Our Unexpected Christmas

If you know me, you know I had a plan.  In my opinion, it was a good plan, as well, in regards to Christmas.  My plan was steeped in tradition of the season - advent, time with family, exchanging gifts, Christmas concerts, attending Christmas Eve service and as a bonus, attend church on Christmas.  It was a plan, but it was my plan and God had other plans for us.

It all started shortly before Thanksgiving when Chris was given a short notice deployment keeping him away on Christmas.  Next, I came down with pneumonia and had a two day stay in the hospital getting home on Christmas Eve.  Finally, with all that was going on, I wasn't able to attend church on Christmas Eve or Christmas day.  As an alternative, I was going to live stream the Christmas day service.  However, our internet ended up being down for a large portion of that day - no Christmas service.

When I write it out on paper, it definitely sounds like the Christmas that I will remember for all the wrong reasons.  However, I've been trying to think of a better response when people ask me "how was your Christmas?" because honestly, it wasn't as nearly as bad as it sounds.  Do I wish it would have looked differently - absolutely!  Do I know God had a better plan for us - absolutely!

When I first think of our Christmas, I think that it could have been so much worse.  You see there are people near and dear to us that have suffered far more greatly than us.  There is a young father that we knew of at our last assignment that passed away just before Christmas after a long illness.  There is another family that is near and dear to our hearts where the father has battled cancer for a large part of 2016.  There are others that have been separated from their loved ones far longer than we've been apart on deployments.  There are just so many more difficult situations.

I also think of what God has been teaching me.  This has been a harder assignment for me because I just don't feel like I've found my niche here.  I've been praying for contentment (although, there is nowhere in the Bible that says we should feel content where we live.).  I feel like the blessings God gave me through this experience reminded me that we are a part of God's family here.  I received three visits from ladies from our small group.  I can't tell you how deeply they touched me by praying with me, just talking (although all I could offer was a whisper...), and small tokens of love.  Even after I've been home, they've continued to love on our family with meals and even an outing for the kids.  Add to that, a neighbor that rescued the kids from the hospital.  My sister literally came in and took over when she had things to do with her own family.  She made it a special time for the kids spoiling like a good Aunt can!  My parents also came and helped me quite a bit as well.  My heart is so deeply touched.

So yes, my plan wasn't bad, but it wasn't God's plan.  It reminds me of a verse that I need to continue to remind myself as the clock turns to a new day and new year tonight full of God's unexpected plans.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, 

neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

As the heavens are higher than the earth, 

so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9

For the Record - Book Review

I think this is the third book that Regina Jennings has written about the lives of a few ladies in Pine Gap, Missouri.  However, all of the books are stand alone and only may mention the previous characters.  She did not disappoint with this book.  Her style usually involves some humor and comedic situations that her characters find themselves in.  Add in some action, and you have quite an entertaining book as well as a bit humorous.   I enjoyed the whimsical main female character.  I thought she did an ok job with character development.  She comes off as a bit of fly by the seat of her pants, yet she has a thoughtful side.  To me, that type of character is hard to write about without her coming off as a bit unbelievable.  The story line was good and well developed.  I must admit that I did get a bit confused with the number of characters, but that may have lent itself well in identifying with how the new sheriff in town may have felt - confusion with who was good and who was not.
In the end, if you want a quick, easy and entertaining read, this one will certainly work for you.

I received a complimentary copy of For the Record by Regina Jennings from Bethany House Publishers.

My Trooper

This kid has been quite the trooper the last couple of days.  He's attended his sibling's concerts when he doesn't get to perform in one this year.  He seems ok with not performing, but it was a stretch for him to sit through the concert last night.  It really wasn't that long, but we had to wait awhile for it to begin and it was close quarters so wiggling wasn't much of an option.  He entertained himself by taking it all in, playing a game of "I spy" and trying to spot friends he knew. 

I think he may have been feeling a bit left out in the picture department so he asked me to snap this picture of him.  He's doing one of his favorite winter activities.  This puzzle is a comic style picture of Mount Rushmore.  He loves doing them and asked me not to finish it.  I must admit that that's quite the challenge for me since I enjoy them just as much!

