HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!

From our house to yours,

Merry Christmas!

May you be blessed as you celebrate the birth of our Savior!

Christmas Cookies - Part 1

Today in our Christmas fun box, Lael and Jaden were somewhat puzzled to find a pound of butter. Their puzzlement turned to delight when they discovered that we were beginning our Christmas baking today . . . and that they each would get to choose a cookie recipe to make!

As soon as breakfast was over, they rushed to take care of their morning responsibilities - then they each grabbed a Taste of Home Christmas cookie magazine and began perusing every recipe. Not only were they looking at the pictures, but they read through the list of ingredients to see if we had what we needed to make what they selected.

Finally, they settled on their choices . . . although both of them commented that there were just too many yummy options to choose from! Jaden's choice: gingerbread cookies (I'm ashamed to say I've never made them before. Ever. It seems almost un-Christmas-like somehow.) Lael selected a chocolate chunk shortbread cookie - she's a girl after my own heart. (Chocolate always makes everything better!)

We started with Jaden's gingerbread dough -- although he was a bit crestfallen to discover that we had to chill the dough and would need to bake his cookies tomorrow, he overcame his disappointment quite quickly!

While Jaden and I worked on making his dough, Lael had the all-important task of entertaining Noah . . . it's rather hard to concentrate on measuring ingredients when there's a crying baby in the room - ask me how I know! She did a fabulous job, as did Jaden. He especially enjoyed smelling the different spices that we were including in his cookie dough.

After Jaden's dough was safely chilling in the fridge, Lael got to make the dough for her Chocolate Chunk Shortbread Cookies - such a simple recipe . . . only five ingredients!

Chocolate Chunk Shortbread Cookies

Yield ; About 3-1/2 dozen

3/4 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup cornstarch

3 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

Additional confectioners' sugar

(Note: I used dark chocolate chips, but probably should have chopped them just a bit for easier cookie production.)

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Combine flour and cornstarch; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.

Stir in chocolate.

Shape into 1-inch balls. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Flatten with a glass dipped in additional confectioners' sugar.

Bake at 300 degrees for 30-33 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Our first day of cookie baking was a delicious success!

As for Noah, he thinks making cookies is exhausting!

My beautiful children!

I know that every mother says this, but aren't these the cutest kids you've ever seen???

They are such treasures, and we love them so much!

Six months ago . . .

. . . God brought a wonderful blessing into our lives.

We named him Noah.

And every day we thank God for the joy this little guy has already brought to our lives!

Happy half-birthday, Noah! We love you!

Happy boy!

Noah is such a happy baby . . . and here's the proof:

I know I'm probably biased, but in my opinion, he's just too cute!

Raptors - close up!!!

In September, we traveled to Camp Sankanac with our homeschool co-op for a presentation on raptors that was just AWESOME! Jonathan Wood travels all around the country with The Raptor Project and shares his testimony as to how God has guided him as well as his passion for all types of raptors: eagles, hawks, falcons, owls. He travels with many of his winged friends and introduces them in the course of his presentation.

We were able to get up close to many of these majestic birds . . .

(yes, I took the above picture of a live bald eagle)

. . . and Lael was even chosen to help feed the bald eagle!!!

(Sorry it's not a better angle . . . I didn't have a very good seat to take this particular picture)
While Jaden enjoyed the raptors, he also enjoyed cuddling his baby brother so that Mommy could take pictures! And both kids were excited to take home baby owls (stuffed animals) as a reminder of this wonderful trip!

Singing for Jesus

The children of our church are working on a musical that they will perform in the spring, but today they gave us a preview by singing one of the songs - called "Forgive and Forget".

Lael sang the verses as a solo, and Jaden sang enthusiastically with the group; he knew all the motions and did them perfectly! I love seeing children use their gifts for the Lord - and it's a special blessing when it's my own children!

Meeting Abby

Yesterday we met a new cousin . . . little Abby! She was exactly four weeks old and oh, so sweet! (Oh, and it was good to see Uncle Brock and Aunt Becca too!)

Even though we have a baby at home, Jaden and Lael were so excited to have some cuddle time with a new little one!

