Merry Christmas

We have spent MANY days in the snow. Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Christmas Eve

Making ginger bread cookies with Daddy. Samuel likes to have well floured hands!
We enjoyed seeing family via computer.

Christmas Day!

Match Box Cars, Littlest Pet Shop stuff, books, games and movies.

We all had a good day. I think every one received something to be happy about.
I have to send a HUGE "Thank you" out to Virginia and Giti; who sent me Virginia's camera to use becuase I lost mine in SC. You two are the very BEST!


YEE-HAW! Time to Play!

Janna came a day late but definitely not a dollar short! Because they had to reschedule her flight due to snow storms, she was able to fly first class. We are sorry Stephanie didn't make it (because of the storms she was stranded at JFK), but she did get a free trip to NYC. She was able to spend a day with a guided tour; someone she met at the airport. Our Father above is so good!

Sassafras-Lily

Samuel and his guitar (uh... ukulele). He and his guitar are inseparable. He is our music man.


Fancy Dancers

The chopstick throwing Ballerina.

Princess shiny shoes.




Workin Guy!

Mimi got Samuel a tool kit. Daddy got Samuel a tool box. Samuel built me house out of his sisters dressor.

I think you can see the tiniest bit of Nick in this picture.

Thank You!
To all of you who sent gifts, cards, love, and prayers (because prayers are at least as important as the other things). We miss you all. We hope this new year will exemplify, "pressed down, shaken together, and running over...". That every effort you make to love and honor will be multiplied. May Gods favor inspire you all!

More of the Same...Alot more!

Well, the only thing I would change about the picture is me. I am now the one outside with the children. It has been over a week and filled with excitement. A little snow has turned into about a foot of snow; with more to come. I have friends who are constantly telling me, "It is never like this". In May when it was still in the forties "It is never like this", In April when there was snow on the ground "It is never like this", In August when it is raining and barely fifty degrees...
I believe that Seattle weather is like guessing a number from one to ten. Only the Pacific ocean knows the number it has in mind from day to day.

Anyway, visitor number one (Stephanie) got stuck in NYC for 24 hours and will not be visiting. Janna will make it in tonight hopefully; a day late.

Meanwhile, we have had our own adventures. Nick had a long day of "going" to work last Thursday. He had to walk a few miles in the snow toward home, after his bus lost it's chains. He made a Starbucks stop along the way. I was able to slowly drive to pick him up about a mile from home. The next day he took the car to work. Saturday we went for a drive. Ahead of us (picture it) a younger than myself guy, pulled out of a parking lot and fish tailed his Jeep across the median. It was so Duke of Hazard, only not, because of the snow. Nick was filled with a kindred surge of testosterone. He spent the rest of the day trying to find an opportunity to "safely" slide our bright blue mini van around in the snow. My heart went out to him, but not fare enough. The children and I have had lots of laughs and tears, as icy fingers are no fun. We made a spot for sliding in our back yard and Lillian and her girl friends have been enjoying that. Hopefully it will provide Christmas entertainment also.

The Christmas tree is up. Every morning I am directed to the plug by my son to turn the lights on. There are ornaments strewn about the floor under the tree. He is so interested in the trains and bears and snowmen. It is the tackiest tree you could imagine! I let Lillian decorate it to her liking. She found a bag of craft ribbon and really one half of the tree looks like it has been toilet papered. The bottom half is almost bare; a Samuel idea. But, it is very festive!

We hope you all have sweet and maybe exciting times over Christmas and New Years. Love to all!

This is what it looked like shortly after we got out of bed this morning. Please notice how accurate this rendering is (I am in the house). You will have to enjoy my silly sketches for a while. My camera disappeared into the fathoms of suitcases, wild children, and furry dogs, while visiting South Carolina. Lillian like her father, is a cold weather girl. She came in to eat breakfast and is back out with the neighbors (and humming birds, crazy huh?). But, I get to be a good Mommy and stay inside laboring over a hot stove (whaa), a pot of coffee, and some hot chocolate. It is hard being a warm and dry mom in a quiet house.

