What a reason to be Thankful!

We spent the holiday with my side of the family. It was crazy and hectic - which sums up most things related to our clan! It was a good time seeing and being with everyone. We did get a new addition to the family. I am a new Aunt. Jason's girlfriend, Tiffany, had a baby girl on Wednesday morning and they came with the baby just before we sat down to dinner. She is soooo cute and soooooo tiny. I was almost afraid to hold her as I am used to toddlers. Her name is Eva Marie and she is adorable. She was passed around like a baby doll. Everyone did get a chance to hold her.

Just after dinner my Dad's brother and his family stopped by. This was a nice surprise as I have not seen his son yet - now 5 months old. Travis, he too was very cute and had quite the attention lavished on him. At that age they don't take too kind to people they are not familiar with so we said our hellos from a distance. He was also quite tired having been out all day!

It was a great time! The day went way too quick and I couldn't believe how tired I was. I think I was in bed before 11 pm and I didn't even cook the dinner!

(Pictures to come)

Photos

Here are some recent photos. It was brought to my attention that I have been lacking it that department so here goes:

Abigail making cookies!

At the Columbus Zoo!

More zoo pictures!

COSI

Apple picking with The Best Family

Suzanne making Amanda reach for the "best" apple.

Very cool light up toy that Mrs. Best gave to the kids.

Relaxing at the Best house.

Joshua and his tree from art class.

Julia's 2nd birthday party.

The Shea boys and Rose.

Julia opening her presents.

My parents setting up Christmas decorations.

Jaide, Abs, and Josh enjoying climbing the tree.

Family

This weekend was a family weekend. Saturday was traveling down to Maryland to visit with Kathy and her family as they were celebrating Julia's 2nd birthday. It was a great time seeing some family members.

Then on Sunday I headed over to my parents house after church. Abigail and Joshua came with me. They really enjoyed some time outside. The weather here was great and they were able to climb some trees and then we were surprised as Jason stopped by with Jaide and they had the time to play.

Holiday Fever

I got the holiday fever bug! I absolutely love this time of year. From just before Thanksgiving through the New Year!! It is a great and wonderful time. I like to reflect on what and where the year has brought us. How God has challenged and changed us! And of course how very blessed our life really is!

As I walk through the stores there is a buzz that is thrilling. I get all tingly and feel warm inside. I am able to shed off all the little annoyances of other people. It is a great and glorious time of year!

I hope and pray you enjoy this holiday season and especially remember what a blessing your life really truly is.

TGIF

We always like Fridays in this house. But this Friday was one of the more busier ones we have had recently. Of course we started with school work. Then after lunch Joshua wanted to go over to the indoor basketball 1/2 court. We did that for about 40 minutes. I came home and then in an hour had to get Stephen to bball practice. Thankfully that was close. We did not have to drive the hour each way as one of the Moms found a place that would allow us to practice for 2 hours. There were about 9 boys that showed up. Unfortunately not all are on the team but it still made for a nice time. Stephen and I were excited when we returned home by 6:30. Then about 45 minutes later it was off to home fellowship. We did not get back home until 10:30. I am tired.

I Am A Christian

I Am A Christian

Posted using ShareThis

Click this and spread the word of Christ and who He is in your life.

I love Jesus! He is my Lord and savior. May you know Him abundantly.

Nature Club

I made it to nature club today! If you recall last month, I got lost and we were unable to make it. Drove around for over an hour. But not this time, the kids made sure of it by checking in with me and my directions as well as Joshua making sure we left at the right time. They really enjoy the program. The program takes a hiatus for the winter. I plan on getting in touch with the contact person and setting up a program. Hopefully we will have more people attend. My two were the only ones. While this is great as far as getting alllllll the attention, it could ultimately put the program in jeopardy.

I made Stephen come along with me so that when I dropped off the young ones, I would have him to hang out. We went over to PA and had a special treat at Starbucks. It was great having one to one time with my eldest and no distractions. All good for bonding.

Just another lovely Monday

I have actually been liking our Mondays around here. If you may recall, I don't like them. We have to get packed up and out for several hours in the middle of the day and I am not good with interruptions.

But these last few ones have been spectacular as far as weather and then going smooth with all the driving around! The weather allows for lots of playing outdoors. The church we go to has lots of property for the kids to run around.

Work has been getting down without complaints and that has been terrific. There are always negotiations but that is expected.

I can't say it enough - Lovely, just lovely!

