We wish you...

A MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Memorables

-Millie "crushed the creche" today.  The big kids were NOT happy.

-"Mom, we're best friends liking each other."  -Hannah Reece

-Building pinewood derby cars for the big kids to race at the Oedy Christmas celebration (a new tradition on Grandpa's fancy race track...built it himself!)

-The delicious smell of sweaty baby hair during my nap with Millie today.  Might be the sweetest smell ever!

a character building experience

{sigh} The annual sibling Christmas photo was almost a fail.  After about 350 shots (REALLY!) we did have a "winner" but my people made me work for it!  :)   At 20 months...I'm pretty sure Millie is in photography no-man's land!   ha!

 Here are a few "highlights" from our little photo shoot for posterity's sake:

on the bright side, you can see clearly the qualities I love most in these precious people:

*independent                   *outspoken                      *dramatic

 look at those dimples  :)  nothing but sugar and spice right here....wait for it....

 oh no you didn't baby girl! one-one thousand...

 two-one thousand....{sweet reecie holding it together}

 OUCH!!!

dear daddy trying to get us all straightened out...baby girl's all done.  for now.

love this one! :)   

 Charly getting in on the action..."what's that on your face?"

 "oh yeah!  a little remnant of syrup from breakfast!"

furry girl found her happy place

and.......Round 2!

In a few days I'll post the winner shot!  :)

resonate.

“God appoints people who do 

disappoint – to point to a God 

who never disappoints.”  


-Ann Voskamp

cotton candy sunset
{taken from the back porch of mom and dad's beach house on Thanksgiving}

today

Today I want to remember:
-telling Millie "don't eat the baby Jesus!"...she thinks our nativity set tastes good.  :)
-that Millie pooped on the potty yesterday!
-how happy the kids were to wake up to a decorated house
-that I shouldn't ever stay up till 3:30 am decorating again.  Period.
-not to drink caffeinated coffee ever again.  Period.
-that my baby's cheeks are so delicious I could bury my face in her cheeks and neck all.day.long.
-all of the new big words Graham is trying out, thanks to Calvin and Hobbes.
-seeing Reecie go over and offer daddy a big wet kiss because she wanted to kiss him the way he kisses momma.  So cute.
-that Rev. Hubs can work magic with a few measly leftovers
-the way our baby looks in the glow of the Christmas tree. At first glimpse in the morning, she puts her little hands on her hips (sides of belly) and says "WOW!"

precious prayers

I never want to forget this:

"Lord thank you eighty SO's for heaven."  -Graham, age 7

Water Works

tiny tears!

Millie is almost 20 months old.  She want to do everything Bubba and Sissy are doing...which sometimes leads to bumps and bruises...and tears.   I have learned that one of the easiest ways to settle down a fretful, otherwise inconsolable baby is WATER!  :)  I turn on the faucet and she just watches it run over her fingers, wiggles it around and even sometimes tosses a little on momma which she thinks is hyterical!  It has worked with all three of our little people.  I know when I hear "Wa.  Wa!" baby girl is asking for a little water therapy.  :)

Trunkin' and Treatin' 2011

In our household, October 31 means three things:

1.  Put on your favorite dress-up costume

2.  Trick your trunk in style ;) 

{and last but certainly not least)

3.  Eat lots of yummy treats in the church parking lot with friends and family!

 Reece was a competitive double dutch-er (inspired by this movie on Netfl*x)

 Our "monster" truck...and Dan sportin' his best monster truck driver get-up...ha! A little background on Camille's costume:  for several months now, she calls every dog, well everything on for legs for that matter, a "good girl".  I guess because we're often calling Charly a "good girl".  :)  She even has a favorite sleeping buddy she's named the same.  We went to the outlet mall with Nana and spotted this costume on clearance...she LOVED it!  She wore it around the house and endured it's fuzziness in the muggy weather last night.  I wish I had taken a pic when I came back from the bathroom to find her "mmmmm-ing" with a big tootsie pop in her mouth.  That little puppy was sticky head to toe.  Her first "treat"... see what happens when Daddy's in charge??  ;)

Our "good girl" :)

 I wasn't able to get a good pic of Graham in his Clone Trooper costume because he was busy running around with his buddies.  He enjoyed every minute of the bounce house, obstacle course, ice cream, hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, oh and he didn't miss a trunk either!  :)  For the last few years, the kids chose 10 pieces of candy each and traded the rest for a little something special.  Today, we went through this little ritual and Graham says "Mom, you better make this a good trade, because I worked hard for 2 hours to collect this candy!"  Well, alrighty then!  I might have to come up with a new angle next year "sweeten" the deal.

