A Family Christmas Portrait

Luke 2

The Birth of Jesus
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14"Glory to God in the highest,and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Presents Poll

I would have to select all four answers for this poll since it changes every year and we have several celebrations. This year, we will open some presents at home on Sunday before we leave for Stephen's parents. We will open some at Stephen's parents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, some at my parents on Christmas Day and some at my grandparents on Friday. Christmas is a very crazy travel time for us but we love to be with family for the holidays so it is worth it!

Play Time

Joshua is learning to sit up so we had some play time between the couch cushions. He loves those teething toys!

What a happy boy!

And, of course, big brother wants to play too!

Whisper Tube

Jeremiah made a "whisper tube" to tell the good news about Jesus's birth.

He colored it and put stickers all over it. I have never seen him spend so much time on coloring or crafts of any sort - he loved it!

He went around shouting "Jesus loves me!" and "Merry Christmas!" into the tube :)

Christmas

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

Ok, I just wanted to make that clear from the beginning.

I love that Jeremiah is old enough to appreciate more about Christmas this year. We've started some new traditions around the house. I'm sure I will add more throughout the month because I love doing anything and everything associated with Christmas but here's what we're starting with...

1. Christmas Countdown Chain (or Advent Chain) - Everyday we take off a loop, read the Bible verse on it and do the activity it suggests. So far we have read most of the first chapter of Luke, set up our nativity and made an angel. Jeremiah likes to point to Baby Jesus and his mommy and daddy in the nativity. We are also working on our numbers with the chain (once a teacher, always a teacher)!

2. Christmas music - lots and lots of Christmas music! I try to add a new one every day. So far, Jeremiah's favorites are "Crib Song" (Away in the Manger), "Snowman Song" (Frosty the Snowman) and Jingle Bells. We always start listening to Christmas music on our way back from Thanksgiving, but since we didn't go anywhere this year, we started that night at home!

3. Christmas books - We have checked out several Christmas books from the library and try to read one every day. Thank goodness for the library!

4. Happy Birthday Jesus! - As part of our chain activities, we will be baking a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas Eve. Stephen and I want to make sure that the boys always remember the real reason for Christmas and I think this such a fun way to do that!

5. Decorating the tree - Ok, Stephen puts it up and I decorate it but Jeremiah did "help" put it together and put the angel on top of the tree so he is getting more involved. Very sadly, our tree broke last year but we have wonderful friends who are letting us borrow theirs this year!

Like I said, I'm always looking for more ideas! So, what special things does your family do for Christmas?

Another Shopping Poll

Does it count that I know what I am going to get everyone? How are you doing?

Guy Time

The boys (and I) were so happy to have Stephen home for four days over the weekend. I think they got in some good "guy time" :) Less than three weeks to Christmas break! I love being with my guys!

Joshua discovered his toes!

Family time

We've had some great time with family lately so I thought I would share a few pictures...

Grandpa Mac and Jeremiah

Joshua and Grandma Mac


Jeremiah and Marshall

Grandma Mo helps Joshua pet Marshall

Wesley and Jeremiah

Welcome to our Thanksgiving!

I know this is super late but between company, shopping, runny noses and laundry, this is the first chance I have had to write about our Thanksgiving!

Thanks to my wonderful friend Christine, I had everything except the sweet potatoes chopped and ready to go the day before. I made the jello salad ahead of time as well (which didn't end up helping me since I read the recipe wrong!). I also made my napkin rings and wreath Wednesday, so all I had to do on Thursday was put the food together.

I had a stressful Thanksgiving morning - dealing with the turkey, the jello wasn't setting - until my wonderful husband surprised me with a white chocolate mocha from Starbucks and everything was right with the world :) He also took Jeremiah with him for the morning and Joshua took a nap so getting ready was a lot easier.

