Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:
old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
~2 Corinthians 5:17 ~
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Happy New Year's Eve!!!
We have come to the end of 2011! May you and your Family have another blessed year in this new year, 2012, abiding in the presence of our Lord and Savior!!!
Friday, December 30, 2011
Over the past few days...
We've had a couple funny things said in our house...
For the past six months, we have been having a problem understanding Abbi when she asks for a second helping of turkey at lunch. "May I have more toakey?" She'll ask. We inform her we don't have any cookies in the house. We would eventually figure it out, but it was really hard to tell what she wanted.
Well, she asked again, yesterday, for "more toakey". Mommy answered, "We don't have any cookies, sweetheart." Abbi looked at Mommy and answered "No, not tookie, toakey!!!" Haha! You really can't tell a difference when she says it!!! But, she knows what she wants... and it is not cookies!
Also, I was holding Emmi today, and she grabbed my necklace- "Look! A breakless!" She squealed. Then she asked "This your keys?"
And one more word misunderstanding: I invited Tori and Bethi to help me embroider some pillow cases yesterday. Since we only had two pillows, we took turns reading and sewing (although the pillows are apparently going to take longer than I had at first anticipated, it was a lot of fun!). When it came Bethi's turn to read, she stumbled across the phrase "the aroma of fresh bread"... She said "the army of fresh bread"...
I think that the fact that we can make and eat 12 loaves of bread in three days has kind of messed her up ;)!
For the past six months, we have been having a problem understanding Abbi when she asks for a second helping of turkey at lunch. "May I have more toakey?" She'll ask. We inform her we don't have any cookies in the house. We would eventually figure it out, but it was really hard to tell what she wanted.
Well, she asked again, yesterday, for "more toakey". Mommy answered, "We don't have any cookies, sweetheart." Abbi looked at Mommy and answered "No, not tookie, toakey!!!" Haha! You really can't tell a difference when she says it!!! But, she knows what she wants... and it is not cookies!
Also, I was holding Emmi today, and she grabbed my necklace- "Look! A breakless!" She squealed. Then she asked "This your keys?"
And one more word misunderstanding: I invited Tori and Bethi to help me embroider some pillow cases yesterday. Since we only had two pillows, we took turns reading and sewing (although the pillows are apparently going to take longer than I had at first anticipated, it was a lot of fun!). When it came Bethi's turn to read, she stumbled across the phrase "the aroma of fresh bread"... She said "the army of fresh bread"...
I think that the fact that we can make and eat 12 loaves of bread in three days has kind of messed her up ;)!
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Christmas Candies
We started our Christmas baking about a week before Christmas. We did all the candies in two days, although not back- to- back.
The first day, Tori and all the little ones got in the kitchen with me to make chocolate dipped pretzels, white and chocolate. It is tradition for us children to do this part- it has been since Christmas 2006! We have a few more children helping since then (in 2006 there were three of us who were old enough to dip the pretzels. Now we have six!!!). So it goes a bit quicker now :)! It took two hours to do those two batches...
On the second day of candy making, Daddy was home and helped. We made caramels, triple treats, peanut butter balls, and chocolate covered potato chips.
Then, about 1:30, Daddy and us older four children went to clean the church and take candy plates to a few families. We had a lot of fun, visiting a bit with the people we brought plates to, and seeing one older man, our neighbor in our old house, who we hadn't seen for several months. We were also happy that we caught everybody we were planning on taking the plates to :)!
The first day, Tori and all the little ones got in the kitchen with me to make chocolate dipped pretzels, white and chocolate. It is tradition for us children to do this part- it has been since Christmas 2006! We have a few more children helping since then (in 2006 there were three of us who were old enough to dip the pretzels. Now we have six!!!). So it goes a bit quicker now :)! It took two hours to do those two batches...
Starting the white pretzels!
My Grandma would call this "The Little Dippers", haha :)!
Sweet :)!
Enjoying a snack afterward.
Ohhh...
Half of the finished product (and Abbi asking for more!)!
On the second day of candy making, Daddy was home and helped. We made caramels, triple treats, peanut butter balls, and chocolate covered potato chips.
Then, about 1:30, Daddy and us older four children went to clean the church and take candy plates to a few families. We had a lot of fun, visiting a bit with the people we brought plates to, and seeing one older man, our neighbor in our old house, who we hadn't seen for several months. We were also happy that we caught everybody we were planning on taking the plates to :)!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Just too cute...
