Christmas with the Crouses

Christmas 2012 was a little different this year.  We spent it at Mom and Dad's instead of at Grandma's.  (We got to see her a few days later.)  Mom knocked herself out with decorating, presents, and a lot of really good food.  My brother and his family were there.  The kids had a great time playing together.  It was a Christmas to remember.

Stockings on Christmas morning.

I think this was from Christmas Eve- gag gifts.

Elijah's first Christmas

Waiting

Games

Sammy with Uncle Jeff setting off a rocket

All the cousins

Enjoying some down time with a new book, Hokie blanket, and pillow pet

All tuckered out after a fun day.  This made Papa just a little happy.

Christmas Parade

Trucks, motorcycles, more trucks, a few Santas, and some horses.  A little candy.
That sums up the Christmas Parade last week.  We had a great time with friends at our spot in front of the local coffee shop.

This is Mr. Sanders, one of Lucy's favorite people.

A Great Blessing

It is cold and windy and even a little white outside.
Perfect in my book.
The kids are all on the couch with popcorn and a Christmas movie.  I have plenty to do around the house- just the normal stuff plus wrap some presents.  For now, I'll sit with the kids and my coffee and the tree- and recount some of what I am thankful for this Christmas.
Last Sunday night we had an advent service at church.  We worshiped together and it was beautiful.

Can you see the worship team?  We are so blessed.  And of course there is Brian- the pastor (!!!) of this church plant.  I loved that six months ago we were not meeting yet and here we are having our first advent service.  For some reason it was a little surreal.

A few of the kids even sang.

I count this church plant as one of our greatest blessings this year.  For the church itself.  But also for the people.  Most weeks I leave somewhat overwhelmed and grateful at the many people who serve week in and week out, to set up chairs and the sound system- then take it all down again.   For those who teach Sunday school, who set up and serve in the nursery.  For people who sweep up and empty trash.  For those who stuff bulletins and welcome people in.  For those who plan and lead worship. For those who lead home groups and for those who go to them.  For those who bring food and coffee.  For those who encourage their pastor.  For those who meet during the week.  For every person that comes on Sunday morning.  For our mother church that sacrificed greatly. For the leadership.

 For those who pray.  

For the truth of the gospel that is held out to all every single week.

For Jesus- this is His work and He is faithful to grow us all and change us by His grace.

"To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.  Amen."

1 Timothy 1:17

Christmas Tea

Even though it was not a bit cold outside, today was the day for a small, Christmas tea with three ladies from church.  Kayla and I had a lot of fun getting ready.

 We got out the Christmas dishes and decorated the table.

We baked some lemon cranberry bread and Grandma's coffee cake.

The company was delightful.

Such a nice afternoon with friends.

The coffee cake is my slight adaptation of Grandma's recipe.  I usually only make it between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  It's always our birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas morning. 

Grandma's Sour Cream Coffee Cake

1 package yellow cake mix

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup sour cream

3/4 cup oil (scant)

1/4 tsp salt

3 rounded tsps brown sugar

2 rounded tsps cinnamon

4 eggs

Grease and flour tube pan (I used the mini-loaf pan this time- it made four mini-loaves).

Mix first seven ingredients with the blender well.

Add eggs one at a time.  Beat well after each one.

Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes in tube pan.  30ish minutes in mini-loaves.

Glaze while still hot with 1/2 cup sifted confectioner sugar and 1 tablespoon warm water.

Lucy's 3

Here's our latest birthday girl.  She's 3!  When did that happen?  I think having a baby around Christmas leaves you with lots of added memories- like how very cold it was the winter she was born and how much snow there was.  How we walked an outdoor "mall" the night before she came in the hopes of getting presents bought and labor started.  How Nancy from church brought us dinner on Christmas Eve of all days and how Brian cooked a turkey on Christmas Day.

 

Lucy is and always has been a sweet girl.

She's pretty easy going, although let's be honest- she's 3 and has her own opinions about things which she's not afraid to make loudly known at times.

She still loves fruit more than anything. She'll choose berries over a cookie most any day. 

She still loves the guys.  I sometimes look around at church to see whose lap she's in: Grandpa's, Mr. Sanders', or Mr. Sam's.  I'm  thankful she's so loved.

For her birthday she didn't want a cake.

Clementines and cookies. 

 
She can often be found by herself singing and preaching about the Holy Spirit.

Loudly.

 One of the very nice things about Lucy is how she does go off and play by herself for long periods of time.  In this picture, she was having church with the little people and her baby.  I heard this:

"Give thanks to the Lord for he is good!"

