I tell ya', the children had more fun with the purging today than I ever imagined. We have several bags and boxes to be donated and returned, but I'm not counting those yet since they aren't completely out of our hands. Hopefully I can get some of that done this week and our list will be even longer next Monday!
Returned:
2 drawers of rocks from E's collection (to the woods.) ;-)
Trash:
1 trailer full of garage items
1 box of plastic storage containers from the pantry shelves
1 enormous bin of unwanted paper items from David's office
1 large garbage can of trash from David's office
1 bag of christmas items
1 worn out backpack
E's old art folder
2 baskets
3 bags from children's rooms
1 broken cd player
Monday, January 9, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 2012
David's First Day on the Job
Last Tuesday we were all up early to have some family bible time and send David off to his first day at work. This new season has already brought some struggles to adjust, but I think we've been doing pretty well. We're hoping to keep our 6:30 family bible time consistent so we have that time together in the busy days ahead.
The girlies are especially excited that Daddy dresses so "fancy" when going to work now. I admit, he is one super handsome guy. :)
The girlies are especially excited that Daddy dresses so "fancy" when going to work now. I admit, he is one super handsome guy. :)
We love you, David! We are so proud of all your hard work!! :D
Last Bit O' Christmas
We wrapped up our Christmas celebration today. I thought I'd post pics of our Birthday Cake party along with our Three Kings Night all together. The Birthday party happened a day or so after Christmas Day and we celebrated Three Kings tonight, one day after Epiphany.
We have the number 16 on Jesus' birthday cake because that is how many years our family has been celebrating Jesus' birthday together. Birthday cake is always a favorite way to celebrate. :)
to share gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh in our stockings. This years gifts, gold: chocolate gold coins, frankincense: scented shower gel, myrrh: sermon notes journals, bible tabs, pencil bags, pencils, and marking pens for worship time. A few other items, jump ropes, hand sanitzer, and noisy slime.
We have the number 16 on Jesus' birthday cake because that is how many years our family has been celebrating Jesus' birthday together. Birthday cake is always a favorite way to celebrate. :)
Our Three Kings Night party varies a bit from year to year. One thing that always remains the same is a fun reinactment of the story of the Wise Men's journey and visit with the child, Jesus.
Please meet a few characters of our play:
Baby Jesus
A darling angel
Mary and her sweet baby Jesus
King Herod
The three wise men meeting with King Herod
The three wise men presenting their gifts to Jesus
Smelling the Myrrh ;)
The angel warning the wise men while they sleep not to return to King Herod
The angel warning Joseph (yes, he's an Indiana Jones Joseph) to flee from Egypt
Another tradition that always sticks is opening our stocking gifts. We use this night
to share gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh in our stockings. This years gifts, gold: chocolate gold coins, frankincense: scented shower gel, myrrh: sermon notes journals, bible tabs, pencil bags, pencils, and marking pens for worship time. A few other items, jump ropes, hand sanitzer, and noisy slime. 
And wouldn't you know it, the noisy slime was the biggest hit. :-P
Another Christmas season come and gone. While we cherish our special traditions and memories made each year, we are grateful that we can celebrate and love on our Lord Jesus every day. May the King of Kings reign in your hearts as well in the year ahead.
"And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, "Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations!" Revelation 15:3
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
About Lorises
Lorises
Lorises are in the Prosimian category, which is a part of the primate group. They live in tropical and woodland forests in countries including: India, Sri Lanka, and southeast Asia. Many Lorises eat only insects but some also eat fruit, leaves, slugs, and flowers; they are also nocturnal. Lorises have predators, such as orangutans, so the female bathes her baby, before she leaves her nest to find food, with a liquid which deludes the baby’s scent thus protecting it from predators. Lorises themselves are divided into two groups the first being slender Lorises( the red slender Loris and gray slender Loris are in this group), the second being slow Lorises(including: Sunda slow Loris, Bengal slow Loris, pygmy slow Loris, Javan slow Loris, and Bornean slow Loris)
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| Taken from Wikipedia |
By: Elizabeth Menard
Age: 14
Age: 14
A New MOTH
For those unfamiliar with the acronym MOTH, it isn't a lovely species of the flying sort. ;)
MOTH is abbreviated for Managers of Their Homes, a useful tool that I have been using for several years now. The beauty behind it is that you are able to break down all the activities that need to be done in your home, you'd like to be done in your home, and those that could be done in your home and map them out in an organized fashion. We haven't always used our MOTH schedule because, in some seasons, it just isn't helpful. But, we're walking into a season that requires us to adjust and transition to David's new work schedule, so our MOTH got an update and we're off and running with it.