I mentioned the fact that we had learned to sign "Away in a Manger". Well, Emmi enjoys joining us :)!
She'll be playing, eating, anything... Then, she says, out of the blue, "Jesus... Jesus... Jesus... The sky!!!". As she says "Jesus", she holds her little hands under her chin (half of the sign for the "morning is nigh" part). As she says "the sky", she throws her hands in the air (you sweep your arms in the air to sign "sky".). It is really cute :)!
Also, today we went to clean the church. Daddy came to help us, but he had to get back to work after we were done. The rest of us were going to do some shopping before we went home. Abbi called from the back "Can we eat at a frefont? I mean- a fryfont?" She meant restaurant! I think she must have wanted fries ;)!
And, a wonderful update on Miss Rhonda: She got to come home right before Christmas!!!
She'll be playing, eating, anything... Then, she says, out of the blue, "Jesus... Jesus... Jesus... The sky!!!". As she says "Jesus", she holds her little hands under her chin (half of the sign for the "morning is nigh" part). As she says "the sky", she throws her hands in the air (you sweep your arms in the air to sign "sky".). It is really cute :)!
Also, today we went to clean the church. Daddy came to help us, but he had to get back to work after we were done. The rest of us were going to do some shopping before we went home. Abbi called from the back "Can we eat at a frefont? I mean- a fryfont?" She meant restaurant! I think she must have wanted fries ;)!
And, a wonderful update on Miss Rhonda: She got to come home right before Christmas!!!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Merry Christmas!!!
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there
came a decree from Augustus Caesar, that all the
world should be taxed.
2 (This first taxing was made when Quirinius
was governor of Syria.)
3 Therefore went all to be taxed, every man to
his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of
a city called Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of
David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was
of the house and lineage of David,)
5 To be taxed with Mary that was given him to
wife, which was with child.
6 ¶ And so it was, that while they were there,
the days were accomplished that she should be
delivered.
7 And she brought forth her first begotten son,
and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him
in a cratch, because there was no room for them in
the inn.
8 ¶ And there were in the same country shepherds,
abiding in the field, and keeping watch by
night over their flock.
9 And lo, the Angel of the Lord came upon
them, and the glory of the Lord shone about them,
and they were sore afraid.
10 Then the Angel said unto them, Be not afraid:
for behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy, that
shall be to all the people,
11 That is, that unto you is born this day in the
city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign to you, Ye shall find the
babe swaddled, and laid in a cratch.
13 And straightway there was with the Angel a
multitude of heavenly soldiers, praising God, and
saying,
14 Glory be to God in the high heavens, and peace
in earth, and toward men good will.
15 And it came to pass when the Angels were gone
away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said
one to another, Let us go then unto Bethlehem, and
see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord
hath showed unto us.
16 So they came with haste, and found both Mary
and Joseph and the babe laid in the cratch.
17 And when they had seen it, they published
abroad the thing that was told them of that child.
18 And all that heard it, wondered at the things
which were told them of the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all those sayings, and pondered
them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned glorifying and
praising God, for all that they had heard and seen,
as it was spoken unto them.
Luke 2: 1- 20
came a decree from Augustus Caesar, that all the
world should be taxed.
2 (This first taxing was made when Quirinius
was governor of Syria.)
3 Therefore went all to be taxed, every man to
his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of
a city called Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of
David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was
of the house and lineage of David,)
5 To be taxed with Mary that was given him to
wife, which was with child.
6 ¶ And so it was, that while they were there,
the days were accomplished that she should be
delivered.
7 And she brought forth her first begotten son,
and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him
in a cratch, because there was no room for them in
the inn.
8 ¶ And there were in the same country shepherds,
abiding in the field, and keeping watch by
night over their flock.
9 And lo, the Angel of the Lord came upon
them, and the glory of the Lord shone about them,
and they were sore afraid.
10 Then the Angel said unto them, Be not afraid:
for behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy, that
shall be to all the people,
11 That is, that unto you is born this day in the
city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign to you, Ye shall find the
babe swaddled, and laid in a cratch.
