Pictures from Christmas

Here are a few pictures from last week. My sister and brother-in-law both had to work on Christmas Eve, although my sister only had to work a half day. My sister's mother-in-law usually watches Kailyn but my mom took her for the morning so she and Noah could play together. They made a gingerbread house and Kailyn hosted a tea party in the playroom upstairs.
My mom was the first victim of the tiara and feather boa. Kailyn, dressed in her stylish purple cat glasses, took frequent trips to the "store" (bedroom across the hall) for necessities such as ice cream and also to Home Depot for wood.

She dressed me in a fireman's hat and sweet '80s glasses.

Even Uncle Tim joined in although he was able to escape costume.

I think Ellie was disappointed the food wasn't real. It's her first tea party, though!

This was the best picture I could get of the three of them on Christmas day. I wish Ellie's teeth would come through so she wasn't such a waterfall of drool.

We actually went to the beach in Grand Haven for a few minutes on Sunday. Ellie and I stayed in the car while Tim tried to take Noah for a closer look at all the ice. They didn't last long. It was a very cold day. The waves were much bigger than we thought they would be although you can't tell from this picture.

New Blog!

My good college friend, Jen, and I decided to start a blog. It's meant to be one of accountability for a healthy lifestyle. Whether to you that means weight loss, exercise, healthy eating or whatever - it encompasses all of them.
We decided that we're tired of sitting around talking about how we wish we could lose weight, tone up, eat better, etc. Yet we realize that accomplishing these things are easier when you have someone alongside you. We assumed others probably feel the same way, so why not all connect together over this world wide web?
You set a goal. For instance, my goal is to work out three times a week. Every day that I work out I'll leave a comment on that day's post saying what I did for exercise. This way, because I know that Jen is going to expect me to reach my goal, she is holding me accountable even if it's not in person.
We're also going to feature recipes, healthy snack ideas, exercise tips and whatever else is suggested by people participating with us.
It's kind of like a Weight Watchers or fitness program except that it is free.
Are you trying to lose weight or lead a healthier lifestyle, too? Most people choose some type of health related New Years Resolution. If you are, too, join with us at Beyond Bottles and Burpcloths! If you know others who could use some encouragement, motivation and accountability, tell them too!
I just posted for the first time today and haven't had a chance to really work on the layout and set-up so excuse us as we navigate our way through this for a couple weeks.

Tasty Treat Tuesday

Like my Triple-T title?
Noah and I have stumbed upon a yummy and healthy snack this week that I thought I would share. You'll need an apple, peanut butter, honey, oats and an apple corer.
1. Core the apple, making sure to leave it whole (for instance - don't use the corers that also slice the apple.)
2. Mix some peanut butter, honey and oats together. I don't have measurements because I just eyeball all of it and use more or less of certain items. Your goal is to have enough to fill the space left by the core of the apple....leading to the next step...
3. Fill the middle of the apple with the peanut butter mixture. Pack it in tight.
4. Slice the apple crosswise.
Voila! Apple rings with a yummy middle.
This snack can be messy and it might take a couple times making it before you get the right combo and everything. The first time we made it I didn't stuff the middle enough and so when I sliced it, the filling pretty much fell out of the rings. In this case, we just scooped up the mixture with our apple slices and enjoyed it just the same!

Pop!

