Fun in God's Handiwork

I heard that 65% of America is covered in snow right now and more is on the way.   Growing up in Utah, I LOVE the snow!  Not everyone shares my tastes I know (and we aren't buried under 3 + feet of snow right now either).   We just couldn't resist taking a recent afternoon to travel to Grandma & Grandpa's farm for some "sledding with speed".

We filled the mini-van to the brim by including our dear friend Hope and even our dog Frisbee, who loves to run herself to exhaustion.   It was a fun-filled afternoon freezing our noses off.  The kids had a blast and were challenged to see who could stay on the sled the longest. 

Initially the boys were intentionally flinging themselves off the sled but when determined, Spiderman won the contest by far.  Boo had the princess seat for most of the afternoon but she did give it a try with dear ol' Mom.   What a beautiful day!

We can see...

with our new glasses.

The boys had their eyes checked again this year and now both are sporting some new specs.  Spiderman's had changed even more and Jaybird has a whole new world he can see better.  (In fact, he was so giddy about getting to pick up his glasses today and he did everything he could to contain himself as they placed them on his face).  Recently Jaybird said to Spiderman, "I'm glad you got adopted because my life would be boring without you."  Somehow they see these new glasses as bringing themselves even closer together.

My boys........ :)

I have a 10 year old!

Boy are we getting OLD!!  How is it possible that we are old enough to have a 10 year old?  It really is wonderful, I just can't imagine where the time has gone.  Jaybird is funny and has such a spunky and imaginative spirit and he brings us so many laughs (and a few gray hairs) - but it's just been a blur these last 10 years.  It's amazing how quickly life goes from changing diapers to panicking over how little time we have left with him at home.

Jaybird celebrated this year "big kid style" by skipping the typical party in favor of a sleepover with 3 good friends.  He even chose rootbeer floats and a giant mint chocolate chip cookie instead of birthday cake.  As strange as it seemed, I have to admit that it was so much easier than the past parties have been.   The girls were off with their own friends so we had LOTS of testosterone running around here and we let the 5 boys just have at each other.  The biggest hit was the Nerf Gun battle, but wrestling, spying with their walkie talkies and Legos seemed just as entertaining.  I was praying desperately that no one would get a broken bone during the malay and God answered.  Whew!

Here are the boys winding down with a video at bedtime.  They had such a great time that all the kids now seem to think THIS is the way to celebrate a birthday.  We will see..... 

Serious winter!

There is no sugar coating it, it is COLD!  After a week of below zero temperatures, we are ready for some warmth.  Honestly, it probably wouldn't be such a big deal but combine the cold and the snow with the absence of my man and the week just drags on.  I'm honestly willing to share him since I know God is using him to help build the new orphanage for Esperanza Viva in Mexico.  I have just been reminded how much his presence brings sunshine to my days and how much I love his laughter.   I know the kids agree as they have been eagerly counting down the days until his return (in about 24 hours).

Here are my kiddos, all bundled up for the weather.  They have been willing to pitch in and help me with the outside work my man does each day.  Here you can see the older three after they helped me fill up the wood box in the house.  The reason they were so proud to pose for a photo is that this is at least double the amount we usually bring in (because I'd rather haul wood every other day if possible).  They are standing in front of a box that is about 3' x 4' x 3' and it is filled well past the brim.  They can't wait to show it off for Daddy's approval.

And here is my man with a beautiful suntan and a beautiful child, making some Mexican memories and being God's hands and feet to the fatherless.  I love him!

Glimpses of Christmas

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!  This has been a fun week for us as the kids are at the "magical age" for Christmas anticipation.  Here we are in our Christmas jammies before opening our gifts.  Notice Frisbee snuck into the scene hoping to get her share.  Oh and if we look tired, it's because the kids woke up at 3:30 AM to get their stocking - and not quietly I might add.  We had to shoo them back to bed TWICE before we decided it was an appropriate time to wake the grown-ups!  There will be more specific rules next year....

Goose was thrilled with her much desired bathrobe...

Spiderman takes aim at the tree with his cool crossbow...

Boo shows off her soon to be creative side...

And Jaybird displays his coveted Lego Star Wars (that's my boy).

And as a parting shot, the kids are now happily munching on this gingerbread house they decorated last Sat.  (It must taste like a dog treat as I keep sneaking pieces to Frisbee and she's loving it more than I am).

Happy new year everyone! 

'Tis the Seaon...

I can't believe how quickly December is going!  The kids are keeping me posted of the Christmas countdown and loving every second of anticipation.  We usually get our first snowfall around Halloween but this year it waited until December.  Four days ago we got our first inch and the kids played tirelessly as if we had a blizzard.  The next morning they were again out the door before 7:00 AM having heard we were supposed to wake up to 5 inches (which never showed up).  Third day the same and then today we made them stay inside until the afternoon since it was below zero degrees this morning, they acted like they were being punished. :)  What is it about kids being oblivious to the cold when they are having fun and why did I grow out of that?  Well pictured above is one of the snowmen built this week.  If you know Jaybird, it is only natural for a mutant, two headed snowman to be proudly displayed out front.  He also built a snowman and placed it's dismembered head on the hood of my van to make it appear that I crashed into him and knocked his snowman head off.  That boy.....

The other fun memory made was our trip to see Santa.  The 3 older kids really had no interest in going but since they were stuck with me while I took Boo, they finally decided to humor Santa with a conversation.   The talk afterward was how he wasn't as good as the Santa that usually comes because this guy wasn't fat, he spoke with a "fancy accent" and his beard wasn't real.  Picky, picky, picky!  To top it off, Boo was the one who wanted to come and she sat there on Santa's lap with nothing to say, no toy requests, nothing - go figure with that girl. 

Hope you are enjoying your Christmas season - fa la la la la...  you know the rest.

A day of celebration

Today was another wonderful day of celebration!  Jaybird followed the Lord in believer's baptism and my man was honored to be the one baptising him.  We've been attending a new church for the past 3 months and Jaybird was given the option of having the pastor or his Daddy baptise him  - precious choice!  He has been so excited all week anticipating this big event. 

I wish I could put the video on here (sorry.... dial-up) but Jaybird told the church that he asked Jesus into his heart at 7 years old,  after talking with his Dad at church.  He confessed that Jesus is the living Son of God and that he has accepted Him as Lord and Master of his life.  When he came up out of the water, Dad had a big ol' hug waiting for him.

"...for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."  Gal 3:27

It is so precious to me as a mom to watch my children grow in their faith.  Kids are kids and sometimes you wonder if anything is getting through to them.  Then they give you glimpses now and then, actions or offhanded remarks, that God is working in their hearts.  I've seen much of that with this boy.  What a privilege to have a front row seat in watching him become the man God created him to be.

"Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." Romans 6:3-4