First Ever Band Concert

We had back-to-back nights of Christmas concerts.  Luke had his first ever band concert last night.  The schools had each grade level perform just a couple of Christmas songs with the finale being all the bands playing together.  We were told that this would only be about an hour.  I wondered how they were going to pull it off, but it ended just minutes past the hour mark - impressive!  It was a fun evening, but I just sat there thinking that this isn't the band program I grew up in.  We had a good band program, but I'm from a much smaller community so scale way down the entire operation I saw last night.  Rumor had it that there were nearly 200 5th graders playing last night.  There weren't that many in my entire high school band and it was large for the size of school I attended!  There is some weeding out because the other grade levels weren't that large, though.  The high school band has also won some national awards along with a trip to the Rose Bowl parade and a trip to the Orange Bowl and that is all since we've lived here.  Anyway, it was an eye-opening experience for this small town girl!

 Pre-concert:  that is just a lot of chairs!

 The fifth graders ready to perform and most of those chairs are filled!

If you get out your magnifying glass, Luke is on the left in front of the first wood xylophone (next to the metal one) adjusting his music stand

 It took him awhile to find us, but he eventually did.  Hannah was concerned that he wouldn't see us and finally got his attention as to where we were.

 All the bands playing the finale.  Only the section on the far right doesn't hold band members.  There were a lot of people there and it was h.o.t.!  I'm guessing there could have been 500-600 students participating in the performance last night and if each of them brought a couple of people, well, that's a lot of people packed into bleachers on one side of a gym!

 Jingle Bells

 Up On the Housetop 

 Ode to Joy

 Finale

Luke said his band director had told them that this final song would go quickly.  I'm not sure how many of the 5th graders were able to keep up and play along...

Fatal Frost - A Book Review

I must admit up front that this was not my favorite book that I've ever read.  The story kept me moving through the book because I wanted to know the end.  However, I felt like other areas were really lacking.  Character development was really a challenge for me and even a bit confusing.  I felt like the lead female character was to be strong, unmovable, a tough nut to crack so to speak.  However, so many times in the book, you see the softer side of her.  I know she was to be undergoing a change for the better, but I just didn't see it.  I was told that, but the actions she makes through the story didn't carry through for me.  A few of the other characters were like that as well, but her character was the most noticeable.  I also didn't enjoy the structure of the book.  It seemed like there were chapters that were primarily description with little in the way of story development followed by a few chapters where there was a lot going on.  I guess I want detail, but disguised in the writing of the book or in shorter snippets.  I did like how she always left each chapter with something hanging so you had to begin the next chapter for closure on that thought.  It wasn't a terrible book.  It just wasn't my style of writing.

I received a complimentary copy of Fatal Frost by Nancy Mehl from Bethany House Publishers.

The 12 Days of Christams

Last night, it was Hannah's turn for her Christmas concert, The 12 Days of Christmas.  She had been preparing for weeks.  Nearly every afternoon she would come home from school with a new update or new concern she had with all the details that are involved in a grade level performance.   She had a few speaking parts that she knew even before she brought the paper home.  She also had a few props to manage during the program.  She loved it.  I'm looking forward to more performances by Hannah in the years to come.

 Her job:  raising the sign for the "partridge in a pear tree" each time it was said.  Luke was sitting beside me and wondered if her arms got tired.

 She takes her performances seriously

 Half of the 4th grade class.  The other half performs later this week.

 Clip from The 12 Days of Christmas

 I'm Getting Nuttin' for Christmas

I'm not the biggest fan of this song, but I am a bit sentimental about it.  I distinctly remember singing this very same song at my 4th grade Christmas program.  I don't remember much else, but I do remember this song.

 Sleigh Ride

One of my favorite songs of the season

 Carol of the Bells

Christmas Focus

I'm sure many of you have already entered the season of hustle and bustle preparing for the Christmas season.  I know it's hit us here in our home.  We're on the brink of the rush of Christmas card writing, wrapping gifts, parties, school programs, school parties and family gatherings.  All of these are fun and much anticipated, but I struggle each year with my focus.  We take part in all of these traditions with joy, but I think I often lose sight of what celebration is really important each December.  What is my focus for the Christmas celebrations?  What am I teaching my kids is important in this Christmas season? 

