So here's the truth...I am not very good at this blogging thing. I love to write. I love to capture moments I have with my sweet children. I love to post pictures to file away for later. And I hope to be an encouragement here and there.
BUT I have way more thoughts than I have time to type them out. I have maxed out on my picture limit with blogger and can't for the life of me figure out a way around this...therefore, no pictures on my blog lately. I am not a super tech-savvy person, and I do not have a lot of extra time on my hands. SO please bear with me. Being the Christmas season (which also means going out of town for us), and being that I am home with my four children, and homeschooling, I am not feeling the ease of extra time. I am too busy living my life to write about it. So I think I shall take a blogging break while I am busy spending Christmas with my family.
For today, I am thankful for a new haircut, matching winter hats for the kids., snowflakes drifting down from the sky, and freshly-popped popcorn.
I am thankful for the questions of my six-year old..."Mom, when you die, do you go to Heaven right away or do you wait until the world ends and then go all at once?"...which remind me how active and brilliant his mind really is. I love when he gives me glimpses into the way he thinks.
I am thankful for a peaceful December. This month can often get crazy for us, but this year, we were intentional about what we could say yes and no to and have really and truly enjoyed the Christmas season without stress. We have been able to enjoy the season with some of our traditions and favorites, like baking cookies, cutting down our Christmas tree, doing our daily advent devotions, making a paper chain, visiting Santa, looking at lights, wrapping presents, etc., but it has all been a fun, celebratory process...marking the JOY of the season and the JOY of Jesus coming to earth with special moments and observations. I am so very thankful for the sweetness of this month and for the way in which we have been able to enjoy it all.
I am mostly thankful, this Christmas season, that God sent his son, Jesus, to earth to live and die for our sins and to offer us the joy and peace that come from life knowing him. True peace and contentment are only from life with our Father and what better time to celebrate than now that Jesus is Lord!
Wishing you a very, Merry Christmas!!!
"See" you in 2013!
Friday, December 21, 2012
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Our Day in the City
sarahnschmidt's photostream on Flickr.
This year, we decided to do a family day in the city as a family "present," and we loved every minute of it. I love the hustle and bustle of the city, especially at Christmastime, and this day was no exception. The kids loved taking the train and the city bus to the Shedd Aquarium, and we loved our day there, exploring the animals and enjoying the shows. We splurged on a fun Italian dinner out and then walked through some of the city lights and Christmas displays. We officially decided that it will be an annual tradition. Loved, loved, loved it.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Thankful Thursday
Ahhh...right now I am thankful to be sitting down. Zach worked a bit late and so I was "on" for many hours and am now wiped.
BUT I am thankful for Zach picking up some fajitas for us to split for a little at-home date on the couch watching Parenthood episodes.
I am also thankful for a candle glowing warmly on the counter, for the hum of the dishwasher running, and for many folded stacks of laundry on my bed (I am thankful that I actually SAW the bottom of my hamper today ...even if it only lasted for a few hours).
I am thankful for my children's excitement over tortilla pizzas for dinner...seriously?? Is that all it takes? Love that they love the simple things.
I am thankful for the story of Brother Andrew, a real-life hero of the faith. We just finished reading his biography today and it was powerful and exciting and challenging all at the same time.
I am thankful for the joy of the Christmas season...my kids LOVE to cut another loop off their paper chain, eat another chocolate out of their advent calendars, and hang the daily picture that corresponds with daily Scripture for the advent devotional we do each night. They love these little routines of marking each day of this Christmas month, and I love it, too. I am thankful for the lit-up tree and the Christmas music playing and the cards coming in the mail and the Christmas books being read over and over. Such a special season, and I love that they are excited about Baby Jesus.
I am thankful for a date with Ella this week, just her and me, to eat lunch and go to Starbucks. What a sweet time with my little crazy. And I am immensely thankful for a woman at church who REQUESTED to watch my children for a few hours this week...just because. I really don't think that has ever happened before. And while she was here, she unloaded my dishwasher, switched the laundry, and snuck a few groceries into our fridge. Totally humbled and overwhelmed by this outpouring of love and service. And SO grateful.
I could go on but it is time to eat and rest.
Love to you on this December Thursday...
What are you thankful for today?
BUT I am thankful for Zach picking up some fajitas for us to split for a little at-home date on the couch watching Parenthood episodes.
I am also thankful for a candle glowing warmly on the counter, for the hum of the dishwasher running, and for many folded stacks of laundry on my bed (I am thankful that I actually SAW the bottom of my hamper today ...even if it only lasted for a few hours).
I am thankful for my children's excitement over tortilla pizzas for dinner...seriously?? Is that all it takes? Love that they love the simple things.
