joy in the Season...

I have to admit, the holidays are not always the most wonderful time of year for me. This year I am choosing joy, choosing to let the stress of finances and busy schedules steal the excitement and love of this season.

Sunday was so anticipated by our kids, putting up the tree is always fun (for them). We carefully scheduled this time, as our week was quite busy. Church on Saturday night is so nice, freeing Sunday for us. There were only a few tense and irritated words exchanges while straightening the branches and finding the right plugs for the lights. After the tree was up, the decorating was done quickly and enthusiastically by five pajama-clad kids.


And joy and a lot of laughter from a silly tradition, of each child putting the star on the tree...on daddy's shoulders.
this on makes me laugh because D's face was repeatedly shoved into the branches!


a little easier with the 40 lb and under set...




a 5'2" boy on daddy's shoulders...


not sure if his back has recovered from this yet...such a look of fierce determination!


a little bundle of joy, making a nest in the tree just like when she was a kitten.


the joy of everyone home together for a whole day...

joy...a few more

my wonderful husband and father of our fantastic five...he loves our kids intentionally, cares about them as individuals, is deeply interested in their lives. He plays and has so much fun with them! Watching him enjoy them brings me joy, and reminds me to have fun and play. (ps, Gabe's muscles are ripped in this pic...haha!)


I liked his no shave look he had for a while this summer. shhh...I have a crush on my hubby!



These moments with my two little boys home each morning bring me joy. Eating lunch together and talking about little boys things. Just look at those sweet hands.


This music has brought me so much joy. There were a few years that were quiet around here, but now the music brings so much peace to my heart and home. Listening to my children learn the lyrics and sing along is something that is beyond joy.

on finding joy...

I'm going to try something new-ish, and use the month of December to list 100 things that bring me joy. One of my favorite bloggers has started this, and it spoke to me enough to dust off my neglected blog and join in.
I do struggle finding joy every day, tending to be the half-empty girl. Over the past year, I have really felt God whispering to me to simplify, let things go, and to recognize the many things that He has given me. I am going to continue to seek Him, delight myself in Him, and find joy.

Psalm 5:11 "But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you."

So for my first five things that bring me joy:
Sydnee, first born

What an absolute joy to see this beautiful girl on fire for God, working hard at school, doing her best to help at home and to get along with her siblings. She brings joy and love into this home.

Benjamin, first son

Funny, quiet, smart, handsome, atheletic. My heart skips a beat when he steps out of his pre-adolescent awkwardness to hug his mama and tell me he loves me.

Madyson, pickle in the middle

My heart, my sweet girl. Her shyness reminds me so much of myself. She is a listener, picks up on anything that is needed and jumps to help. Smart, funny, loving, helpful...her laugh is pure joy!

Luke, second son

His smile lights up any room, his laugh is contagious. Learning to read and write, being a leader at school. Full of energy and (sometimes) mischief. Still hugs and kisses me when nobody is looking.

Gabriel, the youngest

Happy, strong, growing up so fast! Loves his big brothers and sisters, loves wrestling his daddy, loves to help his mama.

what we've been up to...

I just unloaded my camera's memory card onto the computer and thought I'd share a few...a photo essay of the past month here!

Playing:
playdoh

dressup

drawing

more dressing up

reading

fun dollar store finds

baseball in the house
(check out that form!)


Events:
losing her tooth

soccer games

one child dates


Hanging out together:
finding old friends in the garage (notice how happy Gabe is to share with Luke)

high school girls

watching tv and cuddling


Food:
guacamole for mommy

Syd's cupcake creations...frosting them on the bottom

daddy sharing his beef jerky with his new best friend


All in all, we're having a lovely winter, hibernating indoors and enjoying some lazy days. Mostly we stay in our jammies, or shower and put clean ones on, as you can see with Gabe's photos here. Comfort food, movies, snuggling, jammies...what could be better?

14 years

14 years married to my best friend, how blessed am I?

5 beautiful children and a lifetime of memories already...looking forward to the rest of our lives together!

a little boy date

I had a lovely little date with my two little boys on Friday morning. We shopped for groceries, stopped by the $1 spot at Target for a few goodies, and had pasta for lunch. And warm flatbread. Luke ate his without butter, because he liked how it tasted without the butter.

Gabe liked it with butter. They shared mushroom stroganoff, with tons of parmesan cheese on top. Gabe ate his entire bowl!