As my kids get older, the struggle becomes more difficult.  I need to celebrate Christmas for what it truly is.  I want them to celebrate Christmas for what it truly is - the season of Jesus' birth.  When Jesus, God Himself, came to earth as a baby to die several years later as my Savior and for my ugly and awful sins. What a magnificent gift we were given around 2000 years ago that still is giving to this day.  No other gift can do that.   

All of these thoughts began flowing through my head as I put in a Christmas CD on a routine trip to the grocery store and this song came on.  I was first, reminded how much I enjoy that song.  Then, I was overcome with the fact that this expresses what I want to celebrate this Christmas.  I've included the lyrics below or click on the title for an audio version.  If you have any insight or wisdom on how your family keeps the right Christmas focus, I'd love to hear your ideas.  Also, if you're wondering what I'm talking about, let's chat!

It's About the Cross

sung by Go Fish

It's not just about the manger
Where the baby lay
It's not all about the angels
Who sang for him that day

It's not just about the shepherds
Or the bright and shining star
It's not all about the wisemen
Who traveled from afar

Chorus:
It's about the cross
It's about my sin
It's about how Jesus came to be born once
So that we could be born again

It's about the stone
That was rolled away
So that you and I could have real life someday

It's about the cross
It's about the cross

It's not just about the presents
Underneath the tree
It's not all about the feeling
That the season brings to me

It's not just about coming home
To be with those you love
It's not all about the beauty
In the snow I'm dreaming of

Repeat Chorus

Bridge:

The beginning of the story is wonderful and great
But it's the ending that can save you and that's why we celebrate

It's about the cross
It's about my sin
It's about how Jesus came to be born once
So that we could be born again

It's about God's love
Nailed to a tree
It's about every drop of blood
That flowed from Him
When it should have been me

It's about the stone
That was rolled away
So that you and I could have real life someday
So that you and I could have real life someday

It's about the cross
It's about the cross

If I were President....

Andrew (age 8) recently completed this 3rd grade class assignment.  I had nothing to do with the platform he selected.  He did that entirely on his own.  He has the vote of his teacher (and his Momma!)  Here is what he wrote (quoted exactly).

If I were President...my platform would be to not have more than 2 hours on their electronics because people spend to much time on their electronics.  Grown-ups and kids need more time outside.  I encourage kids and Adults to try sports like Football, soccer, baseball and basketball.  I belive in playing outside.  Vote for Andrew.

Day of Exploration

Thanks to an extended weekend and the end of flag football season, we were blessed with our first free Saturday in several weeks.  We took advantage of one of our few remaining mild November days by taking to the road for a short road trip of along the shores of the Mississippi River.  Our first stop was a lock and dam on the river.  Due to security restrictions, we could only access our vantage point while under the watchful eye of a ranger.  However, he was a wealth of information and we learned a lot about how barges move up and down the river, what they carry and a bit of what the lives of these captains look like.  It was a busy day.  We watched a barge move completely through the locks as one lined up to go through shortly thereafter.  It was fun to spy this same barge later in the day as we drove along the shore.  Our next stop was a state park further up the river, but it was actually on the banks of the Illinois River just before it joined the Mississippi.  What a great day taking short hikes and still enjoying the changing tress.  We evidently need to do a bit more hiking in this part of the country over the several hikes the kids have done in the western US because one of the kids asked me if there were bears.  I assured them there were none.  One final stop on the way home took us to a memorial for the tallest man, Robert Wadlow, coming in at 8 feet 11 1/2 inches.  He lived during the 1920s-1930.  I remember reading about him, but I had no idea he was from a small town not far from us.  It felt good to get around and see the area a bit more.  Looking forward to a few more of these....

 Barge watching on the Mississippi

 Just a mini photo shoot - this one done by Andrew

 Robert Wadlow - 8 feet 11 1/2 inches.  The Bible says Goliath was over 9 feet tall (1 Samuel 17:4), taller than this man.  It's hard to imagine someone that large....

