Sledding!!

We made it out sledding for the second time this year. We met some friends at Four Season's park in Shorewood. That hill is super nice for the parents because you can watch the kids walk up the side of the hill and sled down with a front row view from the car (while sipping some hot yummy drink, of course)!! Whoo-hoo!

Noah keeps up with the big guys!

Caleb and Seth's new thing was to snowboard down on their sleds. I tried to get video of it, but my camera ran out of battery...

Nathan went down with me once and was not too happy about going so fast. He was OK until we took on a little spin. I figured out that he was just as content sitting in the nice, warm car munching on banana chips. Poor Ellie looks like she's in distress in this photo, but I assure you, she made it up the hill just fine! In fact, she's quite the little sledder. Watching the kids sled makes me think that they are probably ready to hitch on some skis and hit the real slopes... We'll see...

Happy New Year's

Alright, so I'm doing a little catch up... and backtracking... to New Year's Eve. Caleb, Seth, and Noah stayed up long enough to ring in the New Year with Paul and I. The girls had an early celebration with us and then were tucked snug into bed. To confess, I took a little nap myself while the guys watched some movies waiting for the clock to strike midnight. I was up for the last hour waiting, but we all missed the "grand moment"... when we looked up, it was 12:03. Ah, well, there's always next year, right?

Here's some shots of us having our traditional New Year's Eve Eggnog! Yum! There's no store-bought 'nog that can compare to the thick, creamy, extreemly rich (aka-fattening), delicious taste of the homemade stuff. Mmmmmm-mmmmm!

Nathan's checking out the snow

I braved the cold weather and finally took Nathan out to romp in the snow. Well, he didn't really "romp" because I couldn't find any snowboots that were even close to fitting him. You'd think with five kids that have gone through that size I'd have some boots somewhere... even pink ones... but, nope. So, he got to ride around in the new wagon that Uncle Bryan, Aunt Jenny and Sydney gave us...

He had seen the snow before, but not really up close and personal. He got to feel it and taste it this time! I'm not quite sure what he thought... the only thing I can guess is that "it is COLD!" And then it was time to go back inside...

Suffer the little children

I was reading the verse, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God" (Mark 10:14)

The verse has puzzled me for a while... what does that mean? Suffer the little children? Do children suffer in this verse? Then it hit me! Suffer the children means to "put up with them" or "if they are an inconvienence, deal with it". Many adults don't like children in certain situations (like church, or prayer meetings, or bible studies) because of the interuptions or noise level. I believe that children, if taught how to act in those situations, have much to gain by seeing and hearing the adult conversations.

I was at a point a little while ago where I thought it would be good for me to take my kids to a prayer meeting and let them see the importance of praying as a group. Teach them now, while they are young, and when they are older, maybe they'll have an easier slide into the adult world. I had prepped them ahead of time that it was going to last an hour and they were to sit quietly unless they wanted to pray. I even had them bribed with an ice cream cone if they were good. We went in to join and were told that we could only attend if they didn't make any noise. Well, asking 6 kids not to make ANY noise is like pulling a tooth without Novicaine. The pain I would endure just wouldn't be worth it. So we left. I was dishearted by the whole situation and cried most of the way home.

I can see their point. Who can concentrate on praying when there are rustling noises in the background? Ah, but Jesus gave a command. "Suffer the little children". It's not all about us (adults). In fact, most people become Christians BEFORE the age of 18. Statistics say that the older a person is, the more he is set in his ways, the less likely he is to accept Christ. The government has it right. They get our kids 6 hours each day for 12 to 18 years to instill their values. The kids learn that the earth is over-populated, our planet is in the process of some huge meltdown, evolution is fact, and religion has no place in society.

The church is missing its chance. Some of the greatest champions for the faith are still wearing diapers. Who will win their hearts? Allow these little ones to learn how they should act in adult situations without furrowed brows staring down on them. If they are never challenged to do so, they never have the opportunity to prove themselves. Sure it may cause some inconvienence and be against your inclination, but look what the government can do when they see the value of training our young ones. The results are sitting in Congress right now.

A homemade Christmas...

Well, we did it! My goal this year was to have a completely home-made (or hand-me-down) Christmas and we made it! Our family made it through the entire Christmas season without purchasing one single "store-bought" gift (although Micheal's and Hobby Lobby got their fair share of business from us). Our idea was not born from an urge to be stingy (home-made things are NOT cheap, believe me) but a desire to make something more of Christmas. From the idea that there should be more thought in the gifting than just picking from a list. I enjoyed the challenge (for the most part) and though it was a crazy, busy December, it turned out to be very memorable. Another benefit was creating an attitude of thankfulness in my kids. Since they thinking of and making things for others, they (hopefully) were getting a greater appreciation for the thought that goes into the gifts given to them.

Now, having accomplished a completely "home-made" Christmas, I'm not sure we'll extreeme it again next year, but I do believe bits of this Christmas will find it's way into our future Christmas'. In fact, I'm already thinking of fun gifts for next year... if I can only remember them until then...

Here's some of the gifts...

For the guys in the family, we made Gourmet Candy Bags full of fudge, caramels, the world's best toffee and candied nuts...Yum!

Caleb made me a cedar video shelf to fit next to our new (to us) TV. We had to get rid of our entertainment center since our TV wouldn't fit, but had no place to put all of the videos that were once hidden behind closed doors... Problem solved!! Thanks Caleb!

We made Nathan (and his cousins Levi and Jay) an adorable turtle seat that folds down into a step-stool. We all love it! Caleb knitted a Nathan a hat that matches his Osh Kosh coat, and Seth cut out a wooden truck on the scroll saw for him (we ran out of time to add tires, but he liked it just the same =)

Caleb made wooden shotguns for Noah and Seth complete with sights. All of the boys can handle the scroll saw well, so Daddy just needed to help put it together. I didn't see this project until Christmas day... needless to say, I was very impressed!

Noah, in an attempt to gain control over his brothers, fittingly made them wooden handcuffs. Caleb and Seth are sporting the criminal look while Noah uses his new gun to take advantage of the situation...

Noah made me this very, very cool gardening tool. He found a beat-up metal tool while roaming through the brush near our yard, brought it home and Daddy helped him paint it, bought a handle for it, and voila!! A new garden spade! Awesome creativity Daddy and Noah!

One of my favorite projects was these rag dolls that I made for the girls. I just love them... and so do they (thankfully! that hair took alot of work). I made them each a dress that matches their dolly's dress! Kinda old fashioned, but it's right up my ally!!

My other pet project was to make "ready packs" for each of the kids. They are original backpacks that hold all their goodies so we can just grab and go and be ready for any inconvenience. I stocked each one with a notebook, pen, something to color with, a deck of cards or small game, gloves, bandaids, herbal salve, lip balm, gum and whatever else I could find that may be useful. I am happy to report that the kids REALLY like their ready-packs. I wasn't sure how they would like getting a backpack for Christmas, thankfully, they all love grabbing them when we go places! Yay!! Daddy also installed some hooks to have a place to keep them stocked and ready!

And thanks to my darling husband who took on this Christmas challenge not knowing how much he would be involved in the work. Thanks, honey!