Merry Christmas!

From our home to yours, Merry Christmas!

Once again we have reached the end of the year and we can hardly imagine that yet another has passed.  So much changes in a year and yet so much remains the same.  We have been reminded several times this year to cherish each day that we have with our family and friends and to enjoy all the blessings that we have been given.  Again we have seen and felt God’s faithfulness and loving-kindness as he continues to provide for all of our spiritual and physical needs. 

Nick surpassed his 6-year anniversary at ... IA.  It is hard for us to imagine that he has been there for more than 6 years, but he started just before Rebecca was born and so we know it is true! J  He continues to work in the Safety & Regulatory department and enjoys going throughout the company doing meetings and presentations.  He is also actively involved ... Christian School (where Micah and Rebecca attend) as he was elected to the School Board this year.  He was nominated to serve as Vice-President of the School Board and serves as the head of the Education Committee and as a member of Promotions Committee.  Whew! Yup – he keeps busy.  He was a volunteer coach for Micah’s Little League team this summer and had a wonderful time interacting with the boys on the team.

Michelle experienced a job change this year as she left her position of 5 years at ..., IA and became a full-time stay at home mom.  It was not a decision that was reached easily, but it was one that she was being called to.  She now fills her days with schedule-making, meal preparations and all the tasks involved in keeping everyone happy and healthy (which is easier said than done!).  She also serves on the School Circle at ... Christian and has rediscovered a love for sewing.  Her sister and her family were also home on an extended furlough from Uruguay.  During their visit their second child was born much to the excitement of all.  We packed them back up in August and were sad to see them go again, but we know that they are in God’s hands and that we (Nick and Michelle) will be seeing them when we visit in March 2013.

Micah (8) is now a 3^rd grader at ... Christian School and excels at nearly everything he puts his hand and mind to.  He continues to surprise his parents with his ability to retain Bible verses, spelling words and grammar.  It is also very difficult to keep up with him in reading materials as he reads through books very quickly! He played Little League this summer and much to his father’s delight served as one of the teams pitchers. J  He is currently involved in a 4-on-4 basketball club and is enjoying practice and looking forward to the games this winter.

Rebecca (6) is a kindergartener at ... Christian School and had a bit of a rough 2012.  We discovered in February that she is allergic to several environmental irritants.  This started a long journey of trying to find the right medication.  Unfortunately there were a few that did not work out and caused us to lose some ground.  We also discovered that her adenoids had grown back (they had been taken out for the first time when she was 3 and had grown back apparently it is common in children with allergies as severe as hers).  As soon as the school year was over she had surgery to have them removed again and to have her nasal cavities cauterized.  We also made the decision to have her repeat kindergarten.  The allergies had caused some speech issues and the wealth of medication that we had to try had put her in a fog thus she struggled socially.  It was a heart-wrenching decision, but not one that we regret.  We are pleased to say that Rebecca is doing very well.  She is excelling at school and loves “helping” her teacher this year.  She also played T-ball for the first time this summer.  It is always an adventure to watch 4 & 5-year-olds try to play organized sports, but she enjoyed it.  She is still our little imagination station and often times she can be found with her princesses and other little dolls creating stories. 

Olivia (2) is, well, how to put this…. our little go-getter.  By that I mean that if she isn’t supposed to have it then she will probably go and get it.   Climbing in the fridge, playing with her sister’s carefully arranged princesses, sitting in front of a closet door so that her brother can’t get in it are things that Olivia routinely does.  She is almost always running and always wants a “haw-daw” (hot dog) for all meals.  She certainly adds a lot of the spice of life right now and we do not see that changing anytime soon. 

We pray that as you move throughout this marvelous season that you will see and hear the beauty of the message of our Savior.  Take a few moments, take a deep breath and remember that a Savior was born for you, for us and for everyone that we may know life and know it to the fullest.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Baking

Since all the gifts are purchased, I can now move on to thinking about what I am going to baking for Christmas goodies!  I seem to always have plenty of recipes that I have bookmarked through out the year that it takes some time to narrow down my options. This year I am trying to keep things simple and use ingredients that I already have in the house.  The tasty items that will be coming from my kitchen are the following:

World's Easiest Christmas Candy
Thanks to Money Saving Mom I found this yummy and very simple recipe!  It tastes much like toffee does and only takes a little bit of time.  Both good things in my book!

