The Long, Long, Long Winter...

Let's face it, this winter has been cold and long. 

Long and cold.

Did I say cold?

Living in the frozen north woods of Wisconsin, cold can't keep us locked up inside. If it did, we wouldn't ever get to leave our houses.

So on the not quite so cold days, we bundle up and head outside.  One of our favorite winter activities is sledding.  We are fortunate enough to have a fun sized hill in our own backyard.

I like to try and get some action shots of the boys having fun out there.   Here is my favorite sequence from the day.  I like to call it, 

A story in pictures:

Ha! Ha! The boys had a lot of fun tumbling sledding down the hill.

Winter doesn't prevent little boys from climbing trees either:

Or falling out of them:

And of course dogs still do their doggy things.  

They remain mostly unfazed by the temperature change. Although I have noticed that they come in really fast form their potty break when the temps drop below zero/

I hope that if you live where it gets cold, you are finding ways to get outside and have some fun.  It can be easy to let the cold, dreary days get the best of you.  But is is important to look for the beauty that surrounds you and find things to be thankful for.

To Whom Much is Given

Here are a few photo's from our Thanksgiving celebration.

I think this is the first time I cooked the bird in my own home. I still had my mom to help me though.

Even though it would be an intimate dinner for 7, I wanted to make it special.  So I went to Pinterest and found these cute owls made out of paper sacks. 

I thought they would make cute place cards.

I put the boys, and my friend Megan, to work.

I think they let her do all the hard stuff.

It's really hard to teach chivalry.

Is there chivalry when it comes to cutting and pasting?

Seth had his duties, and Tate had his. Between the two of them, they finished them up. Although it's a good thing they had al day.

They were a pretty easy craft and they were made with things I already had on hand.  Considering how long I had  all of the supplies, they were basically free for us to make.

I think the little guys helped make our table look festive. I don't do center pieces. Although pretty, they are also annoying. Either you can't see the person across the table, or there isn't enough room for food.  I am a firm believer that people only do center pieces for magazine pictures and for those dining rooms that are always set but never used.

Since Wyat's cutting skills aren't up to snuff for circles yet and he needs to be monitored when glue is around, I made him my assistant baker. He strapped on an apron and had a ball mixing,

dumping,

and licking.

I figure that's half the reason you bake things in a hot oven. So it kills the bacteria.

Right?

This is my favorite. Just look at how cute he is, concentrating on getting the crust just right.

Sigh*

 We made a Walnut Streusel Pumpkin Pie that was a hit with the hubs, and not too complicated. We also made another dessert, because pumpkin pie makes me gag.
We made this beautiful Peach-Blueberry Crumble Tart.
It was YUM!
I got both recipe's from the Oct/Nov 2012 issue of Taste of Home Magazine.
I like that magazine a lot, but I like it's sister magazine Simple and Delicious even more.

Even though I'm the only person that gags on pumpkin pie, everyone wanted to try my dessert too. So I only got one piece. Don't feel sorry for me though. It was a good piece.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.

I love that it hasn't been commercialized and we get together simply to enjoy one another's company and to express our gratitude for the year behind us and before us.

There was such abundance at our table.  Not only an abundance of food, which we had more than enough of, but family, health, love, joy, God, and so much more.

I couldn't help but think about those around the world who don't have as much as I do.  Those who would do almost anything to possess what I too often take for granted.  Those who, if were allowed to sit at my table would have gorged themselves sick on better food than they have ever eaten in their life. Or those who would have been sickened by what we throw away after we are done. Those who would have sat in tears at the opportunity to join hands with family.  Those who don't know the love of Christ.

I have so much.

The Bible says "Everyone to whom much is given, of him much will be required." (Luke 12:49)

I have been given much.

I need to give much. 

We all have something we can give. Whether it's a kind word, money, companionship, food, love or help.  There is some way we can give of ourselves, our time, our resouces, to another.

I'm going to spend this year praying about what God wants me to give.

And then I'll pray for the strength to do it.

Some New Style

It was time for Tate to go in for an eye exam again this summer.  
After all, no one wants the world to look blurry if it doesn't have to, right?
We learned that his prescription had in fact changed, so while we were in Appleton this week, we went to the glasses place and picked him out some new eye wear.