I can't believe I'm saying this . . . but Noah actually looked BIG compared to his cousin!

Welcome, Abby! We're so glad you're here!!!

Jaden the Gymnast

Jaden embarked on a new adventure this fall - he's taking gymnastics! He started last month at Lehigh Valley Sports Academy and absolutely loves it (as the following pictures indicate):

He's learning to use the parallel bars,

the pommell horse,

and the rings, among other things.

But his favorite part of gymnastics is swinging from a rope into "the foam pit"! A perfect activity for our very active boy!

Lael's limericks

This week we've been learning about limericks, and today Lael decided to try her hand at writing her own. This is what she came up with . . .

There was a young man from New York
Who never would eat with a fork.
He slept in a shed
Underneath his big bed,
And the hat on his head was a cork!

and

There once was a fuzzy old bear
Who decided to go to the fair.
He snacked on a lime
Which he bought for a dime.
Then he headed back home to his lair.

Well, what do you think???

Nature study

There are so many things I love about homeschooling - and one of the best things (in my opinion) is that we can learn in lots of different environments and settings . . . we aren't confined to the four walls of a classroom. Today was a perfectly gorgeous day, so we headed outside to do a little nature study.

This year in science we are studying animals - using Considering God's Creation as our spine. This week's focus: insects - so after studying the characteristics of an insect, we went outside to observe God's insect creations.

Lael enjoyed drawing what she saw, while Jaden preferred taking pictures.

Daddy even joined us for a bit!

While we were outside, we saw:

• flies
• ants
• two different kinds of butterflies
• a bumblebee
• a moth
• a cricket - although it was dead

Lael and Jaden are already looking forward to our next nature study day!

Ahh, muffins!

Yesterday, when he woke up, Jaden said to me, "You know, Mom, tomorrow is September 1st. Don't you think we ought to celebrate or something?" And since I'm always looking for an excuse to celebrate things, I was all for it.

When I asked him how he'd like to celebrate September 1st, his thought was that we should make something to eat that was "fall-ish" . . . and after further discussion, we decided that pumpkin chocolate chip muffins would be just perfect!

So this morning, I made pumpkin chocolate chip muffins for breakfast . . .

HAPPY SEPTEMBER 1ST!!!
(And don't forget to celebrate something every day!)

Thoughtful Thursday!

I read this quote today, and it really spoke to me . . . such a timely reminder of just how wonderful our God really is!

“Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is, and is to come.”

Space and time are irrelevant to God. Stop. Let that thought sink in . . . God is always a step ahead of you. This means He is already in the middle of your day and in the center of all your tomorrows. When you grasp this, it is easier to trust Him with our lives and situations; the ones here today, and the ones to come.

~Lorrie Flem~

He's HOME!

That's right, our precious baby is home!

Noah Matthew, who was born on Wednesday, May 26th, arrived home on Saturday, July 24th - just two days shy of being two months old! We are so enjoying having him with us all the time!

Here are just a few snapshots of his first days at home . . .

Our final moments in the NICU! Yay!

In the car seat, ready for his first car ride - straight to our house!
And here it is . . . the long-awaited, first family picture in our living room - with all FIVE of us! All glory and praise to God for His awesome work in Noah's life!!!

We enjoyed introducing Noah to Aunt Becca . . .

. . . and Noah enjoyed napping with Uncle Brock! ;)

Welcome home, sweet Noah! We all love you so very much!

Brothers

Whether it's reading to him . . .

. . . or holding him,

Noah couldn't ask for a better big brother than Jaden!

Sibling snuggles!

Lael, Jaden and I headed in to see Noah today . . . a regular happening these days. But they were so excited when they found out that they would BOTH be able to hold Noah! As you might imagine, it was such a special time!

Lael is a pro at this -- she's already held Noah once . . .

. . . but this was Jaden's first time to cuddle his brother - and as you can tell, he absolutely loved it!

In fact, Jaden told me afterwards that holding Noah "is way better than playing computer games"! So there you have it!

(Oh, and by the way, Noah is now 3 pounds, 6 ounces and 16 inches long . . . for those of you who are keeping track of those kinds of things!)