Penguin House

A house not too far from us has tons of blow up penguins.  It is craziness but the kids enjoy going there.  It is so cold here that Romy sat in the car with Daddy.  Here are some pictures I snapped of Claire, our neighbor friend, and the kids.  

Christmas happenings

Tomorrow I'm going to a mix in a jar exchange and I chose lemon white chocolate cookie mix in a jar.  I made these cookies to try them out and they are delicious and very easy to assemble.  I thought I'd put the recipe in case any of you are making gifts in jars or would like to try it.  http://thefrugalgirls.com/2013/09/cookie-mix-in-a-jar-gift.html

This is our tree up and the stockings are hung.  We are hosting Christmas dinner at my house.  

Thoughts On Hurry

How do we cut down the amount of hurry we have in our lives?  I blink it seems and it's 2:00pm.  So much of my time is spent consoling a crying child or making food for a child.  This is the way of motherhood and I'm not whining.  I do realize that it is a privilege.  The thing I've been thinking is how to not have hurry as a mother.  I mean, I get angrier when I'm in a hurry.  Jesus wasn't in a hurry... so how can I have less hurry.  Saying no to things, staying home, simple joys, finding peace in the mundane.  Maturity takes a lot of work, and I'm not there yet... but I am proud to say I have half a brain cell left to ponder how to eliminate hurry in my life.

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