Luke's Gingerbread House

Instead of a Christmas party, Luke's teacher had a gingerbread house decorating.  One of the other Mom's had built a house around a milk carton along with an ice cream cone tree.  It was then the job of the students to decorate however they pleased.  I was really glad I was able to go.  It was my first major outing since I was sick, but I wanted to be there for Luke.  Each child was given a plate covered with icing and that bag of candy sitting on Luke's desk.  After that, they got to work...both constructing and eating.  It's always a good time for me to go and see Luke in his class.  I always enjoy watching him interact with others and for me to interact a bit with his classmates.  This afternoon did not disappoint.

Getting started!

Finished project!

Christmas Cookies

 I was so sick a couple of weeks ago that I really didn't think decorating Christmas cookies was going to happen this year.  We don't make them for anything special.  I just know my kids really, really enjoy mixing, cutting and icing.  So, each year I try to tackle the project for their delight and all the yumminess afterwards.    If I would have been left up to my own efforts, this just would not have happened.  Thankfully, my parents made the trip out to lend a huge hand to me while I was still on the mend.  In addition to getting our home back into shape, Mom made and decorated cookies with the kids.  Here are some of my favorites from their time.

 Everyone making sure their cookie cutter is represented

 Icing the perfect cookie

 Hannah making sure her "H" gets well decorated as well

 Working hard

 Luke really enjoyed the project.  He loved how yummy it was!

Some of the finished project

Another Finished Project

I'm thinking my priorities may have been a bit off.  I was intent on finishing my quilt and let some of my Christmas responsibilities fall just a bit behind.  However, I was thrilled with the outcome.  Earlier this year, I decided I wanted to make a quilt - my first quilt - the biggest bed in the house.  Yes, I start with big projects!  Along with that, I asked Chris to make us a bed.  We'd only had just a metal bed frame since we were married 10 years ago so it was a fun project.  Chris used a pattern online to make the bed and I went out on a limb to paint it red.  I still think I was crazy to pick that color - so out of character for me - but I absolutely love it and adds color to our otherwise neutral room.  The bed has been finished for a few months now, but I just finished the quilt last week.  I was very pleased with the outcome and love our new look.

Oh, just for the record, I did not quilt all the layers together.  That would have just been a task my sewing machine couldn't have tackled so I hired it done here in town and thought she did a great job as well.  Mom also helped me with the pillow shams.  Crazy to do this type of thing with no pattern.  So thankful for youtube and instructions from friends!

Favorite Reads of 2012

Reading is one of my favorite activities.  So much so, that I actually have to be careful or I could just read and do nothing else.  This is usually just the case with fiction, but I do get through non-fiction books on occasion.  I thought I'd share some of my favorite books of this past year.

The Bible
 Our ladies' Bible study at church read through the Bible this year.  I really thought about it for quite some time before fully committing to it.  I've read through the Bible before on a couple of other occasions, but it nearly always takes me a year and a half to get through it.  This time around, I would need to do it in a year.  Plus, I just didn't want to read it to say I'd read it.  I wanted it to be meaningful.  The other part that was making me hold back was the fact of reading and discussing it with other ladies.  I like to privately read through the Bible.  However, this turned to be one of my favorite parts to reading it this year.  It was such a delight to discuss and share perspective with dear friends! 

I feel like each time that a person reads through the Bible that you can come away with something different each time.  This time around, God was really speaking to me that he abhors any other gods.  There is a reason that "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" is the first commandment (Exodus 20:3).  It is also why David was considered to be a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22).  He had no other gods before him. 

I will miss it next year, but maybe I will just need to read it again.  This time maybe I'll read it chronologically......

The Knowledge of the Holy by AW Tozer
Loved this book.  It is set up with about 30 characteristics of God.  It was a great supplement to my Bible reading.  I think we so often put God in a box.  This book served as a great reminder as to how big our God really and truly is.  God is beyond our written and spoken word and that just blows my mind!

1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp
Wow, this book was a challenge for me to get through so it's amazing that it made my list of good reads for the year.  It was hard for me to read simply because her writing style is very different.  A friend suggested that it was written more as a poetry and thinking of that helped me get through it.  It made my list because it was a challenge, reminder and encouragement to give thanks in all things and all circumstances.  Through these reminders she has weaved her own story and from that I think you, too, will be encouraged.

Little Pilgrim's Progress by Helen Taylor
I have never read the original Pilgrim's Progress, but this book was suggested as a good book to read to my kids.  I have to admit that this was a good way for me to make my way through the book.  My kids absolutely loved it and begged to read "just one more chapter of Little Christian". They may have read it for the adventure, but there is so much woven through the story that we would stop and discuss some of the symbolism and making notes of how we should live our lives for Christ.  I highly recommend this as a good chapter book to read to those in late preschool/early elementary.