This week has gone well. We aren't always able to stay on course for the full day. But, I find it very helpful to see what we may have missed or what we can set aside to accomodate a different plan. Our evenings aren't usually as strict as the plan lays out, but having the plan helps us remember all we want to get done before bedtime. So, it stays useful even when we use it in a different way.
You're welcome to follow the link to see how our day is planned. If you feel led, I'd appreciate your prayers as we work to build diligence and perseverance in our family by Staying On Course. :)
MOTH Winter 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
The 2012 Mega-Purge
I am determined to purge my house in the coming months. Now, I have been a good girl in the last few years. I regularly bring bags and boxes of unwanted or unused items to the thrift store. However, the winter months, the desire to be free from the added work of keeping care of extra "stuff", a wee bit of early nesting, and talk of a potential move in the coming year has me ready for more serious tactics.
I'm ready for something MAJOR. I'm going to be brutal. I'm going to be fierce. I'm going to be harsh and force myself to Move to Minimal. Ultimately, I'm going to be FREE!!
I'm still working on my plan for how I'll record this Mega-Purge. For now, I'm planning to just keep a running list and maybe some photos on this post of what I accomplish each week. In fact, I think a catchy way to keep me accountable will be declare a Monday Mega-Purge. Mondays I'll be listing the items that are OUT of my house for good. It doesn't count if it hasn't been delivered, tossed, or returned to it's proper owner.
Cheer me on. This is going to be tough for the whole fam! ;-)
Monday, January 2
Pitched:
1 dumpster FULL of garage items (mostly from the painting company that has now been retired)
1 garbage bag full of painter's clothes that won't be needed anymore
Sold:
2 finger planks
gang box
baker's staging
drywall sander
small paint sprayer
10 extension cords
rolling tool box
several drop cloths
I'm ready for something MAJOR. I'm going to be brutal. I'm going to be fierce. I'm going to be harsh and force myself to Move to Minimal. Ultimately, I'm going to be FREE!!
I'm still working on my plan for how I'll record this Mega-Purge. For now, I'm planning to just keep a running list and maybe some photos on this post of what I accomplish each week. In fact, I think a catchy way to keep me accountable will be declare a Monday Mega-Purge. Mondays I'll be listing the items that are OUT of my house for good. It doesn't count if it hasn't been delivered, tossed, or returned to it's proper owner.
Cheer me on. This is going to be tough for the whole fam! ;-)
Monday, January 2
Pitched:
1 dumpster FULL of garage items (mostly from the painting company that has now been retired)
1 garbage bag full of painter's clothes that won't be needed anymore
Sold:
2 finger planks
gang box
baker's staging
drywall sander
small paint sprayer
10 extension cords
rolling tool box
several drop cloths
Sunday, January 1, 2012
New Year's Celebration...Imagine This
This year's New Year's Eve party was definitely our favorite. We made plans with one of our favorite families to have a Family Overnight together. And, of course, with all the packing we did to accomodate our family camping out at our friends, complete with enough food to feed an army (12 children between 2 families constitutes an army, right?) I forgot to bring the camera. So, you'll have to use your fantastic imagination to picture the sweet memories we'll never forget. :)
We started out the night feasting on a delicious spread of nachos topped with chalupa and all the fixin's.
Imagine: Photo of a plate loaded with mouthwatering beans, pork, cheese, salsa, and sour cream. Ooey-gooey goodness. :)
It didn't take long for the food to disappear and the children to dive into fun with their friends. The wonderful thing about this special family is that we have "matching kids" for almost all of our ages of children. So, while the oldest 4 travelled from sharing collections, gameboards, and talking over the latest "news", the middles had a blast romping around in the basement and coming up with all sorts of fun.
Imagine: Photo of 4 middle children jumping, laughing, and enjoying all sorts of pretend play.
The Littles were busy with toys, books, and making up new rules for the infamous game, Candy Land.
Imagine: Photo of 2 girlies hoarding Princess Lolly and Queene Frostine cards. ;)
The Tiniest Two were simply adorable and spent the evening entertaining the parents as they sweetly discovered the joy of Interactive Play.
Imagine: Photo of two toddlers sharing snuggles with stuffed toys, building blocks, and working out a plan for sharing those things that are hardest to share. ;)
And, loveliest of all, 4 parents, blessed to have been a part of each other's lives since the babies first arrived, enjoying wonderful, uninterrupted (for the most part ;) ), conversations, laughs, and memories together.
Imagine: Photo of some of our dearest friends blessing us beyond measure!
Don't forget the quick trip the dads took to fit in the movie, Courageous, before midnight arrived. Very cool!
Once we got everyone's sleeping arrangements made and babies settled in for the night, the snacks and treats came out.