Got him some new style.

This first pair are his current favorite.They've got some cool details on the sides and are blue, which bring out the color of his amazing blue eyes. He says these are his everyday glasses.

The next pair are his dress glasses, or so he says.  They've got a little tortoise shell action going on that you can't really see in the photo.
We usually get two pairs so that we have a back up in case of breakage. When you live where we do, you can't always get a replacement quickly.

He looks so handsome!
He looks so smart!
He looks so stylish!
All in one amazing package.

Easter Blessings

We used the entire weekend to celebrate Easter. If you are going to stretch out a holiday, Easter is a good one to do it with.  I cannot think of a more important holiday to celebrate. This holiday is what separates Jesus Christ from all the other men in the world. This holiday defines Christianity and the God that I love. 

(photo courtesy of bob.blogs.com)

The son of God, crucified.  Dead.  Buried. 

And He came to life.

He overcame death.

For love. 

John 3:16 says it all: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life."

Thank you, thank you, thank you Jesus.

For loving me enough not only to die for me, but to not stay dead.

This holiday is important to our family and we really enjoy celebrating together with the Grandpas and Grandmas, nephews and neices, Uncles and Aunts, cousins, and just about anyone else we can squeeze around the table.  (When I grew up our 'family' wasn't limited to just those people related by blood, but it extended to anyone we called friend who needed a place to land for the holiday.) We were able to celebrate with Troy's parents on Friday afternoon/evening. (Unfortunately I forgot to get out my camera and take pictures so this post is going to look a little one sided.) When we arrived at my in-laws, they had the Easter egg hunt already set up.  The kids love this.  (My in-laws live in the country and have a big yard)

After a quick conversation about the boundaries and what each kid was supposed to find - the boys were off!

I'm not sure how to describe the next 30 minutes.  Here's my best effort:

Searching, laughing, over, under, through, joy, frustration, clues, helping, teasing, finding, treasure, eager, lost, discovery, chocolate, grass, baskets, eggs, sunshine & fun.

The perfect recipe for a great outdoor Easter egg hunt. 

Topped off with a delicious dinner and  good conversation it all made for a wonderful first Easter celebration.

Afterwards, we drove down to Neenah and spent the night at my sisters.  This was our mid-way stop on the way to my parents house.  It gave the cousins some extra time to spend together.

The next day was Easter Sunday.

After the boys spent some time searching the house for the surprises Troy and I had hidden for them, we all got ready for the singspiration service at my Dad's church (he's the Pastor).  

Aren't these pictures precious!  

Do you know what it does to a mama's heart to hear her young sons singing hymns of praise to God?

Be still my beating heart, it could do me in. 

I love it.

Hearing my boys singing to our Savior is one of the most perfect ways I can think of to begin this day.

We followed this warm fuzzy with a delicious breakfast at the church where my sister and family joined us.  My sister and I actually wore the same dress. Different color and I wore a cardigan over mine, but still, the-same-dress. If you knew us you would be equally as surprised as I was! And I didn't get a picture! Aaarghhh! When am I going to learn? I will say, we both looked smashing in our matching dresses and they were different enough that only a couple of people noticed (one being her hubby, gasp! pick my chin up off the floor ;)

When breakfast was through, we had our regular church service.  Can I just tell you how proud I am of my Daddy, preaching his heart out up there in the pulpit? Well I am.  I did not grow up as a p.k. No, my dad waited until he was in his 50's to listen to the call of God on his heart. My mom and dad are both doing a great job in the new role that God has them in.

My dad roped me into singing with him during church, so I roped Megan into joining us. (Actually Troy made her do it) It's been awhile since I've sang in church. While being up front I had a little deja vu.  You see, my grandpa was a pastor and he used to rope my mom and dad into singing at his church on some Sundays.  History repeating itself.

Following church we rushed to my mom and dad's house, the husbands rushed to hide the eggs in the yard, my sister started the dinner prep, and I went outside to take pictures. The kids were all prepped and ready so that as soon as Grammy came home and changed into her comfy clothes, they charged out into the yard to find their prizes.  We broke the hunt up into 2 different categories since my parents do not have a large yard, so the littles went first and then the bigs.