The First Lost Tooth

Yes, we had another milestone in our home last night.  Hannah lost her first tooth and it was the first of many teeth losing times in our home.  Luke was rather sad he wasn't the first one to lose one since he is 15 months older, but Hannah was thrilled that she had done something before her big brother. 

When she got home from school, she bit into something that made it bleed.  She was not happy about that - the blood part that is.  Later, she was showing Chris how loose it was.  She showed me how it was standing taller than the other teeth.  Chris challenged her to see if she could pull it any higher.  She told him she could.  Then, I challenged her to see how high she could pull it.  Just a few seconds later with a look of shock she exclaimed, "it came out" followed by cries of delight.  Needless to say, it was all we could do to keep her from taking that tooth to show to her teacher. 

Just as a side note....poor early elementary teachers.  I'm sure they see more of teeth than they would ever really care to!

Room 328

Wow! Little did I know that last weekend when I went into the ER (since there is no urgent care here) to get some antibiotics and hopefully be home within a few hours and feel better the next day, that I would really get myself a two day stay in the hospital with "classic" and "major" pneumonia and three rounds of IV antibiotics.  Since then, it has been a huge learning curve.  I knew pneumonia affected the lungs and that was pretty much it.  I had absolutely NO idea what it could do to you.  For starters, the lethargy is unbelievable.  I do not sit still and do nothing very well, but right now I really could care less with all that needs to be done here.  That's a sign that it's really bad.

All of that to say, I have been absolutely blown away.  I shouldn't be surprised because God has deeply blessed us here with amazing friends and people in our lives.  For example, I was admitted to the hospital last Saturday afternoon and it seemed like by the next morning that we had meals for an entire week.  Chris has been a man of many hats this week: pilot, nurse, mom, chauffeur, etc.  He's worked so hard.  I've had friends able to watch Andrew during the school day and a friend came over and just helped with some things here in the house.  Others have offered help as well.

I wanted to write this post now because I didn't want to forget the gratitude that I feel.  Words can not express how much I appreciate all that have helped us.  Yes, it would not have been my choice to get sick, but I have not regretted it.  God's timing has been absolutely perfect.  God's provision has exceeded my expectations.  For all of that and more, I am thankful beyond words!

Olden Days!

Well, I guess it's official.  All the years leading up to today are now classified as "olden days" according to Luke.  Last night after baths and Chris playing Santa by wrapping each child in a blanket and then slinging them over his shoulder (can't believe the blankets can still support that weight!) and hearing delighted cries of "do it to me, Daddy!", we all gathered in the living room.  Luke promptly handed Chris the remote.  Not missing a beat, I told Luke that when I was growing up we would at times during the Christmas season gather, be quiet, listen to my Dad read a selection for Advent, listen to Christmas music and just chat.  It is one of my very favorite Christmas memories.  So, Luke wanted to give the "olden days" a try.  I turned on the music and then he said, "ok, chat" (we'd already done an advent reading).  We did.  We laughed.  We played.  It was an enjoyable few minutes.  I hope to do it again, but will be thrilled of reliving one of my favorite memories from the "olden days".

A Mini Outing

This post is a bit out of order, but I just saw the pictures and decided to share them.  On the way to take Chris's parents back to the nearest airport (2 hours away).  We made a stop at one of the highest points in our part of the country.  Granted it measures in at just under 2500 feet, it does give a pretty good view of the surrounding area giving a the desert like climate a somewhat pretty look.  Here are some of our favorite pictures from our brief stop. 

It was rather cool and a bit breezy accurately making us look rather chilled and my hair having a crazy flare!

 Grandpa and Grandma Robey with Luke

 My Man!

 A few of the many windmills in the state

A Reader After My Own Heart

I just really like what they do for gifts at the children's Christmas party - parents are responsible for purchasing a book and wrapping it for Santa to hand out at the party.  I was excited about the book I got Luke, but I really wasn't sure if he would like it.  As you can see, he loved it!  Santa was still passing out gifts and Luke was being used as a prop, but he didn't let that distract him from his book. 

Over the last few months, I've seen Luke's reading just excel.  He has just thrived under his first grade teacher!  All that to say, I knew it was time to introduce him to chapter books.  He had checked out a few basic chapter books that really didn't need chapter numbers before, but this one was truly a chapter book with just a little over 100 pages.  I thought it would take him a few days to read it, but he finished it in less than two days!  I'm sure it helped that he is a lover of all things Adventures in Odyssey and this book is from their Imagination Station series.  Now, if I can just get him to wait for Christmas to receive the rest of the series!

