Christmas Celebrated

Christmas seems to be a month-long celebration as our activities are spread out and vary.  December busy starts with John's annual work meeting.  This year he decided to add extra cheer to the meeting environment by decking himself out in Christmas gear.  It was fun for all.  :-)

 Decorating for Christmas happens early in December so that we can maximize our enjoyment. 

During the month there are usually special meetings for things like youth group, bible study, and work parties.  This year Jozsef needed a white elephant gift for one of his gatherings and we were inspired by Ren and Stimpy to create our own version of the Blammo Log.  It turned out really good and was a party hit.  So much fun!

Our church had a special Christmas service that we enjoyed.  We always look forward to this service and this year's treat was the music set coupled with a great sermon.  The lobby decorations made for really good pictures too. 

Christmas Eve was exciting because we had the opportunity to continue a long running tradition--watching a movie in the theater on Christmas Eve (no small feat for a large family).  For the last four Star Wars movie releases, we have been in a situation where we have recently relocated and going to a movie was a treat and a memory maker for our new location.  This year, as the Star Wars saga ends, we hope that our "tradition" of moving has ended too.  :-)  The movie was not a disappointment and neither was the wind lunch we had after.  :-) 

Later that night, we played a game that John introduced last year--the saran wrap ball, I do believe it will be a new tradition.  It's a fast paced game that's pretty competitive (at least for us, not sure if it's meant to be competitive) :-) and it's a blast.  Everyone gets some sort of prize so that's a bonus.

Following the game, we opened our traditional one gift before relaxing a bit, setting out cookies for Santa and carrots for Rudolph, and turning in for the night. 

Christmas day was full of excitement, gifts, games, food, and fun.  One aspect of gift giving that was glaringly apparent was the joy of the kids gifting each other.   Especially now that both of the boys are employed and the younger kids aren't as little anymore, there is much excitement in gift giving--and maybe even more than in gift receiving.  It was wonderful to experience these expressions of their hearts.  They were all so thoughtful and generous.  <3 nbsp="" p="">

Nikolas gifted Jozsef a really slick jacket and now they can look dapper together

The younger kids made a Lego creation especially for the teens

Riley and Sonja teamed up to buy Connor a favorite--a sloth

All things dinosaur made Riley super happy

Jozsef has been eyeing this shirt for a while--it's perfect for him and just plain fun

Our table was blessed by those who sent us delectable edible gifts.  We are SO thankful for those who were thinking of us this holiday season.  <3 td="">

 The time off of our regular schedules has been well spent.  We are soaking up our opportunities to rest, relax, and just spend time together.  There were multiple games given and received this Christmas, which means we have spent an enormous amount of time gaming--both board games and electronic.  We'll miss this kind of freedom when we return to school and work as usual, but we're soaking it all in as best as we can. 

Risk has become a holiday tradition.  They buy a big bag of M&Ms and divide the colors so that they can play with the candies as their army men.  :-) 

 All this, and still, we make sure to acknowledge, include, and celebrate the reason for the season--Christ.  Without Him, none of this matters.  Thank you Lord for the ultimate gift of your love. <3 nbsp="" p="">

Christmas Greetings

Season’s Greetings to you!  I pray this letter finds you well in both health and spirit.  Though it feels as though my last letter was just last month, I am painfully aware that it’s been a full year.  So much happens in a year, and I pray that the events of 2019 brought for you goodness in some form or fashion (or even better, in many ways). 

The passing of time continues to bring us measures of the inevitable -- change.  We moved again this year.  We pray that this move will be our last for some time, allowing us to put down some roots.  We found a house that suits us well in size and location but that needs a bit of work and personalization.  Though God led us here, He only knows how long we’ll be in this home, still we’ve set our sights on the long run and have already stock-piled a list of dreams for our new home.  Many hours of work have already been logged and many more hours are necessary, but we maintain the excitement of our new home and what it will be while we are simultaneously thankful for what it already is and provides for us. The backyard is currently rather wooded and because of that John refers to our house as the Half Acre Wood.  😊  The kids love to play and discover in a space that feels so wild and free for them.  Besides the poison ivy that they’ve encountered, we’ve enjoyed observing their finds and adventures.  Ours is a peaceful lot with a deck to enjoy in the back and a porch to lounge on in the front.  The porch quickly became a favorite for all of us.  School is more fun on the porch, reading is more adventurous, sunsets are more stunning, the weather is more enjoyable, and a drink over conversation is more fulfilling.  Yes, the porch is a blessing to us all in many ways.  If you visit, you’ll have to come and sit a spell. 😊 

While John and I strive to achieve a good work/rest balance, Jozsef and Nikolas are learning to find a healthy and productive work/school balance.  The boys work together at a local Chick Fil A.  Truly, they have a wonderful location and team.  They couldn’t have asked for more when it comes to a great Owner/Operator who truly values and invests in his employees.  Jozsef works front of house, mostly in the drive through, and absolutely loves it.  He has truly made a name for himself in the community through his smile, attitude, and service.  Nikolas works in the kitchen with a tight knit team of people he enjoys and an environment with opportunities to grow him and his skills.  We are all thankful for their current set up and how well they are striving to work hard on both fronts—Jozsef in college and Nikolas as a high school Junior.  If you were unaware, Jozsef is working towards his BA of Theological Studies through TNARS (The North American Reformed Seminary).  The program is a perfect for him, and he has the most amazing mentor.  It’s truly all such a God send. 