We had a pretty great Christmas. Just one piece of exciting news from the past week - my sister is pregnant. Some of you may remember me posting and asking for prayer back in September as she miscarried. She has a daughter who is two years old. Kailyn was a high-risk pregnancy, and after the miscarriage, Stephanie's doctor is again paying close attention to her. She is now 7 weeks along and has already had two appointments, an ultrasound and has another appointment this coming week. Things are looking great so far and she is feeling very sick, which is always a blessing and a curse when you're experiencing it.
Tim and I were able to go on a date Tuesday night. It was the best part of the entire week I think. We used some Christmas money to go to dinner at Tomato Brothers, one of our favorite restaurants. They have the best breadsticks you will ever taste. It was soooo good. Before dinner we went over to the outlet mall and I updated my wardrobe thanks to some birthday money. I haven't clothing shopped for myself since the weekend I found out I was pregnant with Ellie, so that was a long time ago. I did go once at the beginning of my pregnancy to get a couple shirts but that was it. Anyways, we found some great deals at the outlet mall and I came home with three sweaters, a long sleeve shirt, a tank top for next summer (or to wear under a sweater or cardigan now), and a cami. I know money doesn't buy happiness...but it sure boosts the self-esteem when you can wear some clothes that aren't covered in spit up or have holes.
Christmas day was beautiful weather. We spent some time sledding, riding snowmobiles, playing in the snow and inside we played the Wii and visited. I beat my sister in bowling but my mom killed me in tennis. She does have an advantage since it's her Wii.
My birthday was yesterday. The big 2-8. The older I get, the less exciting my birthday is. It just becomes like any other day. Tim really tried, though, to make it feel like it was a day off for me. He insisted on getting the kids' breakfasts, cleaning up, etc. so that I could just sit and do what I wanted. Unfortunately, my dad had to work and my mom had come down with the flu and had quarantined herself to their room in the basement so it felt kind of weird but that's ok. We came back home in the afternoon and met the Nashes for dinner at Applebee's. They gave me a great birthday present - some food from Trader Joe's (I have never been to one so Jeana was giving me a "preview" for when I get a chance to get over to the one in Ann Arbor) and the Sara Groves' Christmas CD, which is great! It really is a wonderful CD. After the kids went to bed last night Tim let me pick what movie to watch. We had borrowed "Music & Lyrics" from Matt and Jeana awhile ago and hadn't watched it yet so I picked that one. It was cute. It's one of those movies that's good for snuggling up with the one you love, but don't expect it to lead to any thought-provoking discussions. Just a cutesy movie. However, I will confess that I do love '80s music and, as a result, I will leave you with this clip from the movie. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

We leave tomorrow morning to spend the rest of the week at my parents' house. I will probably take a break from the internet to enjoy time with family and friends so I just wanted to jump on real quick tonight and wish everyone a wonderful and merry Christmas.

May it be filled with laughter and love.

Remember the true reason we celebrate - not for presents or Santa Claus or an excuse to eat another huge meal with lots of cookies and desserts. Every Christmas morning since I was young the first thing I do when I wake up is sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. I have started this tradition with Noah as well. Take the time to marvel in the precious baby that came to offer us salvation.

I'm looking forward to sharing with you a fun announcement when I return (no - I am not pregnant or moving or any big life change!)

On a side note, the tree we had this year was free from the realtor who we worked with in buying our house. It is my favorite tree that we have ever had and, sadly, because we travel for our holidays we actually took it down tonight. We always have the only tree thrown outside before Christmas day. It's quite pathetic.

Merry Christmas!

We WISH You A Merry Christmas

Today was Noah's Christmas program at preschool. My parents drove over for the morning to watch and then visit and have lunch afterwards. Tim took the morning off work to go to it. Actually, he and all the other dads were there. I think just about every kid had grandparents there as well. For there being 15 kids in the classroom they really had a packed out audience in the church sanctuary (his preschool is at a local church.)

I was a bit nervous before they started. After all, this was his first performance. I wasn't sure if he was going to run out and sit with us instead of participating, if he would stand there and cry, or stand there and do nothing or if he would soak it all up.

He soaked it up.

By the last two songs he was belting them out. I really don't mean singing, just yelling the words at the top of his lungs. I like the little girl next to him that just enjoyed jumping up and down. All the kids did great. No tears. After the first song, there was a kid who thought they must be done so he started running to his parents but they said, "No, go back up" and he did. He kind of had a "Oh, yeah. I forgot" look on his face.

We had cookies and punch afterwards and were given the Christmas presents our kids made us. Noah presented us with a medium size pretzel coated in glitter. Tim hates glitter and the mess it makes in the house so he whispered to me to ask if we had to bring it in the house. Of course! What was he thinking? Sure enough we got home and hung it on the tree and, thank God for the tree skirt, because there is a good size pile of glitter underneath where the pretzel is hanging. But Noah is so proud of it and I am so proud of him.

And, yes, between the emotions of Christmas and watching my little boy get older and PMS, I did actually cry during their first song. In a discreet way, of course.

They opened by walking up the aisle ringing their little bell wreaths and singing "Jingle Bells." They then sang it again after they were positioned up front.

This next video is not the best visual quality but is so that you can hear Noah. He's the loud one.

