Who knew?

I highly recommend this quiz...so fun! and so surprising...would have loved to have been Lizzie but I really do like Anne as well. What do you think? Do you agree with my characterization? Who are you?
You are Anne Elliot of Persuasion! Let's face it, you're easily persuaded, especially when faced with choices that are or aren't 'the Elliot way.' But this doesn't mean that you don't have conviction. Actually, your sense of duty is overwhelming. And though you won't stick your neck out too often, you have learned to speak up when it counts. To boot, you know how to handle sticky situations. You love deeply and constantly.

Christmas with Nana & Gramps (at Krys' in PA)

It was so, so special to see Nana & Gramps in Pennsylania this year. Nana went to so much effort, and through so much pain (traveling is really painful for her due to a hipbone that is deteriorating) to be with her beloved family. It was also extremely bittersweet for me as I had to leave early to try to quarantine our sick kids (that we thought had gotten better) from their young little cousins. When all is said and done a lot of people now have colds so it may have been noneffective since everyone was exposed from the start. But I tell you what, we had a grand Christmas celebration together. I have apologized profusely...but as I reflect back on it now a week later I am just so thankful for the memories I was able to share in. Tom and Cole got to be there the entire week and I was able to rejoin them in time for church on Sunday and the special dedication of my little nephews. It does seem like our time together was way too short and as we our home again I find myself lonesome for our very wonderful family. If you live near your family, please do not take them for granted and love on them regularly!!


Jeffrey & Krystal, so, so in love with each other and their beautiful kiddos. They always make me want to model Christ more after being around them. So faithful, so loving, so open armed at reaching out and embracing others with Christ's love...and they do so with four small children/babies.

When Deb & Rod are mentioned, Maddie always says, "Uncle Wad is so funny!" She loves the little games he plays with all the kids. They both always have ready hands to help hold babies, help pack sick kids up, cook, clean, you name it and they are ready to serve. Their son, Tyler, and our Cole enjoyed spending the week together. Uncle Tom still feels bad about shutting the car door on Tyer's hand...when you only see each other twice a year those are not the kind of memories you are aiming for!!

Now that is one hunky guy...holding one chunky little guy!

Christmas festivities at the cabin...huge thanks to Jeff's parents for their gracious hospitality. It is really fun getting to know the extended Yount family more and more on each of our visits.

Here are two little girls who really enjoy each other's company. They are SO into the same things and they pick up where they left off last visit so easily. They are holding their new dollies from Nana...they loved them so much! I was so excited to hear that I am still "Aunt Jerry" to Becca.

They both have a fascination with watching Sound of Music...who would of thought it at 3 years old? Here they are dancing to "16 going on 17!"

I love this shot of Aunt Krys with Maddie...snapped moments before we left and Krys was talking to her and saying goodbye. Such a relational auntie!

Cole had a outstanding week...because he and Dad were there without us they got to jump in the car and go sightseeing with Deb, Rod and Tyler. They spent a day in Washington D.C., included a visit to Hershey park, and they got to see a live dramatization of the nativity story in Lancaster, PA.

I love this picture of Cole in front of the Capitol.

And, of course, one of Cole's all-time highlights was (and always is) 4-wheeling. Pictured are Uncle Rod with Tyler; Cole with Dad, and Gramps beside them.

Even though our family circle is growing, it felt very incomplete without Robb & Julie and their kids there to complete us. I am really thankful for all my in-laws and feel very lucky and at times undeserving to have married into such a clan...but one thing I am for sure...grateful.

Christmas at Mama's house

Mama was so excited to let the grandkids eat at the "good table" this year. She has always loved setting a special table. I love having people over but the fascination with china and settings has not worn off on me yet (maybe a little...special days are definitely worthy of such effort). I still have vivid memories of walking around months before getting married with my mother amazed that I could not choose a pattern. I just felt like if I didn't know what I wanted, why make a choice you later wouldn't use. 10 years later, I am happy to say I have inherited my Mom's china from when she first got married (which I love that sentimental connection but don't actually use much for fear of the kids breaking it) and she got new china--now we are both very happy. Here is a picture of Christmas dinner...my Uncle Todd and Aunt Judy walked in just before we sat down so we were happy to pull up a few more chairs. I love that about my Mom's side of the family--they are an informal but fiercely loyal and fiercely loving kind of family. I would like to think I have inherited some of those genes.