13 And straightway there was with the Angel a
multitude of heavenly soldiers, praising God, and
saying,
14 Glory be to God in the high heavens, and peace
in earth, and toward men good will.
15 And it came to pass when the Angels were gone
away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said
one to another, Let us go then unto Bethlehem, and
see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord
hath showed unto us.
16 So they came with haste, and found both Mary
and Joseph and the babe laid in the cratch.
17 And when they had seen it, they published
abroad the thing that was told them of that child.
18 And all that heard it, wondered at the things
which were told them of the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all those sayings, and pondered
them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned glorifying and
praising God, for all that they had heard and seen,
as it was spoken unto them.
Luke 2: 1- 20
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Merry Christmas Eve!
Angels, from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation’s story
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth:
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
Shepherds, in the field abiding,
Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing;
Yonder shines the infant light:
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
Sages, leave your contemplations;
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations;
Ye have seen His natal star:
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
Saints, before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear:
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation’s story
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth:
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
Shepherds, in the field abiding,
Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing;
Yonder shines the infant light:
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
Sages, leave your contemplations;
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations;
Ye have seen His natal star:
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
Saints, before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear:
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
~James Montgomery~
(1771–1854)
(1771–1854)
I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!!!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Advent
I have been meaning to write a post on how we do advent/ what the purpose of Advent is for... almost four weeks. Since the Advent season started. Oh well... Here it is now :)...
Advent is really a time of preparation and reflection on the reason why we celebrate Christmas! There are four weeks of Advent, and, although there are many ways to celebrate Advent, here is how we do it...
On the first night of Advent, we make our Advent wreath. We have a golden candle holder, with spots for five candles. One Candle (the white one, white stands for purity) goes in the middle. This is the "Jesus" candle. It is a bit taller than the other candles, as Jesus is above all others. The other four candles (purple, the color that stands for royalty) go in the four corners around the white. These candles are the "Prophecy", "Bethlehem", "Angels" , and "Shepherds" candles. We put green garland and white ribbon around the candle holder, in a spiraling circle. Green stands for new life, circles for eternity (there is no beginning and no end to a circle), and of course, white for purity. We put holly berries on (drops of blood that Jesus would eventually shed for our sins), and pine cones (pine cones must die to give life to the next tree- Jesus gave his life so we could have life. We also put poinsettia flowers on the wreath, to stand for the Star of Bethlehem.
Sometime during each week of Advent, we try for Monday, we will make a meal of either red chili or white chili, just because chili seems like a nice winter-ish meal. No other reason :). It is just part of how Daddy and Mommy chose to make that teaching time different from regular winter suppers, make a point of how this is a special time (kind of like it is pretty much a must for everybody to eat turkey on Thanksgiving!).
That night, we do a Bible study (using the Bible that Daddy used while growing up, and that was used for family Bible time every night for years. We now have a newer Bible for family Bible time, and this one is getting saved for this time of year, due to the fact that we didn't want this one destroyed by the little hands that wanted to read to themselves during the day) on what that nights candle stands for. We discussed the candle for that night, review the candles we have done so far, and have a time of prayer.
The First candle is : The "Prophecy" (or, anticipation ) candle.
"And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven,the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them."
"For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people, A light to be revealed to the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things, which were spoken touching him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary
his mother, Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be spoken against, (Yea and a sword shall pierce through thy soul) that the thoughts of many hearts may be opened."
Advent is really a time of preparation and reflection on the reason why we celebrate Christmas! There are four weeks of Advent, and, although there are many ways to celebrate Advent, here is how we do it...
On the first night of Advent, we make our Advent wreath. We have a golden candle holder, with spots for five candles. One Candle (the white one, white stands for purity) goes in the middle. This is the "Jesus" candle. It is a bit taller than the other candles, as Jesus is above all others. The other four candles (purple, the color that stands for royalty) go in the four corners around the white. These candles are the "Prophecy", "Bethlehem", "Angels" , and "Shepherds" candles. We put green garland and white ribbon around the candle holder, in a spiraling circle. Green stands for new life, circles for eternity (there is no beginning and no end to a circle), and of course, white for purity. We put holly berries on (drops of blood that Jesus would eventually shed for our sins), and pine cones (pine cones must die to give life to the next tree- Jesus gave his life so we could have life. We also put poinsettia flowers on the wreath, to stand for the Star of Bethlehem.