I don't really know what normal is. Our lives rarely feel routine enough to call normal. We are a nomadic family and always getting ready for the next thing. It seems to be that way. As soon as we returned from Columbia we started getting ready for Stephanie (Nicks sister) and Janna (my sister), who will be spending Christmas with us. What a BIG and LOVING father in Heaven I have. I miss the noise and commotion of family more than anything. I feel like a fish out of water with out a little chaos. I am so glad to have them for their winter break. Nick and I were blessed by a new friend I made though my job at the gym. She had a baby sitting play date (she brought her two) for us so we could go to Nick's office Christmas party. Fancy. Well off to enjoy my sweet little family on a snowy and COLD Sunday morning.

These are the lyrics to my favorite song right now. Simple, but praise God all true! Some times when I am singing this song I feel like my heart is gripping these words as tightly as it can. Even if it is not a raging ocean, but a constant tide, all day, every day; it is good to know that he makes all things work together for our good.

Your Love Never Fails

Nothing can separate

even if I ran away
your love never fails!

I know I still make mistakes
but you have new mercies for me everyday
your love never fails!

You stay the same through the ages
your love never changes
there may be pain in the night, but joy comes in the morning
and when the oceans rage, I don't have to be afraid
because I know that you love me!
Your love never fails!

The wind is strong and the waters deep
But I'm not alone here in these open seas
your love never fails

the chasm was far to wide
I never thought I'd reach the other side
But your love never fails

You stay the same through the ages
your love never changes
there may be pain in the night but joy comes in the morning
and when the oceans rage I don't have to be afraid
because I know that you LOVE me!
Your love never fails!

You make all things work together for my good.

Samuel B-lated Two

These pictures were taken in Olympia. This is Samuel's friend Haily. Samuel has lots of friends. He is such a sweet boy. But he is still SUCH a boy (like I know what I am talking about; all I know is Lillian didn't get into the kinda trouble he does and I don't think I did either)

Checking out a water drain. Very chilly; who cares lets get wet!

My wonderful girl. She likes to get wet also. She is such a good little soccer player. Little because she is probably gonna be much better at something else; but I was filled with sweetness watching her. She is the only girl. It was cold and raining and bless her heart she slipped and fell in a puddle. But she kept playing. I encouraged her with hot tea (the caffeinated kind she isn't allowed to have). It hit the spot I guess.

What Samuel looks like with brushed hair...Oh my goodness!

At three this morning I got up with Samuel. He was fussing and crying, very sad. I crawled into bed with him and cuddled him as he sobbed "MY orange juice". Almost as funny as this hair!

This is what happens when Mothers get on the phone in the middle of the day!
He...no THEY were covered from head to toe.

Just my son.

No Halloween BUT lots of Costume

We enjoyed the "Reformation Fest" at the church we have been visiting. Every year they celebrate reformation and everyone dresses up in medieval costume. Nick created his own "Reformation" wear. He would be glad to make them to order; any one interested let him know. The children got to wear home made costumes. Nick said Lillian was reminiscent of Carol Burnett as Scarlett O'Hara("I saw this hanging in the window and I just couldn't resist"). But, to my glee, I had a "most authentic" comment made over my peasant girl.
So, for your enjoyment, my reformist/revolutionary family!

St. Nick...

St. Samuel of Loch Forest. He looks the part. St. Samuel tends to the needs of the poor and afflicted in the parks of the city, cuddles babies, fights with a fierce stick sword that sound like a machine gun, and loves to get jazzy on the "nano".

Lady Lily of the valley. She is the fiery defender of the oppressed (usually that is herself, but often others). She travels the country-side painting portraits of hope which she freely gives to everyone she meets.

AND...Me. (not pictured)

These are my children's alter egos. However, as with most alter egos, Lillian's almost killed her so we have since banished it to the back of the closet. More on that in a moment.

"You don't want to see me when I am whining" or after the festival last night "You don't want to see me when I have had candy". Samuel calls this "Strong Man". Biblicaly that is not my favorite image for my son but what can you say to a two year old. He gets on is muscles and shows off his impressively accurate and strong jab, directly into the nearest flesh.

"Whaaaaa"

Mine,mine,mine!