The younger four shared a rather monumental day last February when they all chose to get baptized.  It was quite a wonderful day of celebration!  It’s great to see them grow in their faith. 😊  The kids are also doing well in school.  Connor is in seventh grade, Sonja is in fifth grade, Riley is in fourth grade, and Hannah is in second grade.  Connor has realized how much work Jr High holds and though he’s not thrilled about it, he is enjoying the science and the assigned books.  He has so many good stories to read this year.  Thankfully, Connor also loves to tell a good story, so though I don’t get the privilege of reading the books, I don’t feel like I’m missing out as he’s constantly talking to me about what he’s reading.  😉 Sonja has always been a crafter, but this year, she’s found a thrill in knitting.  She has made placemats, lap blankets, and beanies (I think those are her favorites to make, so far) and she’s eager to branch out.  Riley is struggling a bit with math, but he’s developing a liking for chapter books.  Riley’s favorite thing to do is still to get lost in creativity with Legos.  He could truly build all day!  I love to see how well he translates his concept into 3D creations.  Hannah learned how to ride her bike while we were moving in and her reading skills are really taking off this year.  It’s so good to see her grasp some of these concepts that she’s really been struggling with—and she’s so proud of herself too.  You can’t help but to smile with her. 

And so, the inevitable continues—time marches on and brings with it a river of change.  Though change is not always easy to navigate, and growing pains are uncomfortable, we must not stand still.  As we enter 2020, we look to the Lord to lead us and we embrace hope for a blessed year.  Since none of us can stop the inevitable passing of time or the changes that come with it, we pray that the coming year is a season of great blessings for us all.  The only constant we have is the love of God and His willingness to seek us out and to keep us close, no matter who we are or what we encounter in life.  For that I am eternally grateful.

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.  –Titus 3: 5-7

May the Christmas season remind you of His love and fill you with His peace. 

#LiveLoved

¹⁰ When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. ¹¹ On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. --Matthew 2:10-11 (NIV) #WiseMenStillSeekHim

Celebrating Nine

Riley has wanted to go fishing for his birthday for a number of years now and I'm happy to say, we finally made it happen.  The event turned into a guys' day out since we were able to orchestrate the outing on a day where they older boys were free from work.  John found some bank fishing at a lake not too far away.  The guys geared up and headed out.  The weather cooperated and though there was a cool breeze, the guys had a favorable climate.  They didn't return home until after dark, and sadly they returned empty handed--the fish were barely biting.  Still, the reports were favorable all around and Riley was happy to have gone, so it was a successful event. 

Jozsef isn't in the picture because he found a place a bit out of the way he could call his own

Sunset was stunning that night

That evening we had dinner, cake, and gifts and Riley was officially labeled a nine year old.  We are so happy to have had the last nine years of his creativity, smile, and love.  Here's to many more years dear boy!  Happy birthday!

Halloween

In all of my years, I cannot remember a Halloween that was rained out.  We've had threats of rain, a slight drizzle, rain that started after we ended our festivities, but we've not had a rained out Halloween--until this year.  Thankfully, our community is used to our fickle weather and is rather adaptable.  The city quickly rearranged locations for events rather than cancelling them--it was pretty impressive. 

Our Nerd

Our Flapper

Our Ninja

Our Snow Princess

The rain did not keep us from costume lunch day at one of our favorite restaurants, where kids in costume ate free.  Woo hoo! 

The festival we had planned to attend changed in location and subsequently in size, but we still attended and the kids still had fun playing games.  The most fun, however, was had at the open gym at a tumbling school.  The kids played in the foam pit, on the parallel bars, climbed the rope, did the Ninja course, balanced on the balance beam, and generally just had a blast.  It was good to see them test themselves and have fun at the same time.  Afterwards, we met up with the older boys who had worked the day, and we had dinner followed by a showing of Ghostbusters.  There was no trick or treating for us, but the kids got a lot of candy a the festival and they didn't feel like they missed out at all.  It was a good holiday. 

Pumpkin Farm

One of our most favorite field trips is to visit the pumpkin patch.  This year our weather was wonderful and even surprised us a bit with its warmth. 

We enjoyed playing at the farm, taking a hay ride, and taking our time choosing just the right pumpkins and gourds for decoration, carving, and baking. 

After we were satisfied with our pickings at the farm, we headed over to one of our favorite snack shops for a seasonal flavor before they closed up for the winter--the snow ball shack!  New Orleans style snow balls are the way to go!  Best flavor and taste that lasts to the final bite.  Yumm!  Ending our pumpkin picking with a snow ball is now a new tradition--what a wonderful way to usher in the cooler weather.  :-)

John is the master carver in our house and he leads the kids in pumpkin design and application.  The kids dream up a design, they find a picture that best represents what they want to achieve, and John helps them to make that a pumpkin reality.  They all did such a good job this year and had plenty of fun with the execution of their plans.  :-)

Sonja went for the Stargate symbol for home

Riley chose a spider and Hannah did a traditional face

Connor went for the planetary theme