the idea from the Red Envelope, but decided to do it myself. Little did I know it would take me this long. The tree was finished months ago, but I had some trouble collecting my information. Thanks for the work of many family members we got almost all I needed. As a result we have this awesome piece of family history on display in our dining room. The tree represents my side as well as Ej's side and goes back 5 generations. The females of both families are in red and the males are green. My two sons are written on the tree trunk.
While doing my research, I couldn't help but reflect about how I will be remembered for generations to come. What little information I found was lacking in details and usually meaningless and trivial information. So I asked myself, am I building a godly heritage that will last through the generations? Will my children's children know how much I loved the Lord. Am I an example of Christ's sacrificial love? Is it obvious where my hope comes from and with whom I trust? (Not for my glory, but for His)

Psalm 62:5-7
"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God..."

"We mothers have the opportunity to influence eternity by building a spiritual legacy in the lives of our children" Sally Clarkson's "Mission of Motherhood."

Sea of Leaves

Fortunately for EJ, he had a little helper with the leaves today. I am out on disability, darn ;)

This didn't last long.

Owen took a little break, notice the legs sticking out of the red lawn bag.
This post is dedicated to my dear friends in TX who miss the fall colors, but probably not the raking.

Giddy-Up

Creative Daddy

I spent most of Saturday morning cleaning the house. Since I was unable to do much throughout the week it was a big undertaking. I was glad to do it without little boys under my feet. This photo reveals EJ's creativity to keep them busy. The boys are sitting in their "pirate ship" the Eagle's flag is their sail. They became the "Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" (a Veggie Tales movie title). So after the rest of the house was clean we had another room to clean :)

Loosey Goosey

Yesterday's Dr. visit revealed a pretty severe muscle spasm in my neck. I am not quite sure how this happened but I am feeling better than I have in a week, thanks to some muscle relaxers. The medicine will hopefully also help my jaw pain. We are not sure how the two problems relate to one another. For now the PT is on hold and I will probably start over with someone else. I might also see another dentist. Back to ground zero.

EJ has done a great job picking up my slack. I am so thankful God has given me such capable and willing helpmate.

Mix Master O...

my goodness this is too funny. After our concert last week we had Beastie Boys on the mind and played a song for Owen. There aren't too many that we wanted him listen to, but he loved it and instantly wanted to know what instrument was being played. So we explained and watched some YouTube videos on record scratching. So this is him a week later "scratching" to Jack Johnson "Reduce Reuse Recycle." He has headphones on and is not aware of my filming. Sorry for the background news we are watching the presidental poll results on TV.

So now on his Christmas list in addition to a drum set is records to scratch. A mom's dream come true!

Under the weather

I spent a good bit of this weekend feeling sad and sorry for myself. Fortunately, the Lord, whose love is always faithful kept reminding me of the Truth. I am thankful He pursues us even when we want to hide under the covers.

• He continues to listen for me even when I don't want to talk to Him or don't know what else to say.
• He is always waiting with open arms to receive His broken children.
• His timing is perfect, whether I believe it or not.
• Our Joy is not in our circumstances, its in Christ alone.

I attended a very sad memorial service for my sister's sister-in-law. Allison died last week in her sleep, the cause of death is still undetermined. She left behind a husband and 3 young children. She was only 27. Please pray for her family.

My PT is currently on hold. My pain level has continued to worsen, so I am waiting for word from the Dr. I have no idea what the next step will be. I also have a slight head cold so I think its making me more miserable. Not much is getting done around here. I keep hoping I'll get more energy.

Sorry to be such a downer!

Concentration

It's rare, but my boys do sit down occasionally.

This is one of Mason's favorite activities while his brother is being crafty. He takes the crayons in and out of the box. Very exciting ;)