Luke hanging out in a replica of a special chair made for Robert

5th Grade Ambassador

Since the beginning of his 4th grade year, Luke has been begging to serve as a 5th grade ambassador at school.  We didn't know much about the program at that time, but knew they were able to serve in various aspects.  Fast forward to this year...he continued to beg to serve in this capacity.  After applying and learning how to fill out a nice application, I was thankful and Luke was excited to find out that he had been accepted to serve as an ambassador.  He's made a couple of posters to be hung in the building, but today was the day he'd been looking forward to.  He got to help with an assembly.  His job was to pass out programs and be sure visitors to the building knew where to sit during the assembly.  I'm pretty sure he loved every. single. minute. of. it!  I know he's looking forward to serving in this capacity and others throughout the rest of the school year!

Veteran's Day

 Luke is in this picture - in one of the few gray shirts

Chris and I spent an hour of our afternoon at school with the kids during their Veteran's Day assembly.  They always have a nice program, but I thought this year was one of the best.  The 5th graders essentially had the entire program.  Various students read thank you notes, poems and short paragraphs regarding Veterans that they'd written.  They also ran through various patriotic songs.  One of my favorites is the singing the anthem songs representing the various branches of the military.  However, my favorite this year was the entire school singing as one God Bless America.  In a week full of political tension, it served my heart well to be reminded of all those that have gone before and are currently serving for the freedoms we cherish today.

The Air Force song (please excuse the horrible videography.....)
Luke is in the middle of this picture in the gray shirt

That was a First and that was Fast

We set to carving our pumpkins yesterday.  I think we missed carving them last year - we got them picked, but not carved.  So, we decided to take a bit of time yesterday to working on the kids' creations.  This was the first year that they essentially did everything on their own.  Daddy was a great supervisor and instructor (he did provide a bit of assistance with the power tool....), but otherwise, the kids were on their own.  They did everything from cutting the top off, to scooping out the pumpkin guts to designing the faces and finally, cutting them out.  When all three are working at the same time, it really didn't take very long either.  To finish out our pumpkins, Chris and Hannah worked on separating out some of the seeds and we had a treat of roasted pumpkin seeds last night - yum!

 Chris putting his supervisory skills to work.

 Luke getting started with the top.

 Chris bought an attachment for his drill a few years ago that helps detach all the stuff inside.  It works pretty well and is always a fun tool to use!

 I'm going to brag on my Andrew for a moment.  His pumpkin had not fared as well outside and the bottom had rotted a bit.  Chris ended up cutting it off.  There was still enough left for all the things involved with carving.  To Andrew's credit, he never once complained about it, but just went with the flow.  He did a really good job!

Elementary School Tidbits

Oh, the things my kids come home with.....

**********

Andrew has been thoroughly enjoying a series of books.  He loves it so much that he's been using the last name of the main character in place of "Robey" on his class assignments - so much so that one of his classmates thought that he'd actually changed his name.  Thankfully, his teacher laughed and then put a stop to that....

**********

Hannah had a poem writing assignment about a manatee.  I thought hers was pretty cute, but I can not imagine reading an entire 4th grade class of manatee poems.....

My manatee will play and play
My manatee can eat all day
My manatee will never be caught
My manatee has been taught
My manatee is mature
My manatee is pretty....sure
My manatee is very fast
My manatee is never last

**********

Luke came home from school today telling me about band today.  His teacher told them that if they needed to remember something he'd written on the board, then they should take a picture with their phones.  He's 11 (barely!) and in 5th grade. I guess he'd better use the brain that God deeply blessed him with because he won't be using a phone.

Waves of Mercy - A Book Review

If I could give this book more than five stars, I would!  It was a fantastic book that made me want to come back for more and more of it.  I had been looking for a fiction book with a twist without the standard story flow and this was the perfect fit.  I highly respect Lynn Austin's quality writing and this book did not disappoint!

Unlike some books, this book has two main characters.  Their lives are 50 years apart, but Lynn Austin has told their stories in such a way that they blend and intertwine so well.  She added a variety of twists and did not even wait until the end of the book to reveal some of them.  Her timing was perfect in keeping you coming back for more.   Her characters are also well developed as well as the setting.  The characters are so well developed that it is very easy to imagine them as actual people that had these stories to tell.  I really, really enjoyed this book and would love to see a sequel....