The side dishes were so easy to put together in the crock pots. The turkey was quite an adventure - I'm just glad nobody has any film of me dealing with that thing. By 10:30, the table was set and everything was cooking and I was feeling pretty good - except about the jello. Always make sure you check the number of ounces the recipe calls for - 1 3-0z. package of gelatin does not work the same as 1 6-oz. package! And adding more the next day is not the same :)

Stephen's parents arrived around 11:30 and we had pumpkin smoothies and a veggie tray while we waited for the turkey to be done.

Despite the stress of the morning, everything turned out delicious - even the recipes I had never tried! The sweet potatoes were so yummy... and the stuffing had just enough spice and crunchiness (is that a word?) for me. The jello tasted great after a while in the freezer (that will make it set!). Stephen's parents brought delicious rolls and the yummiest Caramel Apple Pie.

And the turkey...I actually roasted a wild turkey and it turned out well! We had plenty of meat and it was moist and delicious. It was my first time roasting one and Stephen's first time carving one and I am pretty darn proud of us! A big thanks again to Darcy and Donna for the turkey and recipe!

I would call our first Thanksgiving at home a big success. I hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving as well! Let me know how your holiday went!

"Black Friday" Poll

My answer right now is we will probably go shopping on Black Friday, but you never can tell with a toddler and a baby. I can tell you one thing - I will NOT be at any store at 4, 5, or even 6 a.m. Even if my children are awake.

The Shack

Read it. That's all I can or will say. Visit The Shack for more info. Talk to me about it when you're done.

Have any book recommendations for me?

Med School Update - 11/08

13 weeks of med school down...4 to go until Christmas! Still too many to count until being done!

Stephen did very well in his first core of classes, finishing in the top 30% of his class. Anatomy did not start out as one of his favorite classes but he would prefer that to what he has now - up to four hours of lecture at a time!

His courses now are about cellular processes. I am amazed at how much information is presented to them in such a short period of time and even more so at how much they can retain. I guess that is why Stephen was called to be a doctor and not me!

He is still commuting every day but not minding that too much. We're saying our prayers that the weather continues to be nice as long as possible.

We are blessed to see Stephen as much as we do - he leaves every morning around 6:40 a.m. and is home by 5:45 p.m. I have heard many horror stories of students studying 8+ hours a day and we are so glad he is an efficient student :) He and his study group do an awesome job of making family a top priority. Jeremiah loves his time to play trains, blocks and chase with Daddy and we eat dinner together every night.

After his first test for the new core this weekend, we are all looking forward to a "short week." Oh, and I think he is a little excited to go the Nebraska-Colorado game with his dad on Friday. I have to say, I'm a little jealous, but we'll do some shopping and take a nap and I'll be just fine!

Thanksgiving Plans Poll

I love to hear what people are doing for the holidays so please post what you are doing after you answer the poll!

I am hosting Thanksgiving for the first time this year! I am so excited! Stephen's parents will be here with us - a small gathering but very significant to me nonetheless!

I might be going a little overboard on the food, but I don't know when I'll get to host again so I want to try it all! I will post my menu as soon as it is finalized!

If you are hosting, I would love to know what your menu looks like! Also, I love to hear family traditions so share your favorites!

Happy 80th Birthday Grandma!

Today is my grandma's 80th birthday and, even though she doesn't own a computer, I want to wish her a very blessed birthday! She would probably kill me if she knew I was putting her picture up here, but 80 years is definitely reason to celebrate!

So Grandma, thanks for all the love and laughter over the years. We wish we could be there to help you celebrate. Have a great day, but stay out of the ice and snow - that means you too, Grandpa! See you at Christmas! Love you guys!

Meal Poll

Dinner - hands down. I love the variety of choices. I love cooking it. I love sitting around the table with my family. The only thing I don't love is cleaning up afterwards :) I guess that would be the same with any meal!

Hands and Feet

The boys and I made these turkeys from our hand prints and footprints on Wednesday (can you tell which one is mine?!). I thought it was just a fun craft to do with Thanksgiving coming and all, but apparently God wanted to use it in another way.