Sometime during each week of Advent, we try for Monday, we will make a meal of either red chili or white chili, just because chili seems like a nice winter-ish meal. No other reason :). It is just part of how Daddy and Mommy chose to make that teaching time different from regular winter suppers, make a point of how this is a special time (kind of like it is pretty much a must for everybody to eat turkey on Thanksgiving!).
That night, we do a Bible study (using the Bible that Daddy used while growing up, and that was used for family Bible time every night for years. We now have a newer Bible for family Bible time, and this one is getting saved for this time of year, due to the fact that we didn't want this one destroyed by the little hands that wanted to read to themselves during the day) on what that nights candle stands for. We discussed the candle for that night, review the candles we have done so far, and have a time of prayer.
The First candle is : The "Prophecy" (or, anticipation ) candle.
" Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin
shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
The second candle is: The "Bethlehem" (or, preparation) candle.shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
~Isaiah 7:14~
"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."
~Micah 5:2~
The third candle is: The "Angels" (or, rejoicing) candle.
"And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings, of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
~Luke 2:9-14~
The fourth candle is: The "Shepherds" (or, the reflection) candle.
"And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven,the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them."
~Luke 2: 14- 20~
And the Fifth candle is: The "Jesus" (or, Christ)candle.
"For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people, A light to be revealed to the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things, which were spoken touching him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary
his mother, Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be spoken against, (Yea and a sword shall pierce through thy soul) that the thoughts of many hearts may be opened."
~ Luke 2: 30-35~
Through these verses, (and, of course, there are many more to use if you wish!), a discussion can be started, that can be both informative and sweet :).
I have loved our family's Advent celebration the past few years (actually, I guess more than a few- four or five, at the least, which is considered several!). I think it has really helped our family really think about what Christmas is about, as a family, in a wonderful way!!!
I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!
I have loved our family's Advent celebration the past few years (actually, I guess more than a few- four or five, at the least, which is considered several!). I think it has really helped our family really think about what Christmas is about, as a family, in a wonderful way!!!
I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Nap time...
Yesterday, Abbi and Emmi were more interested in playing than taking a nap. We were trying to put them down for quiet time, they were trying to stay up.
Emmi did something she has never done before. She had been told to stay on the couch, so she sat on the arm of the couch. She bounced up and down, waving her arms all around. "I'm riding a horse! Ride horse, ride horse!" she squealed. It was really cute... naughty baby :)! Haha, we finally told her that was enough, but it was really cute!
Then, I tried to put Abbi down for a nap in the Library. She also did something she has never done before! She had brought Andrew's Woody doll with her. I told her "Your not supposed to have toys right now". I took the doll, picked Abbi up, and put her back in her nap time bed. "Woody!" she yelled. "SAVE ME!!!"
Emmi did something she has never done before. She had been told to stay on the couch, so she sat on the arm of the couch. She bounced up and down, waving her arms all around. "I'm riding a horse! Ride horse, ride horse!" she squealed. It was really cute... naughty baby :)! Haha, we finally told her that was enough, but it was really cute!
Then, I tried to put Abbi down for a nap in the Library. She also did something she has never done before! She had brought Andrew's Woody doll with her. I told her "Your not supposed to have toys right now". I took the doll, picked Abbi up, and put her back in her nap time bed. "Woody!" she yelled. "SAVE ME!!!"
Thursday, December 15, 2011
"You are just my best friend!"
That was what Abbi said to me while Aunt Tessa and I were assisting the little ones in making leaf piles last Saturday. It was one of the cutest things I had heard her say for a long time while talking to me alone :). She said it while she ran at me, grabbed hold, and swung around in excited wildness (a state Abbi gets in a lot ;)!)
But what she said the next day was just too funny when you thought back to this conversation!
Daddy and Mommy had gone to pick up pizza for supper that night. I was left at home babysitting the little ones with Tori's help. I don't even remember what Abbi had done, but she was told that she needed to tell Andrew she was sorry. She said she wouldn't, so, we had a talk about how what she had done was wrong, and the right thing to do was to tell Andrew she was sorry for it. After I was done talking to her, I said again "You need to tell Andrew you are sorry". She looks at me, and says: "You are my best friend- you can't do this to me!" Haha...