"Hold it Samel, hold it Samel!"

Rah,snarl,cough,wheeze.

Lillian has asked for an animal suit for a few years. I found one at a second hand store. She was so excited. She wore it outside to play in the neighbor's yard; like a wild cat of course. She came in that night, took off the costume and started shivering, then vomiting, and when I checked her temp it was 105...Yikes! My first thought was menengitis. Soon, after we freaked out and made her laydown her temprature dropped and she was fine. She calls it the "fever suit" now and won't wear it.

outta the loop

I have been having serious computer withdrawals the past few weeks. We caught a menacing computer bug and had to wipe out our hard drive; I think it was successful? We will see.
So, I know everyone get's tiered of me belly aching about chilly weather. I get tiered of my belly aching about chilly weather. However, I am over come with such great longing to be HOT HOT HOT. I would love to sweat and feel my skin get hot and tight in the sun. I saw pictures of South Carolina tonight, the beach, the pineapple door knocker, the palmetto flag...oh tears. I don't think I am inclined to move back to South Carolina, actually. But these things represent HOT, and cozy ease. Five layers of clothing is stifling honestly.
I can say that, while my body has felt withdrawn from the pleasant warmth of the sunny south; my spirit has been basking in the warmth of such a great LOVE and hope in Jesus my King. So I am completely grateful for such fowl perpetually chilly weather. The juxtaposition is revealing. Plus I am learning so much. Like, the difference between believing the word and being possessed by THE WORD. The Holy Spirit is ALIVE like child in your womb; you haven't seen the child, you haven't touched the child, but that living being is responsive and moves, is engaging and ALIVE.
I recently attended an arts conference. I take my babies every where (because I have to, but that is a great blessing). So, Lillian drew a picture of a woman in a blue dress with red polka dots, brown hair, praising the Lord. She tells me that the girl in the picture is praising the Lord because she had just gotten out of a wheel chair. WELL!!! A few friends of Janna's were visiting our church for this conference. The group from Janna's school came to teach. Lillian went to the hospital with them one of the days so that she could pray for the sick. They all took paintings and drawings with them. Lillian gave her picture to them and the first person they met when they arrived at the hospital was the lady in her picture. She was waiting outside the hospital, blue hospital gown with red polka dots and brown hair. She was in a wheel chair having just had a painful back surgery. They prayed with her and she was able to stand and then sit back down with little pain; which she could not do before. The woman was amazed by the story of Lillian's picture (which they gave her) and hopefully will be reminded of Gods love for her whenever she sees it. I can't say how the fullness of life I feel in my spirit has happened, except to say that it is kinda like looking at your children and wondering how they got so big, and then in a year thinking how did they get so big, they were so small the last time I noticed they were so big.
Love to all. I will get pictures back up soon. Samuel has a mop of hair on his head! I promised Janna I would not cut it till Thanksgiving. Lillian is doing well with school, frustrated by the work at times, but she's a smart girl. Nick is just off a grueling two month deadline. The children did a couple 24 and 48 hours with out seeing Dad. He is taking a day off and we are going pumpkin patching.

School begins & Samuel's #2

Art
"Art" covers, art, music and anything else creative. Here are a few of our first, we'll call them "Lessons in expression"
Primary Colors...she discovered on her own lesson #2 Secondary colors. The rainbow is from History, Noah and the great flood. So great in fact was this flood that even the people who did not believe in our one true God recorded it (The Epic of Gilgamesh).

We have read "The Nutcracker" and watched the Ballet. I hope to have many field trips for our Art class. Because I think it is fun!

History
Like it says "His" story. So, we are starting at the beginning (creation)and learning from there. I am tempted to spend all my time in the not so important subjects (Art, History, Science)for a Kindergarten. Nick reminds me that I needn't stretch myself to thin Lillian really needs to know Math, Reading, and Grammar. Actually it is funny how that works. He is correct, but somehow I think that might be the area he would spend all of his time were it him teaching her.

We are studying Egypt and other Ancient civilazations along with Abraham-Moses. It looks good on the blog, but really it isn't so fancy. Most of the time we are reading and talking.