Cookie Dough Bites
This is a new recipe for me this year and so far it has been a big success.  Think of a big bowl of cookie dough right before you bake it and you have this yummy treat.  I made this one for an annual goodie exchange and I hope that everyone likes it as much as we do!

Homemade 3 Musketeers
This is a recipe that I found last year and we like it better than the real 3 Musketeers!  Made it last year for our goodie exchange and this year some one else it making it.  I had lots of compliments on it last year.  It can be a little messy, but it is oh so very good!

These and a few crackers with peanut butter dipped in almond bark and I will be done!  Hope that your Christmas is full of yummy treats! :)

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Our Christmas tree is set up.  I believe this is about as early as it has gotten for us in recent years.

Last year our tree looked like this....

I debated doing that again this year.  We have a certain member of the family who has trouble remember what they can and can not play with and I was afraid that the ornaments were going to be tempting.  However, I decided to give it a try with the ornaments and we will see how things go.

Nick wasn't feeling well so it was just the kids and I and it went very well.  The older two and I set up the tree and the little one was awake from her nap by the time we were ready for the ornaments.  It was fun to see their excitement.

I think that I have a little fixing to do.  There are a lot of areas like this.....

That need to shifted to fill in areas like this. :)

And the usually "How many kids can fit in the Christmas Tree Box photo."

And the "pretending to be sleeping" photo which they all thought was funny. :)

Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving was pretty typical for us other than some illness.  Nick ended up in bed all day on Thanksgiving Day with strep.  Not fun and hoping that the rest of us do not get it.  A few of us are battling colds or something of that nature.  I am hopeful that we are sick now and we will all be healthy when it comes to Christmas programs and gatherings.  Hopefully? :)

A lot of the week was spent in preparation for the 3 family gatherings that we had.  I made a lot of my food on Tuesday afternoon and then spent most of Wednesday helping my mom with food and getting her house ready for the 29 guests that were coming on Thanksgiving Day.  The moment that probably stands out to me the most occurred when I was up to my elbows in extra topping for my Apple Crisp on Tuesday afternoon.  I was becoming increasingly frustrated because I had to much topping and not enough room in my pan.  I can't throw away yummy Apple Crisp topping so I had to cut up more apples and make another pan.  After an afternoon on my feet, a toddler at my feet and with nothing ready for supper I was ready to throw in the hat.  Then out of nowhere (well, actually I am sure it was God straightening my attitude) the thought flew into my head that there are mothers all over this world (and probably not very far from me) who would love to have the "excess" problem that I was experiencing.  I was reminded in that moment that the food in my cupboards is more than some will have a year's time.  The fact that I had several options for supper is beyond comprehension for some mothers and families in 3rd world countries.  My attitude changed and I moved on seeing my "problem" as a blessing.  Our (my) "problems" are often blessings that need to be looked at in a different light.

With that in mind here are some photos from a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.  May we all remember that the blessings that we have are gifts that our Father in heaven has given to us for this moment in time.

 Electronics are always a big hit with the little ones!  This just makes me smile!

 Great Grandpa playing Barbies with some of the little girls.

 Yes, Eric is taking care of the tangles in the yarn for his mother. :)

 Micah playing "War" with extended cousins.

Olivia is taking some antibiotics that are pretty rough on the system and we had a little accident which meant that she got to run around with no pants and her light up shoes.  It was pretty funny.

Thanksgiving exhaustion!

Dentist & Dental Floss

We recently visited our friendly dentist office.  Micah and Rebecca love going to the dentist and frequently will ask how long it is until our next visit.  I am thrilled that visiting the dentist is something that they are excited about and it reflects in how they care for their teeth which makes me even happier. :)

Apparently at this last visit the hygienist taught them how to use dental floss and sent them each home with a little container of their own.

