Matt's visit home for Christmas

Matt was home for Christmas for almost a whole week - and I could just kick myself that I didn't take more pictures of our Christmas this year. As the kids get older they really don't like me taking pictures... but I should have anyways! I was able to snatch this one as Matt was home this past week. We had some time together as a family this trip and it was so wonderful for me to look around and have my entire family gathered around the table for meals, card games, christmas dinner, sitting all in the same row at church Christmas eve... we also spent time playing poker and watching movies! It was a sweet week. I love my kids so much, and when they are all in one place, I am the happiest I can possibly be.

Matt enjoyed getting re-acquainted with Indy!! And Indy was very very spoiled indeed.

Honey, where's the grape jelly?

This is the question that Danny asked me after looking on all the shelves in the fridge, countless times, and digging through all the contents on each level. He absolutely swore that the jelly was gone - and it was nowhere to be seen! Now I realize that this fridge is really packed with stuff, but the jelly was nowhere to be seen? Really???

Yes, lyme disease does indeed cause brain fog and confusion...

Can YOU see it there???

Chef Daniel strikes again

Chilean sea bass, tilapia and mushrooms in a peanut-soy sauce over green beans and pasta. Topped with carmelized shallots. Need I say more? Ah, yes, I love being married to a man who loves to cook.

A boy and his best friend

I can' t imagine what life for Ryan would be like without Indy. Ryan cares for him, loves him, plays with him, feeds him, sleeps with him every night, and has really taken responsibility all on his own for the overall care of this sweet little dog who returns that love fiercely! I never knew Ryan could be so affectionate and nurturing until I saw him with a puppy.

Can you tell he spoils him sometimes? He does indeed, but when it comes time for discipline or being strict, he can do that too. I can see the makings of a great dad in Ryan.

Hours and hours have been spent playing with Indy, and last week Ryan took all his old Build-a-Bear outfits and tried them on Indy! One was too tight and we couldn't get it off so we had to cut if off! Oh well. The bear didn't need it anymore.

Yeah, Indy is very patient and tolerant with Ryan as well at times... haha

This past week Indy had his surgery and he was just as pitiful as anything I have ever seen. Ryan was so concerned about Indy the morning he went in, that even Ryan's blood draw seemed nothing to him compared to Indy. (normally this would not be the case). The vet told us to call around 2:00 to check on Indy and by 1:30 Ryan was just chomping at the bit, telling us we really should call to make sure he was okay. Believe me, the minute they said we could be there to get him, we were there.

Since then, Ryan has been the one to hold the water bowl up to his mouth, feed him by hand, and wrap his pain medication in cheese to make sure he eats it. He has cared for him, carried him up steps, walked him on the leash (doctors orders), snuggled him, fed him candy canes from the tree through his pitiful cone, and just been the concerned overseer.

I can tell you, there is nothing quite like the love of a boy for his dog.

Christmas Tea

This past week was spent in preparation for a Christmas Tea that we hosted for the 22 wives of the Pastor's College students, plus five other ladies who play a big part in their time here at the Pastor's College. We had several helpers, and so we had 33 ladies here for a tea - including Jeff Purswell's 87 year old mother, who was just a gem! (Jeff is Dean of the College)

I know this is a lot of pictures, but they are all so gorgeous so none of them could be left out! Yet, at the same time, none of them really do justice to the beauty and spirit of the day...

Even Martha Stewart couldn't out-do this centerpiece that Catherine made!!

After seeing this gorgeous, tempting spread of tea sandwiches, scones, cookies and fig cake, I really wanted to be a guest at this tea instead of the hostess!!

This is Catherine Hall (who reminds us so much of Danny's sister Cathy!) and her daughter Claire. She is the mastermind, chef, and decorator of this entire event! She is the queen of hospitality in my opinion, and I have to admit that selfishly I wanted to host this tea just so I could learn from her!

The details were amazing, even down to cranberries frozen in ice cubes to add to the water glasses.

This is just a shot of my Christmas village this year, which I set up on top of the piano. I was able to spread it all out and make it really look like a village! Love it!

This is a shot of our nativity scene in the foyer. I love this representation of the real meaning of Christmas.

"If we could condense all the truths of Christmas into only three words, these would be the words: "God with us." We tend to focus our attention at Christmas on the infancy of Christ. The greater truth of the holiday is His deity. More astonishing than a baby in the manger is the truth that this promised baby is the omnipotent Creator of the heavens and the earth!"
[John F. MacArthur, Jr.]

Hannah Turns Fourteen

I cannot begin to express what a blessing and joy Hannah is to this family. She is so full of life that everything seems empty when she isn't around. She is so compassionate and loving, and her unconditional love is something all of us appreciate every single day. She is quick to forgive, eager to bless, and always puts others before herself. She is truly the most selfless person I know. I want to be just like her when I grow up!

Anyone who spends some time with her sees her humorous view of life, and will find themselves laughing within minutes. She has a spark that is hidden deep in her eyes, and it frequently comes out with a flare. Nobody can say a movie line and deliver it the way Hannah does. She is absolutely the queen of movie lines, and always uses

them at the most appropriate time to generate the most laughter!

This has been a challenging year for her, but I trust that God will soon bring her into good health, and bless her with good sleep, energy and vitality.

She has been pursuing an interest in Japanese and is learning the language in school this year. Yes, this is no small feat. But she is pursuing this with excellence! She has been drawing some anime figures and posting them online with other kids with similar interests on a nintendo website and has had great success and popularity with her flipnotes! She has an amazing art talent that we are so proud of!! I wish I could post some of them here!

So, this year I surprised her with a Japanese themed birthday and decorated with Japanese lanterns, and made a noodle and tea lunch, followed by her favorite anime movies and then Japanese Steakhouse for dinner! It was truly a wonderful day for all of us as we spent the entire day as a family!

I made her favorite cake and had her favorite anime drawing put on it. Yes, it even says "Happy Birthday" in Japanese!... sorta...

I hope this was a memorable birthday for my sweetie. She deserves so much, and there is no way I could ever express to her just how much I love her. Happy 14th birthday my sweet girl...

Christmas Humor

You know how all families have their Christmas traditions and funny stories? And how certain family members seem to get picked on more than others? Well, poor Dad gets the brunt of a lot of teasing in this family.

We went out and got our tree today, so we were discussing the annual tradition of mom and dad giving the kids an ornament each year for Christmas. Let's just say some have been winners, some haven't.

So, around the table, the boys were talking about Christmas ornaments, and Ryan mentioned something about the ornaments that DAD picked out this year. Ryan was with him when he picked them out, so he knows what they are. He sort of hinted to Jacob that he just might be less-than-thrilled about the ornaments this year.

Innocently, Jacob said out loud, "Why, what are they - bulbs?" Well Ryan and I looked at each other and just busted out laughing - he and I both know that is exactly what they are! (we typically tried to pick out something that was a reminder of the year, you know, like a cool Harry Potter, or Spiderman or something, but not usually bulbs).

This conversation just kept escalating, and Jacob unknowingly kept insulting the ornaments - saying things like , "well, it can't be that bad - not like it has glitter on it or something!" which then elicited more laughter. Poor Dad, he just sat there and wondered why on earth he ever picked out these ornaments...

Well, better luck next year dear!! haha