I think she is still learning that best friends don't always give you what you want (like telling her she didn't need to tell Andrew she was sorry), they give you what you need (like explaining why you need to say your sorry) :)...
I think she has forgiven me for bringing her faults to light, though ;)...
But what she said the next day was just too funny when you thought back to this conversation!
Daddy and Mommy had gone to pick up pizza for supper that night. I was left at home babysitting the little ones with Tori's help. I don't even remember what Abbi had done, but she was told that she needed to tell Andrew she was sorry. She said she wouldn't, so, we had a talk about how what she had done was wrong, and the right thing to do was to tell Andrew she was sorry for it. After I was done talking to her, I said again "You need to tell Andrew you are sorry". She looks at me, and says: "You are my best friend- you can't do this to me!" Haha...
I think she is still learning that best friends don't always give you what you want (like telling her she didn't need to tell Andrew she was sorry), they give you what you need (like explaining why you need to say your sorry) :)...
I think she has forgiven me for bringing her faults to light, though ;)...
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Away in a manger...
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head;
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus no crying He makes,
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky,
And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,
And fit us for heaven, to live with Thee there.
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head;
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus no crying He makes,
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky,
And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,
And fit us for heaven, to live with Thee there.
~Stanzas 1 and 2, Unknown~
~Stanza 3, John Thomas McFarland~
(1851–1913)
(1851–1913)
Our Aunt Tessa taught us how to sign language this when we were visiting with them last Saturday, that was neat :). It really is quite fun :).
Visiting and Christmas...
We had a wonderful time going to the zoo with our Grandparents and Aunts on the third. I got a hat made for everybody Tori down, I finished ten minutes before we started getting ready to leave, haha :)! It was so much fun, although it was NOT cold in the LEAST! The hats were almost pointless when you judged their use by the weather!
Emmi loved the Kangaroos, which were more active than the have ever been in the day time when we have been there. They really don't move in the day, and the walk-about was closed for the night, but she had fun looking and talking about the "jumping" "puppies" through the mesh fence :). She "wanted to play with those" :)!
Last Saturday everybody but Daddy packed up to go have a sleep over at Grandma and Grandpa's house. The whole family also went to Daddy's Grandmother's house about a week ago, and had a great visit with her, along with everybody else who dropped by, including Gramma :). It was really fun!
Yesterday we worked on thoroughly cleaning the kitchen, and today Mommy wrote her Christmas letter. We'll be making a grocery list later today so that we now what we need for all our Christmas goodies, which we will start making soon, probably next week :)! I'll try to get up a post on how our Christmas baking goes when we accomplish it ;).
We have just ten more days until Christmas! I think I'm going to go get busy with more crafting. I am almost done with my presents, but I keep finding more winter projects I want to do before the end of the year ;)!
Emmi loved the Kangaroos, which were more active than the have ever been in the day time when we have been there. They really don't move in the day, and the walk-about was closed for the night, but she had fun looking and talking about the "jumping" "puppies" through the mesh fence :). She "wanted to play with those" :)!
Last Saturday everybody but Daddy packed up to go have a sleep over at Grandma and Grandpa's house. The whole family also went to Daddy's Grandmother's house about a week ago, and had a great visit with her, along with everybody else who dropped by, including Gramma :). It was really fun!
Yesterday we worked on thoroughly cleaning the kitchen, and today Mommy wrote her Christmas letter. We'll be making a grocery list later today so that we now what we need for all our Christmas goodies, which we will start making soon, probably next week :)! I'll try to get up a post on how our Christmas baking goes when we accomplish it ;).
We have just ten more days until Christmas! I think I'm going to go get busy with more crafting. I am almost done with my presents, but I keep finding more winter projects I want to do before the end of the year ;)!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Angels we have heard on high...
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria in excelsis Deo,
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?
Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
See Him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise.
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria in excelsis Deo,
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?
Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
See Him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise.
~James Chadwick~
(1813–1882)
(1813–1882)
Bethani learned this hymn at the age of three. It was her favorite, and it was so cute to hear her singing it :)! Abbi only has the chorus memorized, but it is now her favorite Christmas song, as well :). Emmi's favorite Christmas song is "The Little Drummer Boy", thanks to Veggietales new movie, "The Little Drummer Boy", haha :)! She is so cute... "I pay for yooooo... pum, pum, pum!