I received a complimentary copy of Waves of Mercy by Lynn Austin from Bethany House Publishers.

Apples, Pumpkins and More...Oh, My!

We took full advantage of one beautiful day and the day off from school to do a bit of apple and pumpkin picking.  These are always favorite activities.  The kids were most excited about the apples and it might possibly have to do with the fact that we missed that one last year.  Honestly, we nearly missed it this year.  We were at the very, very end of their season, but we still were able to find a few treasures still on the trees.  After the apples, we headed to the pumpkins.  Since we didn't have the finest selection of apples, I did want a descent selection of pumpkins before their big pumpkin festivals this weekend.   We finished off our time with a bit of pumpkin checkers, pumpkin tic-tac-toe, and chicken chasing.  However, we didn't leave before picking up a dozen of their famously delicious apple cider donuts!

The apple picking pole was a huge hit this year.  It did come in quite handy to pick the better apples at the top, but it was also quite the novelty since we'd never gotten to use one (I still haven't used one - my helpers did a pretty good job on their own!)

 We did find a few within out reach, but the pole was just so fun!

 One of my favorite and one of my last shots of the the orchard before my camera battery died.... I was sad, but thankful that had my phone - just not the great quality of my camera.

 On the hunt for the perfect pumpkin

 Their treasures

The finale of our fun time!

Eleven!

Our eldest child turned 11 yesterday - sigh! He really is a joy to have around and it was fun to celebrate him yesterday.  He got to enjoy lunch with both of his parents and then needed to wait for our little family celebration at the end of the day.  His teacher also helped make it special as well as a favorite treat sent to school with him.

I've heard parenting is not for the faint of heart and I totally agree.  However, there are rewards along the way that just possibly show they are growing into the young person God would have them to be.  Yesterday was one of those glimpses.  I never expect anything in return as I wrap and make their cakes.  However, yesterday Luke was just super excited about his birthday and what might await him under the wrapping paper along with Little Caesar pizza (a favorite for him) and his requested ice cream Kit-Kat cake.  However, when it was all said and done, Luke more than once, thanked us for his gifts and his birthday and told us how much he liked it.  It was all unprompted and it completely warmed my heart.  So thankful for this even-keel, construction-loving, Lego-builder, reader that God has gifted to us.

A Lady Unrivaled - Book Review

A Lady Unrivaled is the third installment of the Ladies of the Manor Series.  If you really enjoy some mystery and adventure mixed with a bit of Downton Abbey, this book is for you.  I have thoroughly enjoyed this series.  The time period is intriguing, the characters are captivating and the mystery will keep you turning the pages. The author does a wonderful job of painting the scenes and the characters to be believable and just a bit amazing.  They make you want to get to know them better.  It was also interesting how she weaved the mystery throughout all three books.  She does put an end to the "fire eyes" in this book and we are happy to assume that these three families live happily ever after.

I received a complimentary copy of A Lady Unrivaled by Roseanna M. White from Bethany House Publishers.

Kickoff to Football Season

Football season has officially (and finally) gotten started.  It just couldn't come soon enough for one of my boys!  After a week delay due to an abundance of rain, the season got off to a rather soggy start.  Yes, the second try was still wet, but not nearly as bad as the week prior.  They both did a great job of playing defense, scoring, making interceptions, etc.  However, there are always lessons to learn...how to be part of a team, how to not make excuses and blame others, how to be a good sport, etc.  They love learning the sport, running around, being with friends, but these character lessons are the heart issues that are molded and formed during the season.  We are thankful for a good and safe organization for them to learn these life skills.

 Luke (#14) plays on the Titans.  His favorite positions are quarterback and running back/receiver.  I know I'm a bit biased, but I think he does a pretty good job in those positions as well as some flag grabbing on defense. 

They rotate the kids through the positions, but here Luke is playing quarterback.

 Andrew (#4) plays on the Falcons.  His favorite position is running back/receiver and he also does a great job on defense.  He is my little football lover.  It's a good thing we don't have cable or this kid could watch football 24/7.  He watches more than enough the way it is....

 Andrew catching a pass and ready to run.

