2010 sum up

I have started and stopped this post about 7 times this morning. When I try to review or sum up the year 2010 I just get so overwhelmed. How do I sum up one of the most exciting, painful, stretching, learning, exhausting, humbling, and best years of my life into a succinct, witty, and somewhat free of typo's post?

I'm really having a hard time.

Obviously, the overarching big story of 2010 was our adoption of Eli. If you had told me last December what this year would be like...I wouldn't have believed you. No way would we get our referral after waiting less than 2 months. No way would we not pass court until the third try. No way would every. single. penny. needed to complete the adoption have been provided in such a short time. No way would I struggle so much with my feelings towards Eli. No way would Ella have had such a seamless transition to being a big sister of two little brothers. No way was Ezra going to have such a hard hard hard time adjusting to a new brother. No way would I ever go to the depths of emotional exhaustion like I did. No way would I ever have to trust in the Lord on a completely new level. And no way would the six months since having Eli home fly by in such a mind blowing blur.

No way would he go from this...























To this in 6 short months...
















And so, the overarching biggest story of 2010 was the faithfulness of my God. Faithful to provide. Faithful to be my rock. Faithful to bring me through. Faithful to begin to heal our Eli. Faithful to sustain us all.

I could not have made it through this year without him.

And that is really the sum of our 2010. My inability. The Lord's ability.

Thursday Thoughts

I'm back from my blogging break. And still recovering from the whirlwind I like to call the Christmas of 2010.

Don't get me wrong...it was a GREAT Christmas. But a whirlwind.

Yesterday was mandatory nap day around here. Including this momma. And miraculously... it happened. All three fell asleep at the same time and stayed asleep for longer than an hour.

Oh the happy hearts that abounded after the restorative sleep.

And for posterity sake I'll include a quick recap of our Christmas doings...

Christmas Eve was spent in a flurry of last minute wrapping, baking, shopping, and an awesome Christmas Eve service at Journey Church. Christmas morning was spent doing our family "gift to Jesus" and then home for brunch and presents. Christmas afternoon we hosted good friends for dinner and played pictionary into the wee hours of the night. Or at least until 9pm. Then Sunday morning we trekked up to Virginia to celebrate Christmas with our Via family. We were also able to fit in a visit with Jeremiah's granny and aunts and cousins one night and a visit with my best bud and her family while we were up there.

Shew.

And just when I let my guard down and didn't bring Eli's motion sickness medicine...Bam. Throw up in the car. Again. I will never let my guard down again. Ever.

We also traveled in our Saturn SUV instead of our van this trip because of all the snow we had to travel through to get up there. And I have to say that I am officially spoiled by our van. I just about lost my sanctification every time I had to buckle three booster seats all squished in a row.

But I did mention that it was a great Christmas. And it was. Eli was so funny to watch as we had to teach him how to open a present. And he would have been content with just the one little truck he got in his stocking. Priceless.

And now we move our focus onto the new year. Setting new goals and reflecting on the past year.

Happy Thursday!

Off to Celebrate

I'm declaring it Christmas Break here on my blog for the next few days.

I want to soak in every second of family and friend togetherness and celebrating the birth of our Savior!

So from me and mine to you and yours...Merry Christmas!

Thursday Thoughts (that I almost forgot)

I have been a busy little bee today and completely forgot that it is Thursday. I almost forgot to grace you with my thoughts (insert strong sarcastic tone into that sentence).

Busy with sugar cookie and obstacle course making. And a homeschooling lesson on guesstimating. And fighting with insurance companies. And planning our Christmas dinner and final grocery list. Am I crazy for heading out to the stores tonight? Probably.























Oh well. I have no choice. I am determined to smile at every person that cuts in front of me or bumps into me or forgets their manners.

Tis' the season.

The kids are super excited that there are only 2 loops left on our Christmas countdown. I think this might be the first year that they will be waking us up on Christmas morning! The first of many.

I am super excited to have five whole days of Jeremiah home. Nice.

