New Things

Romy playing piano while I practiced for a recording project I was doing with my choir. 

I have a new Mother-in-law.  Her name is Leanna and she is from Russia.  Here she is on their wedding day with Ray, my father-in-law.  I was at home with a sick Romy.

At the church we recorded at I snapped this photo of a painting.  Isn't it pretty?

This is where we recorded.  Doing a recording makes you really appreciate all the time and effort put into them.  It is a very long process but so rewarding.

Turning 40 and 7

I took down my Christmas decorations the very next day after coming home from Alabama.  I was looking for something new to look at.  I decided to go with a bird mantel using things I already had.  I just got the wooden hanging this Christmas.  I was happy the way it turned out. 

I saw this picture on Pinterest and knew I wanted to make it at some point- a mint chocolate chip cake.

Max makes himself at home in different places at night.  Mostly on the top bunk.

Zeke sprouted a pumpkin seed at school.  He's been tending it and this is his inside his room. He's my little gardener.

I turned 40 on January 6th.  I can't believe it in a way, and then in another, I feel every moment.  This chicken and dumplings helped so very much with the trauma of turning 40.

Our neighborhood friend, Chris, goes to church with us most weekends.  He got a suit for Christmas and he wanted to wear it.  I told him there's nothing like a sharp dressed man.

I made Zeke's birthday cake all from scratch.  You guessed it... mint chocolate chip.  It was absolutely the most delicious cake I've had in a very long time.  He wanted a chameleon on the cake and after looking for a while settled on this one from the movie "Tangled". Zeke is 7 now!

We took him and some buddies to a Japanese steak house where they cook in front of you.  They were pretty amazed.

Max looks at me a lot like this.  He greets us when we walk in the door and always wants to be where we are.  He's a sweet natured cat and overall I'm glad he is our guest.  The kitty litter is the only thing that I have to adjust to.

Family Photos

Poem by Russell Kelfer

You are who you are for a reason,
You're part of an intricate plan.
You're a precious and perfect unique design,
Called God's special woman or man.

You look like you look for a reason.
Our God made no mistake.
He knit you together within the womb
You're just what he wanted to make.

The parents you had were the ones he chose,
and no matter how you may feel,
They were custom-designed with God's plan in mind,
and they bear the Master's seal.

No, that trauma you faced was not easy.
and God wept that it hurt you so,
but it was allowed to shape your heart
so that into his likeness you'd grow.

You are who you are for a reason,
You've been formed by the Master's rod.
You are who you are, beloved,
Because there is a God.

Last Post of the Year

I love the Christmas season, but it can be very tiring as a mom.   I have tried very hard to find joy in every day moments to keep me going.  

I noticed this nativity display at a church.  How beautiful!

My mom's group that I lead keeps me consistently busy.  We made these CDs for the moms as Christmas presents.

We had a wrapping party in this beautiful clubhouse.

Catching Romy drawing on a snowy morning...

We went to Alabama for Christmas and I went for a walk by myself one morning.  These plumes on the pampus grass gave me joy.

we didn't buy any of this "food" but it gave me a smile.

Gwen spending time with Izzy, my mom's cat.  She had no idea that she was going to get her own cat.

Siblings sleeping...

We don't really do the whole Santa thing.  My kids know the truth about it all and they've never sat on Santa's knee.  We happened to be in the mall and see him and they wanted to talk to him so I let them.  It was surprisingly amusing and sweet.

Gwen wouldn't do it. :)

Here's the oldest two with Grandma

Christmas eve we attended a service at my sister's church.  It was great, but because the kids were in the service, I couldn't really focus.

My family

Clay, Stephanie, and Chloe

Gwen enjoying her new cat.  We had several name changes and then settled on Max.

we have a picture from last Christmas very similar to this one but my, how Izzy has grown!

It wouldn't be Christmas without putting some puzzles together.

and adult coloring...

Gwen put this pillow together.

borrowing a neighbor's toy..

We decided to visit Cathedral Caverns State Park.  It was well worth the drive!  Loved it!

Grandma toured the cave in style...

Stalagmite forest.  The cool thing is that there is more to this cave that people haven't seen including a room with a bigger stalagmite forest and also a room with crystals in there.  It's amazing how much beauty and glory of God we just don't get to see yet.

Max's first night in his new home.

the neighborhood children approve.

Claire helped me make pigs in a blanket