Stefan's 4th Birthday

It really is difficult for me to wrap my thoughts around the fact that we have a four year old. Brian and I took some time to reminisce about Stefan's four years and how much he has changed specifically in this last year. He has jumped head first into boyhood and the toddler days seem long gone and the baby days even further. We have been overjoyed to see him develop and change. His personality is becoming even more unique. Maybe that's why this birthday was so fun?  Now we can get things because we know where his interests are and not simply "4-year-olds are supposed to like this" sort of thing. It really made it that much more special.  

This birthday was also unique in that it was his first birthday ever to be home.  We've always been on the road and we really enjoyed being in our own home and setting the pace for how we celebrated.

We started the day with breakfast which consisted of crepes with nutella and bananas inside. Candles to blow out right when you get up is always a good way to start the birthday!

I ended up deciding to go with a Cars theme because Stefan is a big fan of that movie.  I didn't want to forget this stage and I knew he would be thrilled.  Special thanks to Mimi who sent me the napkins and some stickers that I used. I'm really happy with how the cake turned out. It was my first time making my own fondant, so I'm thankful for no catastrophes!

I had stickers on each of our glasses and we were that character for the evening. Stefan got a big kick out of asking Sally (Mommy) for more water please, or Mack (Daddy) could you please pass the chips.  He couldn't decide if he wanted to be Lightening McQueen or Tow Mater so he had one on each side of his glass and we called him both:).  

At the dinner table we were remembering things about Stefan's last four years and also saying things we appreciated about Stefan.  I think he was starting to feel embarrassed at all that attention and he suddenly said, "Daddy, I'm thankful for you."  The sweet thing about that is that one of the things that Brian and I have been noticing in Stefan lately is a spirit of genuine thoughtfulness toward others. It is such a blessing to see that developing even at his young age. 

Of course, what is a birthday without presents?  It was so fun to see his excitement and joy over everything. The Legos (thanks to a last minute sale I snagged) and the scooter (thank you Papi and Mimi!)  were the favorites, but he loved everything.

After opening the gifts these two guys went immediately to work!

He was very happy about his cake, can you tell?  He also sang with us when we sang Happy Birthday.  Did those of you who skyped him and sang happy birthday to him notice that he sang along with you?  Yep, every time ;) He was thrilled about having a birthday cake and ice cream, but I think he only ate about three bites as he was too excited to go play with his new gifts!

Here he is with the very first vehicle he made with his Legos.  He has since made a house, a truck, a helicopter, a boat, a...you get the idea. He really likes them:).  It is not a huge set, but this is one of those gifts that I'm sure we will be adding to for years to come!

We are thrilled to see our boy growing up.

We count ourselves incredibly blessed to have him in our family and to have been given the responsibility to love, teach, and nurture him.

Our Christmas

Well, here goes a small sampling of our Christmas.  We have had a wonderful season, but much of the joy of the season comes from the little light of excitement in our children's eyes, excited squeals, looks of awe, satisfied looks between Mommy and Daddy because the kids are so happy.  None of these things, though, can be caught on camera.  

It is nice though, to try to catch a few memories.  Memories we will always cherish.

Gazing at the Christmas tree. It never gets old and we'll all be sad when we put it all away.  Yet, the excitement keeps on because there is always next year! 

*****

Our Gingerbread house we made. Not too shabby for little hands. 

Even better than the finished product is the fun we had working together.  The laughter, the joy, the mess. It was all wonderful!  We traditionally listen to the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from Cambridge on Christmas Eve. This year we decorated our gingerbread house while doing. This just might become a tradition.

Happy with the results! 

I think that I will buy the cookie cutters for a gingerbread house so that next year I can make my own. the kits are nice and all, but who wants to eat something that has been in a box for months? Not us! So we just look at it :) .

*****

Christmas festivities!  No explanation needed! 

"One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don't clean it up too quickly." -Andy Rooney

This gift was a hit, and is going to be enjoyed by all!

*****

Sneaking something from the candy dish!

*****

"I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus!"

Christmas Morning at Church

Just a sampling of some Sunday morning shots.  Getting out the door for church on Christmas morning was hard enough, so these are just some quick snapshots I took as we were walking to the car.  Hopefully I'll get more shots of our actual Christmas on here soon.  It's been a bit busy here, so this will have to do for now. 

I'm pretty sure this is the cutest six month old around. Ahhh....kills me how handsome he is! 

Smiley, Christmasy, and sunny...but hey, it's a shot;) 

Between the sun, being in a hurry and the fact that his new airplanes he got for Christmas were keeping his undivided attention, this is all I've got.  Can't you just hear him making the plane noises, though? 

Reading 2011

I love to read. No surprise there, right? I had a goal of reading twelve books this year and I'm so pleased to tell you all that I not only met that goal, I actually surpassed it a little. I really didn't think I would especially when there was a couple of months where I didn't read at all after having a baby and moving in the same month.  It just goes to show that even reading just 5 or 10 minutes at a time adds up! Anyway,  just for fun, I thought I'd share what I read. Very eclectic, but that's my personality, so what can I say?  I had no plan for my reading. It definitely shows and I want to have a better plan this year.  Random reasons I decided to pick a certain book: New York Times Bestseller; Personal interest; Classic; Recommendation of a friend; no reason at all...you get the idea:). So here they are. In no particular order.