 Andrew took a bit of a tumble on a play and needed to check out the damage.  He doesn't really like to get dirt on himself....

 Hannah was there and did a great job of entertaining herself for much of the time (thankfully, one of Luke's teammates has a sister she really enjoys spending time with).  I don't really know what these two are doing, but they seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Just a token picture of Andrew with one of his best buddies.  These two love sports.  They have been in class together the past two years, but this year they are not.   It was a very sad day for both of them when they learned that would not again be the case this year.  They still enjoy spending time together, though, and swapping those sport stories!

Let the Fun Begin!

It seems like 5th grade has ushered in a variety of new activities for Luke to enjoy.  One of those is band!  That's right, our home is going to soon be filled with the sound of our newest and only trombone player.  When we went to the instrument selection night, Luke said that the trombone just felt "right".  Despite the fact that he was somewhat less than enthusiastic at wanting to be a part of band (we told him he had to try it for a year), he has been super excited since selecting his instrument and getting it.  After his early morning practice today, he told me when I needed to leave to get there in time to "talk to those that sit around me."  He is not my overly social child so that was fun to hear!  We'll see what happens in the months to come....

Yesterday, they introduced the kids to the instrument along with the parents.  Chris went with Luke.  We both went to smaller high schools so we are somewhat overwhelmed at the number of just 5th graders in band currently.  There are somewhere around 190 kids just for his class drawing from about five elementary schools.  I can't even begin to imagine what it is like to teach around 25 new trombone players the basics.  That is why I don't teach band!  ( As a side note, another parent told me that they had 19 french horns...what do you do with that many?!) It also makes me curious as to what the retention rate is.  They have a large, nationally recognized band at the high school level, but it isn't that big!

Farewell...

 Chris's departing shot with his (mostly) faithful car....

We bought this Saturn used just weeks after we were married.  It was to replace my car that I had wrecked just 2 1/2 weeks before we were married (again, another story for another time!)  Chris told me when he brought it home that  he hoped it would last us 5 years.  That was 14 years ago nearly to the day!  This Saturn has been such a good car for us.  It made every single military move with us, saw the birth of all three of our kids (however, they didn't ride it in much then because car seats just didn't fit well), sat for weeks on end through deployments, taken us on date vacations and served as storage for an assortment of Chris's tools just in case he needed to work on said car.

However, this era of our lives has now ended.  After its latest incident during a multi-state trip, we decided it was time to move on to something a bit more dependable that can be taken out of town.  Chris mended it back together and we passed it on to its next season on life.  It had manual transmission and will service a teen in learning that nearly lost art.

I think Luke was hoping it would last another 6 years until he could get behind the wheel.  He was a bit disappointed.  He seemed consoled with a picture.  Hannah on the other hand, saved a piece of a part that Chris replaced and saved it so she could "remember the Saturn."

A Tapestry of Secrets - A Book Review

I looked forward to A Tapestry of Secrets, the third installment of this series by Sarah Loudin Thomas.  Her two previous books drew me in because the story lines were different and unique.  However, this one left me wanting just a bit more.  These are generational books and this was the culmination of the other two books.  However, I really felt like the character development was lacking and I didn't fall in love with the characters as is generally the case.  I felt they were a bit disjointed as well.  I thought certain characters were thinking/moving in one direction and then they would change.  I guess the author explained that, but it didn't seem like those changes had time to develop.  There were also several little story lines in this book and it didn't seem like there was one main theme with other smaller story lines interwoven.  Because of this, I kept thinking the book was nearly finished and something new would occur.  In the end, I liked it and I am glad I read it because I enjoyed the other two books.  It wasn't my favorite, but it was still an interesting read.

I received a complimentary copy of A Tapestry of Secrets by Sarah Loudin Thomas from Bethany House Publishers.

First Day of School 2016-2017

After a rough morning, we were off for another great school year.  There were a lot of fears today regarding the "unknowns", but in the end they came home with a variety of stories of little things that occurred during the day.  These new grades offer new rules and some with additional freedoms along with life lessons.  Looking forward to how God will grow them this school year.

 Andrew David - 3rd grade

 Hannah Elizabeth - 4th grade

 Luke Christopher - 5th grade

The annual walk to school