Now, up until 6 months ago I was not an avid flosser.  I would do it on occasion, but nothing regular.  Then I got a cavity between my two of my teeth.  (I was specifically told that this cavity came from a lack of flossing.) I had it filled, but had some problems because the bite wasn't correct and my jaw was sore for days.  Since that time I have been flossing very regularly. :)

So, when Rebecca came to me with floss hanging out of her mouth I was pleasantly surprised.  However, when she nicely laid her used dental floss on the bathroom counter I wasn't so pleasant.  I called for her and told her that she need to throw it away.

She broke down sobbing.  She didn't want to throw it away.  The dentist had given it to her and she wanted to keep it.  I was shocked!  It is a little piece of plastic string.  I have 20 more in the drawer.  My mom has a lifetime of floss at her house.  (Can you tell that we are not big flossers?) If by some chance all of that runs out we can always go to the store and get more.

I explained all of this to her and she finally calmed down and threw it away.

Fast forward a few hours and they are both in the bathroom brushing their teeth when a "scuffle" breaks out amid angry whispers.  Rebecca finally calls out "Mom - Micah is not throwing his floss away...."

Really?  So I call back and tell me that he needs to throw his floss away.

He comes out of the bathroom with container of floss in hand and starts sobbing. 

REALLY?!?!  Not only had he not thrown it away, but he had neatly wrapped it back around the floss container for his next use.  As with his sister, I explained that I have 20 more in the drawer, grandma has a lifetime worth of floss at her house and we can always go buy more.

The sobbing ceases, but all I could do was shake my head.  Who knew that dental floss could be such a treasured possession?

Potty Training (Round 3)

I can hardly believe that I am posting about potty training already!  Olivia is barely 2 and she is, as I tell everyone, potty training herself.

After training 2 kids I was fully ready for child number 3 to be in diapers until she was 3 years old.  I was so anxious to get the other two trained and I started way to early with both of them.  I think that we were potty training for nearly a year with both of them. Way to stressful for this momma.  So, I had decided that I wasn't even going to push the issue for at least 6 months and I was fine with that.

Then came "I go peepee." out of my littlest's mouth. 

Really?

So I put her on the potty and wouldn't you know - she went!  I absolutely couldn't believe it!  And then she went again and again!  She doesn't stay dry 100% of the time, but she does use the potty several times a day and every time that she does I just think that I saved myself another diaper. :)

Maybe the bribe of an M&M is working with number 3!

As she is using the potty I think back to when Rebecca was potty training and this adorable photo that I got of her.

And, in fact, I just recently snapped this shot of Olivia.

Rebecca seems to extend a little more assistance to "her" baby than Olivia, but it does make me laugh that they both did the same thing.

October 24, 1992

Twenty years ago this morning I awoke to my brother and my dad leaving for the day.  I had the premonition that I needed to go up and give them a hug, but it was a Saturday morning and I wanted to stay in bed.  If only I had known in that moment that it would be the last time that I would hear my brother's voice on this side of heaven.  How little did I know that later that day our lives would be forever changed.

I vividly remember so many details of that day.  Hearing my brother and dad leave that morning. Shopping at Burlington Coat Factory with my mom and sister and finding the PERFECT winter coat for my very particular brother. Mom dropping us girls off at Grandpa & Grandma Fynaardt's where harvest was in full swing.   Grandpa's distressed call over the CB radio and Grandma and Uncle Gary driving off to the field only to turn around so that Grandma could come back and call 911.  Melinda and I looking at each other going "Is this really happening?" The ambulance flying down the driveway with my mom in the van hot on its heels.  Not know if it was my brother or my cousin who was hurt.  Praying with my Grandma, my sister and my cousins on our knees in the middle of the living room.  Seeing my cousin come to the house and realizing it was my brother who was hurt.  The helicopter coming and landing in the field.  Staying at a neighbor's house to sit and wait while all the adults drove to Des Moines.  Watching my Uncle Gary try to eat and seeing the tears dripping from his nose. The awful phone call.  Being held by my parents and more family and friends than I can count late into that night.  A house full of people who cared more than I ever imagined.

