Christmas Pics. Finally.

The Bible story tradition...
The cousins. Easton wouldn't sit still long enough...

He did like Avery's new dress-up hat, though!

Grandma knit bears for all the kids. She's so talented! She even got Avery's to look like her!

Anything "horse" makes Alana smile...

Erin loves art and drawing. Thanks, Santa!

Mommy got a new Bible cover! (Picked it out herself and everything!)

Daddy managed to smile at the camera for once. Christmas miracle!

Tony just loves the camera...

Isn't my niece, Lexi, beautiful???

There are more pictures, of course, but I'm just too lazy to post them all! :)

I had to start off my morning today with a mini-physical for my new life-insurance application. The nurse came at 8:30...which really is early. (That way I didn't have to work at fasting!) At least that's what I thought til I figured out that I shouldn't have my morning java at 6:30 when I start my God time cuz of the sugar I have to have in it. Ummm...not the best way to start off the day. Ugh. I just never managed to find my groove. I guess I'm just too much of a routine-azoid. That, and I need my coffee at 6:30 in the morning!

I'm behind on my contentment study updates, but I'll be back with them tomorrow. I'm just too tired right now. I know that we've hit on materialism discontent and worry. And yes, I'm guilty of both...but I'll get to that tomorrow.

Until then.... God bless and enjoy the sunshine!

Random Things to Share

Yesterday was a brilliant day in my quest for contentment. Linda Dillow certainly knows how to reach a body! Friday's chapter was "Content to Be Me," and the fact that God made us exactly how we are...our body, mind, personality, gifts, etc. for a purpose. To be displeased with who we are is to challange our Lord...and who am I to do that?! He has a plan for us, a plan created before we were, and we need what the Lord has created us with to fullfill His plan. Well, duh! Sounds so simple when you put it that way!

Here's a quote from Rev. James Hufsteler that really hit home for me...

"You will never really enjoy other people, you will never have stable emotions, you will never lead a life of godly contentment, you will never conquer jealousy and love others as you should until you thank God for making you the way he did."

Wow.

More thoughts...

too often in our lives, accomplishment and doing overshadow growth and becoming...God wants us to focus on becoming like Christ, shaping our character into His image...however we tend to focus on the frame (our physical attributes, talents, personality...)

and then there was the attention paid to the Proverbs 31 woman (whom I'm well aware of, thanks to my mom!) Dillow says, "The Poverbs 31 woman was not controlled by her circumstance and demands of her family, her household, or her home business. She was ruler of her attitudes, her time, and her schedule. Her relationship with God was central. All that she became was a result of her yielding to His sovereign control."

Today's focus was contentment with our current role...as our roles in this life are always evolving. Quit waiting for our next role to come to bring happiness...enjoy where you are now and make the best of it.

I need to share a thought from my new favorite site, Holy Experience.

Homemaking is about making a home --- and a home is a safe place, a refuge, a place to be real and alive and truest true.

Homemaking is not about making perfection.

Seriously, I LOVE this woman! For all of the times I get angry with my family for not picking up their messes, saying no to new messy projects, complaining about the state of my house...that's not what it's about. And really, that is how I live my life...perfect imperfection. It's about time I start reminding myself of that!


I also haven't shared any new layouts in a couple of months, so here's what I've created...

Have a great weekend, try to stay warm, and God Bless!

My Baptism

As I told you last week, I finally got baptized on Sunday. Saturday was a little nerve-wracking for me. Little things, though, like what to wear and how the logistics would go are the things that bug me. Sunday morning brought excited anticipation, grins, and giddiness! Wow, was I ready! I actually felt a little like I was going to get married again. My tummy was just in knots!

I had been working on what I would say for my testimony...silly, really. Anyone who knows me knows that I'd start bawling the second I opened my mouth. And I did. So, I kept it short and sweet...something about proclaiming my faith in Jesus Christ and wanting to obey my Lord.