The week all summed up

As you saw from the previous post, Stephen turned 13 and since his present was not available until Tuesday we celebrated again. He got to have most of the day off playing his game. I can hear it now, "What was she thinking?" Therefore, we went out to eat for dinner. He also had the opportunity to take off from basketball practice. Abigail and Josh told the waitress it was Stephen's birthday so they did come over to sing. HAHAHAHA! I forgot that we also had some friends over to play for a few hours in the afternoon!!

The remainder of the school week was chores and house work. I have been spending more time on fb again as Stephen now has an account and I want to monitor more. Plus he asked me to play a game on there and I am trying. Probably spending waaaaay toooo much time.

Saturday brought us over to my parents for some visiting as my cousin Tracy and her family made their way to PA for a visit. It was great to see them as it has been quite some time since we saw the whole family. I recently got to spend time with Tracy when we saw Wicked. Her two boys are aged every other from Abigail and Joshua. The young ones got to play. I do believe eldest was a little bored. We are now hitting those years where he wants to stay home as there is usually nothing for him to do. As usual the time went too fast. (I am certain Stephen would not agree.)

It was precursor to Thanksgiving as there will be 15 in my parents home. This is one holiday that I believe should be spent with a larger crowd. Lots more fun! I told Bill that next year I would like us to host Thanksgiving! I plan on inviting a large group - hopefully all will make it!

That pretty much sums up our rather uneventful life!

I have a what?

I have a 13 year old. I am still shocked to be able to say that. I recall an image of him in my head sitting down in the kitchen eating honeynut cheerios out of the box. He was all of 2 years old. Where did that time go?!?

Stephen turns 13 today and with that lots of nostalgia for me! I don't really think myself sentimental but there a few key things that tug at the strings!!!

So here is my shout out:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Stephen!!! You are an amazing, wonderful, fun-loving young man and I look forward to this year of your growth and maturity. I love you!!

End of the week

Friday was a very mellow slow day. We did not get started around here until 10-10:30. The good news is that we were finished by 2:00p. I like light easy Fridays it is such a great way to end the week.

The only downside was when we tried to go over to the inside ball court here, it was being used so Joshua was very bummed that we could not get on to play. Since Stephen has started his practices, Joshua has been feeling the itch to shoot some hoops. Yet another thing we miss from not having a home and a yard to play around in.

Stephen handed in his Belize application and had the first of many monthly ministry training meetings at youth group. It appears to be a small group going. They discussed some things like are you okay with sharing your testimony and okay with taking charge and talking to kids about Jesus and his love. I am very excited that he gets this opportunity to go and see God's hand at work abroad. We can get so comfortable in our surroundings and not fully understand the scope and magnitude of what others go through in regards to faith, the bible, and salvation. I am so proud that he truly wants to go and humbled all at the same time! (He turns 13 on Monday!!!)

Day of Fun!

I usually like to ask my kids what kind of day they had. Sometimes I do forget and sometimes they tell me before I even get the chance to ask. Today was the latter. Stephen and I were cleaning up from dinner and he mentioned that it was a fun day.

What made it soooo fun - book club day. At first, Stephen did not want to go to book club. Last night he had his 1st basketball practice and he was exhausted from that, so he was looking for a day at home. At about 1 pm, I started feeling a little crappy and that is also when Stephen informed me he felt bad too! Oh NO! was my thought as I was leading the big kids group. I had the chance to lay down around 1:40 pm - we leave at 2 p. Those 20 minutes worked wonders. I started feeling better. Stephen said he still felt bad but we had to go. All went great. I do hope the boys will remember the discussion we had and how each of their lives parallels Shasta's and the gang in some way. Oh, in case you are unaware we are reading all the chronicles of Narnia. Today's read was The Horse and his boy. Not a bad one! But then again it is by C.S. Lewis, can it really be bad. These books are such a great way to bring out biblical principles in the lives of the young. After our discussion they got to play for about 30 minutes before we needed to head on home. While I was leading the older group, the young ones were off in their group making a gingerbread character from the book! Then they got to eat it!!!

After a yummy pasta pesto tortellini dinner, I told Josh to set up a game of hungry, hungry hippos. Little by little each of the other kids came over and we also played UNO spin and then Yahtzee. Some 2 1/2 hours later it was time for bed!!

I must say it was a day of fun!! :)

Pain

Oh my aching jaw. This current set of fixing my teeth has taken its toll on me. I am in such pain that I don't even want to open my mouth to drink let alone eat. And if you remember - I LOVE to eat. Smoothies for the rest of the day!!