Oh, and did you hear. In North Carolina we are having a very unusual winter and they are calling for SNOW on CHRISTMAS DAY. What? A white Christmas?! How exciting. I love you Greg Fischel. Now don't go and let me down. Hearts will be crushed.

Happy Thursday!

overheard

Ezra: Momma, can we glow in the dark tonight?!!!
Translation: Can we eat by candlelight?

Ezra: I spy wif my wittle eye somefing pink like my balloon.
Me: Is it your balloon?
Ezra: Yes!

Ezra: I spy wif my wittle eye somefing red like my car.
Me: Is it your car?
Ezra: Yes!

Ezra: Ella...look! I've got cars on my unnerwear!
Ella: I know Ezra. You tell me that every day.

Ezra: Can I have some candy?
Me: No. Not until after lunch.
Ezra: Can I have some candy?
Me: After lunch.
Ezra: Well...what can I have?
Me: Your lunch.
Ezra: How bout I have candy for lunch?

life lessons: needs and wants

In our family Ezra's birthday, Ella's birthday, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are squeezed into 3 short months. That is a lot of celebrations, candy, and gifts showered on them in 3 short months. And even though we don't do a lot of presents and thankfully all sets of the grandparents also show restraint...it is still a lot of stuff crammed into 3 short months.

Now, we are not anti-present, anti-candy, or anti-celebration...(on the contrary...we LOVE celebrating!) but we thought it was time to have a discussion with the kiddo's on the idea of needs verses wants.

So we did.

And to help make this lesson more tangible to a young childs mind we made up two boxes labeled 1)NEEDS and 2)WANTS and then gathered up a bunch of items and talked about what should go where and put them in the appropriate box. And then let them pick some items and choose where they thought they should go.

It opened a lot of discussion about how God is our ultimate provider and always provides everything we need. Not always our wants...although, he graciously has provided SO SO SO many of them. And our need to be thankful and grateful.

A good lesson for Mom and Dad too.












































And of course, since Jeremiah was involved, we had to learn a song and have a dance party.























































And, for the Gramma's and Meme's and Nana's in our life...a little video:

(Yes, we went old school 90's worship song...but, hey, it fit with the theme!)

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

photojournal: big girl room

Ella moved into her own "big girl no boys allowed (unless they ask nice)" room a few weeks ago and as always...I have had fun getting to transform our former guest room into her new room.

I was quite proud that I was able to do this redo very frugally. Everything in the room has been repurposed from some other place in the house. The curtains were sewn from an unused bedskirt. The art is all from Ella and me. The dresser we already had and it was a find for $30 bucks at the goodwill when we did find it...we just painted and put new knobs on it.

Total cost for the entire room = $10 for a new fitted sheet.

If you look carefully in the pictures you will see...

A bed fit for a princess,
A place for everything (and everything in it's place),
A special spot just for creating,
An empty frame waiting for a new creation,
Display space for those creations,
and...
Barbie underwear sticking out from a drawer!





































































































































































































































And shh...sometimes when I need a break from the boys I go hide out in it too.

Not Me Monday

I did not accidentally wash one of Ella's princess outfits with our normal laundry and therefore...bedazzle the rest of our clothes. So, of course I've not been picking sequins and glitter off of the boys shirts and pants(and underwear).

I did not put the salt and pepper back in the fridge and the milk and butter back in the cupboard after making mashed potatoes this week. Of course I'm always focused when I'm cooking.

I did not realize after finishing up the last bit of my Christmas wrapping and shopping (and sighing in contentment for a job well done) that I had totally forgotten to get a single thing for my husband. Nothing. Not a thing. Nada.

Oh no. Nope. Not me.

Homeschooling: Sugar Plum Shrinky Dinks

In keeping with our "lets just have fun" December theme Ella and I have been getting our craft on this week...

Buck eyeballs

In this house they are referred to as buck eyeballs...but they are probably better known to the rest of the world as buckeye balls.

And. Oh. My. Word...they are yummy!
























