A Short but Sweet Weekend with Friends.

We had the blessing of being able to travel up to Michigan to visit with friends.  We miss our friends so much and sure enjoyed the chance to have the kids play together and to catch up.  

The kids have had many "picnics" on the floor together, and this time was no different.  :)  

Milan has been playing the violin for a year now...and is doing SO well.  We were all amazed to hear her play.  I'm so excited to see how God uses this gift that He has given her for His glory!  

Becky, Julia (baby girl in the oven), and Amber...best of friends.  Love these girls so much.  

Julia and I

They love to pull each other around in this toy wagon.  

This picture makes me happy and sad at the same time.  

What a pair these girls are!

Silly faces!!

It was hard to be in Michigan and not get to so many people that we love and miss so much.  But we did enjoy our short stay so much and are thankful for these friendships.  

Christmas Cookie Making Day

It was so fun to be able to get the kids together for a cookie baking day.  I made the dough ahead of time and the kids rolled and cut the shapes.  Here they are so excited to get started.  

 Bubby

 Mr. Ethan

 and Hannah

They finally have dough in their hand and they are ready to go...

I love the seriousness on each one of their faces

 snowman!

 Nana came to help too!  

 Now for the best part...decorating...

 ...and EATING!

 Finished products  

All together...a super fun day!

Happy Homemaker Monday {January 14}

 It's been so long since I've done a Happy Homemaker Monday post. I'm sitting at the computer working, so I thought I'd make a post! :)

The Weather:
50 degrees and cloudy

Right now I am: 
Well, right now I'm on the computer and working on a project. Before that I just put in a load of diapers :).

Thinking:
About starting dinner pretty soon.  Glad that it's easy prep tonight.       

On my reading pile:::
Twelve Extraordinary Women of the Bible: How God Shaped Women of the Bible, and What He Wants to Do With You by John MacArthur It's been a blessing to study the lives of these extraordinary women with two of my dearest friends.  We live in 3 different states, so I'm so thankful that we have been able to continue studying God's Word together on a weekly basis over the phone.  

Fit to Burst:  Abundance Mayhem, & the Joys of Motherhood by Rachel Jankovic  
I loved her book Loving the Little Years  so I was thrilled when she came out with this new book this year.  It's been a great read so far.  She's hitting me right between the eyes, it's very convicting and challenging yet encouraging at the same time.

On my tv:::
Hubs and I are loving "Downton Abbey"!  

I've also been enjoying Market Warriors.  It's fun to see the team buy and sell antiques.  

Favorite Blog post this week (mine or other):::
A Promise to Live By and encouraging blog post from John Piper

Something fun to share:::
My hubs has been getting back into his art.  He just finished a project of a house painting for friends and he's currently working on developing some watercolor nursery decor.  He's planning to open an etsy shop in the future.  It's excited to see him using his talent!

On the menu for this week:::
Monday - fried chicken, augratin potatoes and green beans  
Tuesday - Busy Day Pork Chops, stuffing, veggie 
Wednesday - Turkey Bacon Cheddar Sandwiches, smiley face french fries, carrot sticks 
Thursday - Black Bean & Corn Taco Bake with salad 
Friday - pizza casserole
Saturday -  Pretzel Crusted Honey Mustard Chicken, green beans, rice
Sunday - leftover buffet

On my to do list:::
Laundry - two loads to put away and a load of cloth diapers 
preschool with Hannah 
dishes 
photo project
menu plan, clip/file coupons, grocery list
What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
Finishing up a scarf for Hannah...just a few more rows.  Can't wait to see it on her!

Homemaking Tips:::
Make your own laundry detergent:  It cost almost nothing and cleans great.  I don't have to cook it on the stove and it makes one small batch at time, which I like.  Grate one bar of Ivory soap and mix it with 1 c. borax, and 1 cup washing soda...it's as easy at that.

Looking around the house:::
I started this post this afternoon and am finishing it this evening.  The house is quiet and picked up (mostly).  There are a few books still laying on the coffee table and Market Warriors on the TV. 

From the camera:::

love this pic of Bubby and his Puppy

On my prayer list:::
Praying for the sale of our house.  
Praying for many who are sick and recovering from surgery. 

Bible verse, Devotional:::
"Behold, the Lord God comes with might,
    and his arm rules for him;
behold, his reward is with him,
    and his recompense before him."
Isaiah 40:10

My little Christmas Star and Shepherd

The kids loved being a part of the Christmas program at our church.  Hannah was a little star and sang "Twinkle, Twinkle, Christmas Star".  She did a great job.  

 At rehearsal the weekend of the program, Isaac decided that he wanted to join in.  He was a little Shepherd.  I didn't know if he would actually do it come the real performance.  He got up for the first part, but didn't make it through the whole thing.  I think the fingers in his mouth is his nerves, but he swayed back and forth to the song that he kids sang..it was very cute.  

Live Nativity

We loved getting to see a live Nativity this year with the kids.  Ethan and Hannah were especially enthralled with it.  How fun to them to get to "meet" the characters of the Christmas story and see it come to life!  

It was a little drizzly that night, so it was nice to have a tent to wait in...

 First we met Isaiah who prophesied of the coming of Christ   

 and King Herod

 he gave the kids gold coins to try to lure them back to bring him more information about the Christ child.  

 The wise men studying the stars 

 looking for a place to stay in Bethlehem  

 Finally, we found Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus!  

Isaiah 9:6 "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

A Winter Day with Pop, Nana, and Uncle J

Back at the beginning of the month we were able to take some of our teenagers to a local homeless shelter for a service project.  We made over 130 beds to be slept in that night.  We folded towel and pajamas and scrubbed walls.  As I laid out each cot and tucked in each sheet I couldn't help but be thankful the warm bed that I would be going home to that night.  We are so blessed...and thankful for how God has provided for our every need.  My dad was kind enough to meet us at the shelter and take the kids home for the day...what a blessing!  The kids were blessed to be able to spend the day with their grandparents, and we were blessed to have focused time serving with the teens.  

Mom and Dad took the kids to a Christmas play and out for lunch.  We met up with them later in the day and enjoyed a horse drawn wagon ride.  

Later that night we got to go on a date night with Beth and Adam to see the cake boss and then out for coffee....what a blessing to have time with family!!

Puppy Love

Ever since our move, this Puppy has gone everywhere with Isaac.  This is the first "lovey" that he chose for himself (aside for his beloved blankie).  He doesn't go anywhere without Puppy.  They play together, snuggle together, travel together, and get tucked into bed together at night.  At bedtime, Isaac lays on his back and lays Puppy face up on his chest.  Then we cover Isaac and Puppy together...it's pretty cute.  Anyway, Kimberly gave Isaac his Puppy on our moving day (she gave Hannah a pink kitty who she affectionately calls Caterina).  Isaac and Hannah held their Puppy and Kitty the whole drive to our new home and haven't let go since. Both were former stuffed animals of Kimberly's...it was such a sweet "good-bye" gift that she gave them...and I think it helped make their transition a little bit smoother....they haven't let go of them since.  :)