What I would find out later is that my brother, Brian, was driving a cabless tractor when it tipped and he was pinned from the waist down.  He was probably in the glory of heaven before most of even knew the accident had happened.


Twenty years ago my life was changed in a single instant. I often wonder how my life would be different had my brother lived.  I wonder what kind of uncle he would be and what he would think of my children. I do find it comforting to think that he is playing with his niece/nephew that we lost when we had a miscarriage.  Life was to short for him and I often think that he missed some of the best parts - falling in love, getting married, having children, etc.

They say that "Time heals all wounds" and while I believe that is true, time doesn't take away the scar and the changes that happen.  I gave my mom a hug today and without a spoken word both of us had tears in our eyes.  We daily cling to the promise that the best is yet to come and that we will see our loved ones again.  We claim this promise not only for ourselves, but for all those who have lost someone that they love.

"For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever." I Thessalonians 4:13

Christmas Preparations

Yes it is only October, but we are already starting to think about Christmas. 

The reason?

Operation Christmas Child.

We have participated with our church for the last several years and it has been a really enriching experience.  I remember the first couple of years Micah didn't understand that he couldn't play with the toys that he had picked out.  Slowly the realization dawned that these were for another little boy, just like him, who didn't have what he had.

Last year we paid for our boxes online and then were able to print a tracking label that would tell us exactly which country our boxes went to.  That really brought it full circle for our children. It has truly helped them to understand that there are children, just like, them all over this wonderful world.  Unfortunately not all those children have the same luxuries that we have.

We have to write our "letters" for the boxes yet and I would like to find a little something else to put in them, but for the most part our shoe boxes are complete.  One representing each child in our family being sent to a child of the same age and gender.  Our prayers go with each of these boxes and we pray that these children (along with our own) will come to know Jesus as their very own Lord and Savior.

Merry Christmas (in October)!

How Old Do You Think I Am?

Micah has been reading some of my favorite childhood books - The Mandie Books.  These books are set in the early 1900s and have prompted lots of historical questions and some interesting discussions.  One discussion was as follows:

Micah: Mom, how come in 1901 it took people so long to get dressed?

Me: Well, for one thing they didn't have zippers and elastic back then.  Everything was buttoned or used hooks.

Micah: Ohhhh.....

Me: They also wore more layers than what we wear today.  Especially the women.  They had to wear tights/panty hose, then pantaloons, then several layers of petticoats and then they could put their skirt on.  And that was just their bottom half!  They had several layers for the top half as well.

Micah: (Understanding setting it....) I get it. (Moment of silence.) So, did you have to dress like that when you were a girl, Mom?

(A moment of silence, filled with that look of "I can't believe my child just asked if I was 100 year old!")

Me: Micah! How old do you think I am?!?!

Micah: (Smile filling his face) I guess you are not that old, are you?

Me: Right, buddy. Right.

Facebook Status

In the age of Facebook I often find my thoughts generating statuses without a thought.  If I posted every single one that crossed my mind my Facebook page would be covered and everyone would get tired of my posting all the time! :)  Thought that I would share a few that have crossed my mind from the last 24 hours.

Why does it seem like when I am trying to do things the right way that I continually get beat down (not by people, but by circumstances) and discouraged?

Can someone please tell me why I have not had any problems cracking eggs for years and now I cannot crack one without getting shell in the batter?!?!?

Why oh why must I compare?

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins...Yummmmm :)

Reassurance received this this morning. Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Just caught my 6-year-old daughter sitting on our back deck in her shirt and panties. Nice.....

Olivia is so cute when she says "Hot Dog"

Love watching my children get along. :) 

^{You never know how much you appreciate something until you have to do without it for a few weeks.  Garage Openers are operational again!  Yippee!}

Nothing like a service man coming to my house "sometime this morning" to get me up and dressed in record time! :)

Watching yeast proof is awesome!  So cool!

Wish these gray clouds would drop a little more rain.

I find it interesting that a website (Facebook) can cause my thinking and thoughts to change to the point where I am thinking how to phrase events in an appropriate status.   Interesting..... 

