Back to regular programing

Well, almost. Let's go back and catch up a little. I totally took a break from blogging with last 10 days or so. We celebrated Caleb's birthday, had my side of the family in town the weekend before Christmas for a family gathering and then had Brad's family (brother and sister-in-law and Uncle, Aunt and cousin) in for Christmas and a few days after Christmas. Much fun was had by all and I will fill you in on pictures.

One Christmas note. Do you ever key into one character in the nativity story? When I was pregnant it was always Mary, for some reason I've focused on Joseph and even the three kings and Elizabeth. This year God brought to my attention the Shepherds. Maybe it is because Asher, if he was home in ET would grow up to be shepherd most likely or maybe it was just time for shepherds but I'm so amazed at how God included these humble souls. They were out casts in their towns and considered lowly. I'm sure they knew what it was like to feel lonely and scared. I'm amazed that they got up and left immediately in full belief that what had been told them was truth. They entered town and I'm not sure how often that happened for them or how comfortable they were about it. But I can imagine that they had a sense of comfort entering the stable though in total awe of the Messiah lying in a manger.

They acting in total faith without hestitation. Man, I can learn some big lessons from the Shepherds. How many times am I wondering what others are thinking or if I fit into a situation that God has asked me to enter into? Too many to count. I pray that now and into 2009 I can have the kind of faith of a shepherd.

Here is what we've been doing for the last few weeks.

Double Digits!

10, 10 I can't believe that my boy is 10! He came four days early - thank you dear son! He has a sweet, smart, and gentle spirit. He has really become a great sports fan. He not only follows his baseball and football teams but also knows his players stats and has printed off the bowl schedule to follow. Caleb loves building fires in the fire place with his Dad and still enjoys some of school and a good mystery book. We are so proud of you Caleb and enjoy watching you grow and change.

(Disclaimer: the song starts soft so if you turn up the volume becareful about the fifth frame! Enjoy!)

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Little Drummer Boy

Here are photos from Asher's actual birthday. Seems like we celebrate for a week around here. Birthdays start with doughnuts and end with cake. Asher's big gift was a drum set. He immediately knew what to do and we were blessed with a long performance. Birthday kisses from sis

All Aboard the Polar Express

Over the weekend, we went to celebrate Asher's birthday by taking a train ride with Santa. It is called the Polar Express Ride. We had a great time and Asher asked Santa for a REALLY LOUD drum set. (Like they come any other way) We had hot chocolate and cookies and of course Candy Canes. Asher also got interviewed by a local news station and made his first TV appearance last night. I recorded it and it is the last thing on this post. If you can't tell Asher say, "I'm here to see Santa." Oh, yeah and when we went to meet the engineer that drove the train I found out that it was my band director in high school. What a fun surprise so we got to go up and check out all the controls and blow the whistle. It was a great way to celebrate Asher's birthday and he loved everything about it.

Caroline and I with Mr. Metzger

The ride is very mesmerizing.

"I'd like a REALLY LOUD drum set"

He putched "Asher believe" in the ticket.

At least that is what he said.

Brad and his Mom

Getting ready to ride!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy Birthday Little Guy!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

World Aids Day December 1

Compassion – Make a Donation – Sponsor a Child

So thankful!

I am so thankful for

• my family - all of them. If you just include our immediate family and Brad's family and mine we have 45 family members in all that's our parents, brother, sisters and in laws and nieces, nephews and are own kids. What a blessing!
• our Lord and Savior who gives us everlasting love and called as His child
• many friends and neighbors
• lots of laughter
• a warm house
• food on the table
• a promise of light snow tonight
• a loving husband and best friend
• and much, much more!

Man, I have so many things to be thankful for. Our family walked a 10K to start the Thanksgiving Day. It benefitted many organizations around town including the Ronald McDonald house. We spent the rest of the day together with Brad's mother and by 8pm we were all ready for bed. We had a great time walking with 15,000 of our closest friends in our town.

Our God is still doing miracles.

I've been following this blog for quite some time and just want to share it with you. You may have experienced God's miracles or maybe you haven't. Well, this family as a sweet little miracle that just arrived in their family. They are not out of the woods yet, so please be praying for them and little Samuel. You'll have to read back some months to get the full story but God has a plan for this little sweet tough guy and his special family. May God be glorified!