Sometimes she just makes us laugh because she does "grown-up" kinds of things.  Like drinking coffee (juice) and listening to the funnies with Kayla.  She loves to be read to.

We love our sweet girl with all her funny expressions, all her hugs and kisses, all her giggles.

Happy Birthday Lucy!

Mom's Christmas Cookies

The best thing about these cookies today, beside how good they smell and how pretty they are, is that I know my mom is baking them in her kitchen this afternoon, too.
She has made this recipe for years.  I don't know where she got it so to me, they are Mom's Christmas Cookies.  Enjoy!

Mom's Christmas Cookies

1 pound chopped dates

1/2 jar chopped cherries

1/4 pound walnuts/pecans

2 eggs

1 1/2 cup sugar

2 sticks butter

2 1/2 cup flour

1 t. baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

Cream sugar and butter.  Add eggs. Mix well.

Mix the dry ingredients and mix in a little at a time to the sugar/butter mixture.

Stir in the dates, cherries, and nuts.

Bake at 350 for 8-12 minutes.

*We have a nut allergy in our house so no nuts at all in our cookies.

Still delicious!*
 

In His Tender Care

I wondered how I could feel so alone with my thoughts in the middle of Walmart on a Saturday in December.  But I did. 
And I fought tears most of the time.
My guess is that has been pretty common in our country over the past 24 hours.  There is such sadness at such great loss.  Who has words for it? 
For some reason this keeps running through my mind from "Away in a Manger:"

"Bless all the dear children

In Thy tender care.

And fit us for heaven

To live with Thee there." 

Pictures Return!

 

 Is this going to work?  I took some advice, mixed it up, and think we've got it!  Pictures are back!
I'm not actually ready with a good post but that's ok for now.  I love our Christmas tree.  It's beautiful!  We cut it down last week, something we haven't done in a long time.  Sammy LOVED carrying around a saw.  There's a lovely, if faint now, scent of pine in the house.
Our school schedule is abbreviated lately.  We've kept up with math and language arts and spent extra time reading aloud.  Today we spent time listening to Handel's "Messiah" and learning a little about him and oratorios.  We also did a little research on the origins of Christmas trees and found Martin Luther linked to them 500 years ago.  We baked and took treats to our favorite librarians yesterday.  Afternoons  have been spent listening to books on cd- "The Penderwicks," "Ramona the Brave," "Ella Enchanted," "Frindle," and "Freddy and the Ignormous."  It is so very nice to see how much they all like listening and I love the quiet it affords me!
Last night Brian and I had a night out given to us by a sweet college girl from church.  And someone was sneaky and picked up our check after dinner at Outback.  How fun was that??

*Lucy turned 3 on Monday.  A birthday post is on its way.*
*Don't miss the meteor shower tonight!*

The Boys

It is driving me cRAzY to not be able to post pictures.  Stories about the kids just aren't the same.  I'm thinking I'll have to pay now to keep putting up our pics.  We'll see.
For now though, I have to share this before I forget it.  Brian's growing a beard- maybe that's what prompted Jack (age 10) to declare this (with a lot of enthusiasm) at lunch:
"I seem to be cursed!  I haven't shaved in over 10 years and still no beard!" 
I laughed for a long time.  That kid has a great sense of humor.

From Sam this morning:
He wanted a snack.  I said "How can you be hungry already?"
"It's not that I'm hungry mom.  I just want a snack!"
I get that.  My new love is Mint Chocolate Chip M&Ms. 
I don't need to be a bit hungry to eat those.

Christmas Read-Alouds

Yesterday we read Christmas books and had hot chocolate. We'll do the same this morning, too!  I do love good Christmas stories, stories that take us past the commercialism and the pull for more "stuff."
Here are a few we've enjoyed.

We finished The Coat Hanger Christmas Tree by Eleanor Estes.  So far I've enjoyed all her books and this was no exception.  Marianne and her brother want a Christmas tree; their mother says no- over and over.  Their friend Allie lives on a barge and has a tree but not a house.  It's sweet to read how their friendship grows and how though they may not get exactly what they want, they get something better.  (I could not find a picture of the cover to post!)
A Cynthia Rylant classic- to me anyway!  In Silver Packages, An Appalachian Christmas Story, children from a poor town await every year the train and the gentleman on the train who throws silver packages for them.  One boy comes back when he's grown, and brings the same kindness, just in a different way.
 Since I am a sucker for nostalgia and simplicity, I also love this book by Cynthia Rylant.  We are reminded of a little girl's childhood in the country with her grandparents, and especially of Christmas in the country with them.  Such a sweet book.