It's a Peppermint Twist Christmas

Peppermint Twist was the theme for this year's squadron kid's Christmas party.  Even though it felt fun, chaotic and out-of-control, it really was fun for the kids and it was a nice party.  The chaotic feeling just is a part of kids and Christmas I think.  They all enjoyed a pancake breakfast, boucy castles, crafts, candy favors and of course, a visit from Santa.

The Santa visit kind of made me laugh a bit.  As soon as he entered the room, Luke informed his good friend, Joel, that that really wasn't Santa.  They had fun with him, though.  When asked what they wanted for Christmas, Luke said Legos (of course!), Hannah wants a big baby doll and Andrew wanted cowboys.  It was also very fun to share this time with our good friends that we've been blessed with here!

It's That Time of Year

 Is it really possible that it is that time of year again where we turn on Christmas music, haul out the decorations and snap pictures of our wonderful holiday memories?!!  It doesn't seem possible for the calendar still says November, but we held to tradition and put up our tree the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  We had a good time and the kids get better and better with helping.  Here are a few photos of our fun afternoon.

Andrew in his santa hat

Hannah hanging an ornament

For some reason, this one is really enjoying under the tree this year.  Good thing there are no gifts there yet!

Merry Christmas!

Afternoon Entertainment

 After the Thanksgiving was over and the project complete, we still had some time to spend with Chris's parents.  So, one afternoon we headed to the base.  We started with a spirited game of bowling.  OK, it may not have been spirited, but it was fun.  The kids are about at the stage where they can complete a full game without losing interest.  Each of them had their own technique, but they did great!  As for the adults, they did great as well - some better than others :)  Afterwards, we headed over for a drive along the flight line and to see where Chris spends some of his time running these days.  Finally, we let the kids chase several jack rabbits.  Wow, there are a plethora of them on base, but I find it funny that I've never seen one off base....

Luke is almost strong enough to bowl like Daddy!

 Hannah gets some help from Daddy, but preferred the underhand technique

 Andrew liked the roll it down the alley method.  He is so far back because he kept going over the line and it would buzz, which he didn't like.  I don't think he ever figured out where that line was!

  Part of the flight line - Chris's plane

Chasing jack rabbits - yes, that's one thing we do for fun here

Thanksgiving

 Most of the kiddos

As I was growing up, each Thanksgiving was mostly the same.  We would get the entire side of my Mom's family together and we'd spend the day and enjoy the Thanksgiving meal together.  Although it was quite simple, it will always hold a special memory in my mind.  When we entered the Air Force, I had to sacrifice those memories.  If we got to have what I classified as a typical Thanksgiving, great!  If not, that would also be fine and we'd make do with what we had.  Over the years, though, God has provided for us to spend Thanksgiving with someone.  It may not always be family, but it was the family God provided for us at the time.  For that, I am deeply, deeply grateful!  This year, we were deeply blessed to be able to host a Thanksgiving meal in our home.  I really looked forward to this day.  We had Chris's family in town along with three other families and one of their parents.  In total, we had 12 adults and 12 kids ages 7 and under.  It sounds absolutely crazy for our small home, but it worked.  It was a delight to have all of them in our home.  My only regret...that we couldn't have invited more families that were also away from their families this Thanksgiving season.  When you are in the military, family is also defined as those who you do life with and we have been blessed with a beautiful military family here.

Most of the adults - someone has to take the picture and take care of the kids :)

Another Project Complete

 Before

Chris and I were thinking that maybe the house projects were done for this home.  However, there is always something that can be fixed and improved.  With that in mind, we took on one of the cheaper projects...a new bathroom floor for our guest bath.  Chris's Dad was coming into town.  With the two of them...really three of them (Luke helped of course!), it really didn't take long at all.  We probably wouldn't have changed it, but some of the wood was showing water damage.  You can see it in the top picture a bit right behind that sliver of white wall.  It was an easy decision to put in the same tile that we put in our master bath.  The colors are very similar and I like that tile.  Plus, it just gives the house a bit more continuity.  I love it and I'm thankful for the help we got in putting it in!

After

Thanksgiving According to Luke

Here are a few things about Thanksgiving that Luke brought home.  I thought they showed a bit of Luke's personality.  He wrote the last two.  I deciphered it for you below the picture.  Enjoy!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Of course, Legos are the first thing he's thankful for!!

Directions on how to make a pumpkin pie:

Buy the crust.

This is the temperature 13.

You have to stir.

Peal the skin.

Take the gooey part.