Miss Olivia

Since little Miss Olivia hasn't had as much face time on our blog as the other kiddos I thought that I would add some pictures of her.  She is our little go getter and is continually keeping us on our toes.  She has done things (like climb on the back of the toilet or scale the side of the kitchen cabinets) that our other two children have never done.  We love her to pieces and she certainly does make life exciting! :)

 June 2012 - Waiting for the rain to end so that we can get the swimming pool out.

 Happy Baby!

 My precious girls!

 Typical Olivia

 August 2012 - You would think that as outgoing as she is she wouldn't have a problem with animals, but most of the time she is terrified of them!

 Loving her curls!

 Yes, she even gets into my make-up.  This is her first attempt at mascara.

Enjoying some yummy homemade ice cream!

September 2012 - She has become very interested in her dolls and like to lay in the doll cradle with them.

Conquering the Dust

 Saturday morning I decided that I was going to make some changes to my bedside table. We had some some rearranging in the living room and a larger end table was no longer being used.  I decided that I wanted it by the bed so I would have a little more space. 

So, I moved the smaller table out of the way and started picking up the variety of items that had fallen off it.  I happened to look behind our bed, mistake or not, I am not sure, but what was there surprised me.

Huge globs of nasty dust!  I never imagined that all that dust was a mere foot away from my head as a slept!  Gross!

Earlier in the week Nick and I had been talking about the dust build up around the house.  Dust is one thing that does not bother me.  Food crumbs sticking to the bottom of my feet - yes.  So the vacuuming and sweeping usually get done while the dusting does not.  All of a sudden the dust seems to have a life of its own and is sticking to everything and is EVERYWHERE!

My guess is that prior to moving into this house 5+ years ago, Nick and I had never lived anywhere for more than 22 months.  Moving often means that dust doesn't build up, right?  (Well, at least not to the extent that it does after 5 years.)  We were also only a family of 2 or 3 (after Micah came along) and now there is 5 of us living and breathing and stirring things up around this house.

With that all said, I am thinking that I might just have to change my tone on dusting and break out the dust rag once and awhile.  The dust behind the bed is no longer there and we are swiping it away whenever we see it. 

Once again, fun times from our exciting household.

(You know that life is exciting when you are blogging about dust.....)

Christmas 2011

I know, I know.... it is a little late, but late is better than never, right? :)

For us Christmas is only partially over.  Yes our Christmas tree is down, but the celebrations are not over.  My sister, brother-in-law and niece are scheduled to come home in early February so we have on last celebration with them once they arrive!  (We are sooooo excited to see them!)

For now, here is a brief recap of our Christmas celebrations.  Of course, I forgot to take pictures at all the gatherings. :(

My dad's family got together on the Friday before Christmas and we met at a hotel and the kids (and their parents) went swimming.  As always it was a good time.  Some of my cousins who live out of state were able to make it home so it was a good time of reconnecting with them.

Christmas Eve found us heading to a beautiful Christmas Eve service at our church with my parents.  We had  supper together and then the kids opened one gift each from Grandpa and Grandma.  My mom had made all the grand-kids PJs and my niece had already received hers so it was my kid's turn.  They were excited to try them on and then get on down to bed so that morning would come!

Christmas morning found us at home as a family.  The older two woke up Olivia and she was less than thrilled with the idea. :) I tried to get a picture of the kids in front of the tree, but it didn't work so well.  They are modeling the PJs from Grandpa & Grandma though. :)

Christmas noon found us with Nick's mom's side of the family.  The kids all received one gift from Great-Grandma and then we all played BINGO.  It was a huge success and I look forward to playing it again next year!

The older two received Pillow Pets which have been used night and day since they received them!  Who knew that a thing would be such a hit!

Christmas night was spent with Nick's parent's and sister.  It was a relaxing enjoyable time with family.  Olivia conquered her big gift and spent most of the evening banging and standing on the box.

The kids received a few smaller gifts and then they had one "big" gift from Nick's parents......

A Wii!!!!  They were thrilled and it has been put to use a lot since it was opened.  I think that we are going to have to find a way to get some more games for it very soon!

It has been a great start to our Christmas season!  Can't wait for my parent's to set their tree up and celebrate one more time! :)