Also on our Christmas reading list:
Who Is Coming to Our House? The barn animals anticipate the arrival of Mary and Joseph.
Santa's Favorite Story  Santa explains to the animals of the forest that Christmas is not about him at all.
The Legend of the Candy Cane  A cozy story of how a village learns about Jesus through a candy cane.
We're also reading "Christmas chapters" from different books. like "Merry Christmas" from The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
And for any grown-ups who have time to read themselves, I love Miss Read's Christmas by Miss Read.  In it you will find two "short" stories of a village Christmas.  I read it every year.

Linking up to Read Aloud Thursdays     

Reminding- Because I Need It

I sure don't want to sound preachy.  But sometimes it is good and right to share what's going on in your heart.
We had a joint ladies' Christmas party tonight, old church and new church.  We spent some time sharing what we are thankful for and you don't walk away from that the same as when you got there.  Some of us spoke quietly.
Some laughed.
Some cried.
Some of us broke into spontaneous song.
Any way you look at it, God was and is moving in all of those women.
And I was reminded again that He came as that little baby that we might have LIFE and have it abundantly.
I have found myself feeling overwhelmed and unexcited about Christmas of all things as I focus on all that has to be done, all those things that I feel like are expected or necessary for Christmas to be good.
Then He showed me something better, again, because I need reminding.
He is what is good.  He is the one who meets my deepest needs.  Everything else pales in comparison and does not satisfy.  I do not need to run around trying to create something good.  He has already done it.
I don't think it's a magic formula to make everything rosy.
I know this though.
The only real joy is in Christ and we find it when our hearts are stayed on Him.  That gives me freedom to enjoy Christmas and everything else more fully.
It makes me excited to prepare for the wonder and anticipation of the newborn King.

To Make You Laugh

Guess who.
"Mom, why do you take up a whole cushion on the couch?  Is it because the older you get, the wider you get?"
What else could I do but laugh??  That's Sammy for ya.

Last night, (as many nights before), Lucy couldn't/wouldn't get to sleep.  I went up to her room and she looked at me wide-eyed, jaw dropped as she held the lip gloss, her lips gooey and shiney.
In her quietest voice, "Am I not supposed to be putting on lipgloss?"
And again, what else to do?  I laughed and tucked her in.  Again.

Sam, again, after I told him (again) to leave his sister alone. 
"But MOM!  That's what brothers do.  Bug their sisters!"
I have figured that one out.

Leaving the Little

She has learned how to make her "Ls."
No more "Wucy."  Now it's a crystal clear "Lucy."
She'll be three in less than two weeks.
We don't travel with the pak-n-play or potty seat or booster seat for the table anymore.
I smile at her when I tell her she's such a big girl now but inside, a little part of me aches a bit for the little that is quickly being left behind.
Don't get me wrong.  Every age has been good and brings new pleasantries.  It's a joy to watch our children grow up.
But I miss the little.
I'm wondering if I always will.  There's something a little unsettling to me about leaving the baby/toddler stage behind for good.
Thankfulness settles in, though, and I am grateful for each of my babies though they may not be babies anymore.  I'm too aware that our time with them at home is short. 
So, my prayer is that we can be faithful to love them well and teach them what's really important (like the Gospel) and not get so worked up about the rest (like a messy house). 
Someone tell me, is that what everyone means when they say, "Enjoy your children.  It goes by too fast."?

Monday Afternoon

So, our Christmas tree came crashing down this morning.  Wasn't planning on dealing with that today!  And really, I haven't yet.  It's leaning against the wall now. 
We had a good Thanksgiving with Brian's family, did a little shopping, a lot of eating, and some visiting.  Saturday we went down to a local coffee shop and got family pictures done.  I tried to post some but I'm guessing they were too big and either didn't show up or took too long to load.  I just tried to put another picture on and Blogger tells me my picture quota is full.  !!!!  I'm really hoping to fix that- not sure what to do, though.
This morning (after the tree disaster) was a regular morning of school.  We started a Christmas book by Eleanor Estes, The Coat Hanger Christmas Tree as our new read aloud.  I think we're going to like it.  This afternoon will be laundry, picking up, and maybe getting into our recipe for homemade yogurt.
For now, I'll read a little of The Hobbit  while the kids either take a nap or have some quiet time.
Hope YOU have a good week!