Here's my recipe:

Ingredients
1 1/2 cps creamy peanut butter
1/2 cp butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 cps sifted confectioners sugar
6 oz semi sweet chocolate chips
2 tbsp shortening

Directions
1. Line a baking sheet with wax paper and set aside.
2. In a bowl mix peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and sugar with hands until you have a smooth stiff dough. Shape into balls and place on wax paper and refrigerate.
3. Melt chocolate and shortening together in a small metal bowl over a pan of lightly simmering water. Stir until smooth, then remove from heat.
4. Remove dough balls from fridge. Insert toothpick into them and dip into chocolate. Replace on baking sheet and remove toothpick. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set.

Enjoy! (we are.)

broken heart(s)

We've been having a rough time with the boys in their sunday school class lately. A few weeks ago Eli bit Ezra for a minor (obviously not to him) offense. Is it bad to admit that one of my first thoughts was relief that it was Ezra that got bit and not one of the other kids?

Then the next week I got called out of my class because Ezra was throwing an inconsolable tantrum for an unknown offense. And oh my! It was a tantrum and a half that included yelling, hitting, stamping feet, and the throwing of his body onto the ground.

Nice.
And quite humbling.

Those preachers kids, huh.

I spend pretty much all of my day every day with my boys and know how they can be.
They are three.
And boys.
And Ezra seems blessed with an extra four doses of boy.

Ok, and if I'm honest...Ezra has been in a difficult stage for the last year and a half. It doesn't matter that I am consistent. And I promise I do supervise him. He is just one of those kids.

With that said and all kidding aside...

It still absolutely breaks my heart when they choose to make bad choices. Breaks it right in two.

I want them to obey and make right choices. But not (just) for my sake.

But because I know that climbing on the dresser is dangerous. And because I know that learning to share is only for their benefit throughout life. And because biting your brother is not a reasonable way of learning to resolve your problem. And because eating 11 cookies in a row is not going to make you feel very good.

And. Mostly. Because I know that those actions do not bring any honor to the one who made him.

When I took Ezra home after his sunday school altercation I took him into my room to discuss his consequences. As I was talking to him I could not hold back the tears. I did not want to give consequences. I am so so so tired of giving consequences.

And in that instant I had a moment of seeing how the Lord must feel about me when I choose sin. How I must break his heart. Right in two.

He knows that my bad attitude only makes me and everyone around me miserable. He knows that putting myself in that situation is dangerous. He knows my complaining attitude only breeds discontent. He knows my independence causes distance between us and control issues within me. He knows that comparing myself to such and such only stops me from doing the things he has created me for.

And. Mostly. He knows that my actions do not bring any glory to Him, the one who created me.

Forgive me Lord for the many times I break your heart. Right in two.

Psalms 51

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my failings, and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit withing me.

Thursday Thoughts

How is it Thursday already? Losing a day this week has really thrown me off. How is it Christmas next week?

For the second time this month we have snow on the ground here in North Carolina. That is more than we normally get all winter...and it is not even Christmas! I'll take it. You'll never hear a complaint come out of my lips. I love the snow and how it forces us to stay home and do cozy things. I always feel like making soup and baking when it snows. Anyone else? I also realize that I am spoiled because I don't have to worry about making up school days, missing work, etc.

Jeremiah surprised me this week (he can't keep a secret from me to save his life, ha!) and gave me my Christmas present early. Its the Nikon 50mm f1.8 lens. And I am loving it. For those of you who like photography it is a great (relatively inexpensive) lens that is great for taking photo's in low light situations.

For example this is how most of my photo's would turn out if I took them inside at night and was forced to have to (gasp) use a flash:























And this is an example of a picture taken again, indoors and at night. But with my new lens this time I am able to increase my aperture opening to 1.8 and not use a flash:


































I am getting used to the fact that it is a prime lens and there is no zoom. But that is no biggie and I'm sure I'll be feeling more comfortable with it in no time. Merry Christmas to me!

I got my bright orange shutterfly box of Christmas cards in the mail this week. And have been a busy bee getting them all out. It is such a feeling of accomplishment to get that task done.
















































The kids and I made Christmas cookies last night. Oh my goodness. What a mess! Seriously. It took me longer to clean up the kitchen in the aftermath than it did to make the cookies. But we had fun. And they turned out yummy.