  Reecie was happy to treat the trunk-lookers...she has been looking forward to this job all week!

 Dan's design won the judges choice award....a free {much-needed} carwash!  He drew out a plan and   used a hot knife tool + foam insulation covered in spray paint to create this silly monster. 

 Mater meets Sesame Street monster??

Daddy and his girls

The annual trunk or treat cousin picture.

 This was the best out of about 10 snaps! ha ha! I love how big cousin Colton is snapping at Camille to get her to look at the camera :)  

We're already thinking about how we want to trick our trunk for next year!

For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.  Ephesians 5:8-9 NLT

New Friends

Tonight we spent time with our new friends, Hadiqa and Ayesha.  These young women are international students from Pakistan, spending a semester in an exchange program at a local university.

Our pastor for missions connected us with them to be a "host family".  He told us that 80% of international students never step foot in an American home during their time here in the U.S.  We feel like it is such a unique opportunity for us and for our children to get to know these sweet ladies and broaden our worldview at the same time.

We shared a lovely "American" meal and lots of laughter at California Pizza Kitchen  :)   I feel honored that Hadiqa and Ayesha shared so honestly about their families, culture and Muslim faith and we were able to do the same.  Our friend Rebecca joined us and it was so neat to listen to these young women relate to each other.  They told me that as their host family I am their American Mom.  I love that, what a privilege!  I am happy to have children who know how to go potty by themselves.  ;)  ha!  Our daughters thought they were so beautiful.  Every time I looked up, they were staring and smiling at them.

Women like Rebecca, Hadiqa and Ayesha give me hope for the future.  They have a passion to grow and learn about people, other cultures, and other points of view.  It is a beautiful thing!   I pray that God would be glorified in their lives and for generations to come.

Sweet girl, you said the funniest thing tonight.  I just had to get it down!  :)

You like to have me as a potty pal when you have to poop.  I know this is TMI but it's true!

So I sit in front of you, on the edge of the tub, and witness your "movement" accompanied by a little casual conversation.

Hannah Reece (while making):  Mom, do you know what?

Me:  What darlin'?

Hannah Reece:  The pee always comes out first, then the poop.  It always happens that way.  You know how at the airport, you always have to let the other people go first before you, even if you are running late?  That's how it is with pee and poop.  Even if I have to poop, my pee comes out first.

:)

Pumpkin Patch

 Graham and Hannah Reece spent the night with Nana and Papa last night.  The kids had a 4 day weekend with a couple of days off on Thurs. and Fri.  so they were ready for some fun and a change of scenery, I think!  This morning, Nana and Papa took them to breakfast at their favorite little spot on Ft. Myers Beach.  Then Nana took them to the pumpkin patch and for lunch a playing at McD's.  They can always talk Nana into McD.'s happy meals!  ;)

The kids picked out pumpkins for themselves and a baby one for Camille.  I'll have to add a picture of their pumpkins later.  They "decorated" them with sharpies.  :) 

While the kids were away, Dan and I vascillated between relaxing and trying to make the most of the time to get a few house projects accomplished.  I moved the living room furniture around (this seems to be a trend for me when the kids are away) to make a designated play area for Camille.  Now I have a clear view of her in her play kitchen while I'm cooking/cleaning-up in the kitchen.   I know it sounds weird, but organizing a cleaning really is relaxing to me!  Dan watched football, cleaned up the patio, tidied up the garage and was terribly thrilled to help me move the furniture *again*.  ;)   

I think Camille is growing, she slept for 14 hours last night!  From 4:15pm-6:15am!  That was a treat.  Dan and I enjoyed a few late night episodes of Parks and Rec on Netflix.  We are hooked on that show!

Fall weather hit Florida late last night with a cool front...the high was 87 today.  That qualifies as "brisk weather" in these parts, ha!    I am in the mood to make something with pumpkin in it....maybe this?  

Source: tasteofhome.com via Sarah on Pinterest

On Coolness

This morning, Graham walked into the kitchen and said,

"Mom, I need to tell you something."

"Ok, baby, what is it?"

"If someone is cool whenever they are little, when they are a grown-up, they are so worried about being cool that God makes them not cool.

It can be a punishment if cool is the only thing you think about.  'Cause then sometime that person will learn that being cool  isn't the main thing in life."

"Wow, Graham, where did you learn that?"

"I think I learned it from this (pointing to heart), not from this (pointing to head).

Don't get between the boy and his water gun...

or you WILL get wet!  ;)

Once Upon a Time...