I am thankful for the story of Brother Andrew, a real-life hero of the faith. We just finished reading his biography today and it was powerful and exciting and challenging all at the same time.
I am thankful for the joy of the Christmas season...my kids LOVE to cut another loop off their paper chain, eat another chocolate out of their advent calendars, and hang the daily picture that corresponds with daily Scripture for the advent devotional we do each night. They love these little routines of marking each day of this Christmas month, and I love it, too. I am thankful for the lit-up tree and the Christmas music playing and the cards coming in the mail and the Christmas books being read over and over. Such a special season, and I love that they are excited about Baby Jesus.
I am thankful for a date with Ella this week, just her and me, to eat lunch and go to Starbucks. What a sweet time with my little crazy. And I am immensely thankful for a woman at church who REQUESTED to watch my children for a few hours this week...just because. I really don't think that has ever happened before. And while she was here, she unloaded my dishwasher, switched the laundry, and snuck a few groceries into our fridge. Totally humbled and overwhelmed by this outpouring of love and service. And SO grateful.
I could go on but it is time to eat and rest.
Love to you on this December Thursday...
What are you thankful for today?
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Thankful Thursday
My kiddos are already in bed, so they are not able to weigh in on today's thankful list. It's a good thing, though, because I didn't have my computer out today. I only checked my email once and put the laptop away again, so I very much liked it not being a distraction from my parenting or my life today. Don't get me wrong...the laptop and the Internet are a wonderful thing and very necessary at times, but today, it was a nice break.
Today, I am thankful for my house decorated for Christmas. I love it. I love the Christmas season, I love the lit-up tree, I love the big basket of Christmas books, my beautiful Christmas dishes, the box of Christmas music, and the stockings hung in a row from our bookshelf. I love it all. Today the kids and I made a paper chain, and I am particularly thankful for the jagged cutting, green and red construction paper links hanging in our living room.
I am also thankful for a less-scheduled, less-busy week. We have been home every evening this week, a rarity for us, and we are enjoying the slower pace. I am thankful for time to work on Christmas gifts and stuff Christmas cards and fold laundry and cook dinner. I love my role as a stay-at-home mama.
Micah and Sammy continue to carry-out with great conviction and passion our superhero-named family. Our titles are becoming quite the norm. In fact, I am missing the name, "Mommy." I am thankful, though, for their sweet imaginations and the creativity with which they play and move and breathe. It is so inspired and brilliant. In case you are wondering, Sophia has graduated from "Short Hair" to "Baby Fantastic." I am still Spidergirl, Zach is still Wolverine, Ella is still Black Widow, and Micah is still Hulk. Sammy's identity, however, seems to change weekly, if not daily. His current identity is Big Boy Hulk, with Micah as his "dad" Hulk. LOVE it.
I found out today that Sophia is allergic to dairy, and since I am still nursing, that means a dairy-free diet for myself, too. Although I will admit that tears were shed over this discovery (many of them selfish and self-pitying for the ice cream and cheese and hot cocoa and Christmas goodies I will not be able to enjoy), I am wanting to be thankful for the blessings in this situation...that I now know to cut dairy out of Sophia's diet (which will hopefully lead to less colds, ear infections, and diaper rashes), that she is young enough to not know the difference, that I already have lots of dairy-free foods and recipes (due to Sammy's dairy allergy), and that it is only a temporary diet change for me. Sometimes when I feel sad about Sammy's allergies (and now Sophia's, too), I think of the many parents who have real, hard diagnoses for their children, like awful diseases or mental health conditions, and I realize that I would take allergies and ear infections any day. So thankful for the health that we do have.
I am thankful for our daily advent devotions which are reminding us of the real meaning of Christmas...the birth of a Savior for our needy world. May you know, today, the joy and peace and life that He offers freely to all.
What are you thankful for today?
Today, I am thankful for my house decorated for Christmas. I love it. I love the Christmas season, I love the lit-up tree, I love the big basket of Christmas books, my beautiful Christmas dishes, the box of Christmas music, and the stockings hung in a row from our bookshelf. I love it all. Today the kids and I made a paper chain, and I am particularly thankful for the jagged cutting, green and red construction paper links hanging in our living room.
I am also thankful for a less-scheduled, less-busy week. We have been home every evening this week, a rarity for us, and we are enjoying the slower pace. I am thankful for time to work on Christmas gifts and stuff Christmas cards and fold laundry and cook dinner. I love my role as a stay-at-home mama.
