The Perfect Picture?

I thought I'd post some of our attempts at a picture for Christmas cards. I was naive to think it wouldn't be that hard!

Try It!

Does this look good to you? Imagine it nice and hot, right out of the oven. Mmmm... I think it is called Cool Rise French Bread- easy and delicious. Check out the recipe and the blog!
Kayla and I made it together yesterday- she loves to help in the kitchen. Then we shared it at dinner with Granny. One whole loaf- gone by the end of our meal! The other loaf ended up being too big for the pan. Jack dubbed it the "dragon bread."

Snow!

Yay! Snow! What a treat!
What smiles it brings to little faces.

A Harvest at Home

We've really had a nice, if not delightful even, day. School went well this morning, everyone was kind of in their own rhythm, even Samuel. It flurried off and on, which is always exciting and makes for a great day in itself. The kids and I made chocolate chip cookies- perfect when you are cozy and warm inside. Actually, I guess just Kayla and I baked- Jack changed his mind and asked us to call him when the cookies were done. Samuel had a few new words today-boo, Mimi, mouse, and Papa. Four in one day-he'll talk yet!
Dinner just made me thankful for other people's gardens and efforts at canning. And of course their generosity. Baked apples and green beans-yum!
Jack and I ran out to the grocery for milk tonight-in the snow. He was thrilled to be in his coat and gloves and catching snowflakes on his tongue. He couldn't get over how much it was snowing. Really, it's the pretty kind that doesn't stick. He won't know what to do with himself when we get the first big snow!
It feels like a harvest all the way around today.

Smile!

You just have to smile, don't you?
By the way, I have no idea why goggles on a walk in November...

Quiet

I can hear Jack upstairs reading to Kayla in her bed. Samuel wasn't asleep yet so Jack asked if he could read in Kayla's room. That turned into him reading to her. I love it. I wish you could hear those little voices. Why is it that they can fuss and feud all day but something about bedtime turns their hearts towards kindness and calm?
I have come to cherish the quiet. Whenever it comes. Early, early in the morning and late in the evening. Time to just think, read, rest. Not that I don't love the activity of the day but there is something about the quiet.
Sometimes the thinking leads to questions and I feel burdened. All those nagging thoughts of the day begin to settle in. Are we bringing these children up right? How can we make Christmas truly meaningful and not about presents? How do we teach our children compassion and care for others? Gratitude? How can we reach out to others better and make an eternal impact? Will Sam ever eat anything besides cereal? Am I making the most out of my time with family? With these little gifts running around? Am I missing the mark? How can we simplify life?
Some questions less concerning than others but there are oh so many.
I have to lay it all down at the Cross and pray for the freedom of the gospel to spread in my own heart. And go forth in faith.

(J and K have taken it upon themselves to devise a sleepover in J and S's room now that S. is asleep. Better go see the latest!)

2000 Words

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the shot I missed was worth two thousand! Samuel got into the trick-or-treat candy and found himself a lollipop. Initially, he got behind a curtain and unwrapped it before I realized he was missing in action. He later found a good spot under the table with yet another lollipop. He gave it up without much of a fight, though!

Take a Listen

A college student sang this in church on Sunday, two weeks ago- Carried to the Table. Beautiful. I'm not familiar with the group, just the song. Found it on another's blog. (Scroll down to find that particular song on their page)

Brrrr...

To say it was cold at Jack's soccer game Saturday is an understatement. Cold and blustery!
What a faithful sister!

The Grandmas and sister huddled together.

The Service

I went in with no expectations, really, mostly because I just didn't know what to expect at Brian's ordination service. I knew I would be so proud of him, and I was. It had been a long road up to this day. So much work, studying, life. But the greatest thing I walked away with was deeper awe of our glorious God. Is He not? Is He not a glorious God who uses sinners in a beautiful way to expand his kingdom and bring Himself glory? We who are so unworthy, used in service to Him, to whom all worth is due.
I also left excited. Excited to see what's next. For Brian, for our family, for the church. Excited and with a renewed desire to seek Him in obedience because of who He is. I needed that. What greater pursuit could there be?
Thankfulness filled my heart as well. I thought about this church we are now a part of and was so thankful for it. For its people and vision. Thankful for family that has supported and loved us. Thankful for children who will grow up with this gospel of grace and for a husband who longs to teach it.

Back to Pandapa's Pond

What a view from Daddy's shoulders!

A future mountain-climber?

She climbed her own "mountain."

Samuel

Samuel has been amusing us lately. The older two think it's particularly funny when he pushes chairs around the kitchen then climbs on them to get what he wants. He did that during breakfast, got himself situated next to Kayla who fed him her cereal. When does Sam not want cereal??



Samuel has also decided he really enjoys books now. Yay! That's been a long time coming! Somtimes, he brings one of us a book, points to a chair for us to sit in, and says "Bo." (Just imagine book without the k.) Jack loves it when Samuel will sit with him for a story.

All tuckered out, and a rare treat for me.

The Weather Outside is Frightful...

Has the weather been a little crazy where you live? Early one morning this week, I came down the stairs with Samuel and heard the wind. I looked out the window and saw that the wind was blowing wildly! And the clouds. Dark clouds racing across the sky. It looked so cold. I plugged in our space heater in the kitchen-it stays pretty chilly down there. Kayla made herself a spot right next to it and Sam soon joined her. It was nice to be cozy inside knowing what it was like outside.
Later that morning we headed out and realized it was snowing! Just flurries but hey, snow is snow, right? We were thrilled! Made for an extra exciting day.
We have chosen to stay inside since, though, seeing as the wind just got stronger and the air, not much warmer!