Today I was *ahem* enjoying my husbands company after he came home from work.  ;)  

Graham walked in to the kitchen, with hands on his hips, head tilted and grinning.

"Guys, it's time to stop enjoying Once-Upon-a-Time land....you've been in Once-Upon-a-time-land for way too long now!"

Victory, or fail??

An all too frequent sight lately, I decided to record my people bickering tonight, with hopes that watching themselves behave badly would lead to remorse.  Instead, HYSTERICAL laughter ensued and then they ran off laughing and playing together?!  Well, that didn't work out quite like I'd planned...

Snap, Crackle, Pop!

Millie has a new favorite snack...Gluten Free Brown Rice Krispies (got 'em BOGO at Publix!) and Rice milk.  She wanted more and more, I refilled her suction cupped bowl 3 times!  Cute little thing.

The Daddy Void

Dan's out of town for a special denominational meeting this week.  We are missing daddy something awful around here!  Especially Hannah Reece...she's a daddy's girl ALL.THE.WAY.  

Bedtime is usually when the tears start to flow.  Last night I set out to find one of Dan's shirts that he'd worn to work, one that still had a faint daddy smell.   Don't worry, he's non-commital with his dirty laundry, so it hadn't made it's way into the  filthy laundry basket yet-just on the floor next to it, ha!  The minute I handed it to her, she buried her little face into it and took a big whiff.  It was gross and sweet, all at once! 

And here's the daddy's girl, all snuggled up with daddy's shirt, and wearing one of his huge white undershirts as a gown.  And of course the thumb.  And the big IKEA crinkle blanket that she made her own when her "blank" baby blanket got "lost".  I "found" the baby blanket again to see if she'd trade, but it was a no go.  *sigh* I am thankful for the precious relationship between our girls and their daddy, it is a gift.

Sweet daughter, you are so beautiful, and when I look at you while you are sleeping....my heart skips a beat!  I am utterly amazed that God made me your momma.  I love you!  XOXO 

Brown Sugar Salmon with a Side of Heat 'n Eat

Spotted this at Costco today.  And thought it would go well with the salmon I had thawing in the fridge for dinner tonight.  There are six-2 serving pouches inside, I nuked 2 of them at three minutes each and it easily fed the 5 of us.   

Now onto the salmon.  Rev. Hubs can cook up a mean Salmon fillet.  This is scientific, so y'all get a pen.  ;)   

1) He put the fillet in a big ziplock bag, put in some soy sauce, and a splash of orange juice.   

2) Marinated for about 30 minutes.  

3) Then he removed the fillet and put it in glass baking dish, mixed the marinade with about 1/4 c. of brown sugar and spread it over the top of the fish.  

4)Bake at 350 for anywhere from 20-30 minutes (depends on the thickness of fish.)  

I wish I had taken a pic of the finished product. It was so good!  For the littlest, I used the kitchen shears and just went to town chopping the noodles, veggies and salmon up in her bowl.  This will definitely be a do over.  

17 months

Camille, our darling girl with the most delicious little dimples,

It is hard for me to believe that you are almost a year and a half old!  Your smile is so contagious and we get so tickled at your little giggles!  You love to be chased, tickled, sugared up and entertained by your big brother and sister.  Here are some things I want to remember about you at this age:

-when left unattended you usually go to one of the following to play: the toilet, the bunk bed stairs (thank goodness they're removable!), momma's closet (to play in my shoes, of course!), to you play kitchen in the corner of the living room, the pantry (gung-ee!) or to the playroom to fiddle with sister's barbie stuff.  I in turn am always hovering over you while you explore.

-you can identify eyes, nose, mouth, ears, teeth, feet, hands, hair, knees (that's a new one!)

-want to put your shoes on first thing in the morning

Words you say:
goo-ga-good girl
bubba-Graham
dissy-sissy
shoooo-shoes
Na-ha-eese-Hannah Reece
Poo-poo
bi-par-diaper
po-eee-potty
ma-mi or nee nee-momma's milk
gung-ee-hungry
doos-juice
wa-wa-water
pippy-sippy cup
teet-teet-tweet tweet/bird
Ca-oo-Charly
Dada-Daddy
Momma-you say this over and over for anything that is urgent to you, whether you are talking to me or not!  :)
Bam-pa/Bam-a-Grandpa & Grandma
Nana & Papa

Joy

At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.  