I love to hear all the little voices singing :)!!!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
O little town of Bethlehem...
O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary,
And gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wond’ring love.
O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth!
And praises sing to God the King,
And peace to men on earth.
How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is giv’n!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heav’n.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still
The dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child of Bethlehem!
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in;
Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel.
This Christmas hymn was written by Phillips Brooks, Theodore Bryan's childhood "hero". I love the books about Theo, and I thought it was fun that one of my favorite Christmas songs was written by one of the main characters in the books :).How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary,
And gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wond’ring love.
O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth!
And praises sing to God the King,
And peace to men on earth.
How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is giv’n!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heav’n.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still
The dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child of Bethlehem!
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in;
Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel.
~Phillips Brooks~
(1835–1893)
(1835–1893)
We are getting very close to the 25th of December, that day when we celebrate the birth of our wonderful Savior! Christmas time is always such a fun, sweet time, but we should always remember why this date is even special- not the candies, the gifts, or the change in the season- but the fact that the Lord came down to earth to save us. I hope that you have a wonderful time preparing for this special day of celebration!!!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Wheelbarrow fun!
About a week ago Tori and I took the little ones outside. In bare feet. In the middle of November. You know, in the middle of winter. And it was hot. That is winter in South Carolina, haha!
Daddy went and bought a wheelbarrow earlier this year. Tori put the babies in it (and soon others followed!...) and they had so much fun!
Daddy went and bought a wheelbarrow earlier this year. Tori put the babies in it (and soon others followed!...) and they had so much fun!
Emmi wanted to push Abbi ;)!
That's our funny Bethi :)...!
Just chillin'...
They are sooo sweet...
Toes :)!
So, how is that for a December post ;)?
Friday, December 2, 2011
I'm busy
... crocheting! What else do I do now ;)?
I have about half of my Christmas presents done, and I'm now taking a break to work on winter hats. We are going to the zoo tomorrow with my Grandparents and Aunts. We're going to see the lights (our zoo does a "Lights Before Christmas" thing every year), and so, even for South Carolina, it will be quite cold as it will be night. This year I decided to make all the younger ones hats that will go with their coats. Although Abbi's doesn't "match" her coat, as my Aunt Amber says "it goes!" :). I can't wait to hand them out tomorrow. Abbi has already seen a picture of the pattern I used for her hat and asked if she can have "a frog hat like that". I know she will be excited ;)! And then Bethi's, Andrew's, and Emmi's will be a complete surprise to them, but Tori knows she is getting the one she requested- a monkey, haha! She loves monkeys, it is funny :)! Bethi will get a panda bear with a bow to match her coat, Andrew gets a dinosaur hat, and Emmi gets a snowman hat with a scarf tassel.
On a side note... the first post for December fit cold weather... but wait until you see the next post in mind ;)!!! After all, this is South Carolina... There have been summer days that were chilly... and then there have been winter days were the family went shopping and the warning was not "bring your coat", it was "don't touch the door, it feels like it just came out of the oven!!!" Haha...
I have about half of my Christmas presents done, and I'm now taking a break to work on winter hats. We are going to the zoo tomorrow with my Grandparents and Aunts. We're going to see the lights (our zoo does a "Lights Before Christmas" thing every year), and so, even for South Carolina, it will be quite cold as it will be night. This year I decided to make all the younger ones hats that will go with their coats. Although Abbi's doesn't "match" her coat, as my Aunt Amber says "it goes!" :). I can't wait to hand them out tomorrow. Abbi has already seen a picture of the pattern I used for her hat and asked if she can have "a frog hat like that". I know she will be excited ;)! And then Bethi's, Andrew's, and Emmi's will be a complete surprise to them, but Tori knows she is getting the one she requested- a monkey, haha! She loves monkeys, it is funny :)! Bethi will get a panda bear with a bow to match her coat, Andrew gets a dinosaur hat, and Emmi gets a snowman hat with a scarf tassel.
On a side note... the first post for December fit cold weather... but wait until you see the next post in mind ;)!!! After all, this is South Carolina... There have been summer days that were chilly... and then there have been winter days were the family went shopping and the warning was not "bring your coat", it was "don't touch the door, it feels like it just came out of the oven!!!" Haha...
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