I was deeply moved by others afterwards. I was warmly welcomed into the family of Christ with many hugs and congrats...including a couple of men. I love a man who will hug...and cry! I know that my baptism did not in any way earn me salvation...but I do feel better having obeyed. Another wall brought down between my God and I.

On another note, I found a new website to enjoy...

http://www.aholyexperience.com/

This woman is a Christian mom, wife, writer, homeschooler, and fantastic photographer! I am awed by her spirit, her words, and her photographs! Oh, and I have NEVER been so drawn to one's playlist before! Beautiful music! I know that whenever I'm on the computer (like right now) I'll have her playlist playing. In fact, I'd have already ordered the cd's if I wasn't restrained by this budget thing! :)

Barry has been on the payroll at Ruan (his new job) for a week now, but doesn't officially go into the office til tomorrow. I'm glad he got a couple of days off (although he did a ton of tax and bill work) but I'll also be glad to get down to our new routine when he's back at work. It will be a change having him home at night instead of all day. He's nervous, as expected...his first new job in over 22 years. But, I have every confidence in his abilities...and I'll be praying for him all day!

School is going well. I think I've finally convinced the girls that it's the better thing to do school throughout the summer (at reduced times) as they forgot lots of stuff just during the week and a half they had off! Now, they get it! And I'm trying to kick off the new year more organized and dedicated to school...me and my "new beginnings," you know! :)

And for my year of "Contentment," I've started a book by Linda Dillow, "Calm My Anxious Heart." So far, it is totally worth my time. Some notes to share:

*I need to keep an eternal perspective, viewing my life and evaluating what's important from His perspective.

*Most of us base our contentment on our circumstances, on our feelings, or on other people. Contentment is a state of the heart, not a state of affairs.

*Paul said, "I have learned to be content..." (Phil 4:11) ---so we can still learn this skill!

and, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil 4:13)---Christ gives us the strength to be content through all

*Never allow myself to complain about anything - not even the weather (I really gotta work on this one!)

*Never picture yourself in any other circumstances or someplace else

*Never compare your lot with another's (guilty)

*Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise

*Never dwell on tomorrow - remember that tomorrow is God's, not ours (this is probably my biggest issue)

I've got a lot to chew on so far! Hope some of this was helpful to you, too!

New Year's Resolutions

So, here's the thing. I like making lists. Not only to keep me on track...but so I can feel productive when I cross things off. :) AND, I love new beginnings. I love Jan. 1, because it's a new year. I love spring because it brings fresh, new life. I like September as it brings a new school year. Get the idea? So, obviously, a New Year's Resolutions list is right up my alley. I'm ultra excited this year cuz I don't have to put "lose weight" at #1. :) My list this year got kinda long, so I divided it up into sections. Here goes...

Health:
-exercise daily (besides my daily dog walk)
-lose 15 lbs. (I know, I said I didn't have to do this, but I do really have more to lose)

Spiritual/Personal:
-get baptized (I'm only puting this on the list so I can cross it off on Sunday!)
-get deeper/longer into my morning Bible studies
-give more to charity
-keep a prayer journal (I just finished altering one today!)
-play with art more
-be nicer to Barry
-keep up better communication with friends and family (like actually using the cards I make!)
-consistent blogging
-personal development with my 2010 theme (more to follow)

Domestic Engineering:
-less time on the computer
-stick to our newly developed/needed budget
-keep house "showing ready" (we're hoping to move to the country and closer to Barry's new
job)
-start composting
-take gardening more seriously
-learn to can
-better menu planning
-try one new recipe a month

Homeschool:
-read aloud to kids more consistently
-keep a better & more consistent records/schedule/plan
-more science & art

So, how's that for keeping busy? I know, I overdo it sometimes...

