3rd Week of December Highlights

These pictures are in backwards order but we had our 3rd church performance on Monday afternoon.
Tuesday was our staff lunch and some quick Christmas shopping for me.
Wednesday was a day for me to quickly finish my mom's calendar gift....it's no surprise. She said it was all she wanted for Christmas....so I whipped it up lickety split...just kidding!
Thursday was Micah's party at school...we came up with 4 games and 2 crafts plus snacks. We had 2 hours but it wasn't nearly enough time. Who would have known! The magnet boards turned out really cute as did the ornaments. I made up my own bingo cards so if anyone ever wants to borrow them....I would love to share! They are even laminated!
Friday was the school white cape program. It was awesome! The kids sang a dutch hymn so loudly it was amazing...then they sang the Hallelujah Chorus and it was so loud I almost felt like it was pushing me back in my chair...stunning! I was very impressed and found myself feeling extremely blessed by our wonderful music program. What the kids are learning is so important! After the program I did a party in Haileys class with a friend who also has a daughter in that class. Then we came home and just hung out...and cooking some food. We had dinner with friends and then went to Taylor's piano recital. My Aunt had surger this week so we went to help her set up. The recital was nice but tons of people in a small space. Taylor played TrePak from the Nutcracker, What Child is This, Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, and We Wish you a Merry Christmas. She did a great job...Watching her sit up there brought back so many "not so good" memories from when I used to have piano recitals. I remember having sweaty hands and my heart would thump almost out of my chest. The nerves took over and it was hard to concentrate....but that was me....Taylor doesn't seem to have the same fears as I did. Hopefully she will keep getting opportunities to play so that she doesn't develop those fears. We love to listen to her playing Christmas music and that has been very special these past few weeks. On Friday Jeff also finished up a 3 week by-pass project and all I can say is WAHOO!

2nd Week of December

Looking at all these pictures it is no wonder I felt like I was having a nervous breakdown! Especially since we did it all without Jeff who was working around the clock....literally!
We made peppermint hot chocolate when we came in from the snow...yummy! Here are the cute snowmen the kids made with mom using pretzel rods, white chocolate bark, fruit roll ups, peachy o's, chocolate chips, and gum drops

Let it snow!

VC family Christmas party

Christmas program at church...

Making Christmas Trains with Owen

Finger Licking Good!

Sweet little baby girl!

Basketball game...

Gems Mother Daughter Pajama Party

1st Week of December Highlights

Hailey bug turned 9! Wow...it is hard to believe this is her last year of single digits. She is such a blessing to our family. We had a great time celebrating her!

Grandma Great was even able to come to her birthday party.

Hamballs!

Had to get a picture of her stockings! LOVE EM! Wish they could make those in adult sizes!

Taylor and her best friend...since Kindergarten at Ebenezer! We hope Kenadi will come to Lynden Christian soon!

Bible Study friends before group one morning....what a blessing these girls have been in my life. It is nice to have a safe place to be yourself...believe me....I am quirky and they still let me come!

Taylor tried out for the solo in her class and got a special part singing....all three girls did a good job and Mrs. Lenssen couldn't decide so they had a trio!

Orchestra....5th grade Christmas program. I have to say I wasn't expecting much but I was very impressed! Mrs. Smit and Mr. Van Sickle deserve a lot of credit...not to mention Mrs. Lenssen..WOW!

The end of November

Today is Ryan and Sara's little girls first birthday....with all they have been through I decided to call Sara and see if she was planning a party. She wasn't feeling up to doing much so I offered to make the cake...at least for a few pictures! She was greatful and we had so much fun. She told me that Alivia likes animals so this is the cake we came up with!.....kitty, puppy, chicks, sheep, and a few pigs! The kids helped me decorate it after church. Happy birthday Alivia!
As a side note...please keep this family in your prayers. They are going through so much with Coleson right now...it overwhelms me to think about how hard this must be one them! Then we went to mom and dad's for lunch and a family photoshoot. She wanted a new picture for her Christmas card that showed the baby so here it is....pretty good really considering all the small munchkins....I only took 5 or 6 shots too!

Happy Thanksgiving!

So much to be greatful for.....Our pastor had the best prayer on Wednesday night about all the things we have.....it was very long as you can imagine. We are so blessed! Often I find myself wondering why...why me? Why do I get to live such a priviledged life?

One of the best parts of Thanksgiving this year was a book of beautiful Psalms Taylor wrote in her 5th grade class...

Why Praise the Lord
Praise the Lord for books and learning
Praise Him for protecting me and keeping me safe
Praise Him for my house, family, and friends
Praise the Lord for everything He has done for us
He has given us shelter from the cold
He has given us clean water and good food that can't make us sick
He has blessed us greatly
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord for giving us a second chance
Praise Him for always loving us
Praise Him for sending His son for us
Praise the Lord for pets
Praise the Lord for all the animals that walk on land
Praise Him for creation
Praise the Lord for everything that walks on land
Praise the Lord for everything that swims in the seas
Praise the Lord!

My Psalm of Trust
Lord I will always trust you
I will trust you in the hard times
You are a powerful God
You are the ruler of all the animals on land
all the animals of the sea
and all the beasts of the earth
You are the ruler of all the earth
trust in the Lord of He is good
the Lord will always be there when you need Him
He will always love you
if the Lord kept a list of sins
I would surly be dead,
but the Lord is graceful and kind
He will keep forgiving you
No matter how many times you sin the Lord will always forgive you
Trust the Lord your God with all your heart, sould, mind, and strength

And to that I say AMEN!

My mom is an amazing host...she made 3 pies this year....pecan, pumpkin, cherry...of course Micah and Owen chose a dilly bar instead...silly boys!

Sam & Jack...such nice kids...well done Keith & Cindy!

Careful with the whipcream machine!

8 weeks old today! my sweet little niece....I can't wait for my new flash to come....using lamps just doesn't cut it...next I want one of those umbrella's and a stand and maybe a new lens!-Ha...the list just keeps getting longer the more I learn!