I had pad thai, because that's the only thing I order when we go there. Why didn't I know about this delicious food until 2 years ago, I ask you? In my opinion it is a perfect blend of flavors and textures. Sweet, spicy, crunchy, tart...


As good as our food was, though, the company was the best part!

i heart faces

I just found this website and am hooked! I have a goal this year of learning more about photography and using my new camera as much as possible. i heart faces has a weekly challenge, and this week is for your "Best Face Photo", the photo having been taken between December and now. So let me jump right in with both feet!
On New Year's Eve I took the three littles to visit Grandma-at-the-farm. We brought along some magic sponge capsules, you know the ones you put in warm water and they eventually hatch into fun sponge shapes? My sweet Grandma had as much fun as my kiddos did! She is such an inspiration to me. Her face is the most beautiful face, years of joy, laughter and love, wisdom from living a full life.
Here she is watching the bowl with the littles...

Oh my Darling...

The following is an email I received this morning from David, addressed to Luke:

Hi Luke,

Guess what? I love you! Guess what a student just told me? A student just told me I have a Clementine sticker on the back of my shirt.



You are a goofy goober!!!!!!!!



Love Daddy



Our sweet Luke LOVES to play jokes on his family, his sense of humor and laugh are contagious! I find those stickers on David almost daily, I guess I missed one!

Jesus invade

We've been walking through some tough times as a family in the past few months. I just came across a song that spoke directly to my heart, and put to words my prayers over the past months.

Invade
by Watermark

Come, come in
Invade all You see of us
Any man, who'd walk Your road is welcomed here
And You're the only one

Chorus:
Jesus, come and walk the halls of this house
Tread this place and turn it inside out
With Your mercy...
Jesus, teach us the prayers that open these doors
Until Your light floods in and illuminates these floors
And let Your truth be on our steps and in these rooms
Jesus invade...

Reach, reach in
With the hand that heals all our suffering
Conquer all that is not of You
Bring Your spirit through
As we fill these walls with Your praise

Chorus

Bridge:
I call for angels
I call for mercy
I call for freedom
In the name of Jesus
In the name of Jesus

thursday thirteen

thirteen random thoughts/things i love:

1. taco salad. it could possibly be the perfect lunch. i always say, the best part of taco night is lunch the next day!

2. my three boys: ben, luke, gabe. possibly the most wonderful little boys in the world!

3. my two girls: madyson and sydnee. beautiful, delightful, warm, wonderful.

4. my hubby: hardworking, happy, kind and gentle, wonderful father, best friend.

5. trail mix. (how's that for random?) could possibly be the perfect snack! especially the bag i picked up at sam's club the other day. perfectly salty, crunchy, chewy, chocolatey...need i go on? (see pic above)

6. facebook. serious addiction. serious fun finding old friends online!

7. spring, please oh please come soon!

8. vacation...i spent way too much time online this morning looking for a rental in michigan for this summer. with no luck, yet.

9. a new baby nephew i get to meet on sunday! can't wait...

10. reading. i need a book to read. any suggestions? leave me a comment, please!

11. david is graduating in just over a month. there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

12. hot coffee that i had this morning. the whole cup while it was still hot. amazing.

13. tomorrow is friday! yay!

Mystery Reader

March is reading month, and at Maddy's school they have a "Mystery Reader" come in each day to read a book to the class. Grampy came last year to read, and I signed him up to come again this year. Today was the day and the look on Maddy's face when he walked in was so sweet! I actually shed a tear and missed the moment with my camera, but was able to snap some other cute shots...




Have you read the book "Skippyjon Jones"? It is adorable, and really funny! My dad read it to my kids a week or two ago on one of our evenings together and they all LOVED it. He read it to the first graders this morning and they enjoyed it just as much.
Thanks Grampy!

chocolate sauce...so good!

1 c. butter
3 c. sugar
1/3 c. cocoa powder (i used special dark powder)
1 12oz. can EVAPORATED milk
dash salt
1 tsp. vanilla

mix together all but the vanilla in a large saucepan. bring to boil over medium heat and boil for 7 minutes, whisking constantly. remove from heat and add vanilla. blend in a blender or with handheld blender if needed (i didn't need to)

good luck keeping your spoon (and fingers!) out of this yummy sauce! makes a very large amount...but is SO.DARN.GOOD.

wordless wednesday: indoor waterpark weekend