Dear Fitting Room Mirror

Dear Fitting Room Mirror,
I do not like the games you play. It should be your job to make me look good when I am trying on clothes. Yesterday you failed miserably.
The moment I walked in with my three shirts I knew it was not going to be a fun time. I looked in the mirror and my face looked horribly pale and dark were the circles under my eyes. You made me look washed out in the first sweater and chunky in the second. Is it possible to even have that chub there? I thought to myself. Let's not even talk about the third shirt.
How is it that I could try on that first sweater the day before and it looked great? Then when I come back to use my gift card it looks blah? I am glad I tried the sweater on again since you are apparently lied to me the first time. Or maybe you lied to me last night.
What is with your lighting? It made me look sickly. I cannot possibly look like that in real life. I won't accept it.
My husband had just been telling me the day before that it looked like I was losing weight and when he hugged me I felt thinner. I had been feeling thinner as well when my jeans started to hang a bit. You did not get this memo apparently.
Now it is possible this is not all your fault. I am supposed to have a "visitor" coming soon and in preparation of the arrival I have been eating a bit more sweets than usual. I believe there might be some bloating as well as my jeans have been feeling a wee bit snug. But, really, can't you lie to me a little?
I'll be back, Fitting Room Mirror. This isn't over.
Sincerely,
A Disgruntled Woman

It's True!

When we were on our way home last week my good friend, Kelly, called and I was able to chat with her for awhile (not much else to do while you're riding in the car.) She said she had thought of me because she was listening to Midday Connection and Sara Groves was on it. The host was interviewing her about her new Christmas CD and they were playing songs from it as well. Kelly said she laughed and cried and loved it and that I needed to listen to it in the archives when I got home.
Last Thursday during the kids' naptime while I started my Fetching (see photo in post below) I listened to it. I laughed and cried and loved it. I loved it so much I listened to it again the next day during their naptime, after I listened to the interview with Fernando Ortega about his Christmas CD (also worth the time.) I then made Tim listen to it with me that night.
Yes, I am slightly obsessive when I find something that really gets me. What's your point? It's like when you put a song you like on repeat when there is a whole CD waiting to be listened to.
Anyways...
One song in particular really got me. I cry every time I listen to it. So I think you should to.
Click on the link.
"It's True" by Sara Groves

Do you ever stop to take the time and be truly in awe of what God has done for us? That He loves us SO much He would come to find us? I think so often we think of God as one of us, as our equal or just one of the gang. He came to be among us, yes, but He is not one of us. We underestimate His glory anymore.
In today's "seeker-sensitive" church culture I think we have taken away the wonder of God. We want Him to be user-friendly and fit our wants and desires. Have we forgotten that He is ruling over us in Heaven? He is so awesome that He cannot even show Himself to us in His true form. He was a burning bush when He spoke with Moses. When Isaiah sees just a vision of God, he has to use the word "like" because he does not even know how to describe His beauty and power. There are no words to describe Him in our language.
Don't belittle our God.
Don't take away from who He is.
Yet be in awe of Him.
His glory.
His beauty.
His mercy.
His love.
His forgiveness.
Then think of the fact that this awesome, wonderful, glorious God came to find you. He wants you to be with Him for eternity. He wants to adopt you in to His family.
Your jaw should be hitting the floor.
Your heart should beat a little faster.
It's ok to be teary or choked up.

It's true!

*If you want to listen to the Midday Connection program with Sara Groves' interview, click here.*

Photo Catch-Up

Here are some photos from our trip to Virginia over Thanksgiving weekend, as well as a couple extras.Luke and Noah in the parking circle for the EPA building.Noah building a tower in the Invention at Play section in the Smithsonian Museum of American History.Ellie's opinion of the whole thing.

My silly nephews, Owen and Cameron, on either side of Carter.

I had the chance to meet my blog friend, Daniella, while we were there. She and her family live not too far from Tim's family members.

Noah taking Daniella's daughter, Charlie, for a spin. She hopped right on behind him!
When we got home, Tim spent the next day washing his paint dropcloths before starting his next job. He hung them over the canopy of the guest room bed to dry and Noah and Ellie thought it was fun playing peek-a-boo with him through the cloths. OK, I love my daughter, but doesn't her head look big here - like it's the same size as Noah's or something? It must be just the picture, though, because although her head is in a high percentile, it's not as big as her older brother's!

And aren't these just Fetching? Actually, that's what they're called. This was my practice one so I could get a feel for the pattern and especially because I've never attempted cable-knit before (which turned out to be easier than I thought!.) I LOVED working on this project. I want to use a different yarn next time and now I know what needs to be done differently (as in, it should be longer on my hand.) Thanks for turning me on to the pattern, Rachel!

I Love a Giveaway!

Go to this blog for a chance to WIN some Land's End prizes. Winners choose from a cashmere sweater, rolling duffel bag or kid slippers. I love free things although I'm not usually good at winning things like this. Random selections don't usually fall on me but maybe they will you! You just have to leave a comment on the post of what item you would pick.

