Christmas Anticipation

I have been feeling the need to make room for quiet in my life and so I disengaged my facebook account for a while.  I have said no to a lot lately in order to be present with my family and some of those no's were difficult.  Nevertheless, we are enjoying preparing our hearts to celebrate the greatest gift of all.. Jesus.  You will probably see me more on here and can keep up with our happenings.

Getting the tree out

Our supervisor

Gwen has wanted a seat pet for a while and has been saving her commissions (money she gets for doing her chores) for a long while.  She saved up $12 and bought this seat pet.  She is thrilled with it and sleeps with it, rides in the car with it, walks around with it, and asked me if she could bring it into church today.  (no)  I think she likes it even more because she had to save up for it herself.

Zeke saved $10.  He didn't have enough for a seat pet, so he had to choose to spend on something different or save up some more for a seat pet.  He chose to buy this remote controlled car.

My neighbor gave me a blow up snow globe she had laying around in their garage.  I thought about selling it, but I thought it might be fun... so we put it up.  I love it! :)

Gwen and Katie Beth

My beautiful Romy... turned 3 months on Friday.  How time flies.  She is just a sweet gift.

My Mom's Apple Pie

My personal favorite pie is pumpkin.  We never had it in our family.  My mom doesn't like it.  I adore it, and might actually request it for my birthday.  Anyway, something my mom makes that I really love is her apple pie.  It has a crumb topping that seriously, even Amish people can't even get better.  Here is the recipe.  You have to try it to believe it.

Peel and Slice apples (Granny Smiths are best).  (I used 4 large apples, but I wish I'd have used 6) Mix 1/2 C sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon and mix with apples.  Pour into uncooked pie shell.

Mix 1/2 C sugar with 3/4 C flour and cut in 6 T butter until crumbly.  Pour over apples and spread out.  Bake in 400 degree oven for about 35 min when it should be getting browned a bit on top.  IT'S DELICIOUS.

Thanks

This year my camera freaked out and I lost a whole bunch of pictures.  Pictures of Romy and Grandma Georgia and the doxology being sung.  I was bummed.  I did get some more though and these I'd like to share.  I completely forgot to blog about Ben and I having our 10 year anniversary in November.  I'll have to do another post on that.  Here's some shots from this weekend.

I couldn't decide which ones you'd like to see so I included all of them.

She's almost 3 months and lovely.  She reminds me so much in looks to Gwen it is major de ja vous!

Ben and his Grandpa

Daddy talking with Romy

Her face is so alive and happy!

The talent show this year was very good.  Men dressing up as women, little people puppet show, synchronized swimming... does it get any better? 

Ben in his turkey costume.  We thought we could use this year to year.

Scripture

Here are some Scriptures that I have written down and posted on our kitchen wall lately.  They have helped me when I feel like whining about something or angry about something.

"And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." Hebrews 13:16

"Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." Philippians 2:4

Each baby I have I learn more about myself and more about my own frailty it seems.  This time around I have had more anxious thoughts than I ever have had before.  It is a great responsibility to love this much.  I have been clinging to Scripture to get my mind off of my own troubling thoughts and worry.  I hope they are an encouragement for you.

• Matthew 11:28-30

  "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
  
  

• Philippians 4:6-7

  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 56:3

When I am afraid, I will trust in you.

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Exceptional Children

I've been thinking about Moses' mom and how she hid him.

Exodus 2:2
"and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son.  When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for 3 months."

I've been asking God to show me and give me eyes to see my three children's special qualities.  The more children I have the more I realize that this is my life's great work.  I want to make sure I'm present for it and not too distracted.

Zeke is funny and really into playing with his friends.

Romy is a great sleeper and so easy going and sweet.

Gwen is very expressive and intelligent.  She is a good artist and sings really well.

Can You Ever OD on Romy?

The answer to that question is NO.  The kids can't get enough of her and neither can I.  They even like to eat breakfast in front of her swing.  We all are just under her spell of cuteness.  She is two months today and she weighs 12 lb 4 oz.  Healthy baby girl!!  We are so grateful.

Halloween

Romy is working on that smile!  She is adorable and is such a sweet baby!

Gwen dressed as a butterfly this year. We had the mask for a long while and she was excited to wear bedclothes with it.

Romy was a bunny

Zeke was a pterodactyl

Her neighborhood friends

the boys

Life

Life is good right now for us.  I do have days where I feel completely overwhelmed and like I am doing a poor job at this parenting thing, but mostly I am able to get up the next day and realize that I am extremely blessed.  Last night Ben's mom, Pam, came over and I heard her singing a worship song to Romy.  I thought how blessed she is and how blessed I am.  

The kids have been playing with our new neighbor's children a lot lately and they are really sweet kids.  I like having a neighborhood of children.  Gwen is growing into a young lady, Zeke is priding himself these days on being funny.  Someone told him that he was funny the other day and he said "I know, and so is my dad."  Romy is simple and lovely and brings me such joy.  I can not even imagine my life without her sweetness.  I feel very protective this time around.  I can not bare the thought of getting shots at her next doctor's appointment.

Beginnings of Fall

Romy's friend Harrison came by for a visit Friday.  She is two weeks older than this little guy.  He is sooo cute and has a dimple in his chin.  I couldn't get Romy to look at me here because Zeke was talking to her.  

Diaper change time!

Friday night Ben and I went on a date and we stopped by a thrift store just for kicks.  We found this pterodactyl costume and we couldn't pass it up.

I love the confidence that Gwen has.  :)

This is where it is now.  I thought it was funny because it looks like it is holding my purse.

Our neighbors went camping with Cub Scouts and the kids wanted to go so bad, but we decided we'd do a camp out at home instead complete with smores and a movie.  They enjoyed sleeping in the tent last night.