Catching Up

It has been a while!
Really, it has been busy and I haven't felt like blogging.
Today's the day, however.  We finished up CC until after Christmas last week and that feels like a huge weight off my shoulders.  Schoolwork is a little lighter this week with the holiday coming up and we're all ready for a nice break.
At this moment, the house is blissfully quiet.  We took a trip to the library just before lunch and now the kids are settled in with books on cd.  Doesn't that sound like a good way to spend the afternoon?  Kayla is listening to The Secret Garden and the boys are listening to The Best Christmas Pagaent Ever.  Lucy is asleep and I am in the big chair with steaming coffee and my newest read, The Hobbit.  (I'm ignoring the cries of a house that took but two days to get messy again.)
Some highlights of the past week:
*Last day of CC was Thursday.  Yay!
*Brian took the three oldest kids to the skating rink for 80s night.  They loved it.
*Brian brought home our quarter of a pig last week.  This is a new thing for us.  (Maybe an only thing, too).  Who knew we'd get so much ground pork???  We're getting creative with dinners and made Pork Apple Meatballs- not bad!
*Brian's aunt, cousin and her kids, and his parents came for dinner Saturday night.  Actually, his parents brought dinner, too.  That was a good time.
*Kayla and I have baked two apple pies in the past week.  She makes the crust while I peel and slice apples.  Yum.  Just yum.
*Sammy's prayer this morning:  "Help us be good to mama and nice to each other." 

 Our own sleeping beauty.  Her current method of stalling when it's time to sleep:  "I just need to give you one more kiss."  Could you say no to that?

Here I am with one of my favorite people- I am blessed to have a lot of those in my life.  

No, we did not call each other in the morning and yes, we were dressed just alike for church Sunday morning.

Cranberry Lemon Loaf

It's a rainy day and at our house that means it's a good day for baking.
Today's recipe is from my mom, Cranberry Lemon Loaf.
We just ate two mini-loaves and I'd really like to eat more.  It's just that good.

Cranberry Lemon Loaf

Beat until well blended:

1 8oz. block of cream cheese

1/3 cup softened butter

1 1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla (we used 2)

Add three eggs, one at a time.

Stir in 2 Tblsp lemon juice

1 tsp lemon peel

Toss together:

1 1/2 cup chopped cranberries

2 1/4 cup flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

Add cream cheese mixture to flour/cranberry mixture until moistened.

Pour into greased and floured bread pan.

Bake at 325 for 1 hour, 15 minutes.

(We used mini-loaf pans and baked at 350 for around 30 minutes.)

 One down, three to go.

 Chopping cranberries is the PERFECT job for a five-year old on a rainy day.

Fall Reads for the Kids

We have stumbled upon some really cute books lately.
Sammy and Lucy have loved a couple in particular.

 

We've read several of Don Freeman's books but I'd never heard of this one before last week.  And let me say, I've read it a LOT since then!  Earl is on a quest for acorns in a way that satisfies his mama.  He meets an owl and a bull before he finally gets his acorns.  Love this book.  My kids have laughed so much at this one!  It's a great fall read. 

 

Harriet Ziefert's By the Light of the Harvest Moon is another treat!  The illustrations are so colorful and inviting.  It's the night of the harvest moon, and while we learn a little about what that means, the exciting part comes when the wind blows in some "leaf people" who have a nighttime party in the woods.  My kids asked for this one over and over and were sad when we had to return it to the library.  We'll probably get it again on our next trip.

Hope you enjoy whatever you're reading!

Linking up to Read Aloud Thursdays 

That Question

I can't tell you how many people ask me what it's like being "a pastor's wife."  I'm never quite sure how to answer that.  To me, I'm Brian's wife.  I stay home, educate our kids, try to keep us out of complete chaos, and sit down with my ice cream at the end of the day.  I enjoy having people over for coffee or lunch and listening to them, sometimes crying with them, praying for them.  I count praying for the church as the best thing I can do for her. 
Our church, both the new one and the old, has always been gracious (at least I assume so) in their expectations of me.  I don't feel any different from anyone else.  We all jump in to fill spots in children's ministry, bake some muffins, care for people, etc... 
Of course, I have a unique perspective on the pastor.  I know the pastor better than anyone else does.  I know what his struggles are, and his joys.  I can tell when he's at his limit and when he's been encouraged.  I pray for him, a lot though not enough.  We should all be praying for our husbands and our pastors.  Mine happen to be one in the same.
This past Sunday, someone asked me if I ever feel nervous about what stories might pop up in the sermon about me.  I said no, but he does have plenty of material in his wife if he chose to use it!  And while I know Brian does not use his sermon to prove a point to me, I have seen over and over how God uses his sermons to challenge and encourage me.
We're so close to the beginning of this life as a pastor's family and I know my perspective might change, but for now, we're good.  Brian loves us well.
And that's enough.

