Getaway

I want to get away, I want to fly away!  -Lenny Kravitz

Well, we don't always get what we want. There were no planes, but there was a 24 hour get away for HandyMan and me.  We ran off to Syracuse to play afor a night.  Go karts, bowling, video games and fun adventures were had and amazing GF Chinese food was consumed and a fantastic chocolate dessert was savored.   We woke up when we were ready to and took our time over breakfast.  It was lovely!

Valentines Day in Kindergarten

Valentine's day is one of the 'party' days at school.  GGirl was very excited to make presents for her friends.  That party was all about icecream sundaes.  By the end of the party, there was a room full of sugared happy kids!

Jr. Broomball

What does a Granddad do when there is an empty hallway of floor space in the new condo?  No windows. Nothing breakable.  Order kiddie broooms and wiffle balls.  They had warm-ups today.  The Cousin Bowl is on for Sunday night.

Christmas Gifts

It's always interesting to see what reactions my children will have to the gifts at Christmas. This year MMan was all about opening presents.  He ripped paper enthusiastically and showed varied interest in the contents. When there was nothing left to open, tears ensued.  GGirl loved her gifts that were themed with the princesses of the day (Anna and Elsa).  Less thrilled with clothes, but a gracious recipient, none the less.
This was the first year she was an independent giver.  She bought gifts at Santa's Village at school and enjoyed giving gifts that she had chosen.  She also added colored pictures and drawings to our stockings.  It was a pleasure  to see her find the joy in giving.
Two of my greatest gifts are wearing the bows below.

O Christmas Tree

Today we took a trek after church to find our Christmas tree. GGirl was on a mission to find the perfect tree.  MMan just wanted to try out the saw.  GGirl found the perfect tree and we trundled it home. (Thanks, Baxter's Tree Farm!)

While MMan napped we set it up and started decorating.  I sat on the couch handing ornament after ornament to GGirl, telling her stories that accompanied the memories we were hanging on the tree.  Later as I stepped to the other side of the room, I realized that this is the year of the "front and center" tree.  The year when the kids are big enough to help, and all the ornaments end up front and center on the tree.  :)

We also brought out the Christmas stories and Little People Nativity set.  Both are favorites and GGirl and MMan enjoyed the reunion.

A wonderful way to begin Advent.

Thanksgiving "Feast"

