Christmas gifts

I am curious what everyones favorite gifts of the season were this year? It can be practical, spiritual, or sentimental. A little of all the above would be awesome!

I guess my favorite materialistic gift would be Microsoft Office 2007. (someone say "woot") This was awesome because I did not even know there was an Office 2007! I have been suffering along with "Works Word," vaguely hoping to one day have Office 2003, and BAM! I put that 2007 in the computer and wowza! It is sooooo awesome!!! And I especially enjoyed it because it was a complete surprise. Thank-you my Husband.

Sentimentally, I loved the candle from Grace because it was personalized with Hosannas own artistic painting, as well as a picture of my two sweetest grandbabies.

Spiritually, I loved having our "House Church meeting" with my kids there to participate in the sharing and singing and fellowshipping.

So... your turn!

As you ponder what to comment here are some scenes from our Christmas season:

My Christmas surprise this year was Gracie showing up with her younger siblings so I had grandbabies to cuddle and someone to help make scrambled eggs and cinamon rolls. (we thought of you, Bethany, as we enjoyed all the gooey cinamon and sugar)

No Holiday is complete without our whimsical Hannah to keep us smiling

Nerf tag was played throughout the house with Hosanna keeping pace with the boys with as much stealth and muscle as any one of them!

My own surprise "given gift" was a mandolin for Luke. I never expected to find a decent one in our price range and I was praying that the Lord would help me. He did! We found a refurbished number that will make a great starter instrument for our budding musician.

As I stated last post.. son Luke is also Uncle extraordinaire:

Merry CHRISTmas

I had alot of trouble dragging my post-Christmas body out of bed today. *yawn* After all the running and wrapping and fixin's and cookie making and a great time at my Moms and ate ALOT. Yay!

Anyhow.. ignore the lame and unimaginative narration because yeah... the brain is still not fully functioning and I have to get up and clean and prepare for our fellowship group tonight and "second Christmas" tommmorow.

LOTS of food:

I have alot of pictures of Luke and his neice. he has always been a great big brother and now he's a great "big uncle" I love these scenes

Here's a great scene of those famous "Christmas morning looks." Grace and family stayed at Moms as did Charlie and I

Hosanna got a Ukelele from her "Super Grandma and Grandpa" How cute is this? I loved being there to watch Hosannas excitement opening gifts this Christmas!!

Babies put the "Joy" in Christmas!

Tis the season...

to have no time to blog! LOL. Oh wait.. I have no time to write a post about how I have no time to post because I have a kid to pick up from basketball practise and shopping to do for Hubby while he's working. ta-ta for now.. but go ahead and tell me about YOUR Christmas preparations or lack thereof. I want to hear from YOU!!!!

playtime

I will let you enjoy a couple bits and pieces of "Ernestina Scrooge" in which my darling Hannah played the lead role. Yay! Go Hannah!



Luke was a narrator and "Young Bill" He definitley made the role all his own... as you will see:

Band boys and grandkids

We had a great time with Grace, Josh, Hosanna, Zuri, and the band they happened to bring along with them the last few days.
Papa Charlie had a chance to cuddle and read with Hosanna. How sweet!

Sadie Mae had a chance to cuddle (and chew on) the boys in the band. I think this is Chris.
This is Cycle down. yay. I was busy helping with Hannah and Lukes play and didn't get to hear them play at t he youth center across the street, but they were a nice bunch of guys who made thier beds when they left so they are welcome anytime. :-)
Without the band boys around to entertain her, Sadie immediatley began plotting which piece of furniture she should chew on next.

Thanks, God!

For a house full of Fantastic Christian friends who shared a meal with us the day before Thanksgiving

For a Husband who cooked and cleaned and supports and loves me all the time
And for somehow ending up with the three most wonderful daughters on planet earth, as well as two grandaughters and two sons not pictured here

I am thankful for Gods provision of good and kindhearted husbands for these daughters

I am thankful for my sisters and brothers who have proven to me that blood is indeed, thicker than water. Not pictured is my sis-in-law Debbi who has been a true friend and comrade and an understanding ear and compassionate advisor in my exiled days. Thanks Debbi!
I am thankful for this (blurry) score and the chance to see it on the board, in person, at Ford Field November 21st:
And thankful for a chance to watch the game with my kids and share in the excitement of a well deserved STATE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR FOREST PARK!!!
which includes #89 By far, by far the smallest player on the field with by far, by far, the biggest heart on the field!