Might I encourage you again?  Pray for your pastor.  I guarantee he needs it.  Ask God's blessing on his prayer life, his study time, his family, his friendships, etc...

Honest, Mom

 Lucy came into our room with something blue all around her mouth.
"Lucy, were you into the kids' toothpaste?"
"Nope.  I was into the lollipop.  It's honest, Mom."
That girl is something else.

And, in regard to my last post- when I said Jack's change of attitude did wonders for mine- I meant he really encouraged me.  I could tell he was making an effort and it helped me to do the same.  Learning from our kids...

Friday Afternoon

*I am relishing this Friday afternoon. 
*We had a bit of a rough start this morning (and rough spots in the day are not unusual) but things have smoothed out.  Jack's change of attitude did wonders for mine.  That and prayer.  Realizing my need of that more and more.
*Did I mention we dissected the owl pellets this week?  All I can say is wow.  Fascinating how God has designed His creatures.  We found several bones, a skull, and a lower (maybe upper) set of teeth.  Sammy thought it was all very cool.  Jack and Kayla didn't love the smell (who would?).
*I'd like to run not walk to the library.  I have a hold available- Wendell Berry's newest book of short stories called A Place in Time.  Can NOT wait to get into that one.
*Hoping for a restful weekend.  Feeling the need to refresh my brain and our house!  Brian spent a good bit of time working downstairs yesterday evening.  Thankful for him.  It's amazing how quickly things fall apart. 
Enjoy your weekend!

The Costumes

 Pippi

 Batman

 Luke Skywalker (again!)

 Our little chef

People were WAY too generous and we have way too much candy and it was really cold.

But- it was lots of fun!

Our First Snow

 I am one of those people who jump for joy while others groan when snow is in the forecast.  I was glad to watch it flurry most of the day yesterday and to see a slight dusting on the ground this morning.  I would have loved a little  lot more.  We're all thankful, though, that the storm really wasn't bad here.  Praying for people up north.
The kids wasted NO time in getting outside this morning.  They took the pictures while I stayed warm.

 Everyone's snow gear still fit from last year!

You'd never guess the wind was still whipping around.

Kayla found a lone strawberry in the snow.  I didn't know we had any left.

The real reason they go out in the snow.

Hot chocolate.

Of course I gave them some.

p.s This is my 700th post!  Thanks for reading!

Waiting

My kids have red, rosy cheeks.  They said they had better get outside while they still can.
There is homemade applesauce simmering on the stove.
The deck has been emptied of flower pots and bird feeders.
I have bagged ice and Brian has shopped for food and batteries (along with everyone else in town).

Will our pumpkins and pretty fall leaves be covered with that 3-5 inches of snow I just heard about?  Or will those leaves just get blown all over the drenched neighborhood?
What will be, will be.
For now, there is a quiet, cloudy stillness outside.
And we wait.

What's the forecast where you are?

Read Aloud Thursdays

We have come across some treasures in the past few weeks.  I often wonder how I missed so many of these as a kid, and I was a reader!  I remember my mom taking me to B. Dalton's and Marie's Bookstore and the library.  I read lots of good books then, and I still get to read lots of good ones now.

 

The Family Under the Bridge is our current morning read aloud, and it's quickly becoming a favorite.  I love how the "starlings" effortlessly work their way into Armand's heart.  There are sweet lessons to be learned from these homeless children and an old man in France.  We've enjoyed looking up some of the famous Paris locations mentioned in the book.  It takes place right around Christmas- maybe save it for December!

 

I read  In November Sammy and Lucy this week.  The imagery and illustrations make November and colder weather so very appealing.  A beautiful book with lovely language.

Also- though these aren't "read-alouds" in the sense of settling in on the couch and turning the pages, I'm putting a plug in for books on cd- in the car on a trip, in a kid's room for some quiet time, while playing with legos, etc...  While they aren't a substitute for reading aloud as a family, they are a good way to get in even more good story time.
Here are a few titles that have been playing in our house the past few weeks.
Pippi Longstocking
Ramona and Her Father
Mr. Popper's Penguins
Nancy Drew

Linking Up to Read Aloud Thursdays