Today was the Thanksgiving Feast day for the kindergarten class, complete with little pilgrims, native Americans and songs, and of course food.  The class announced that the pilgrims had left England looking for religious freedom.   (yay for accurate curriculum!)  They had butter with their feast that the class had made the day before.
~~~
I walk past the berry bush on my morning walk.  The bright berries against the browned weeds and grass made me think of hope.  Hope of a meal in the winter for birds. Hope of new plants in the spring.  Hope.

Valentine's Treats

A couple years back I started the tradition of homemade donuts for Valentine's Day treats.  This year the kids and I enjoyed our treats and unfortunately illness hit the house before we could follow through with the tradition of sharing with friends.  Maybe we'll try again after HandyMan gets home.

Merry Christmas to All!

Dear  Friends!

We hope this note finds you well!  We continue to thrive in upstate New York: HandyMan pastoring, me working from home and being Mom, MMan and GGirl growing and changing by the day.

HandyMan has had a bit more time this year to develop his musical interests in composing and soon recording with a friend.    GGirl started school and is attending a full day preschool program and loves every minute of it!  MMan started walking and that lasted about 30 minutes before he took off running and hasn’t slowed down since!  I have an interest in all-things-natural for our home and has put my bits of free time into learning more.

2014 will start with an adventure as HandyMan will spend 17 days in Ethopia in February.  He is traveling as part of a partnership team with 6 others  through our regional church organization.  He’s excited.  I'm nervous. We’d appreciate your prayers.

This year, our friendships have grown deeper.  Our family is healthy and our children a rich source of reflection by the minute.  Rich Blessings to you in 2014!

That Kind of Dad

I'm a few days late with my tribute to HandyMan for Father's day.  And I wish I could tell you we had a great celebration that reflected what an amazing Dad he is, but alas, the calendar and budget couldn't come close to reflecting all the Dad greatness, so he settled for new swim trunks and rash guard shirt wrapped in a GGirl original gift bag.   

HandyMan is the dad who...

:: Regularly gets up with our little early birds and lets me get a little extra sleep.

:: Takes his Little Shadow (GGirl) with him on many of his projects around our property, and she loves it!

:: Works hard to instill a love of learning in our children.

:: Makes great pies, and is teaching GGirl the art of pie making ans pie-dough snitching

:: Has taken on his share of dirty diapers, without complaint. 

:: Has been up for his share, and sometimes more, of MMan Midnight Parties

:: Works hard and plays hard

:: Loves unconditionally

:: When asked to entertain four, 4 years old and under, while I talked with a friend, he didn't just supervise.   We found him doing laps around the yard with three in the wheelbarrow and one in the backpack.  

:: Can often be found at 7am during the summer months, working in the yard or garden, MMan in backpack and GGirl following right behind.

:: Is quick to help out on the projects of others.

Just to name a few.  I couldn't be more proud of the dad that you are.

Happy Easter & 35 Years

Every seven years or so I share my birthday with Easter. It is such a fun coincidence. It means extra special celebration times with family.  And sometimes it means I get to spread my birthday out a little bit too.

Unlike many, I'm proud if my age.  I'm thankful to be celebrating another birthday in good health.  To celebrate with my steadfast husband and energetic, ever-growing, always-learning children. To touch base with friends and family farther afield that I don't get to see as often.

Highlights of the day included a fantastic birthday card written by GGirl - all by herself!  I also got a musical card that moved MMan to try out his first dance moves.  Absolutely priceless gifts for this Mama!  

It was a great day.  I am so blessed.

Happy Birthday HandyMan

Today is HandyMan's birthday.  When you're a pastor and your birthday falls on Easter Weekend, you get to spread your birthday out a little.  So, some sleeping in and cake today (that will double as dessert for lunch tomorrow) and birthday dinner of his choice will happen next week. 

Today brought a fantastic Easter program at our church for the kids:  egg hunt, story time, games, crafts, and more.  HandMan got to spend the afternoon with GGirl enjoying the activities in "dad" capacity and not tending to  official duties, which they both really enjoyed.

To my children's awesome Dad, amazing Husband and my best friend- HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Egged!

Tonight as I was getting dinner ready GGirl called out from the window "Mommy, our friends from MOPs are out there doing something!"  Because a lot of my MOPs (Mothers of Preschoolers) friends had been posting on Facebook of similar happenings in their yards, I knew what was up:  We were being egged. I shooed GGirl away from the window while I went out to say "hi" to the Ninja Egging Team. 

GGirl was so excited.  She got her fleece and hat on in record time and off she went.  She was particularly thrilled with the pink egg. 

The MOPs group I attend is about thirty-five minutes away from our home.  The gals who organize it are awesome!  Especially the Ninja Leader who took on the expedition into the boonies to egg us.  I sure hope her GPS didn't bring her UP our hill!  Thanks for including us!

**The note left behind read "You've been egged!  There are 12 eggs hidden in your yard.  Enjoy the hunt, but don't be discouraged when you find the empty egg.  It us a simple reminder of Jesus' empty tomb.  He is risen!"**

Happy Valentines Day

Homemade donuts.  Special notes.  Tissue paper flowers.  All intentional expressions of love to mark the day.

...And To All A Good Night

Christmas day is winding down and for our family it has been peaceful and filled with wonderful moments strung together like my favorite white lights on the tree in our yard .  So, the children are all snug in their beds and I've kicked mtly feet up to enjoy some quiet and cocoa and reflect.
A pajama day and brunch-with some near perfect cinnamon rolls.  Scavenger hunts and gifts enjoyed: not rushed.  Unwrapping was interrupted by brunch, visiting, and exploring gifts just opened; following the pace if the children: often forcing the adults to slow down.  While others kept losing their coffee mugs,  I sat, enjoyed mine and took in the morning.  It was magical.
We shared time with friends, saw family near and far through video chats and spoke with others with sounds of children's energy vibrating in the background.
Each conversation enjoyed.  Each discovery savored. Every moment treasured.
May you find the moments to treasure from your Christmas Day.  Merry Christmas!

Sunday Sunshine: Christmas Edition

Practicing contentment by remembering thegraces of the week and practicing gratitude through giving.


Christmas is here.  My life is so full of blessings that are too numerous to count.  The ones that really mean the most during this season are (mostly) the ones that can't be purchased.  


:: The friends who are as close as family and the family who are friends.  Our fall has been filled with these wonderful people and they all mean so much to me.  


:: For our health and our [growing] family.


:: For medical professionals who have great bedside manner and personalities and truly love their work.


:: For a warm house, hot showers and food on the table.


:: For the simplicity of a three-year-old's wonder at the Christmas season.  The tree pictured (although with no snow) is our Christmas tree this year and G proudly tells folks "our Cwissmas twee Ou-SIDE!"  I absolutely love it!  She did point out that it needed a star


:: The flexibility of traditions while children are young.  (Stockings don't HAVE to be opened as soon as you wake up, they can become road trip entertainment!)


:: The JOY that come through contentment during this season that can so easily be overwrought with despair and wants.

Wishing you and yours a very contented, 

JOYFUL Christmas Day!

Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light.” (James 1:16 -The Message) May the light of the Father brighten your week!