The egg hunt was followed by dinner, where we all ate until we were about to burst. . .  and then we had pie.  There is nothing like family sitting around the table sharing some good food.

It was such a good holiday weekend. It was such a good Easter celebration. It was such a huge thing that Christ did for us, for love, so we could live with him eternally.

I am so blessed.

I'll leave you with a couple of pictures of the cousins, minus 2. (My brother lives in Delaware so we don't get together for holidays much.)

This one is my personal favorite.  My sister gets a little worried about her daughter, being the only girl amongst all these boys.  I don't know why she should be worried.  Ella looks like she fits in just fine!

This one's a little better. 

Oh come on, you know that it's nearly impossible to get a good picture of six kids.  Especially before the egg hunt. 

I'm feeling lucky that they were all looking at the camera.

That's an accomplishment!

Six blessings.

Six kids learning to understand how much Jesus really loves them.

What do you think God is going to do with these kids?

I can't wait to find out!  

These are my Easter Blessings.

I'd love to hear about some of yours.

Merry CHRISTmas!

Another year is coming to a close. With so much to reflect upon it makes me realize we have much to be thankful for. The end of the year offers a perfect opportunity to thank God for all the ways he has provided for us this year. And we are so thankful. A friend of mine was telling me that her sister, who just spent a couple of months in a third world country as part of her schooling, was admitting that this year she thought she would have a hard time with Christmas. Coming from the U.S. and a nice middle class family, she had been sharing a home with a family where the floor was packed dirt and they literally ate beans and rice every day she stayed there. Ususally for more than one meal a day.

The children who lived in the home were getting ready for Christmas and were very excited, as almost all children are. The visiting student learned what the children would be getting for Christmas, the source behind all of the excitement.                                 An orange.                                   They would recieve as their Christmas gift a single orange. And their excitement matched that of any american child who would be showered with gobs of toys. Amazing right?

You know, it makes me realize that yes, the gifts are fun, the food is yummy, but the thing I'm most excited for today is the opportunity to celebrate the birth of Jesus. I wasn't always this way, it used to be all about the presents for me, but the older I get the more I realize that Jesus really is what it's all about.

I was reflecting in church today about this.  We all get caught up in the gift giving and the gift recieving. (except for Troy) But I was struck once again with the thought that if there was nothing else, Jesus is enough. Then I thought, would Jesus be enough? I know Jesus should be enough. My human nature struggles with this. I like stuff!  Giving it, recieving it, even looking at it.  But what does the stuff do for me in the long run?  It clutters my house, it doesn't satisfy, and it leaves me wanting more.

Seth's big bass!

Not Jesus. He is the only one that satisfys the longing of my heart. He is always there, always current, always the same, always knows what I need and even what I desire. Best of all He loves me. And He wants what's best for me. And His best is possible for me, if I just do what He tells me to do.

So I am thankful for this day. And I am thankful for the opportunity I have to teach my sons what this day is truly about. Not the presents, not the toys, but the greatest gift this world will ever know, the gift of a Savior.

Soccer Stud Seth!

                                                                                         Please join my family today as we celebrate.                 This year I'm going to work on not getting caught up in all the stuff, and instead focus on getting caught up in Jesus.  Want to join me?                                              

 Enjoy a few of the pictures of some of this past years activities. The boys played soccer, we all tried out Silver Birch Ranch's new zip line, we traveled to Canada and Illinois, the boys got free tickets to a Brewer game (they are now fans) and we went ice skating on the lake last week, to name a few of the highlights.    Thank you for being a part of our lives. We are greatful for all of the people god has brought into our lives over the years.    We are abundantly blessed. Merry CHRISTmas!

Enjoying the newly discovered Beabers Cove in Canada

Go Brewers!

Two of the NBI girls, Alexa and Megan also known as our daughters.

Chilling in Illinois at the Fall Festival.

We had family pictures taken this fall. I love the results! Thanks Craig!

picture taking is so much fun

Merry Christmas!