Isaac on Christmas morning...we definitely do the jammy thing so excuse our messy hair (actually, though, he has issues with that at all times of the day so no excuses necessary).

Cole drew this picture of Mama's house. It was from an aerial perspective which I thought was quite cool. The black lines are the roof shingles...if you see it up close underneath them is a detailed drawing of the tree and presents. Most of the picture is concerned with the layout of her yard. He is such a little cartographer.

Maddie loved helping set the plates. You can definitely tell who is the mom and who is the grandma by who was worried about breaking plates...my how time changes things!

Aunt Bebe spoiled everybody way too much and more importantly helped nurse us through some high fevers. Her loving touch...curling up with the sick one for hours on end...was definitely a healing touch!

Cole and Dad got to go hiking in the woods...had to try out his new hiking boots. I was so proud of Tom for taking the camera and taking this picture. Now, who's rubbing off on who?

Flaming fever boy would not be kept from Christmas festivities. He is enthralled with his new books/dvd's called "Natural Killers" put out by National Geographic (and given to him by his Aunt Bebe). I always have to help explain his answer to friends when he tells them his favorite books/movies are natural killers.

Maddie loves her doll and was excited to get some cooking things this Christmas.

Now, I'm sure you all really cared what our kids got for Christmas...aren't you glad I shared? But I really did want to share these with the family and friends I know would care and especially for my sis Amy and bro-n-law Steve who couldn't be with us due to some really scary health issues (which thank the Lord are getting a little better). We missed seeing them but were glad we got a few moments to see them on our way out of town.

Look out Annie...Maddie's got her gun!

Too cute!

Graham Thomas

Andrew Grant














These pictures were taken yesterday at the dedication of my nephews. It was such a privilege to be there. They are such a beautiful family that offer themselves wholeheartedly to the Lord!

Happy New Year!

"What exactly are we doing this for?" (Isaac)

Things I have learned from Christmas season 2007

1. Fevers come and go...just when you think they've broke, and it's been close to 24 hours...then they come back with a vengeance higher than ever.

2. Stomach sickness is even less fun when away from home.

3. Noses can run incessantly...multiplied times three children and you go through a LOT of tissue.

4. Sickness makes you miss the crazy things your toddler normally does...Isaac hasn't climbed on one table or even chair since being sick...but I sure wished he would at times. I'll trade the snuggly baby for a healthy one any day.

5. Josiah has no interest in cartoon networks...he is an Animal Planet or Discovery Channel only consumer (and thank goodness for their availability in the midst of our plagues).

6. The mystery of viruses...we all went through one the week before we left...all got better....Josiah gets another one, Isaac soon to follow....Cole and Maddie still seem relatively healthy.

7. Having a nurse in the family is SO nice when the flu bug comes and bites you.

8. Sleep is very underated.

9. Motrin rocks!

10. Kindness in the midst of illness is a soothing balm.

Well, the short of it is...we thought we were healthy and left for PA to spend Christmas with both sides of the family. We stopped at Mom's first (where Josiah became sick again but seemed to come around within 2 days); then it was on to Krystal's where we had a great Christmas celebration followed by a night of flaming fevers back with a vengeance. In the hopes of quarantining the kids from all the other cousins, I drove the sick ones back to my Mom's leaving Tom and Cole to spend the remainder of the week with the cousins, aunts, uncles, Nana and Gramps (who were all meeting in PA this year). As I write this I am hoping to be reunited with them all tomorrow (Sunday) morning for the twins dedication.