Ok, my 2010 theme. I've seen other bloggers choose a word or theme to focus on for the year, and I thought I'd try it. I recently decided on "Contentment" as mine for 2010. Then my wonderful friend (and pastor's wife) Martha, wrote her Christmas card letter about contentment. I took that as a sign of God's approval. :) So, I'm going to work on being content this year. This will be big for me. I am happy. I am at peace (God's peace, that is). But generally speaking, I'm always wanting more or different. Not in a materialistic way...more like in a "grass is greener" way. I know this keeps me from truly living in the moment, for today...always being distracted and focused on where I'm going instead of just enjoying the journey.

Well, guess I'll finally end now....and curl up with some books and watch my girls play Wii. The goal is to see the ball drop in New York, but we'll see. Barry's at work...his last day at Marten. Hoping he'll be home in time for the ball drop. Funny how different my life is now, compared with just a decade ago. Wow. Much better. :)

Happy New Year everyone...and God bless!

Post-Christmas Catch Up

I know, I'm WAY behind on posting. I had great intentions of writing before Christmas, but just didn't make it. So, let's get caught up on all of the pre-Christmas goings on.

Erin got to be Mary when the kids sang in church the Sunday before Christmas. That was cool, because last year, Alana played Mary at our old church's program.

And the girls were, once again, in the church's Extreme Christmas Musical. And this year, I was, too...behind the scenes anyway. I was part of the costume/prop team, and then helped backstage during the performance. Boy, did I learn a lot! Especially when Elvis had a hard time even getting into the building! (Don't ask!)

But I digress...the girls, and all of the kids, were fantastic! Alana & Erin were "poodle skirt girls" and each had a little duet. Each year the performance gets easier for the girls...which is why I "urge" them to do it. :) I think this year was even easier for them as they're more familiar with the church and the people there. We all had a great time!

The "poodle skirt girls"...

Alana singing her duet....

And Erin singing her duet...

The girls also had a piano recital at their teacher's house. They each played solos, duets, and one song all three girls played together (with Claire, Erin's bestest friend). They were fabulous, and I think they even had fun!

Well, that pretty much sums up pre-Christmas. I haven't even begun to touch my Christmas pictures yet....hopefully, I'll have those up within a couple of days. It was a good Christmas though. The weather looked like it was going to really mess things up, but God was good and got us to mom & dad's safe and sound (although, not up the driveway!) It was definitely one to remember...Dad having to pull us up, and then down the driveway. :) I didn't even really miss the cookies and candies...and I never heard the girls complain. I think we all probably felt a lot healthier this year without it.

We do have some very big news, though. After 22 years at Marten, Barry has moved on to a new job. This was a VERY big deal for him...and us. But, I at least, feel very happy and at peace with the decision...even though we're taking a 25% paycut. Barry will finally be back to working days, so we might be able to have a normal family life. It sounds as if they really want his opinion of the status quo...and will value any changes he makes. I think just having new challenges will be good for him. I'm excited. My prayer is that he might actually LIKE his job...that would be a huge change.

I plan to start off the new year right...I'm getting baptized on Sunday! I'm SO excited. I've wanted to be baptized ever since being born again...about 4 1/2 years ago. But my old church doesn't believe in "believer's baptism", so I guess I just put it off. But the excuses are over. Sunday I will obey my Lord...He said to "believe and be baptized," and I will.

Here's to a fabulous new year!!!

Celebrating Life!

A year ago today I woke up in a hospital room with a new life. December 7, 2008, Erin was taken by ambulance to Mayo in Rochester with a blood sugar number around 1300 (70 to 120 is good). She probably should have died. In light of that, the diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes was pretty insignificant...yet, it still drastically changed our lives.

I thank God everyday for the time I have with my kids. I thank Him for carrying me through the struggles and frustrations of the past year. I thank Him for directing us to people and ideas that have helped us live healthier lives. And I'm truly thankful for this "thorn in our side," as it has brought our family closer to each other and to our Lord.

For all of this gratitude, I thought it would be fitting to "celebrate" surviving our first year with the disease. Erin has been begging for earrings for over a year. I had intended to be one of those "mean" moms who made her wait til she was in her teens...but I thought that in spite of all that she's endured and matured through, she probably deserved them. So, last Friday we took a trip to Eau Claire to get earrings. The girls were very nervous, but no tears were shed.