Photos from the real celebration

Well, I'm home and enjoyed my time with my parents. I was able to celebrate my mother's 77 birthday. I missed my husband and kids but had a great time with my Mom and Dad. Though Mom was a little under the weather we enjoyed visiting, looking at lots of pictures, eating some good sea food and watching some football together. I'm glad that it will only be a few weeks until I see them again when they come home for Christmas!

Happy Birthday MOM!

I'm off to celebrate with my mom her 77th birthday. I'll miss my husband and kids but I look forward spending a short few days with my Mom and Dad. My mother has spent many a birthday baking a turkey and all the fixins. I'm sure she has spent it shopping for Christmas gifts and I know she spent it with sick children cause I remember my sister having Mono one Thanksgiving. I'm thankful for my Mom and looking forward to helping her celebrate!

A little like Christmas

We have been blessed to have some of our family that lives in Monterrey, Mexico here in town. So we took the opportunity to have a little Christmas celebration early. We went out to eat and then watched a the movie - Santa Clause 2- projected on Grandma's wall. And then we made funnel cakes and topped them with ice cream and strawberries and chocolate. It was a fun evening and a great way to kick off our Christmas season. We love you cousins and tio and tia! We will miss you all at Christmas time.

If you are interested in a new fun Christmas tradition try this recipe from my friend Shelley via her friend Rachael Raye. They are sooooo easy and very yummy!!! Funnel Cakes
(from Rachel Ray, I typed in "funnel cake recipe" and came up with this)

1. Heat three cups of vegetable oil over medium high heat until it reaches 350-375 degrees.
2. Whisk together 4 cups of flour, 1/3 cup of sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt. Make a well, then add 2 1/2 cups milk 3 large eggs. Whisk until smooth.
3. Put batter in gallon sized bag. Remove excess air, and seal. Cut 1/4 inch wide hole in bag. Carefully squeeze 1 cup of batter back and forth into oil making a free form lacy web. Cook until golden on bottom, about 2 minutes. Using tongs, turn the cake over and cook until golden brown on other side, about 1 more minute. Transfer funnel cake to paper towels to drain.
4. Dust funnel cakes with powdered sugar and serve warm.
These were quick and easy, and got two thumbs up from everyone.

Fun Food

I have the amazing opportunity to learn how to cook Ethiopian food one Sunday afternoon. The kitchen smelled like onions and lots of spices. And I've learned that onion, berberre (sp?), ginger and garlic pretty much go into EVERY THING. I had my camera the whole time we cooked but I was enjoying the time with friends and the experience I forgot to get it out. We literally cooked for over 4 hours and I left early. For those of you that know your Ethiopian cusine we made (which really means I chopped onions and watched) these dishes: Shiro, Misra Alecha, Spinach (my favorite - Caroline's too), Siga Wat, Spicy Lentils, Siga Be Alecha, and Tibs. I hope I can remember what we did when I try it on my own. My only problem is Caroline and I are the only ones in our family that like Ethiopian. Anyone have any ideas to get Asher to like it. I hope it grows on him :)!

For those of you who haven't experienced Ethiopian food you take a piece of the injera (the rolled sour flat bread) and pick up some of the stews (called "Wet") and eat with your hands. There are no untenils used in the meal and if you know the people you are dinning with they help to serve you a bit or two and this shows their respect for you. This is usually all served on one big platter and you dining party is to sit around together and dig in!

The election lives on

We caught Asher walking around this weekend saying, "I'm Baaarak Obama and I feel this message." Some things aren't easy to forget or wear off. Atleast he has our next presidents name down.

Happy Halloween!

I really waffle every halloween. I love to see my kids dress up and have fun collecting candy. I love picking pumpkins and the family time of carving them and eating roasted seeds. But, I really struggle when we go around our neighborhoods and seeing caskets in yards and reminders of death, evil and distruction. It's a great time to reach out to neighbors cause EVERYONE is out and especially this year. We have wonderful weather of 65 degrees and we went out two nights this week. Besides halloween night we also went to the local outdoor mall two nights before for a dry run on our costumes. The kids had parties at school and the day was full of fun.

Finding the creepy crawlies in spagetti

Mall trick or treating

We have a "road trip", a quarter back,

batman and a cheer leader

Our Genie or is it I dream of Jeanie

Caroline is a girl being blown in a wind storm

or maybe an Midwestern in the September Hurricane

The "Quarter" back - He has a quarter taped to his back

Batman flying

Carving Party

Caroline's sunshine pumpkin

Caleb's football throwing pumpkin

Abby's Silly Girl pumpkin

Asher's Batman pumkin

We had lots of roasted seeds from these pumpkins