In spite of all of this we have had a really blessed Christmas season. The one song that has reallly struck me this season as ringing very false is "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." Forgive me if that is your favorite...but the line "from now on our troubles will be out of sight" is just so far from truth to the people I know that are fighting valiant fights for health or justice. Christ in the flesh does not make our troubles disappear...it does mean He is with us in the midst of them. That had been my one epiphany moment of the season and it ministered to me while I was on my knees cleaning up after one bout of illness. Christ is with us...His presence does not guarantee or promise "merry" days but He does give us quiet joy in the times of question and uncertainty. I am so inspired by my friends who are fighting cancer and their quiet hope and trust in the Lord. I want to live with that kind of Christ in me hope...that no matter what tomorrow holds...to know that I am held by the almighty everlasting omnipotent hands of the incarnate One.

Tom preaching (updated)

Tom was really excited to have the opportunity to speak on the second Sunday of advent. You can listen to it here. It was not part of the series "Stewards R Us" even though that is what it says on the church site.

A milestone for Cole...

It was a really exciting evening for us last night as Cole was able to say the apostles creed all by himself at the supper table. Si and Maddie aren't far behind him either! Thanks to the Friedeman's for inspiring us to tackle this when we saw them this summer. We love their catechism for kids and their approach to parenting.

Homemade Nativity Ornament

One thing I have really enjoyed about this fall is teaching in the childrens ministries at our church. It has truly been a privilege to teach kids on Wednesday nights and alternating Sunday mornings. Especially exciting has been the chance to bring kids into our church that have never been to church...anywhere, ever. It is an awesome privilege to be the first person to facilitate the gospel to another. What good news we have, how much better it is when given away.

This ornament is a favorite my boys made a few years ago. This past week we made it at church, both in Sunday School and Wed. night classes. The kids all loved it. It was like they were making their very own nativity. They can hang it on the tree or keep it in their bedroom. The only downside was it is really hard to use a gluegun with a lot of small kids. So if you ever do it with a larger class, get several adults to help you. To construct it you need:

1.) mini grapevine wreath (I found 6/$1 at Hobby Lobby)

2.) natural colored moss/hay

3.) ecru felt cut into ~3" squares

4.) wire

5.) wooden golden stars (I painted plain wooden stars using gold spray paint, $1 at Walmart)

6.) wooden round balls (I used 1/2")

7.) permanent red and black marker to draw a face

I used a gluegun to attach the head to the felt, then wrapped it up in a "swaddling" fashion. I also used a gluegun to attach the hay to the wreath. Affix the wire to the star just by wrapping it around the points, wrap the wire around a marker to curl it, then attach to the wreath. You can also hotglue a ribbon onto the sides to make an ornament that easily hangs on the tree.

Prayer

Please pray for Matt (our AK friend)--he was in a really terrible car accident this week. We haven't been able to talk to him yet, but Tom was able to talk to his parents. He is stable and was discharged from the hospital but has a LOT of healing to do.

We did make contact with Matt and he is doing ok. His car is totaled, the insurance is a mess, but all that really matters is that he was not hurt worse than he is. He has a lacerated spleen which means he is not allowed much activity. We are so thankful for God's protection and pray he continues to heal.

Sled riding

We've been getting a few snow flurries this week and that has made for one very excited household of kiddos. Isaac was just as delighted as his older siblings to be out in the snow. If not sledding, though, he wants to walk all by himself....you can picture it....plod, plod, plod, PLOP! Every few steps and then he would do a face plant, only to get up and do it all over again. You have to love that kind of perseverance.

Maddie was having a ball...she didn't sled near as much as the others but she sure enjoyed socializing with everyone out there...and even if there wasn't anyone around she just kept talking and talking and gesturing with those hands.


Isaac's first run down!
Josiah and Cole were never ready to go...they just went up and down that hill the entire time we were out. And of course there was the elusive "one more time" to end the night.

Just as we were putting the younger two into the car, I looked for Cole and couldn't find him on the hill. Then I found him up above the sledding area trying to sled off a neighboring yard over a retaining wall (of course brick). Boys....you gotta love 'em!