Peek-a-Boo!

Luke loved climbing through the tunnels on the playground! No peeking!

Tree Time

No, they're not "tree huggers" but it's a tradition to take pictures of all the kids that have climbed the tree in Mom's front yard. I even have a few pictures of my 38 year old sister in the tree......I need to find those! Here, Andrew climbs high with his cousin, Emily.

I don't want to share!

Brothers who love each other but have a difficult time sharing.

Traveling

Luke is such a good rider. He often falls asleep best when riding in the car...especially long distances like the trips we take at Christmas. SNORE!

Attempt to take THE PICTURE

This is the attempt Mitch's parents made to have their picture taken with their four grandchildren. It makes me laugh.

If Jesus Hadn't Been Born

If Jesus had not been born:

• This would not be the year of our Lord 2006.
• We would never hear a single Christmas carol or Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus.
• No city would be named St. Paul or St. Petersburg or Corpus Christi.
• We would have never heard of William Tyndale, John Wycliffe, John Knox, Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley, John Hus, Billy Graham, Elizabeth Elliot, Amy Carmichael, Corrie Ten Boom, Fanny Crosby, Alexander Solzenitzen, C.S. Lewis, Chuck Swindoll, C.J. Mahaney, John Piper, or… make a list of your own.
• There would be no organizations such as Wycliffe Bible Translators, Campus Crusade for Christ, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Navigators, Bethel University, KTIS, The Red Cross, Methodist Hospital, The Salvation Army, Christian Book Sellers Association, National Association of Evangelicals, Princeton, Harvard, Yale, Purdue, and countless others.
• We would have no such books as Tale of Two Cities, Dickens’s Christmas Carol, or even The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.
• We have no movies such as Ben Hur, The Cross and the Switchblade, Chariots of Fire, Narnia, and scores of others.
• We would never ever had heard such songs as “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name,” “Fairest Lord Jesus,” “Joy to the World.”
• Idioms would never have been brought into our language such as the Good Samaritan, the prodigal son, lost sheep, or any of Jesus’ other parables.
• We would not have teachings that have entered our every day speech such as turn the other cheek, go the second mile, do unto others as you would have them do unto you, and love your enemies.
• It’s unlikely that this continent would have seen the arrival of the Pilgrims, and if they had come by some other name, years later President Washington could have been King George instead.
• It could be easily argued that the United States Founding documents would not be what they are.
• The Wuaorani Indians of Ecuador would still kill white men instead of baptizing their children.
• The Arawakan Indians of the Caribbean would still be cannibals.
• Descendents of the Mayans in Chiapas, Mexico, would still sacrifice their children instead of teaching them to praise the true Creator.
• Prophecies would remain unfulfilled, the serpent would not be crushed, we would not be delivered, and God would be a liar. Death would not be conquered.
• The New Testament would never have been written.
• There would be no mediator between God and man, for the man Christ Jesus would not have been born. We would remain dead in our trespasses and sins, the veil not yet rent.

HT: desiringgod.org

Haircuts for the boys

Both boys were long overdue for a haircut. It was Luke's first cut in his life and he did extremely well. He started out in Daddy's lap and then moved to mine. Andrew is a pro...this was his fifth cut, I think. Aren't they handsome?

Wish I had a Harley....

Luke and Andrew's Christmas wish....to each have their own motorcycle.

Ten Great Questions to Ask During Christmas meals

Ever have that moment of awkward silence among family (and sometimes strangers) during a meal...especially during the holidays? Here are a few great thinking questions to ask during those times.

1. What's the best thing that's happened to you since last Christmas?
2. What was your best Christmas ever? Why?
3. What's the most meaningful Christmas gift you've ever received?
4. What was the most appreciated Christmas gift you've ever given?
5. What was your favorite Christmas tradition as a child?
6. What is your favorite Christmas tradition now?
7. What do you do to try to keep Christ in Christmas?
8. Why do you think people started celebrating the birth of Jesus?
9. Do you think the birth of Jesus deserves such a nearly worldwide celebration?
10. Why do you think Jesus came to earth?

HT: Girltalk

Callaway Gardens

We took the boys to Callaway Gardens to enjoy Fantasy in Lights this past Monday night. They both liked riding the trolley but Luke fell asleep halfway through the five mile journey. Andrew liked singing the Christmas carols along the way but was ready to get out on the last leg of the path. We went with our small group from church so we took up half the front trolley car. If you haven't experienced Fantasy in Lights, you should before you die.

Candy, candy, candy

Does anyone else have a child that constantly begs for candy? Andrew thinks that he can have it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We're good at saying no but it drives me crazy! Of course, Reeses Peanut Butter Cups do provide a little bit of protein....Frosted Flakes never did that.

Luke's Day

Even though we celebrated two weeks ago so family could all be present, tomorrow is actually Luke's first birthday. We plan on giving him a cupcake with lots of icing for him to dig into and smear all over his face. I'll be sure to take lots of pictures and share them soon. He's feeling much better than he did the weekend of his party so I'm hoping that he'll enjoy tomorrow.

I can't believe that it's already been a year since he came into this world. What a wonderful year it has been. I was thinking the other day that I've been pregnant the past three out of four Christmas seasons. I wonder what next year will hold (stop holding your breath, Mom!).

Pope's Farm with our small group

Tonight, we took the boys to Pope's Farm to partake in the hayride along with our friends in our small group from church. It wasn't terribly cold and the boys really seemed to enjoy it, despite the fact that they were up way past their bedtime. We sat around the bonfire and chatted while sipping on some hot chocolate. Andrew especially loved seeing the Christmas characters such as Frosty, The Gingerbread Man, and Santa.

Top left to right: Seth, Elizabeth, Santa with Andrew, Chad and Chrissy.
Bottom left to right: Ira, Jennifer with Amelia, me with Luke, and Mitch.

Hot, Hot, Hot - Hot Chocolate!

Thanks to my sweet friends, Erick and Christy, for this delicious recipe!

1 14oz. can of sweetened condensed milk (never evaporated)
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/8 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
6 1/2 cups skim milk, heated

Whisk together the first four over medium heat until thoroughly blended. Add the milk. Whisk together well. Pour. Drink. Enjoy.

Andrew's Christmas program

Here's a picture of Andrew participating in his school's Christmas program last Thursday night. He's the one in the middle at the top without his hat on. He was very excited to be singing, shaking his noise maker, and wearing his hat.... even though this picture isn't the best in the world. We were very proud of him!

Gift ideas for kids

In need of some good gospel-soaked gifts for a child in your life? Click here to read about some good ideas, suggested by Nicole Whitaker on the GIRLTALK blog. You can click on any item description title to read more about the item.

Luke's first birthday celebration

The party was short and sweet. Wish I had known that he wasn't feeling good. His birthday isn't actually for ten more days but we chose to celebrate early since it falls so close to Christmas and other committments. Can you tell how red his eyes are? Poor baby. He didn't really enjoy digging in and eating his first cake. We'll do it again on his actual birthday, just for the fun of it (and for better pictures!).

4:15 a.m.

I've been up for two hours....so has Mitch. Listening to a baby cry is not fun. I turned the monitors off but still felt like Luke was screaming in my ear. After Mitch tried to comfort him for over an hour, I finally relented. We're now in the high chair eating some cheese grits and cereal. Anyway, here's a more pleasant picture of our lives here on the "ranch". Andrew loves climbing high and looking down at the valley below.