Thanksgiving

We enjoyed Thanksgiving and time spent with family. Randy and Kelli were wonderful hosts and we spent Wednesday night through Friday with them. We returned to Ames for the Crim gathering at Pizza Ranch Friday night. Saturday we spent with my family and got to see the movie Tangled. It was a great weekend and we finished it off by putting up our Christmas tree on Sunday night. Emma thought that meant it was Christmas the next morning and was inquiring about presents. It's taken some explaining and she informed me that she "doesn't like my plan "of waiting for the 25th.

I am now trying to attack my giant to-do list before we leave for vacation next week. My hope is to get our Christmas shopping done before we leave so I can wrap when we get back. Emma is going to my parents this weekend so Ethan and I can do some shopping and attend our church Christmas dinner on Saturday. We will then pick her up on Sunday and see Hayli and Austin perform in their Christmas program.

As I reflect on Thanksgiving, I am in awe of God's rich blessings. Here's just a short list of things that I am thankful for:

• A large and loving family (I never lack having someone to call or hang out with)
• My two precious children (can't imagine life without them)
• My loving husband (who is a good listener and patient in spite of my shortcomings)
• A warm and cozy house
• A car that works and a garage that keeps me from scraping my windshield
• A job that allows me to be at home more than I am at work
• A God who always provides for my needs and has given me so much more than I deserve

Ready for winter

Still eating even right before bedtime

Isaac the hockey player

Slumber party at G&G's

Emma helped set up the nativity

Noah loved the lights

       

Finished product (a little big for our living room but it works) 

Emma the comedian...

The girl keeps us laughing. Here's the latest:

"Mom, let's go do hip hop." I'm thinking where was she ever exposed to hip hop?? Then I realize that she's pointing to the driveway where we had played hopscotch last week.

I've been doing Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred video a few times a week. She joins me sometimes and the other night yelled out, "You gotta lose pounds Mom." Who needs Jillian when I have my own little personal trainer to motivate me?

I was going to make white chili last week for supper. Emma was inquiring what was in it. I knew she loves beans so I told her it had white beans in it. She informed me that she'd rather have the other kind of beans. I went to make it later on and couldn't find my white beans anywhere. I asked her if she'd seen them. "Oh, I threw them in the garbage since I don't like that kind." Sure enough, there were my two cans of beans in the trash can.

Ethan has been playing robot with her when he gets home each night. This involves him acting and speaking like a robot chasing her around the house. I asked her to bring her PJs to me the other night and she responded in robot voice, "does not compute."

She not only keeps us laughing but also had her little brother giggling the other night as you can see in this video:

New pictures

My very talented cousin Rebekah took some pictures of the kids at our house. Here's a few of my favorites. She did such a great job!

Emma's "Angelina ballerina" moves

Confessions...

As much as I hate to admit it my standards have changed since Noah joined us. Here are my confessions:

• Then: entire house cleaned regularly once a week. Now: happy as long as the kitchen floor isn't sticky.
• Then: ALL laundry completed/put away each Monday. Now: a load is thrown in when Ethan comments he has no clean underwear.
• Then: menu planned weekly and home cooked meals several times a week. Now: grilled cheese, hot dogs, frozen pizza, and chicken nuggets are now regulars on our menu.
• Then: bath time occurred every two days religiously. Now: as long as they both get a bath before Sunday I'm happy. 
• Then: dressed, make-up on, hair done each and every morning. Now: dressed, make-up on and hair done only when leaving the house.
• Then: bedding changed once every couple weeks. Now: bedding is only changed when someone spits up or wets the bed.

Even though the perfectionist in me is cringing at this, I know this is just a season of life and enjoying my children is much more important than being perfect. Maybe I will get more efficient as they grow and I adjust. For now this poem is a reminder of what really matters:

"Cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow for babies grow up we've learned to our sorrow. So quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep; I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep."

Look who's 30!!!

Ethan's celebrating the big 3-0 today! Welcome to the club. I can't believe how fast time is moving. It wasn't that long ago you were spending your days studying to get into law school and working at Patterson Dental. Law school is now behind you and you are working hard as an attorney. I remember you playing soccer, paintball, and video games with your free time. Your weekends are now spent doing home improvement projects and playing with Emma and Noah. Your old hobbies do still sneak in once in awhile...but that's okay. I guess you're still young at heart. I just want to say that I'm proud of who you've become and grateful that you chose me to share your life with. The Lord has been good and I'm excited to see what else He has in store for you. We love you and hope you have a great birthday!