1. Womanly Dominion by Mark Chanski

2. Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan (I'm ashamed to admit this was the first time I had read it in its entirety including the second part about Christian's wife.)

3. For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn

4. The Millionaire Next Door by Stanley and Danko

5. A Mom After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George

6. French Women Don't Get Fat by Mireille Guiliano

7. Adopted for Life by Russell Moore

8. Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider

9. Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua

10. The Fiddler's Gun by A. S. Peterson 

11. Loving the Little Years by Rachel Jankovic

12. Last Child In the Woods by Richard Louv
13. A Different Kind of Teacher by John Taylor Gatto

13. The Help by Katheryn Stockett

14. The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis

Some books were gripping. Some made me think. Some didn't stretch my mind at all. Some opened my eyes to our history and culture.  Some opened my eyes to other cultures. Some made me laugh.  Some gave me insights to being a better mom or wife. Some pointed me to Christ.

While some books were just okay and not great, I still benefit from reading. I never want to stop reading and learning. Many of the books, though, were great.

My goal for this next year is to read at least 15 books. I want to pick books in various genres. My parents surprised me with a Kindle this Christmas which I am thrilled about and will help me keep up my reading more easily, I think.

Some of the genres I want to read in include history, fiction, biography, theology, Christian living, education, culture, parenting, etc.  I would LOVE any of your recommendations!

So here is your chance to leave a comment. You don't have to tell me how cute my kids are or anything like that, just leave a book title that you think I would enjoy reading!  

Little Christmas Joys

Candy Canes and Christmas Trees

Extra reading time with Daddy.

An anniversary date by the Christmas tree.

 

Experiencing the world of food for the first time. 

Dressing the kids for bed as if it is a normal night, then surprising them with hot chocolate in their sippy cups, a cookie in hand, and a drive around town to look at Christmas lights.

Learning that to give is better than to receive. Stefan picked out his gift for Olivia and wrapped it. Of all the paper he could have chosen, he decided on pink tissue paper. Don't worry though, we dressed it up! He decided to make an 'O' with buttons so we would know it was for her.

Beautiful Weather!

Today was one of those gorgeous days that you have to pinch yourself to remember that it is actually December. Weather in the 60's. Really? While it doesn't help in reminding you that Christmas is less than two weeks away, it is perfect for getting outside with the kids. And I found out there is a lot to learn when I'm outside.

One lonely leaf, hanging on for dear life

I saw this leaf and immediately thought about how sometimes I feel like this leaf. It is easy to think that we are self sustaining. We don't need anybody and can function all on our own. What we fail to realize is that this leaf isn't functioning by itself. A host of branches and roots are giving it life. As soon as it falls to the ground (or more likely one of my children pulls it off!), it will start to turn brown like the other myriad of leaves already on the ground. I too, cannot function alone and thankfully I don't have to. And my lifeline is not so precarious as it may seem. I have an amazing God, a supportive husband, a wonderful family, and the list could go on.

Two things that I experienced in the last few hours made me realize how we can't function alone. My husband, who saw last night that I was beyond exhausted. Suffice it to say sick kids and sleepless nights had taken its toll. At eight o'clock last night, Brian looked at me and said, you need to go to bed. Did I mention it was only 8? I did and went right to sleep. He brought Silas to me to feed around 11 and I had been sleeping so hard I hadn't even heard him cry which never happens. While I still had to feed Silas a few times, I can't tell you how much better I feel after getting the rest I did. And you know what Brian did, of course? While I was sleeping away, he was being an elf and washing dishes and cleaning the kitchen. Love that man! I need him.

The other thing was a simple call I had to make to a friend from church this morning. We ended up chatting for awhile. It wasn't a particularly meaningful conversation in regards to what we were talking about, but it was very meaningful to me. My heart was light when I got off the phone with her because not only had I enjoyed a good conversation, but I had a friend. A friend here in Louisville. A friend from our church. We need friends. It's important. It's vital to our lifeline.

God has blessed me

All smiles in the sunshine.

Then there is my daughter. I love how happy she is. Really, she can find joy in just about anything. I want to be like her when I grow up. Today it was specifically the tricycle, and mud and leaves that she was mixing up.

Oh, and my girl who doesn't talk? When the neighbor boy started riding the tricycle she yelled, clear as day, "MY BIKE!" Ahem.

Fascination with details.

Stefan makes me smile. He can be running or riding around like he's fleeing a fire, and almost as suddenly stop dead in his tracks to observe something. Like this moment. He was speeding across the lawn on his bike, and almost in one motion jumped off the bike and picked up those leaves and sat there and observed for a good five minutes. I have no idea what he was trying to see in those leaves, but he was captivated. He loves details, yet he loves running around and being crazy just as much. You never know what to expect. I hope I never get to old to enjoy being carefree, and yet be fascinated with the most mundane of things. Like a dead leaf.

December Fun

A beautiful day.
A girl peeking out underneath her hat.
Siblings messing around on the ground having fun together.