Hannah Gets all the Attention:

I had a GREAT time having my beloved middle child with me ALL weekend!! We visited NMU and saw a play at the college, went shopping, out to dinner, hung out at home watching TV and playing cribbage. We also attended Lukes football game. They won!! woot! We're heading downstate for Fridays STATE CHAMPIONSHIP!!

But for now.. more of my Belle:Ain't she purty?

and listen to her rock the house: (this video is a little long. It took FOREVER to process)



But best of all was listening to my kiddos practise worship for Sunday:

See. Hannah does have a softer side. :-)

Luke is doing great on guitar too, but it's all about Hannah for now.

A Superior Game

It is that time of year when all good Trojan football players go to the dome for regionals. MY favorite Trojan was there suited up to play although he is just a recovering JV player. AND he got to play and was a great "hit man." watch #89

Oh yeah! And they won by... ummm... alot! One more win and we'll be at Ford Field after Thanksgiving!

I was very happy to be the chosen vessel to take Grace and Zuri to thier 6-week midwife appointment!

Zuri wasn't so sure about this weigh-in contraption. It was so cute the way she grabbed a hold of it! She now weighs 8lbs 2oz. That's 4oz less than Grace weighed at birth

However it was a VERY long ride home when the snow started coming down and the wind started blowing. It took an hour to travel about 20 miles. I was considering a hotel room when the temperature seemed to rise and the road became wet and visible instead of the three foot visibility I had previously been driving in! We made it home safely only to leave and head up north in similiar harrowing conditions! Oi Vey!

UPDATE:

Now that I am watching TiVo'd episodes on TV I see there were "severe winter storm warnings" for the area we were driving in. Todays paper reports there were 15 car accidents last night. "A few rollovers, but most were cars sliding off the road." Say Ya to da U.P. eh?

Can you feel the love?

Sadie Mae has been very busy making new friends:

Sadie and Zach:

Sadie and Hosanna:

Sadie and Rena and Abby:

The fan club is growing!

Cutest grandbaby!

What's weird here is that I could only upload this picture for some reason?? But, hey, if you can only put one picture on a blog it may as well be of the sweetest baby in the world: Zuri Shaddai

Gotcha Day!!!

She's here!!!

All 3lb and 6oz of fluffy puppy love!! We had a great trip to Holton Mi (near Muskegon) in fantastic fall colors! We thought it appropo that little Miss Sadie Mae lived in Michigans Amish Country, considering she is named for the elderly amish woman who made the quilt we bought in Lancaster County, Pa. We even saw an Amish buggy on the way!

We met her mother. A cute red Aussie named (wouldn't ya know?) Sadie. Mom likes people and getting her picture taken

Baby Sadie was able to enjoy one last romp with her brothers and sisters before they wished her congratulations and sent her off with Gods blessing.

This is Sadies older sister, (10 months old) Dolly. It was great to meet Dolly because she is a full sister to Sadie and we could get a good feel of what Sadie will look like and her character. Dolly is just a wondeerful, obedient, and loving family dog! She's pictured with one of the toy chihuaha pups the family also breeds. And I thought I'd add this picture just because.. well.. it's pretty darn cute too! Don't cha think?

nutin' much

So what is new?

Today is just a rainy day and Charlie headed off to work. I am going to paint dressers and go to the YMCA to swim and take a Step-aerobics class. Ah, too much excitement, eh? I may even go to Wal*Mart.. just cuz I can.

We are expecting our new baby! Here is her latest picture (6 weeks) :

Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. we will meet our little girl, as well as her biological parents, siblings, and various Kennel mates. Then we'll bring her home. I can't wait!
Okay.. I am lame. I am getting all happy about Sadie and made her a little profile on dog Channel: http://www.dogchannel.com/blog/viewbio.aspx?apid=43713

Happiness is a Cute baby Australian Terrier.

This is our little "Sadie Mae" who is waiting for us to pick her up October 20th.
Sorry Kenny.. but naming her after your street just ain't doing it for us. However.. I am sure she would be happy to keep up with Smarty from her own little "spot" someday.

Things that make me :-) when I am :-(

Luke Catching a Football:

Hosanna Beating Hannah in a running race:

Singing Happy Birthday to Charlie... who is enjoying the cookie dough I made. (not Papa Murphys BTW)

Grace enjoying her new baby Zuri:

Hmmm.. not sure why they did not come through as clear as they should. (?)

Gammy-Hood Part 2

Welcome to the world baby Zuri Shaddai.
Grace; You did an amazing job!!!
The pictures speak for themselves:

Precious