A 12 year old in the house!

E is 12! We celebrated at the good old golden arches (the Med sea is in the distance). I'm so thankful for him. He is a hard worker who always likes to be rewarded with chocolate. We love you bud!

Many thanks to Marie

We were so blessed to have Marie in our midst for a month during November. She came over almost everyday and gave the kids piano lessons, spelling, and graded papers. Overall, she encouraged us and made our kids laugh. This video is an excellent example of her smiles and love. (And a cute one of our girlie!)

Someone turned 10!

We happily welcomed this fun-loving lad into the world on December 30, 1999, right before the new century. He was a wiggly baby and that trait continues into boyhood! He attacks his chores at full speed, washing dishes in record time (with some bubbles and food remaining) and then moves on to the next thing. Amazingly, he is quite sensitive too, especially looking out for animals and for his little sister. He is both a little brother and big brother, being in the middle of boys which creates quite a relational experience for him.

He received 2 new parakeets for his birthday and named them Matthew and Martha.

I look forward to seeing how our Lord will mold and develop him and use him for His glory. We love this bud!

Remembering mom on Christmas

My mom loved traditions at Christmas. Making fudge, eating a piece of chocolate when we counted down the days of advent, and drinking hot cocoa when we decorated the Christmas tree. (Bring on the chocolate!) When my sister and I got older she thought it would be fun for just the girls to do an annual Christmas event. One year (1993) we went to the Nutcracker and then she gave Sara and I this little wooden nutcracher as a rememberance keepsake.

His hat and his feet have been reglued and he survived one year when J tried to crack a real nut in him. I love bringing him out at Christmas because he reminds me of my mom AND why Jesus had to come.

"'Death is swallowed up in victory.

O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?'

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through

our Lord Jesus Christ."

1 Cor. 15:54b-57

My mom died 5 years ago. Her mortal body is gone but because of her

faith in Christ, her soul lives on in the presence of God. This is all made possible because Jesus came, Immanuel, God with us, and rose from the dead, defeating sin and death. Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!

So, I think a lot when I see my Nutcracker friend--great memories of

my dear mom and a certain victory in a loving Savior. Let heaven AND nature sing.