Sorry Lady... And a Christmas Prayer funny

I think we bothered a lady at the store today...

She was a nice, grandmotherly type, and she asked my kids if Santa was going to visit our house very soon.  Kiera told her right up front "Santa's not real!" 

I tried to soften it a little by saying "But Mommy and Daddy put presents under the tree..."  But she was already disturbed.  She said "Oh, well... Happy Holidays," with a not-so-happy look on her face.   I made sure to say "Merry Christmas!" as she walked away.

Just another moment feeling awkward because we choose to do our parenting thing differently.  

Oh well~  Merry Christmas!!  *grin*
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The other night, while praying...
Melia:  "And Jesus, thank you that we just don't celebrate a tree at Christmas, or presents, or Rudolph, or Santa, or Satan, but we celebrate how you came to earth to die for our sins..."

And Kiera:  "Jesus, thank you that you came and died for our sins on Christmas..."

We were really having to hold in the giggles that night!  But at least they're getting it, right?!!

Isaac's first Christmas, Sick- 2011

I thought I would photograph Isaac opening his gifts from the Elliott side so everyone can see how he loved his presents :-)

 Wooden sound puzzle from Great-Gma Elliott

Tool set from Ken and Brenda

 Buildable Big Truck from Sissy (part of the kids' exchange)

Fire Truck Track Puzzle from Roy and Lois

Adventurer Rig from Great-Gma Elliott



Video Game Portraits

Isaac did this all on his own... Which was hilarious because he looked so much like his Daddy with the headphones and video game controller (except, Gabe pointed out when I posted it on FB, that Gabe does NOT sit on the couch in his underwear- Just clarifying!)

And of course, when I HAD to take his picture, then I absolutely HAD to take everyone else's picture too.

And I'm glad I did, cause they turned out pretty cute too!

My Decorator

Kiera decorated the house for me yesterday.  She was giggling to herself, and I asked her what was so funny... this is what I found...

She said something along the lines of "it already feels like a party!" 

"I think it's time to break out those Christmas decorations Gabe!  Gabe?  Gabe...  Hon, where is it in the barn that you stashed those??"

Isaac's Artistic Talent

I am thankful the toothpaste is peppermint flavored... otherwise who knows how much he'd have eaten!  But he came running to me saying his tongue was "HOT!"

Isaac, practicing his cutting skills with monkey scissors :-)

A little mixin' in the kitchen...Edited...

I finally got around to remembering to buy the ingredients for Russian Tea, which Mom and Dad introduced the kids to while they were camping and we were in Utah!  I happened to have a little jar at home, but that was QUICKLY emptied by my two little addicts!

We seriously laughed at Melia's goofy head tilt in this shot!

And Kiera was adamant that I show her Wenatchee Wild tattoo in this one... SO attractive, I know!  ;-)

Added Note:  For the record, Isaac loves it too.  This morning I found him dipping a spoon into the jar and licking off the powder.  He's pretty hardcore.  :-)

I found the lair of Thomas and Friends....

 Look closely.... Need it closer?  See below...

One guess who's lair this really is...  ;-)

30 days of Thanksgiving: Part One

I really enjoy doing this every year, even if I only do it in my head!  So this year I though I would write down 30 days worth in 3 days, if I can find the time *sigh* But I'll give it a shot... and include some verses I've been thankful for as well.

1.  I am so thankful for God's provision.  Even when I stress, He always takes care of us and reminds me that I need not worry.  "Be still, and know that I am God.." (Psa 46:10)

2.  I am so thankful for God's faithfulness.  Even now I have a couple "thoughts" about some scripture that I've been pondering for nearly a year, but my faith does not waver because I know that if He brought something to my attention, it's because He has a treasure for me at the end.  "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter."  (Pro 25:2)

3.  I am so thankful for God's sanctifying lessons.  Though often uncomfortable, I can look back and see the walk He's led me on and appreciate the person He is molding me into in place of the one I once was.  "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ..." (Phil 1:6)

4.  I am so thankful for God's people.  I am learning to appreciate that we are all on different walks with Him, and each is unique.  While we may not agree or understand the priorities or callings of others, we are still one body.  "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."  (1 John 1:7)

5.  I am thankful for God's comfort.  Life hurts.  It just plain does.  People can be so hurtful and have no idea of their actions or words.  I know I am the same way.  But when we abide in Him, we can know that His opinion is the only one that matters in the end, and it is He who we must follow.  "This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life."  (Ps 119:50)

6.  I am thankful for God's peace.  Depending upon your perspective, the world is on a variety of perilous paths.  But I know that He is in control, no matter how out-of-control everything appears.  "Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing?" (Ps 2:1)

7.  I am thankful of God's sovereignty.  He knows all and sees all.  No action or thought passes by Him, and all will pay the price or reap the rewards of their earthly existence.  "Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are your judgements."  (Rev 16:7)

8.  I am SO thankful for God's Redeemer!  "..Behold!  The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29)

9.  I am thankful for God's love.  I don't think there are words to describe His love... but many grateful tears.

10.  I am thankful for God's victory.  We have hope; not in this life, but in our Savior and our future with Him.  "Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord, "That I will raise to David a branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgement and righteousness in the earth."  (Jer 23:5)

Kiera's Breakfast

Two small corn tortillas
olives
brocolli (raw)

Hmmmm...  But she said "YUM!"

A few Kiera nuggets...

While we were shopping the other day, Kiera was going nuts over all the "stuff" she was seeing and wanting.  Finally I just spit out "Kiera!  Why do you want SO much stuff?"  She replies back, matter-of-factly, "Mommy!  I am just a little girl with big dreams!" 