Imagine: Photo of 10 children hovering over a counter full of Once A Year treats like, chex mix, ranch pretzels, cheese balls, and puppy chow. Yum!
Amazingly, midnight was up on us before we even realized it. At about 15 minutes until the clock struck, the Bigs came up from their movie marathon to say they wanted to be sure they spent the turn of the New Year with their parents. *melt*
Imagine: Photo of dads and children hovering around a computer screen to watch the crystal ball drop.
Imagine: Photo of dads both making a mad dash to the moms to get in the first New Year kiss! *awwww*
It was time for bed by then. After the baked oatmeal was prepped for breakfast, everyone quickly crashed out.
Imagine: Photo of a bird's eye view of children cozily nestled in every little floor space in the house. :)
Morning brought a yummy meal of baked oatmeal and fruit and yogurt smoothies. More wonderful conversation for the grown-ups while the children soaked up more fun together.
We then came together for a precious time of family worship. Prayer and learning from the dads as they shared what they are learning from God's word. A wonderful challenge to run the race set before us in the coming year. Forgetting what is behind and pressing on to win the prize the Lord has for each of us.
Imagine: Two families gathered in love for each other and their Lord. Okay, I'll admit, it was better than you can likely imagine. :)
A quick lunch of giant sub sandwiches and a huge selection of chips and yummy dip, last minute pack-up, cookies, and bittersweet goodbyes, and we were on our way back home for a well-needed rest.
We're so thankful for this special New Year's treat. Everyone agreed it needs to be an annual tradition for our families. Let's pray the Lord has the same plan!
"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." Galatians 5:16-25
We started out the night feasting on a delicious spread of nachos topped with chalupa and all the fixin's.
Imagine: Photo of a plate loaded with mouthwatering beans, pork, cheese, salsa, and sour cream. Ooey-gooey goodness. :)
It didn't take long for the food to disappear and the children to dive into fun with their friends. The wonderful thing about this special family is that we have "matching kids" for almost all of our ages of children. So, while the oldest 4 travelled from sharing collections, gameboards, and talking over the latest "news", the middles had a blast romping around in the basement and coming up with all sorts of fun.
Imagine: Photo of 4 middle children jumping, laughing, and enjoying all sorts of pretend play.
The Littles were busy with toys, books, and making up new rules for the infamous game, Candy Land.
Imagine: Photo of 2 girlies hoarding Princess Lolly and Queene Frostine cards. ;)
The Tiniest Two were simply adorable and spent the evening entertaining the parents as they sweetly discovered the joy of Interactive Play.
Imagine: Photo of two toddlers sharing snuggles with stuffed toys, building blocks, and working out a plan for sharing those things that are hardest to share. ;)
And, loveliest of all, 4 parents, blessed to have been a part of each other's lives since the babies first arrived, enjoying wonderful, uninterrupted (for the most part ;) ), conversations, laughs, and memories together.
Imagine: Photo of some of our dearest friends blessing us beyond measure!
Don't forget the quick trip the dads took to fit in the movie, Courageous, before midnight arrived. Very cool!
Once we got everyone's sleeping arrangements made and babies settled in for the night, the snacks and treats came out.
Imagine: Photo of 10 children hovering over a counter full of Once A Year treats like, chex mix, ranch pretzels, cheese balls, and puppy chow. Yum!
Amazingly, midnight was up on us before we even realized it. At about 15 minutes until the clock struck, the Bigs came up from their movie marathon to say they wanted to be sure they spent the turn of the New Year with their parents. *melt*
Imagine: Photo of dads and children hovering around a computer screen to watch the crystal ball drop.
Imagine: Photo of dads both making a mad dash to the moms to get in the first New Year kiss! *awwww*
It was time for bed by then. After the baked oatmeal was prepped for breakfast, everyone quickly crashed out.
Imagine: Photo of a bird's eye view of children cozily nestled in every little floor space in the house. :)
Morning brought a yummy meal of baked oatmeal and fruit and yogurt smoothies. More wonderful conversation for the grown-ups while the children soaked up more fun together.
We then came together for a precious time of family worship. Prayer and learning from the dads as they shared what they are learning from God's word. A wonderful challenge to run the race set before us in the coming year. Forgetting what is behind and pressing on to win the prize the Lord has for each of us.
Imagine: Two families gathered in love for each other and their Lord. Okay, I'll admit, it was better than you can likely imagine. :)
A quick lunch of giant sub sandwiches and a huge selection of chips and yummy dip, last minute pack-up, cookies, and bittersweet goodbyes, and we were on our way back home for a well-needed rest.
We're so thankful for this special New Year's treat. Everyone agreed it needs to be an annual tradition for our families. Let's pray the Lord has the same plan!
"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." Galatians 5:16-25
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