Christmas activities...

When my parents were here visiting over Thanksgiving- we did some fun Christmas activities with them- like go to see the trains.  Jeremiah and Lydia really enjoyed riding the train around to see all the animals.

Christmas pics...

A few Christmas pics from the season...  hard to believe Christmas is only a week away!  

It has been a whirlwind of a week with Michael's grandma's funeral Wed. He preached at the funeral and has also been giving exams at Xavier this week and grading LOTS of papers!  

We are hoping for some rest at some point.  We are very thankful to be celebrating this season where we await the coming of Christ as a baby born to set us free from our sins!  

This year we are home for Christmas week and day and then will head to York after Christmas to visit with family and friends.

Grandma Mary Lyons...

On Friday, December 12th- Michael's grandma- Mary Lyons went home to be with Jesus! 

This weekend was a little unexpected for us this season.  

Grandma Mary was diagnosed with terminal cancer this summer but we praise God she was doing well and functioning very well.  On Friday, she fell and hit her head, dying at the hospital a few hours later.  

Though this was sudden for her family, we are thankful God took her so quickly and she did not have to suffer long with her cancer.  She has finished the race.  She was an amazing woman- raising 5 kids alone after her husband left her and trying to work, go to school to be a nurse and be a mom.  I can't imagine what that life was like.  Whenever we saw her, she had a smile on her face and she would let the kids climb up in her chair and use the remote control.  She loved kids and seeing the little ones.  We miss her already.  This morning I was reading the end of Revelation 21:3-4- "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.  He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.. Behold, I am making all things new."

Jesus says, "Surely I am coming soon.  Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus!"

Michael was assigned by Grandma in her will the great privilege of doing her funeral- tomorrow- this Wednesday.  The weekend has been a blur- I have been at home most of the weekend with the kids while Michael met with his dad and siblings to discuss details.  He is also entering a busy week with finals and grading exams.  We know God's timing is perfect but please pray for Michael this week.  And pray God would grant him words tomorrow to preach to his family the hope of the cross!

Picking a Christmas Tree...

 The weekend after Thanksgiving- my parents came to visit and helped us go out and hunt down our Christmas tree.  I grew up doing this and it was fun to do it together.  Jeremiah was on the march for his tree.

 We found the right one and it didn't take us too long either!

 Yes, for some reason- these are my favorite- Douglas Fir... everyone has their preference!  Lydia just enjoyed walking with Pop-pop and the pretzels too!

Thanksgiving 2014 (recap)...

 Our Thanksgiving recap-  Thanksgiving morning, we had a relaxing breakfast and Daddy made us turkey pancakes!  This was all his initiative and the kids were VERY excited- he is so good at thinking of fun things to do!  And he is our pancake maker- gluten free pancakes of course!

 This year- we made another "thankful tree" and wrote on the leaves things we were thankful for.  

 Lydia got to try out her pigtails for the first time- her hair is a little longer now that we can put it up though it is a little challenging.  Lydia loves her little purse that Aunt Rachie got her.  

 After making a few sides for dinner, we headed to the Lyons' house for Thanksgiving and celebrated Michael's grandma's brothers' 100th birthday- quite a milestone!  My parents came on Friday to visit for the weekend since they did not have much going on and we had a great visit with them.

Our week...

 Last week, we hit the holidays off with sickness.  While my parents were here- Jeremiah got a fever and soon Lydia followed as well as lots of coughing- I think we might be finally on the mend but Michael just started battling a cold now.  

 Jeremiah has been helpful- a midst frequent hand washing- to help me bake Christmas cookies- his favorite- unwrapping the Hershey kisses.  The Lord is giving me great perspective this Advent season to help me simplify what I am doing and not get stressed in all the details.  Yes, I may not have my Christmas letter out or most of my gifts bought but we are rejoicing in His goodness one day at a time.  

 So... I have really been missing my sweet friend who I skype with once a week- but glad she is home in the States having fun with family.  I realize though how important it is to have intentional friendships where we pray specifically for one another- here in the trenches of mommy hood- it is easy to loose focus and we need prayer! I have been trying to use the little extra time I have to reach out to someone.  Today we had our "crosswalk" friend over for lunch.  She works in helping kids cross our street at school time and she works at our Kroger.  We have developed a neat friendship and she sweetly agreed to have lunch with us today and it was a blessing!

Reformation Day...

Reformation Day (a quick recap):

This shows you how far behind I really am!  

Actually this week, as I have been decorating for Christmas- I realized I lost an advent craft that I put in a great spot to remember this year- and well, I can't, for the life of me, remember where that "memorable" spot is.  I always thought I was organized- but lately I am seriously wondering if I really am.  So while we are battling coughing kids with colds and disorganization this week- here's a quick recap of a past event. :)

On Reformation Day this year, we went to our friends' house for her Friday music class in her home and we dressed up like animals- actually, lions- for the Lyons' family!

That evening in our family "Reformation" celebration- we wore costumes and decided to act out Daniel and the Lions Den- just because he had these 2 lions in costume- you see.  Ok- so maybe 3 lions.  Then Michael acted out the story of Martin Luther- as much as he could to a 3 year old and 1 year old.  We lit our pumpkin that we carved and had some fun treats.  Michael and I always enjoy concluding the evening by watching the movie- Luther!  Fun family traditions!

Telling kids...

Flashback again to October- After we found out we were having a boy and told my family using the cookie cake idea (actually I was desperate for an easy idea and I happen to love cookie cakes!), we told the kids by making some gluten free brownies and put blue icing on top.  Jeremiah is excited to have another little boy to the family though I don't think he is quite sure all that that means.  

Hiking and Cake...

We are still catching up on our cabin trip...  time flies...  

I brought a cookie cake to tell my family we are expecting another boy.  

As you can see- the kids really enjoyed this particular method of sharing! :)

The blue icing was quite a hit.

One of the highlights of our weekend- a hike with the whole family which ended up to be quite the excursion.  Even little Christopher enjoyed it!