Reading
This is the most difficult part of our day so far. It requires the most effort from Lillian, although she is a great reader. Here are a few books she has read.

We play alot of games. I have found some good ones that we both enjoy.

She is a great writer. Practice makes perfect...I have heard. So we both get to take time doing something that does not come natural to either of us; practice. I spent most of my child hood pretending to be a brilliant child prodigy. If it didn't feel like a celestial gift, it didn't happen. I woke up to that fantasy when I was ten and realize I wasn't really any good at Ballet.

Lillian likes to extend the pleasure of writing practice by making the words "Fancy"
Math is pretty basic, plus all the important things we all have to learn; months, days, name, address.

Science
September is Astronomy!

Last night we went out and found a few stars. Nick is going to take our little pupil to the planetarium this month. I am enjoying with great amazement the reminder that our God, and our Savior hold together the most amazing things. Wow! Really, if we can do anything when we put our minds to it, what sort of adventures had/has he planned for us outside of our own atmosphere?
Well, I was going to incorporate Samuels big day in this blog but think I'll honor him with his own. I love that I get to play and learn with them all the time!
Love to all!

Uncle Seth's Big Cookie

It is funny how you find significance in the little things. While Keely and Brad where here this summer Nick took them to the grocery store. Yes, we are hosts who live on the edge; we like to exceed the limits of vacation expectations with trips to the grocery store. Anyway they brought this very large cookie home. This particular store has everything and this cookie proves it. The cookie is called "Uncle Seth's Big Cookie". We all enjoyed a bite and were thankful to have a Seth to connect with. On to other news. Our lease is a sixteen month lease, we had hoped to hang out here for a while longer but the Landlords need to sell. Don't scratch through our names, yet again, until after Christmas; we will be moving in April. Nick and I found a quaint little Beach community we like, "quaint" however is a word that generally has a substantial price tag attached. I am currently beguiled by the weather; PERFECT. If the weather was like this six months out of the year I would absolutely root myself. House hunting in such weather is like doing your grocery shopping on an empty stomach. I even felt the urge to buy; ridiculous! I want to live on a farm-esque property so bad. But if this is any example of the tricksy weather, yesterday we were down town and I thought "Lets sell the car and move into a one bedroom right in the middle of Seattle". I may revisit that thought again before we settle on something. For the same rent I could live within a shout from seven art galleries, the Art Museum, and the Symphony; Nick could walk home every day for lunch, plus on my back steps would be grocery,restaurant's...you name it, everything. And this is Nicks problem with the idea, EVERYThING includes women making out with each other on the sidewalk (which he saw last week) and weirdo's yelling obscenity's at each other with no regard to children. And it would mean downsizing; I could probably sell him on the idea with that point alone. Who needs a whole bunch a stuff anyway? Oh well, I won't convince myself.

Boxing bugs

Samuel got in the ring yesterday with a gang of bee's. A railroad tie in our back yard has been buzzing for a few weeks. I imagined with horror the possibilities. But in a moment of mercy spared the colony, choosing instead to keep a watchful eye on the moody creatures. So far so good. Thursday when the landlords daughter stepped on a bee and was stung, I stealthily blocked the openings with boards and watched as the small hive turned out to be at least a hundred bees. I had plans for Nick to poison the lot of them. Samuel got to them before Nick did. Perusing my garden Saturday evening I hear Lillian scream "Mom...Samuel". Just as I caught a glimpse of him in my periphery pulling away the carefully laid boards, I heard screams of terror and pain. He had, well really only three or four bee's ganging up on him. I felt like the bionic woman, if you remember the sound effect when they put her in slow motion doing some incredible thing like...jumping. Anyway, I was that woman, it was probably not the least bit impressive (for lack of sound effect, well my sound effect honestly was probably like "OH #@%$*"; see not impressive). When we got him inside there was a straggler, and he was still screaming. All is well. He was only stung twice; Praise God. But they got him good in the face. I took the bottom picture while he was brushing his teeth. It looks much worse today, his entire eye is swollen shut. At church every one looked at him and was given this explanation; Samuel said "Bee,bee,bee" while poking his face.

Poor Baby!