Snow- Part 2... Sledding..

Sledding... Now when I go sledding- I first always think about my dear friend Laura D at Seminary who was always ready for a good sled when it snowed! I miss you friend! I took Jeremiah and Katy out for a good sled with our snow last week and well- they liked watching me go down but were too chicken to sled on their own. :) Instead- they resorted to watching me go down and sending the trucks down on the sled and watching them wreck at the bottom. And Jeremiah loved pulling an empty sled around- the kid still love to pull anything he can find!

Snow....

We have had lots of snow this December- Jeremiah was not sure about going out in the snow at first- but now he loves his boots and even his snow suit! His favorite things to do- eat the snow, make footprints in the snow- he loves helping clean off the car which is a big help. I taught him how to make a snow angel- he thought that was pretty fun. I took Jeremiah, Katie and Lydia one day on a snow walk- oh my- it was definitely hard pushing that stroller through the snow but we enjoyed the sun and the snow. And after singing about "Frosty"- during one little snow we had we built a frosty! Fun fun!

Lights and Festivities...

We have been doing a few Christmas Festivities here- we went to the Festival of Lights on a week when it was Half Off and it was warm so it was a lovely night got go- Jeremiah and Daddy loved the lizards, snakes, turtles- reptile house & the insect world museum the best! Jeremiah loved watching the ants being busy going about their work carrying leaves to their nest. We also have decorated a little for Christmas and are enjoying the warm glow of the Christmas lights. I think Jeremiah may want a snake some day or at least a turtle- he calls all his stuffed turtles- tooeees- love that kid!

Mommy/Son Date...

What do you do when Daddy works late one night- you pop some popcorn and watch Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer!!! Last night- Jeremiah and I had a mommy/son date on the couch- Lydie came too- it was his first time to watch Rudolph and we had so much fun! Jeremiah loved the Abominable Snowman- he was one of our favorites! :)

Visits...

Jeremiah and Lydia love to go visit their Daddy! Michael works so hard for us so that I don't have to be working during this season and he has A LOT going on- working at church, the Library late one night. One night a week- he works at the front desk of the Library and we love going to see him when we get a chance- sometimes we bring him a peanut butter shake from UDF. We also got to visit a month ago with Michael's dear Aunt and Uncle who live in Arizona- Bill and Linda K. We were so thankful for some time with them when they were in Cincinnati- they are a special couple!

Thanksgiving Recap...

I am still posting from Thanksgiving... This year we had a nice visit with the Lyons family and many out of town family! However, This year was particularly hard as we learned the Friday after Thanksgiving- that Michael's cousin, Teresa, died at the age of 34. She loved Thanksgiving! It was her favorite holiday and we had missed her the last two years! Teresa fought an illness for a long time, but kept a steady faith in Christ through it all.



Lydie tried a few of the Thanksgiving dinner this year- she was not too sure about the turkey though.

Thomas the Tank Engine...

While we were in PA- we also went to see Thomas the Tank Engine! It was a little bit cold that day but we had lots of fun! Jeremiah loved seeing the big Thomas train and Jeremiah got to ride in his first ever train! He loved it even though it was a little short! He loved the little train rides as well as the little carts he got to ride and crank and push! It was a lot of fun! Lydie was already getting sick at that point and just slept in my dad's arms most of the morning! Good thing she was bundled up because it was cold!

Retirement Party...

While we were in PA- I helped organize a Retirement Party for my dad- he has served over 40 years with the Dept. of Agriculture and has stood for truth amidst a rough environment! The Lord has really used him in that environment but we are so thankful that he has now retired and has had the privilege of working at church part time working with Missions- organizing and supporting and encouraging missionaries- which he is very good at and gifted for! So we are thankful for this new role the Lord has provided for him and he is already loving it!

Christmas Advent Reading...

This year, my dear dad gave me Good News of Great Joy- by John Piper. It has good short feedings for my soul. I was struck with this entry the other day- in thinking about the amazement about how God so ordered the events of the birth of Christ that Mary & Joseph had to go to Bethlehem to be registered- he says, "Have you felt, like me, little and insignificant... It is implicit in Scripture that all the mammoth political forces and all the giant industrial complexes, without their ever knowing it, are being guided by God, not for their own sake but for the sake of God's little people- the little Mary and Joseph who have to be got from Nazareth to Bethlehem. God wields and empire to bless his children. Prov. 21:1- "The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will." He is a big God for little people, and we have great cause to rejoice that, unbeknownst to them, all the kings and presidents and premiers and chancellors of the world follow the sovereign decrees of our Father in heaven, that we, the children, might be conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.