Squish it.

Put the whip cream.

You have to eat it.

One day my Dad shot a turkey.  And we got it.  And we took it home.  And we ate the turkey.  And we had pumpkin pie.  Can you guess what holiday it was?  Thanksgiving.

Family Pictures 2012

 Robey Family 2012

Luke - 7 years, Hannah - 5 years, Andrew - 4 years

Just Like Daddy's!

Luke just got this new shirt this week (thank you very much thrift shop!).  He was so excited when I got it out for him to wear to church this morning because he now had a shirt just like Daddy's!   I must admit that I rarely dress them in button up shirts because I have to iron and that is not one of my favorite activities.  However, for the right price and to see Luke's excitement, I guess I will occasionally get it out once in a while.

A Hidden Truth - A Book Review

A Hidden Truth follows the lives of two young adult women as they experience life in the Amana colonies.  One was born and raised in the colonies.  The other was raised as an "outsider" and she was attempting to discover the answer to why her mother rarely spoke of her time in the Colonies.  Along the journey to finding her mother's secret, she finds much more - a friendship with the other young woman and they both find love.

I originally wanted to read this book because I had heard of the Amana Colonies, but knew very little about them.  Intertwined with the story line was quite a broad range of information on how the Amana Colonies ran.  I found it very interesting and the author did a wonderful job of explaining the culture of the colonies while telling the story.

Overall, I did enjoy the book.  I did think it got off to a rather slow start, but there was enough information along the way to keep my interest piqued to prompt me to continue reading.

I received a complimentary copy of A Hidden Truth by Judith Miller from Bethany House Publishers.

The Scar

So.....a few weeks ago, I, yes, me, Kim, was responsible for putting this nice wound on our brand new van.  We were out and about during some windy weather.  A wind gust grabbed the driver's door just as I opened it and slammed it into a neighboring car.  Thankfully, the other car was just fine, but unfortunately, ours did not fair so well.  It's still hard for me to look at it and it just absolutely made me sick.  I won't go into detail as to all the reasons why, but it had more to do with it than...now there's a significant scratch and dent on our van.  I was horribly upset...  Anyway, I prayed about it and told myself time and again that "it's just a van!"  Chris and I didn't know what to do.  We had three options 1. do nothing  2. fix it like it's brand new  3. fix it so it doesn't rust.  The fact that the paint cracked was not a good thing for future wear on the van.  I prayed about it and asked that it wouldn't cost anything.  I knew that was a huge stretch, but I felt like Chris had worked so hard and I went and dented it.  I didn't want it to cost him more.  God answered prayers, though!  I eventually took it to a body shop here in town and he told me that he could fix it so we would still see the mark, but it would be protected.  As for how much it cost....nothing and it was done in a half hour!!  I'm so thankful for answered prayers!

Before

After - I actually think you can see it more than this picture shows, but the dent is gone and the paint is fixed.  Now we just have a scar.

Hobby Lobby and Others

Hobby Lobby is one of my favorite stores.  I would definitely put it in the top 10 & possibly the top 5 of the stores I most enjoy shopping in!  It's been a bit challenging to me not to have one located in the town we currently live in...the first ever for me!  However, I have made do.....

All of that to say, I was disheartened how this company is currently being treated by the government.  I know I just admitted that I really enjoy this store, but I would feel this way despite that.  A few weeks ago, I read a letter that was written by the CEO of Hobby Lobby, David Green. They had tried all avenues, but eventually had to file a lawsuit because the new health care required them to pay for abortion pills and practices.  Since they are a Christian run company, they could and would not go against God's will in the matter.  This would ultimately result in a $1+ million fine a day!

Then, yesterday, I saw this update and it made me so very upset and saddened by where I see things going.  The courts have more or less ruled against Hobby Lobby.  This is only one instance.  There are other similar cases out there.  It's just disheartening to see the moral integrity just dissolve before our eyes.

So, I feel like there is not much for me to do, but pray.  Pray for our country and pray for Hobby Lobby and other business like them to stand strong for God's principles even when it may be the hardest thing in our present lives.  The eternal reward will be great. I would much rather no longer have the opportunity to shop at Hobby Lobby and have them stand up for what is right than to have them compromise their beliefs to stay in business. 

Halloween 2012

Hannah was so excited to transform her pumpkin for school into a pumpkin pie with some help from Grandma Snow!

 Chris was excited to use his new "pumpkin gutter" this year!

 Hannah liked getting the guts out of the pumpkin and was really the only one who liked getting the seeds out...those were super yummy roasted!

 Finished product

My not-so-scary-trio wishing you a Happy Halloween!