I can serve Jesus by...

This was the year that the kids really "got into" giving to a child in need through Operation Christmas Child. To keep them and myself in the practice "giving"; we have been sorting through boxes of gently used toys to pass on to our second and third cousins in the Philippines.

The scribble attached to the kids' piggy (giving) bank refers to people who had little, yet gave a lot -- 2 Cor 8:2 "Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty, they welled up in rich generosity".

the kids' take home craft from november 29th: It seems obvious to pass things on to those in need. However; being someone whose worked with preschoolers for over a decade AND who appreciates the value of developmental toys -- I have a hard time letting go of quality educational toys. I have passed this subconscious "holding on" to my young'ns. This week, we sorted through toys again, and filled another large box with toys to send out to the Philippines. Thank You Jesus for teaching us, by your example, to serve, give or sacrifice. We are so blessed, I am grateful for Jesus' sacrifice. He gave it ALL. Because God loves each of you and us, and God fills us with His Love, we have love to share. The "so much" we have to give, is such a relatively small gesture when I reflect on what Jesus gave each of you and me. and yet, I personally still need to put into practice giving up things I want or like. Lord, keep working on my heart.

Decorating

A few weeks ago, I asked Josh what he wanted for Christmas and he said, "a birthday party for Jesus!". Sing with us [click]: http://reallywoolly.fraboom.com/mp3/HappyBirthdayJesus_song.mp3

Oh boy, he was serious! Josh wants to make the cake right Now! We've started to decorate for the birthday party. Josh picked out the cake mix and frosting.

We are really looking forward to our big party on Christmas morning! We had fun at the free "Live" online Jesus' birthday parties at http://www.reallywoolly.com/

I've been looking at my own heart this Christmas season. And asking if I truly understand the real meaning of Christmas. God will continue to do His work on my heart, He is not finished with me yet.

Science of Gingerbread Festival

How cool that these are blue ribbon winners at the Discovery Museums annual Gingerbread competion! title "Baby Jesus":

side view of this award winning "Cathedral" (stained glass nativity scene):
Good times with dear dear friends:

the train "engineers":

freeze-frame dance:

Happy Birthday Timmy! Your godbrothers, Ninong and Ninang love you!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Those were the lyrics my mind was singing this first sunday of Advent. Aloud, I was wondering where we would catch some twinkling lights to remind us of the Star of Bethlehem. Since our advent devotion was in the morning, the night was free for roaming! as soon as the littl'un was up from nap, we headed down to Sea World!

Twinkling Lights. check.
Fun loving. check.

The nighttime Shamu Christmas show was beyond our expectations. First, was the instrumental solo sax "O Holy Night. The stars are brightly shining. It is the night of our dear Savior's birth" (Pete's favorite Christmas Song)

Then, Love In Motion Signing Choir (www.signingchoir.com) joined in, followed by Alto sax "Silent Night, Holy Night. All is calm, all is bright round yon Virgin Mother and Child. Holy Infant so tender and mild sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight. Glories stream from heaven. Christ, the Savior is born".

The finale: the entire stadium was asked to stand and sing with these words posted on the big screen: "Joy to the World, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And Heaven and nature sing...Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!....He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love":

We loved it! We'd love to do this every year! and even one more time this year! if you have passes, we'll see you there! Also found out this show has been going since 2004..wish we found it sooner.

Thanksgiving Dinner

Our family friends, of three generations, continue to gather each year for an evening dinner.Some of the youngest generation are 16 year olds now!

I remember being that age and playing outdoor games

with these same friends, at this same house.

Now, "our" children are hitting the teens. We some times refer to ourselves as the "kids" still, bu we are not (all over 30 years old now!).

Here are all the men:

The ladies:
Roly & Puring's sprouts:

Cef & Jay's bloomers:

Bob & Minda's buds. Wow, the first complete pic in years:

Having a ball together

Every Thanksgiving morning, the boys and I head out to

We ALL really had a ball this year
We go there to visit "daddy", so we can be together a bit on the holi-"day" morn:
We explored the old trails with thankfulness for the familiar fun!

At the kraal, this deer gave a few "licks" unexpectedly:

Josh passed the food to Aidon who then fed the deer directly. They worked together to feed these animals God created, and Aidon helped dissipate his brother's uneasiness...

The morning ended at the Discovery Station's bear den, coloring thank you cards to zookeepers and animal behaviorists, and a story by the fireplace:

Christmas in November

The angel said to them...."I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" Luke 2:10-14

We decorated our Christmas tree early this year, on November 15th! At a women's breakfast, Marcia Ramsland (http://www.organizingpro.com/) spoke and reminded us that there were only 3 1/2 weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year.

So, we didn't waste any time.

Besides, we like having the decor up from Thanksgiving to Russian Christmas (Pete's mom is full Russian/Ukranian and grew up celebrating Orthodox Christmas, which often lands on the day that is noted for when Wise Men arrived, Epiphany)

We decorate with the four of us, and whoever else would like to join us - this year it was lolo and lola. We say a blessing for the giver of each ornament we put on the tree.

Exciting Fun (title by Aidon)

"I will be your God throughout your lifetime - until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you." -Isaiah 46:4

I relate to that scripture as I reflect back on how my 39th year was celebrated the past few weeks.

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My dad and mom's 3 girls, all the grandkids, and loved ones, met at a Tea House restaurant to gather for Minda's birthday...and I was pleasantly surprised that the family celebration was also for me! That Tea House was on my list of places to go!!

For the joy of human love,

Brother, sister, parent, child,

Friends on earth and friends above;

For all gentle thoughts and mild:

Lord of all, to thee we raise This our hymn o f grateful praise.

-Folliott Pierpoint, "For the Beauty of the Earth".

The evening of my actual birthday, we enjoyed Sea Horses at the Birch Aquarium:
Another day; my sis Marn, the boys, and I hung out at the beach at dusk:

Pete took a vacation day and we enjoyed my birthday cupcakes. Mmmmm. Now, I see why my sis Missy and cousin Chaz go out of their way for cupcake dessertiers!

The family celebration Pete and I planned watching the youth theater production of HONK! :) My immediate family cancelled out one by one due to health and illness leaving their tickets available just before. I'm thankful for friends that are not offended by last minute invitations.

These guys have been friends for 21 years now. they've become dear family friends. Now the family:

and the kiddies...

Take #2 on the "Yellow Balloon"

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Psalm 19:1 Our boys saw my post of Pete and I on the helium balloon, and wondered where THEIR pictures were! Okay. Okay. Here come the pictures of our high rise time as a family!

LoOking skyward - silly.

what's just above:

We fly as high as the Washington Monument and higher than the Statue of Liberty!