The funny thing is I didn't intend to make the spritz cookies chocolate...but realized about halfway through the recipe that I was reading the wrong recipe and it was way to late to change it. But, actually...I ended up liking the chocolate ones better. Minus the fine cocoa powder dust that coated my entire kitchen after Ella put the electric mixer into the powder. Poof. I instantly had three brown skinned kids!

Happy Thursday!

sick

I started feeling sick Monday afternoon. Right after Ella and I built a gingerbread house and I took this picture. You can see it if you look close enough. You can also see Ella downing her hot chocolate. Makes me smile.


























By dinnertime I was stay in bed and pull the covers over my head level sick.

Now, those of you with children understand that when your child get sick its bad enough. When Momma gets sick its badder.

(When Daddy gets sick...well we, um, we don't need to go there.)

Sickness has a way of throwing your day into survival mode. Suddenly it doesn't matter how many cartoons the kids watch. They want three granola bars in a row? No biggie. Lets call it lunch. And have a fourth one for dessert. Pajama-rama all day long. Oh, Ezra took your toy? Suck it up and get over it.

Kidding on that last part. Maybe?

Thankfully I have a husband of other-worldly abilities and he seamlessly took over once he got home from work. And treated the kids to a fun-filled Daddy day yesterday that included watching Christmas movies and eating sugar cookies in the worlds biggest fort ever.

Yeah. Someone has to be the fun one.

Here's to feeling better today and resuming my role as master and commander.

Or maybe I should milk it for one more day and actually get to enjoy laying around in bed?

over the river and through the woods

We snuck away to my family for our Christmas visit this past weekend. It was way too quick, but fun. And it even snowed a little bit...












































Sidenote: I think Eli is getting used to the cold and snow...he actually smiled for the camera.

That makes two families down. One to go. For Christmas visits, that is.

Growing up I had both sets of grandparents within a half hour radius of our home. We would always do Christmas eve and morning at our house, then a brunch at one set of grandparents, and finally dinner at the other set. As a child it was awesome! As a parent I can see it would be exhausting.

Once I was married and we had Ella we decided that we would always be home for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day...it was time to start our own family traditions. We, however, are more than willing (and love to!) go visit all three families right around the holidays. Yes, it makes for a lot of traveling since none of our families are close...but it is so worth it!

What about you...have you found a solution that works for your family holiday visits? Or are you just blessed enough to have family close by!

Not Me Monday

My five year old daughter didn't tell me to "please stop singing" while I was cooking dinner this past week.

And it didn't hurt my feelings. At all.

My three year old son does not tell me to "not do dat" when I sing in the car these days.

And it doesn't hurt my feelings. At all.

And I most definitely did not embarrass myself (and my children, apparently) by going up on stage and karaoke singing "A Whole New World" with Jeremiah during a college Christmas party this past weekend.

Oh no. I'd have chosen a much less lame song to embarrass myself on.

(You know...something like..."Bye Bye Bye" by NSYNC. Ahem, Steve-o.)

Oh no. Never. Not me.

Homeschooling: Countdown to Christmas

It may not be as pretty as some...
But the kids cut, numbered, and glued our countdown to Christmas chain all on their very own this week...






































I've decided to (mostly) set aside the workbooks this month and instead focus on all kinds of Christmas fun!

Reading Christmas books...
making a countdown to Christmas chain...
decorating a tree for the birds...
art projects...
baking...
decorating a gingerbread house...
guesstimating how many Christmas m&m's are in the jar...
crafts...
recording our own Christmas stories...
using those Christmas m&m's as our math manipulative's...
and of course, reading more Christmas books.

Here are some pictures of a little of the fun we've had this week:

Thursday Thoughts

Holiday pet peeve venting is about to occur...

Why do the holiday Christmas kids movies come on at 8pm or later?
Really?
I'm sure my kids aren't the only kids in this country that go to bed around 8pm.