Through many avenues this week - conversations, reading, worship, crafts with the kids - God has been showing what He really wants in my life and, I believe, in the life of every Christian. We are His hands and feet here on earth. As a very wise friend of mine said, "It is our job to bring a little bit of heaven here to earth for other people." I believe prayer is the most powerful tool God has given us, but it is our hands and feet that will do the work of Christ and truly change this world. He is asking us to pray AND move.

One of my favorite worship songs (the one playing when Joshua was born) has the most powerful prayer in it:

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into Eternity

Along with this, my prayer for this week is that God would show me how to use my hands and feet to serve Him and those around me. And those turkeys on the fridge will be my reminder.

Prayer

As you all know, we elected a new president yesterday. For the past four years, I have been part of an online group called the Presidential Prayer Team. I wanted to pass along the prayer they have posted on their site and encourage you to be praying for our country and our president - current and elect - in these difficult times. Prayer is so powerful and has never been so important.

Give thanks for the outworking of God’s sovereign will in our nation through the votes of citizens as seen in yesterday's election. Praise God for answered prayers as there were no major incidents and results were known with certainty. Pray for President Elect Obama to seek God and His will in every decision and plan that he makes, and pray for his safety as he travels and makes plans.

Pray for President-Elect Obama that he will be awed before God with the responsibility he has to seek His face as he prepares to lead the nation. Pray for a swell of support in prayer for him as he makes plans. Pray also for Senator John McCain, that he will have God’s grace as he returns to his former responsibilities.

Continent Poll

My vote: Australia. Preferably during the Australian Open tennis tournament. It looks like a very interesting country and I love the way they talk :)

Costumes

Fall fun - Part 2

I am so thankful for safe options to trick-or-treating at Halloween. I am not real fond of going house to house to get candy from people I don't know - maybe I'm paranoid but that's just my opinion. We has two great alternatives to that this week.

On Tuesday, our doctor's office hosted a trick-or-treat event for all the kids. All of the staff dressed up and we walked around the clinic getting candy from all of them. They also had a real live race car there for kids to look at and get in.

On Friday, our church hosted "Trunk-or-Treat" - an event held in the parking lot of the church in which people decorate the trunk of their car and hand out candy from there. I love the fact that we know all of the people and my toddler doesn't have to walk very far to get all the candy he could need for the next year! It was also great to be surrounded by Christian messages and trunk decorations on what has turned into such a dark and creepy "holiday." Inside the gym, there were games, food, door prizes and a costume contest. No prizes for costumes here - Joshua was one of four or five lions and Jeremiah was one of at least three football players - but Joshua did win a door prize!

Jeremiah and Zeke

Future Huskers!

One tired lion!

Fall fun - Part 1

Stephen's parents stay at a campground here in town every time they come for a Husker game. This campground is fantastic. They have pancakes on Saturday mornings, a cute playground, a swimming pool and really friendly people. Last weekend they hosted a Fall Festival. Jeremiah jumped in the bounce house (he LOVES to jump). We all went on a hayrack ride. Jeremiah and "Mi-ma" ran through a maze and searched for lollipops by flashlight. "Papa" competed in a pumpkin rolling relay and there was marshmallow roasting. If you are visiting and you like to camp, you need to stay at this campground.

Big Boy Bed!

With two young children, it seems like we are always hitting new milestones. Jeremiah had survived several nights in his toddler bed (and only fell out twice that we know of) so he was ready for his "big boy bed" which arrived Friday night. Stephen put it together on Saturday - with Jeremiah's "help" - and Jeremiah picked out Thomas the Tank Engine sheets on Sunday.

We had small group on Sunday night so the boys had a babysitter. Apparently it was not a great idea to have her put him to bed in this new bed for the first time - whoops. After a little meltdown, he went to sleep in his toddler bed. When we got home, we moved him to the new bed and slept there until 8:40! It was truly a miracle! He has done just fine in the bed since then - except for nap time. We'll get that figured out too I'm sure - eventually.

Solid food!

Joshua began his adventures into solid food Monday night. I do not remember it going this well with Jeremiah the first time - maybe it was a first time parent thing :) Joshua kept grabbing for the spoon which Jeremiah thought was hilarious.

Yummy rice cereal!