Micah and Sammy continue to carry-out with great conviction and passion our superhero-named family. Our titles are becoming quite the norm. In fact, I am missing the name, "Mommy." I am thankful, though, for their sweet imaginations and the creativity with which they play and move and breathe. It is so inspired and brilliant. In case you are wondering, Sophia has graduated from "Short Hair" to "Baby Fantastic." I am still Spidergirl, Zach is still Wolverine, Ella is still Black Widow, and Micah is still Hulk. Sammy's identity, however, seems to change weekly, if not daily. His current identity is Big Boy Hulk, with Micah as his "dad" Hulk. LOVE it.
I found out today that Sophia is allergic to dairy, and since I am still nursing, that means a dairy-free diet for myself, too. Although I will admit that tears were shed over this discovery (many of them selfish and self-pitying for the ice cream and cheese and hot cocoa and Christmas goodies I will not be able to enjoy), I am wanting to be thankful for the blessings in this situation...that I now know to cut dairy out of Sophia's diet (which will hopefully lead to less colds, ear infections, and diaper rashes), that she is young enough to not know the difference, that I already have lots of dairy-free foods and recipes (due to Sammy's dairy allergy), and that it is only a temporary diet change for me. Sometimes when I feel sad about Sammy's allergies (and now Sophia's, too), I think of the many parents who have real, hard diagnoses for their children, like awful diseases or mental health conditions, and I realize that I would take allergies and ear infections any day. So thankful for the health that we do have.
I am thankful for our daily advent devotions which are reminding us of the real meaning of Christmas...the birth of a Savior for our needy world. May you know, today, the joy and peace and life that He offers freely to all.
What are you thankful for today?
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Recipe of the Week - Garlic Carrots
This recipe is one of our first favorite recipes from the beginning of marriage, when I would dutifully pour over cookbooks, planning recipes and creating elaborate grocery lists. That practice hasn't necessarily held intact, but our love for these yummy carrots has! Something different, easy, cheap and delicious!
Garlic Carrots
1 pound baby carrots
2 garlic carrots, minced
2 T. olive oil
1/4 cup hot water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
dash pepper
In a skillet, saute carrots and garlic in oil for 5 minutes. Add water, salt, thyme, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 8-12 minutes or until carrots are tender.
Enjoy!
Garlic Carrots
1 pound baby carrots
2 garlic carrots, minced
2 T. olive oil
1/4 cup hot water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
dash pepper
In a skillet, saute carrots and garlic in oil for 5 minutes. Add water, salt, thyme, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 8-12 minutes or until carrots are tender.
Enjoy!
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Choosing the Couch
Our days this past week have been full to the brim from the wee hours of the morning to late at night.
There is so much I want to blog about to and capture...
...like Ella's first haircut.
...a quick trip to Minnesota for my grandma-in-law's funeral.
...my whole 20-person family together for brunch and a gingerbread house making contest.
...our trip to Nebraska and Iowa and my adventure days with the kids, including the mall, swimming at the pool and a trip to the amazing Omaha children's museum.
...my kids seeing Santa three times in a matter of days.
...Ella starting a season of tantruming.
...our trip to the Christmas tree farm and the Christmas season beginning at last in our house!
...my in-laws coming for a visit.
And of course, I have thoughts swirling through my head, waiting for time to catch on paper.
BUT, for now, with a weary body and a tired mind, I am choosing the couch instead. We plowed through as much clean up as we could for an hour after the children were asleep, and now, we are leaving the rest for tomorrow. We have not rested in days, and the show, Parenthood is calling my name. Zach's pouring some hot chocolate and we are sinking into the couch, admiring the Christmas lights and munching on some cookies hot from the oven.
The rest can wait.
I'm choosing the couch.
There is so much I want to blog about to and capture...
...like Ella's first haircut.
...a quick trip to Minnesota for my grandma-in-law's funeral.
...my whole 20-person family together for brunch and a gingerbread house making contest.
...our trip to Nebraska and Iowa and my adventure days with the kids, including the mall, swimming at the pool and a trip to the amazing Omaha children's museum.
...my kids seeing Santa three times in a matter of days.
...Ella starting a season of tantruming.
...our trip to the Christmas tree farm and the Christmas season beginning at last in our house!
...my in-laws coming for a visit.
And of course, I have thoughts swirling through my head, waiting for time to catch on paper.
BUT, for now, with a weary body and a tired mind, I am choosing the couch instead. We plowed through as much clean up as we could for an hour after the children were asleep, and now, we are leaving the rest for tomorrow. We have not rested in days, and the show, Parenthood is calling my name. Zach's pouring some hot chocolate and we are sinking into the couch, admiring the Christmas lights and munching on some cookies hot from the oven.
The rest can wait.
I'm choosing the couch.
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