White Christmas

Well, we missed the massive storm in Philadelphia. Over 20 inches. While we were lucky to get out when we did (before the storm came) we were kind of sad to have missed it. BUT, storm of all storms came to us here in Minnesota just in time for Christmas. I don't know why it was so hyped up because I swear they are used to getting lots of snow here, but I think it had to do with the warmer temperatures (so lots of ice and sleet) and the holidays causing major problems at the airport. We were already here, so we welcomed the storm completely! The cul-d-sac that Aunt Joanie lives on has a big circle in the middle. Each time the snow plow comes around that circle gets a little taller and a little taller. The boys took to playing king of the hill. It was more like king of the small mountain. There has been tubing and all sorts of snowy fun, too. These kids have never been so tired. 2 and a half hours of trudging through waste deep snow can really wear you out!






Waste deep!

Christmas came and the kids were so excited. They got spoiled ridiculously. It will be like second Christmas when the boxes arrive at our house because there is no way we can get half of it home with us on the airplane! The Christmas jammies turned out great and I was so glad I chose fleece this year because I made them at the last minute and didn't hem the legs. The joys of fleece! I always have a weird mixed feeling when Christmas is over. It's so fun to get ready for and anticipate.....and then it's over. It's a strange mix of sadness and relief.





(I love this picture.....it's like total overwhelmed-ness!)
We're back to Philadelphia tomorrow and onto the next grand adventure.....whatever, wherever, and whenever (soon, I think) that may be!

Must leave you with a sledding video!

no children were hurt in the making of this video. they bailed at the end so they wouldn't hit the bushes...and I tried not to laugh, but I couldn't help it...so sorry! :)

Blog Troubles

As I tend to do, I have made my life more difficult by creating my entire blog background and header myself. The background is a direct link from photobucket and since I haven't been on that account FOREVER they decided to delete my direct link. Long story short, I had to start over, but because I haven't done it forever I had to relearn how to do it. :) My text and columns are stretched out because the templates are so narrow, so even a temporary regular template wouldn't do. SO, I whipped this one out and let's just call it a work in progress. Because I should be posting Christmas pictures and packing to go home, I'm leaving it like this for a while. :)

Christmas pictures to come.....

Nickelodeon Universe

We're having lots of fun in Minnesota! We spent the day at Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America a couple days ago. It was great. Hardly anyone there on a Thursday afternoon and Wyatt was just tall enough to go on most of the rides. I was the official picture-taker since pregnancy and roller coasters are not recommended together. :(

The boys are having lots of fun being spoiled by their great aunt and uncle and it isn't even Christmas yet. We've been outside, playing in the snow, getting a tour of Aunt Joanie's company (Unimed-Midwest), shopping, eating and visiting. This was a much needed vacation!

Apparently we are missing the snow storm of a lifetime at home in PA right now. I'm kind of bummed about that, but glad to have snow and a white Christmas where we are!

The Cutest Christmas Program Ever

...well, at least I think so...but only because my kids were in it. This show was put on by CBS (Community Bible Study) that the kids and I go to every Tuesday morning. They have such an amazing program for the kids....including homeschoolers. Today was their Christmas show and Rand met me there armed with cameras and camcorders. My camera also records video so I switched back and forth between still pictures and video because I knew it would be easier to get them on my blog quick. Rand video taped the whole thing on our other camera which we have already watched again when we got home. Brendan's class did a play (I couldn't tell you what it was about) but he got to be a firefighter and then had one line that he memorized and spoke into the microphone. If he was anything like me he would have stood in front of that microphone like a deer in the headlights....frozen....and then burst into tears. BUT, he is not. He did great. Both boys did. Wyatt sang like a champ but said he was too shy to do the hand motions (maybe there's a little of me in that boy!) I totally cried! I'll thank the baby for that.






Here's a few video clips:
Both boys so proud of themselves and each other. Brendan's line!

Wyatt singing!

Important Family News

I've been trying to write this in my head for a week and a half now and I'm afraid it's still rather a mess in my mind. Perhaps this post will help that. I have been unable to share on my blog what has been going on with us for quite a while, so I will do my best for those of you who are hearing about all this for the first time.

For months now we have been aware that there are financial issues at our church. Clearly, the church can't support 2 full time pastors. We've known there was a chance that we wouldn't be here long term. BUT, there was a hope that things would change and we would be. Rand has done an amazing job while here at GVF. I couldn't be more proud of him and we are sad that this ministry has come to an end. Being here only a little over a year we were just starting to feel like we were finding our niche; getting to know people deeper, loving our small group, finding things around us to do and be a part of on our own, etc. Add in a baby and some serious pregnancy hormones and you might be able to imagine a tad what this last week and a half has been like for me. I've really been a mess.....going through all sorts of waves of emotions and grief. I'm starting to feel a little bit better now, looking to the future and discerning what God has for us next.

SO WHAT IS NEXT?

The short answer, we don't know for sure yet. We have been praying and talking and processing like you would not believe. Life doesn't feel very normal right now. We honestly can't talk or think about much else right now. I wish I could give you more than that. We have some ideas about what our future may hold, but for now we are still waiting, and praying about where and what we should do. I will write more as things unfold and we have a clearer understanding of what it all means.

No matter what it is, I am still trying to wrap my mind around that this is happening. It is a really big deal and I hurt for broken expectations and hopes that we had coming here just one year ago. One blessing that I have is Rand. I have complete faith in him. He has done an amazing job taking care of us and providing and being a good example and a leader for the past 9+ years for our family. I know God has a plan for us and for some of those possibilities that are presenting themselves, I can honestly say I am excited. While my world may turn upside down we cling to Him who is a true Rock in our lives for hope and comfort. I'm scared, but I know I'm safe. I'm sad, but I still have joy. While there is grief, there is great excitement too.

Please pray for us. We are in the middle of some really, really big decisions. Things are becoming clearer, but there is still more information to be gathered and weighed before anything is for sure.

Anxious to share with you our new plan!

Kid Quotes::Vol. 14

Just me and Wyatt riding together in the car.

Me: Want to plan on taking a nap with me today?

Wyatt: No.

Me: Guess what Mommy did? I made a real sad choice and stayed up too late last night and I had to get up really early this morning. Now I'm experiencing a real sad consequence and have a bad headache and feel really tired.

Wyatt: Mom. You're forgiven.

Early Christmas and First Snow!

Before my parents left last week they gave the boys their Christmas presents.




(rear-view spy glasses)

New sleds and special secret-agent boxes full of special secret spy gear. (There will have to be a separate post about the secret agent stuff that has been going on here for the past month with my dad and these little boys!

And as if right on cue, it snowed yesterday and we got to try out the new sleds across the street on our awesome sledding hill!