Fun Times

This past weekend Andrew had the blessing of having his friend Timmy come and spend the weekend with us.  As always they had a great time.

They enjoyed building with Legos and making their own Air force.

And even having some down time looking at I-Spy books.

Since the boys were happily busily playing I got a few homeecky things done:

Finished up Kyle's blanket.  I made him one several years ago and it was falling apart so he asked for a new one.  He choose the fabric, footballs on one side and firefighters on the other, two of his favorite things.

Then Costco has been out of peanut butter for a long time, so I picked up some peanuts and made some peanut butter by putting them in the food processor.  Very easy and yummy and the boys were excited to have peanut butter again.  Paired with fresh baked bread = a very yummy lunch.

Then I did something I have never done before~ boiled a whole chicken.  I was going to roast it in the oven as I always do, but as I was getting it all ready the dish I cook it in broke.  :(  I didn't have another dishes big enough, so  had to figure out another way to cook it.  Thankfully I was just going to shred it to make enchiladas, so boiling worked alright.  And once again blogger has a mind of it's own and insisted that this picture should be this way...no matter how I try to get it to rotate the right way....

We've also had a large amount of teeth issues lately.  All of the boys are either losing or getting teeth.  Cody and Kyle are starting to lose their baby molars, Andrew is just starting to lose his baby teeth and Simeon is still working on getting his in.

The boys really enjoy being read to.  Even Simeon is getting into it now.

And one last fun thing.  I got to wear a sari.  They are actually really comfortable!

Andrew the Disciple

Andrew is going to be in a short skit and needed a costume.  He'll only be in it for a short time and it needed to be able to go over his regular clothes quickly.  So here is what I came up with...we'll see what the director thinks.  :)

I took a piece of flannel from an old blanket that was falling apart.  (And I didn't think to take these pictures until after I had made it, so just pretend that the circle in the middle isn't cut out yet, but it is just one piece of fabric.)  The piece measured about 53"X40".  

I then folded it in half, top to bottom.

Then folded it over, side to the other side, so that it is folded in fourths.

Then I laid one of his shirts in the corner where the folds are (very important that you do it in the correct corner~ otherwise your cut will not be in the right place.).

Then I used his shirt neckline as a guide to where to cut.

Open it up and there will be a circle in the middle.

Place over head and tie with rope or in my case I just used a tie from a sweatshirt that refuses to stay in the sweatshirt...glad I held on to that...I knew it would come in handy one day.  :)

So clear as mud??  

 And when your done it can also serve as a play mat for the toddler who is setting up his army.  Can you tell he has older brothers??

I can do it myself!

Simeon has decided that he would like to feed himself.  Actually he really doesn't do too bad of a job~ just a little messy.  :)

All done!

Thanksgiving 2011

We were blessed with a delightful Thanksgiving.  Simeon has been having some really rough nights.  He is cutting about 6 teeth.  Thanksgiving morning Jonathan graciously watched the boys and I caught up on some sleep.  Then it was time to cook and get ready.  We went to a friends house along with 3 other families about 27 people in all.  The turkey above is something that my grandmother made in 1960something.  (A very long time ago my boys tell everyone.  :) )  This turkey has been at every Thanksgiving that I can remember and my friend graciously let me bring it and it served as the center piece.

Here is the berry pie I made.  Unfortunately I did not inherit my grandmothers talent for making pie crust.  I didn't take more pictures of our gathering sadly.  I was still feeling pretty exhausted and I think we were the first to head home.  Everyone must have prayed for us though, because Simeon slept much better that night and I felt much better too the next day.

On Friday we were very blessed to have a friend of ours, Gen come over along with her brother who was visiting for Thanksgiving.  Simeon doesn't usually attach to people to quickly, but he really took to Tim and had a lot of fun with him.

Here is Simeon hiding his animals in his clothes and playing with Tim.

Cody really enjoys playing chess.  Tim graciously had a match with him.  Kyle and Andrew enjoyed playing Connect 4 with Gen.

Then Cody even got Gen to play too. 

Simeon had to get in on the games too.  :)

Playing horsey with Auntie Gen and loving every minute of it!

To blog or not to blog...

that has been the question, in case anyone has wondered why I haven't really posted anything in ages.  I was just really struggling with if it was a good thing.  I know how distracting blogs can be, and, while I know it is someones personal choice on how they use their time, I didn't want to encourage that.  Of course blogs can also be very encouraging and I know I have learned a lot from others.  Secondly, was it wise use of my time?  I mean I really don't think many people read this blog (and I am totally fine with that, believe me!), so was it really worth the time I put into it?  Thirdly, was what I was writing really anything important that was really worth anyone taking their time to read...for most people, no not really.  Fourthly, how much of my life and my children do I really want publicized all over the internet?  So I struggled and prayed.  And my decision...to start things up again.  What??  With looking at all the reasons above it would make sense to just shut down, but there is one key ingredient I didn't mention, the biggest fans of my blog, the ones who I know read it without fail...my parents.  While I haven't been blogging I have been emailing them pictures, but they really seem to like the blog, maybe because they get more of the story.  They ask often when I will post again.  The Lord showed me that this is a way that I can honor my parents, a way that I can let them be more in the lives of their grandchildren, since we live half a country away, a way to show them gratitude and love.  And that is definitely a good use of time.  So my dear parents, enjoy!  I love you dearly.  :)  And to anyone else who stops by to read, I pray that the Lord may use this to encourage you and draw you closer to Him.  May it never be a distraction from what is truly important.  I pray that the Lord will be glorified through this, that He will use it to be a blessing to many.

Through the years...

We took a quick, candid family picture yesterday. It has been awhile. Thought it would be fun to see how everyone has changed in the last few years. (or year in Simeon's case. :) ) The top one was taken when we first came to Texas, four years ago.

This one was at RYP in 2008.

This one was about 2 weeks or so after Simeon was born.

And this one was taken yesterday. :)
The Lord has just been so gracious to us. I am so grateful for the joy of getting to see these precious boys grow!

A Few of My Favorite Things ~ Christmas Carols

I really like music and worshiping through music. So Christmas Carols are definitely one of my favorite things. My favorite Christmas Carol is "What Child is This?" Which if your speakers are on you can listen to right now. :)

What Child is this, who laid to rest, on Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, hast to bring Him laud, the babe, the son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate, where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear; for sinners here the silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear, shall pierce Him through: the cross be born for me, for you:
Hail, hail the Word made flesh, the babe, the son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh; come peasant, king, to own Him;
The King of Kings salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise the song on high, the virgin sings her lullaby:
Joy, joy for Christ is born, the babe, the son of Mary.

William Chatternton Dix

I also really like "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" and "The Friendly Beast", which is one I liked as a child. After that you can listen to "What Child is This?" played on a harp. I had to add that because it reminded me of a special friend who is in another country right now, who we miss, but are so grateful for where the Lord has her and the amazing things He is doing in her life.