AND, we found some pretty cool headbands that will help immensely with their "growing out the bangs" pangs. However, some tears were shed by mom & dad when we got the bill! Prices have gone up a bit since I was in Claire's last!

And not to leave out child #1, here is the picture of Tony's big buck that I promised. Nice job, Babe!

This is our busy December week. The girls' piano recital is scheduled for tomorrow night (although we're in the midst of our first snowstorm of the season, so it may be rescheduled), and our Extreme Christmas Musical at church is this weekend...dress rehearsal Friday nite, and performances Sat and Sunday. Whew! After this week I should be able to relax and enjoy Christmas! :) Well, at least after I write out Christmas cards, which I finally ordered last night. Plus, I certainly won't be doing any baking this year, so that saves me TONS of time and money!!!

A Month?

Seriously, I know it's been a long time...but a month???!! Actually, it's been more than a month. Wow. Time flies, eh? See, what happened is that I paid for a booth at a craft fair thingy in town here on Nov. 7. So, up until that day, all of my free time went into preparing for that. Then, after that day, I was just plain burned out. So, that's my excuse. :)

The craft fair thing wasn't so great. The organizer didn't advertise. Really. So, I guess my booth fee went right into her pocket. And those that did show up, just weren't interested in what I had to offer. I really thought that my prices would scare them off. But they weren't even stopping to look. Oh, well. I gave it the old college try. I still have no sales in my etsy shop. Of course, I STILL haven't advertised to friends and family. I know...loser. Here's a few of the Christmas cards I've put together...

It's been a while since he got it, but here's my hubby's buck. He got this with his bow...it's a 12 pointer, I believe. He's currently in the woods, as I speak, on the last day of gun hunting trying for another one. Tony got his on Friday (the picture will come on a later date) and his was a 10-pointer...pretty nice. Me? I'm just glad that hunting is over for the year as of sunset. :)

Back in time again, on the day of my craft fair, I had to have my mom & dad babysit the girls (thanks Mom & Dad!) cuz Barry was at the Gopher game with Tony. Tony had had his seat # called the week prior at a Gopher hockey game, and he won $50 from TCF Bank. Well, his name also got put into a drawing to participate in the TCF Bank/Cub Foods Goldy's Gridiron Challenge at halftime of a Gopher football game...his name was selected. So, he had to start at the 10 yard line, punt the ball, and from where that landed he had to throw the ball, and from where that landed he had to kick a field goal. Now, he's totally physically capable of doing this. But being a Crowell, he tends to get a little flustered under pressure (he gets that from his dad, not me!). So, I was a little worried. But....HE DID IT! He was the first person so far this year to do it. Cool, huh?! He won a $500 gift certificate from Cub Foods and a year's supply of Coke.

These pictures are out of order....this is Tony after he made the field goal.

This is him preparing to kick the field goal...

I like the sun in the background as he's shaking his fist in victory. :) Nice photography, Dad!

This is him getting ready to throw the ball...

Whooo hooo!!!!!!

And then, a week later, while he's still on top of the world, his nose was broken playing basketball. :) Yep, that's pretty much how life goes, eh? A week after that, he had his nose rebroken and a "cast" put on for a week. He was back to pretty this past week, though. :)

As for the girls, they've been busy practicing for the Extreme Christmas Musical at church in a couple of weeks. And last week they were given their Christmas carols to learn for their piano recital in December, too. Christmas might seem relaxing after the first half of December! Especially since I have no baking to do for Christmas. Although we lose out on a lot of enjoyment because of our limited food choices, it does cut down on a lot of work. And it serves to put our focus back on Christ, rather than our tastebuds.

Life is pretty good right now. Other than the girls being disappointed in the lack of snow. :) We are truly blessed, thankful to God for all he has given us.

Hope you all had a healthy and safe Thanksgiving!