Simplicity

Yesterday was the youth group girls' Christmas party. We held it at my house and combined the jr. high and high school groups; this made it easier on the female leaders: Mandy, Elisabeth and myself. We decorated cookies, had a gingerbread house making contest (high school won!), ate a Christmas dinner of roast, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and rolls and then went caroling.
Eleven girls and three leaders went marching down my street stopping at any house with lights on inside to sing a Christmas song and then yell "Merry Christmas" before heading to the next one. I wasn't sure what to expect. I've never really caroled in a neighborhood, just nursing homes. Do we knock first or just start singing? Will they open their doors?
A few did. The first house we stopped at was my neighbor's. She is a very nice older woman. I think she didn't know what to make of us because she peeked through her drapes but never actually opened anything. Slightly discouraged we went to a house across the road that belongs to the grandparents of a friend of mine.
Her grandpa opened the door and listened while we sang. He thanked us when we finished and watched as we headed to the next house. We had no response from the next house but then the house after, an older woman came to her door and listened. She also thanked us and kept her door open to listen as we walked to the next house. A woman and her young son came to the door, opened it and then disappeared. A moment later she returned with her husband who joined in as we sang "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." He told us how great it was we were caroling and thanked us. We went to a few houses after his, only getting response from one more.
I got teared up at one of the houses, with the elderly woman, as I realized how sad it is that no one knows how to respond to this anymore. First of all, most of the girls in my youth group are either involved in choir or band. They practiced while they were making cookies, deciding who would take lead and who would sing harmony, etc. and sounded absolutely beautiful. I did not sing most of the time because it would have tainted their angel voices. A few held candles (mostly so we could see the song lyrics) and it was like a painting as big snowflakes fell around us. I hope my mental snapshot keeps for a long time.
When we returned we read the Christmas story and talked about what Christmas means to each of us, what the things are that excite us during this time. Most of them said the presents, which doesn't surprise me given their ages. A few lamented the fact their parents said they would be scaling back this year. Mandy and I (Elisabeth had left by this point so she could put her son to bed) reminded them of the importance of Christmas and told them how much we enjoyed the simplicity of it this year due to economic times.
Simplicity.
I love it.
I love that this year I am not stressed out about what to buy for people because most of our family members are not buying gifts for one another. We simply can't. Tim and I cashed in some points from our bank accounts to get a couple gift cards for each other. It was free. We'll spend $5 on each of our kids and that's it. Some may think we're cheap. I don't care. Our kids aren't really hurting for any toys right now as it is. I want to start early in showing them that this season is not about getting things they want. We do love to give gifts, but we aren't going to send ourselves into debt to do it. I want to teach them to be genuinely thankful, not just to say the words.
One of my youth group girls wailed to me yesterday about how we don't have a TV. "Does Noah even know who Dora is?" she asked. I told her that he does and that he prefers Diego. "What about Backyardigans?" she fought back. I told her that he loves his backyard friends, the Backyardigans and watches them at my parents' house. She continued to ask me how we watch certain shows and I told her that there are some we just don't. We have our few favorites that we watch online but that's it. During the winter we seem to spend more time reading, watching movies, I knit, Tim falls asleep on the couch...it's a much quiter time for us.
We like it that way. We spend so much of our time going, going, going. Winter is our time to hibernate in a sense. I'm sure part of is the weather and the fact no one wants to drag their kids out and about when it's cold and snowy. So we spend more time with those in our household reconnecting and enjoying each other.
How can you simplify your life right now? Do you need to? Can you think of the last time you spent an evening sitting on the couch with your spouse talking about your dreams in life or reminiscing about the good old days before kids? =) Tim and I sometimes play a game where we ask each other questions about ourselves to see if the other can answer. It varies from things like "What is my favorite color?" to "What was my favorite vacation that we took together?" or "What do I want to be when I grow up?" As people we are always growing and changing and what might have been our favorites at what time, aren't anymore. Tim and I want to continue to know each other. We don't want to be the people who become empty nesters and look at each other to say "Who are you?"
Take some time to simplify this year. You won't be sorry that you did but you might be sorry if you don't.

Does it bother anyone else...

that Obama picked Jennifer Granholm to be one of his economic advisors?
Seriously - the woman who has helped run the state of Michigan into the ground?
Bad move.

Loads of Fun

Whew! We are on the road from Virginia to Ohio right now. I love having an Internet card because we pretty much plug it into the laptop and can use it wherever we have cell phone reception. Because we have Alltel - which has awesome reception - I am using my internet in the mountains. Nice. It is kind of my escape at the moment while the kids are napping in the back and Tim is singing along with the blaring Relient K music.