Toy packaging. Why must they rivet, grommet, twist tie, staple, and glue all possible pieces? It really shouldn't require me to have a box cutter, scissors, a kitchen knife, and a screwdriver to open it up. Or to have to ask my children to leave the room while I lose my sanctification.

Side note: I just found out that there is an actual name for this type of anger that arises from toy packaging: Wrap Rage. And a support group where you can share your story. And here's an article on how Amazon is taking on wrap rage by starting its own packaging initiative.

Who knew?

Moving on...

My favorite Christmas movie is Miracle on 34th Street. Although It's a Wonderful Life is a close second. Care to share yours?

In the movie theme...

Ella has a fascination with the Chronicles of Narnia series. (that dates back a while.)
The books.
The movies.
And especially the music. She used to request the soundtrack be played as backgroud music during her room time.

In preparation for the new Voyage of the Dawn Treader movie hitting theaters tomorrow Jeremiah read the book to Ella. They just finished it this week and I managed to capture a few photos of some of their reading moments together.












































Love it.
Love them.

Happy Thursday!

Eli: 5 month Update

Hmm.

Where to begin?

Five months. 5. Five whole months.

(Technically, 5 months and a few days...but who wants to get technical?)

Eli Cade is a blessing. A blessing. A blessing. A blessing.

Some moments I feel that more than others. But I know it is the truth.

He is doing good. He eats good. Favorite foods remains pepperoni pizza and any kind of spicy mexican. Sleeps good. One 2 hour nap a day and around 11 hours at night. It is a rare occasion when he wakes up from his nap crying anymore. Potty training, eh...not so good. Some major regression lately.

He had a checkup with the pediatrician this week and we learned that he has gained over 4 lbs and grown over 2 inches! He is actually in the 25% for height and weight now for 4 year olds...even though he is not "technically" 4 until March of 2011. (That whole technical thing again.)

His vocabulary has expanded to include the following phrases:

That hurts.
Don't go.
Don't want to.
Don't do that.
Can't see.
Turn it up.
and
(my personal favorite) Eli frustrated.

He can say a lot of other words too and can string several words together and I know he understands the majority of what we say to him now. His enunciation still needs a lot of work, but after speaking with a speech therapist and the pediatrician our plan is to have him formally evaluated and started on speech therapy after his recovery from his surgery in January.

Surgery.
Coming up in less than a month.
Sigh.

His imaginative play has really expanded this past month and he frequently carries around this little imaginary baby in his hands throughout the day and takes care of it. Have I mentioned before that he loves babies? He does. And is so sweet and gentle with them. Usually they love him right back.

Another favorite game of his is to open and shut the hall linen closet door and tell all his family hello and goodbye (i'll be right back!) repeatedly as he open and shuts (open and shuts...) the door. Have I mentioned that he loves to close doors? Not so good at opening them and I rescue him from the bathroom at least once a day.

He still loves costumes and hats. And making funny faces. A lot of times making funny faces while wearing his hats. And he will argue with you all day long that spiderman "roars".























































His relationship with Ezra has hit a much better spot. They still have their moments (numerous times a day) but not so much more than any two brothers I suppose. Two 3 year old brothers at that.

I still struggle with not always feeling enormous ooey gooey amounts of good feelings towards him...but it gets better month by month and I am completely overwhelmed in amazement for how far we have come in these 5 short months.

I love him to the moon and back...and I tell him that every night.

And the most amazing thing has happened in this last month...

He has started saying it back.

Not that I am owed his love. But that he has allowed me the privilege of earning it.

Happy five months Eli Cade!

first snow

Our first snow of the year surprised us this weekend.

We enjoyed the surprise.

































































































































Especially watching Eli experience the first snow of his life.
He wasn't quite sure at first.
But he quickly warmed up.

































Getting to experience firsts with him have been some of the highlights of my life.

I may not have memories of his first steps or first words but I have memories of his first time seeing the ocean and his first time eating an ice cream cone and his first time swimming in a pool and now, his first time playing in the snow.