Love is in the air!

My newly engaged brother, Tomy, and his fiance', Mendy finally made it to Colorado this weekend! We had a wonderful family time yesterday...hearing all about the detailed and sweet proposal plans (which included a "homeless" guy, flowers at a gas station, a fake ring box, and an incredibly sweet video) and the wedding plans (which includes Emma as a flower girl and Nate as the ring bearer). We are so blessed to welcome Mendy to our family and can't wait for their summer 2010 wedding!



Free Signature Generator

A day in the life of Nate

I'll eat lunch...


...but actually throw most of it on the floor so I can trick Mommy into giving me a cookie.


Then I will try to ride on Mommy's Christmas sled, which she says isn't a toy but a decoration. I say those are the best toys.


If Mommy decides to cook or clean, I open all the cabinets and either climb in or pull everything out.


I will insist on doing everything Emma does, including homework.





And on special days, I get to play with my friend Lexi and act silly!


It's so fun being a one-year-old boy!



Free Signature Generator

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Emma's favorite Christmas goodie to make is chocolate dipped pretzels, so we set about making a batch for our upcoming Christmas gathering.



I've also made Peanut Butter Crunch Balls and Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies. Before Saturday I will be making Pumpkin Spice Muffins, Black Forest Cheesecake, Eggnog Cake, Santa Nutter Butters and Pizzelles.

This was the view out our front door all week. So pretty, but oh so cold! It was -15 when we got up yesterday and our high was 3 degrees!



Of course, Emma made good use of the snow. She had a snow day on Tuesday, so she sledded with me first thing in the morning, then with some friends mid-morning, then with her cousins in the afternoon.

Here's Tim and his brother Byrne sledding down our street with the kids. (Does that tell you what kind of hill we live on that you can sled on the street?!)







Hopefully, I will be able to share more pics of our Christmas goodies and decorations soon. The closer it gets to Christmas, the busier the days get. ☺



Free Signature Generator

Family Traditions

We have lots of family traditions, and some of our favorites are at Christmastime. This one includes Sunday brunch at the Broadmoor. We enjoy fabulous food, the gingerbread house display and all the beautiful decorations.

It was even more fun this year because of the snow storm we were having! We didn't do our usual walk around the lake, but we enjoyed seeing the swans and geese.


Emma's favorite part is the chocolate fountain!


Nate was in heaven with the apple pie!


Trying really hard to not touch the tree.


Looking out at the snow.


And the infamous gingerbread house display!


If you've never been to the Broadmoor and seen all the gorgeous Christmas decorations, you need to add it to your list of things to do! Better yet, book an overnight stay. You won't be disappointed.



Free Signature Generator

Prone to Wander

I woke up this morning thinking of the words to the hymn "Come Thou Fount."

"Let thy goodness like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love."

And I wonder: Why is it, when life takes a turn for the easy, when things are smooth sailing, does my heart wander? Oh, not that I turn my back on God or even forget him. But I begin skipping my daily devotions. I spend less time on my knees. My mind spends countless hours on trivial matters instead of the Word of God. My prayers are hurried at times. My heart is distracted by a long list of to-do's.

After reading the blog of a wife and mother who is living through much suffering right now, I found myself longing for those days of total dependence upon God. Those days when I petitioned God to be my portion of strength just to get out of bed and face the day. I do not want to return to my suffering of past, but I want to live in that same daily dependence on God—receiving my DAILY bread from Him.

Why does my heart wander? It's human nature. But God...He knows I am dust. He knows my weaknesses and my heart. Yet, His compassions are new every single day. He continues to beckon me to come.

"Let thy goodness like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee."





Free Signature Generator

Pictures

Nate coloring for the first time. I didn't realize he knew what to do...of course, he watches everything so closely that I wasn't really surprised.



Nate wearing my exercise top as a cape. He thought this was so funny!


Emma pulled another tooth!


One of the Christmas cards I made.


Emma and Nate in their new outfits for cousins pictures.


Emma and her cousin Jesse (the only girls on Tim's side of the family).


Nate waiting patiently to get his picture made.


One day I was cleaning out the pantry and I heard a "crunch." I looked down to see that Nate had found the box of ice cream cones, so I put him in his highchair to enjoy his treat.


Our lawn ornament. Can you believe such a big deer hangs around our front yard?!


Nate discovering that you can actually eat snow.


Emma and her buddy Brooke after their last soccer game.


Decorating the Christmas tree. We always do this Thanksgiving weekend. It was fun because even Nate enjoyed helping.



And one of our traditions, Tim reading books to the kids under the tree (this is Nate's first year).