This week, on our way up to Gma Nae's house... Kiera pipes up from her seat, "Mom, could you pick it up to Kangaroo Speed?"  (Which, for the record, is up to 50 mph...  I was only doing 40.   Not nearly fast enough for her...)

Good Start to the Holiday Season!

This weekend we went shopping for decorations to do our "Basket of Blessings,"  and for our Operation Christmas Child Boxes.  The girls helped me thread the ribbon through the basket and tie the flowers on top, and so far we've seperated the kids' stuff into different bags because we can't find any shoe boxes :-)  I'm a little bummed we didn't get finished, but this week is the drop off for both these items so that puts the pressure on to GET IT DONE! 

Now, about shopping for gifts...  I need to start making my lists!  (Hint Hint... that means I need some lists, if you all feel kind enough to email me some!!!)

Just an FYI- regarding wish lists

I was asked the other day about wish lists, so I need to make sure everyone knows that YES, I do update the link on the right side entitled "Our Gift Wish Lists." 

If you have any questions, or if something needs removed from the list, please email me!
Thanks~

Amazing details

During school today:

I am reading the instructions to Kiera for her b/d page.  It says something like "b and d are best buddies.  they look alike and sound alike, but they like different things...." 

Melia, to herself: "Wow!  I never knew that b and d are best friends - that's SO amazing!..."

Me:  giggling... :-)

Wenatchee Cross

wenatcheevalleycross.com

This is where you can check who/what the cross is lit for on any given night... For the most part.  Gabe turns it on just for fun sometimes :-)  But not for all night... Just a little blink blink blink to grab your attention :-)

Fall Yummy-ness

Pumpkin Butterscotch w/ a few mini chips just for fun cookies...

Eating the leftovers from our carameled apples- delicious!

Now, may I make a request?  The next time I make these- remind me of how STICKY caramel is, and that I need to find a different recipe than the one on the back of the caramels bag!  Oh yea, plus I remembered to roll the bottom in sugar, but not to layer the wax paper with sugar!  My little "rolling" did NO GOOD when it came to trying to rip those suckers off the paper!

However, we made these goodies for our church's "Bunco and Bema" night (Halloween alternative), and they were thoroughly enjoyed :-)  I am thankful we got to bring a few apples home to enjoy, especially because Kiera was distraught that I had forgotten to give her one at church...   What's really awesome was that both our girls chose to have a big plate of salad over pizza- that really suprised several adults!  And reminded me that I just need to make more of a point to have salad at home more often!

Thoughtful things to remember

This morning we were discussing dreams.  Mine were nightmares about purple praying mantis' and Melia trying to eat one and having it bite her tongue- you can see why I needed to talk that out...  But Melia began to tell me about hers:

Melia: "Mommy, remember that girl... oh wait.  I'll need my photo book for this one."  (runs and gets photo album and shows me a picture from preschool)  "Remember this girl?  I just don't understand why she liked all the other kids but not me.  Everyday I'd ask her to play with me, and everyone else would, but she always said no." 

I found this fascinating that she was putting into words what she wouldn't talk about three years ago.  We knew this was a problem because the teacher told us about it, but Melia never would really articulate that her feelings were being hurt by this snubbing and bossing (she was also bossy about who could play with who).  Interesting.  So just because they don't mention it at the time doesn't mean they don't feel it inside.

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Saturday, the girls were instructed to clean up their room because it had been a disaster for days.  And I really mean it by disaster.  Long story short, things did not go well because of arguing, tattling, etc... So finding myself nearly in tears, Gabe and I entered the room with two garbage bags and a storage bin, and cleaned up for them.  Half a bag of trash, one bag of "donate" items, and one bin later, we'd removed all but the very minimum of their toys. 

What was astounding was the lack of tears!  They even continued to bring us toys that they found hiding!  At one point I just said to Melia, "Why don't you just keep that one?" because I was tired of digging out the bin over and over.  But she says, "But I can't have it until I show you that I can keep my clothes picked up.  Then I can play with it again."  Well, ok then.  I'll just drag that bin out again.  How can I argue with my own logic?  :-)

Carving Fun

Kiera's Butterfly... That Daddy carved :-)

I guess raw pumpkin isn't so bad... At least for an almost one year old :-)

Oh Alden- you will enjoy these pictures someday, I promise!  :-)

 

Melia's Dolphin jumping out of the water.  She worked very diligently on this, and it turned out great!

Hunting Pics

Daddy's deer :-)

 When we arrived, the kids were thrilled to have the freedom to run and play!  Kiera quickly returned yelling, "Look what I found!!!"  She was THRILLED.  As the story goes, Gabe and Shaun had been shooting at squirrels/chipmunks a few hours before we arrived, and Gabe had pegged this one... and forgot about it.  We all couldn't believe how Kiera fell in LOVE with her dead little chipmunk!

Melia, examining the specimen..

But, as you would probably guess, we could NOT keep a dead chipmunk!  This absolutely broke her heart- I cannot even begin to explain how she SOBBED for a good 20-30 minutes, and then again every time she looked at it's little tail (which was cut off thinking it would ease her pain...)  SOBBED, people.  No exaggeration needed.

Melia, later at home, watching as Daddy cuts up his deer.  She received a pretty one-of-a-kind anatomy lesson for a 7 year old, and fully loved every minute of it.  Not sure what God's got up His sleeve for this one, but boy, she's gonna be quite the little "lady!"

I know.  Gross, right?  Totally.  Gabe's.  Idea.  OK?  OK.