Luke 10:21

 

It was Thursday night, and things were winding down around here.  Camille had a late afternoon nap that day, so Dan took her with him to to pick up a few things (one being a $265 bike that was mismarked at $99...thank you, Lord for that provision!)  and I had just tucked the kids into bed, kissed and tickled (Hannah Reece likes for me to tickle her arms and back before bed to get settled down).  Like usual, I popped on my IPOD shuffle and started up a podcast from Midday Connection while I got busy tidying up the kitchen and living room before bed.  And like usual, five minutes later, Hannah Reece was out of bed.

***
"Girl, what are you doing out of bed?"
"Momma, I'm not tiiiirrrreed!" (insert big smile and head tilt)
"Ok (this part is unusual for me...I usually pat her bottom and usher her back to bed), but if you're going to stay up, you need to help me clean up."
***

So we got to work and I started up the podcast again.

At this point, I need to insert a little aside that Miss Millie is creates her own natural disaster these days.  Hence the loving nickname "Hurricane Millie".  If it is within her reach, it is pulled down, taken apart into it's smallest pieces and methodically squished up, chewed on, or torn apart.  And then she moves on to the next item.  This is all new to us, I don't recall G and H going through this phase of toddler hood.  Although, being the third child, this might be natural because I just don't have the ability to hover over her every second like I did with the first two children.  She does have a little more freedom to "explore".  ;)

So, back to the story.  We have a little basket on the bookshelf that contains these little at-home enrichment cards and manipulative's from various Sunday School and church activities.  Our little hurricane spread the contents all over the floor earlier in the day, and now my late night housekeeping helper got sidetracked with the contents too.  I continued to clean up, eager to finish this task so that I could hit the sack.   :)

Just then, I felt a tug on my arm and Hannah Reece appeared in my view and shoved the little booklet pictured above right in front of my face.  I took off my headphones (not even realizing what she had) and said "could you put that in the basket, please?"   She said  "Momma, will you read to me about God?"  So we sat down on the sofa and read through it's contents.  As you read and lift each flap it continues to open up into the shape of a cross.   She was listening to every word.  I could sense, at that very moment, that the Holy Spirit was opening her heart to the things of God.  I've had a handful of times in my life where I could tangibly "feel" God's presence and this was one of them!  It had nothing do with me and everything to do with God's ordained time and activity in Hannah Reece's heart.   I sat there amazed at God's revelation her, as we talked about the contents of the tract.

At the end, there is an example of a prayer that someone might pray surrender their lives to Jesus Christ.  I was so concerned about her making a commitment before she was ready that I almost skipped over that (shame on me!), but she wanted to know what it said, and right away said "I want to pray to Jesus and ask him to take away my sins.  I want Jesus in my heart."  Amazing.   So she did just that.

After we prayed she looked down on her little pajama tank (pictured above) that she wears almost every night to bed and pointed to one of the peace signs.  This part was equally amazing to me!

***
What does this circle thing mean mom?
It means "peace".
What does peace mean?
(Struggling to come up with a definition on the fly ;)
Peace is knowing that everything is right and well in your heart with God.
That's what my heart is telling me right now.
***

At the age of  4 years and 11 months old,  GOD has drawn Hannah Reece to himself.  Truly GOD's might,  power, faithfulness surpasses everything we know and understand.  I am in awe, that in GOD's good pleasure, HE had revealed these things to Graham and Hannah Reece as little children.  May their lives bring you glory and honor Lord, and may they serve you with undivided hearts, for the rest of their lives.  May our hearts remain soft, so that know and trust you with child-like faith.

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.  

Galatians 6:14

All in a Days Work

On days like today...sitting in front of "the list" all of the little and big things that need to get done...I feel overwhelmed.   Months ago, in a similar frame of mind,  I decided to put make a different kind of list in my notebook, a list of all of the things that I do "do" in a days work.  And when I read this list today, I am encouraged, my perspective shifts.  And I realize that though many of the items on my list might not get accomplished today, or tomorrow or the next, my actions demonstrate and accomplish more than my crossed off to-do list ever could.  May all of my "do's" be done with joy and thanksgiving, out of love.

***I recently downloaded lots of photos from our little point and shoot, most of them taken by Graham and Hannah Reece.  Their pictures sure do capture reality in our home, the good the bad and the ugly (that would be my bed head and scrubby clothes! Ha!)  so I'm adding in a few for fun.  

Today I will...

cook

organize

conversate

pray

clean

list
serve

remind

love

motivate

encourage

hurry

give
comfort

play

pack

remember

plan

record

engage

discipline

unpack

forget

relax

worship

abide
read

confess

nourish

exercise

regroup

correspond

bathe

cultivate

prepare

 educate 

 drive

redirect
forgive

adore 

and at the end of the night when my body falls into bed....I will rest.