We had a great Thanksgiving weekend. This was our first Thanksgiving without a big feast. Wednesday we traveled to my in-laws' house in Ohio. Thursday we had turkey sandwiches and cranberry sauce for lunch and then hit the road for Virginia. We arrived at Tim's cousin's house shortly after 7:00. We let Noah run around for a little bit with their son, Carter, and then it was bedtime. Noah likes having boys to play with because it's all about tag, trains, trucks and motorcycles.

On Friday we went into DC with Jeremy, Carrie, and their boys (Carter, Luke & Brayden.) Carrie's dad is the director of the Environmental Protection Agency and he hooked us up so that we could park in his parking circle. It was free and close to the things we were planning to see - perfect. Carrie took us inside to show us her dad's office and we ate our picnic lunch in there (since the weather turned out to be cold and dreary) and fed Ellie as well. That was fun. You feel like you're in the movie "National Treasure" while you're in there...like there are secret passages and all sorts of things hidden around you. Originally the plan was to tour the White House but Carrie got a call a couple days before saying that they would be decorating for Christmas and so we couldn't come. Bummer. Oh, well. After finishing lunch we walked down to get a picture at least.

We also went to the Museum of American History. I love that the Smithsonian museums are free. I hate that they are free. It is great not having to pay, but everyone and their brother are there as well and it is crowded. We made it through the Innovation and Play section and the history of Transportation section and then called it a day. That particular museum had just opened a few weeks before from being closed for awhile for renovation.

Saturday was crazy busy. That morning Jeremy and Carrie held a brunch at their house. Jeremy's brother, Jonathan, and his family (wife and four kids) came over. Tim's sister, Kristen, and her family (husband and four boys) - in from Tennessee - came over. Thirteen kids. Under the age of eight. Chaos. Fun. I love it even though by the end I'm totally wiped out. Ellie kept spitting up that day. It was my first day giving her peaches so I don't know if her tummy was getting used to them or what. She had a gigantic spit up session while Jon's wife, Shelley, was holding her. It's a good thing Ellie was facing out with her back against Shelley's stomach so she didn't get her, just the floor. After it happened I grabbed a burp cloth, Carrie grabbed paper towel and Shelley stood there with Ellie while we cleaned up around her. It dawned on me at that moment how obvious it is that we are parents because none of us freaked out like childless people would have. No gag reflexes, just calm and control like it's part of the norm. Because it is. We had about a two hour break between everyone leaving and then having to leave for Tim's grandma's 90th birthday party, which was the whole reason we were down there.

Tim's aunt is not known for doing things half-heartedly and the party was more evidence of such. She had it catered and the food was fantastic! Chicken marsala, mashed potatoes that you could put baked potato toppings on if you so desired, crispy green beans, squash, beef tips, and for the kids - chicken strips and macaroni-n-cheese. Two more kids were thrown into the mix from earlier with the arrival of another cousin so there were now fifteen kids under the age of eight running around. Randy and Deidra unfortunately had to cancel their travel plans at the last minute because Wyndham woke up with a stomach bug that morning. We were all pretty bummed and missed them. Tim's cousin, Andrew, has a son that couldn't make it either. Everyone else was there and it was pretty amazing to have even that many people be able to make it. Grandma was excited and held up pretty well for a ninety-year old woman sitting in the middle of a tornado of people.

After getting home, the kids went straight to bed and Tim and I stayed up for awhile chatting with Jeremy and Carrie. We really enjoy spending time with them so that was nice.

Sunday was Luke's birthday and the departure of family members as well from VA. Tim and I wanted to give Jeremy and Carrie some family time for Luke's birthday so the day worked out nicely as we went back to his aunt's house to visit with his sister before they left for Tennessee. After a nice lunch of leftovers we headed into an area outside of DC to meet Daniella, someone I randomly "met" through Angie Smith's blog. We have corresponded back and forth and she invited us over when she found out we would be in the area. She is married with an adorable toddler daughter. We were a bit nervous beforehand - I mean, who really gets a chance to actually meet people they have come to know through blogworld? When we were driving back to Jeremy and Carrie's that evening, Tim made the comment that he wished they lived in our area because they were really nice people that you can feel easy and comfortable with. Thanks for a fun visit, Daniella!

We made it back for the kids to play for a little bit before bedtime and then we adults chatted again for a bit. Tim and I finally dragged ourselves to bed to be able to have some energy for our travels today. We are currently traveling through Pittsburgh and approaching a tunnel. Noah is excited.

I have photos but will have to post them later because most of them are not on our laptop yet. For now, though, I can leave you with one that I had already put on here a couple days ago.

Thanks Jeremy and Carrie for an AWESOME stay! We had a blast.