We have been having the best time since Christmas vacation began! As I watched the family get into a serious game of Medal of Honor, it was so comforting to have family time without the extra things to rush around for. It may not have been a silent night but it was a time I'll cherish in years to come that right now, for this moment, all is calm, all is right...
Woo-Hoo for snow days! As a homeschool mom, it never really mattered for me personally if school was called off because of weather. Until this year, that is. I rejoiced when school was called off for the day! The sleds came out and all the extra outerwear we could find to outfit our two diehard snow fans.
Will and Al had a blast sliding on the streets of town.
Amos sure wished he had some extra outwerwear but alas, there wasn't anything in the closets in his size and his legs were just a bit too short to get through the snow.
Last night was our Christmas program at church. In a mere three weeks, we were able to pull together a simple program and yet it turned out wonderful because the children were awesome and God is good. Ally and her friend read a dialogue for the program, which they almost joyfully did in exchange for having to take part in the singing. Will was the sound man for the night but wasn't in the mood to have a photo of the occasion. 
The program was called "Lamb of God".
May the Lamb of God bring you joy today and everyday!
After the dill pickle incident--that's what I prefer to call it now that it's over--(see post below) we decided it would be a good thing to have some activity. Thankfully, Dirk and the kids put up the ping pong table earlier today. It took awhile for Ally and I to get the guys in gear but after watching us they just had to get in on it too. Either that, or they were willing to do anything to quiet us down. :) Regardless, it's amazing how much fun you can have trying, and on my part failing, to hit a little ball with a paddle. Our schedule seems to be so full that we don't get to spend a lot of time having fun as a family, so these few moments were some pretty special ones.
I'm not sure what made us do it, but for some reason Dirk decided this was the night for deep fried dill pickles. He and Will had a great time cooking up fried pickles and onion rings. In talking to the few fried pickle people we know, there seems to be much controversy over just which is better, the spear or the slice. That is a tough one but we have finally come to a great conclusion to this perplexing issue. The spears from our local drive-in are terrific but at home it's much easier to make the slices. 
To combat our twice a year pickle night, I just finished juicing which I'm hoping will counteract the pickle frenzy we just enjoyed way too much.
So, Mike, if you are reading this come on over for some fried pickles and carrot juice. :)
I'm not sure what it is, but most of the time, I think of myself as a regular mom. The mornings begin too early, there is always more laundry to do, meals to fix, and prayers to pray, etc. BUT when it comes time for one of my children to be in sports, life changes drastically. Prayers increase, adrenaline begins pumping overtime, and inside I begin to act irradically (at least I hope I'm holding most of it inside).
And so, another season begins of basketball. Cole had his first games this week and I'm hoping not only he was able to get the 'newness' worn off but that I did as well. I know it's silly to get so emotional about a game, but there's no telling that to my heart right now...or my husband, who is otherwise known to me as the 'unofficial somewhat-silent sidelines referee'. :) I've had to repent for some of my thoughts and words and it's only the first week of a VERY long season. It may be a bumpy ride, but it's bound to be a memorable one. Go Tigers! And help me remember 'whatever you do, do all for the glory of God'.
Number 12 on the move...
