Christmas 2015

We spent this Christmas in North Carolina. The weather was wetter and warmer than we'd expected (still cooler than Florida!), but we still relaxed and had a lot of fun family time.

We attended a UNC men's basketball game the first evening that we were there. UNC won. Go Heels!

Papa Bear surprised us with a surprise stop to get our own Christmas tree while we were on our way to the cabin we had rented for the week. How fun!

Our place for the week was near a river, and the boys spent a few days exploring and throwing rocks in the river in the rain.

Since it rained almost every day, we spent time doing indoor activities. One stop was to the Mast General Store. The kids had fun playing with the toys inside, and we enjoyed bottled Dr. Pepper and ice cream sandwiches at the end.

The place we stayed had a good set-up, including many fire places and a game room downstairs.

The weather cleared up the last day we were in NC, so we were able to stop and enjoy Blowing Rock on our way home. It was a good trip.

Until next time, NC...

Russell Athletic Bowl - Sic 'em, Bears!

After an unexpected football season with injuries and victories, UNC and Baylor ended up playing in the Russell Athletic Bowl game in Orlando. Baylor is where Papa Bear and I went to undergrad, and UNC is Papa Bear's grad school, so as soon as the bowl game was announced we knew we had to attend. Our house was divided - kind of - but really we just hoped for a good game, and it WAS good! Going into the game, Baylor was the underdog, missing multiple key players due to injuries.

Baylor ended up defeating UNC 48-39 despite not having a dedicated quarterback. Many of Baylor's strong players stepped up and shined. The game was so exciting, and I was particularly glad that Baylor won because we were sitting on the UNC side. Our kids lasted the entire game, even though it was definitely past their bed time. I'm so glad we made it. What an experience! Sic 'em, Bears!

We had good seats, even if they were on the "wrong" side. Haha.

She (really, all the kids) enjoyed the bands.

December virtue - Generosity

This month's virtue, generosity, lines up well (no coincidence) with the light 'em up acts we've been performing. The definition we are using is:

Giving what we have so others feel God's love.

The verse that goes along with this month's virtue is:

"Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, 

and to be generous and willing to share." 

1 Timothy 6:18

Generosity doesn't only apply to our physical possessions. No matter what we have - time, talents, words of encouragement, etc. - we are able to give it to others in a way that shows them God's love. We are His hands and feet. There are so many fun ways to give to others that involves kids and makes giving "fun" in a season when there is so much emphasis on receiving. Have fun with this one!

It's (not) beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.

We recently enjoyed a local neighborhood Christmas parade and mini carnival with Mia. One of the first years that we attended this parade, Big Brother was bundled up in a coat and beanie. This year was definitely NOT coat weather. Heck, as I type this I am in a sleeveless shirt and shorts, practically sweating on the porch. I had the kids wear some long-sleeved, "Christmas"-type clothing for a picture with Santa, but it didn't last. Despite the lack of cooler weather, the parade was fun, and it was especially fun to watch the kids enjoy it.

'Tis the season

Christmas season is here. It is full of fun activities, especially now with two of our kids in school, and our mailbox is being filled with many unwanted catalogs. It is a season for giving and receiving, and it is time for our elf, Jingle, to make his appearance!

My boys were really excited to find Jingle this morning and the yummy treat he left for them. Fun times ahead!

Although companies are marketing like crazy and trying to convince all of us that we need every new shiny object, our family wants to emphasize giving more than receiving. We aren't anti-Santa or anti-presents, but we don't want our kids (or us!!) to get swept away with the consumerism of Christmas. A few years ago I found out about Light 'em Up, a movement by a then-local mom, and it helps make giving to others fun. My boys, especially Big Brother, really enjoy surprising people with kindness. Today they surprised the garbage men with this treat:


This season, as we celebrate the gift that God gave us in Christ, we are reminded of how much we have to give to others. This could be as simple as writing someone a thank you note to acknowledge their service to our family or buying presents for a family in need. Check out this video that Courtney DeFeo made this year, and go light 'em up!

T-ball season

Big Brother played t-ball for the first time this year. He was placed on a team with two friends from his kindergarten class, and he really enjoyed that. Big Brother has a naturally strong throw, and his coaches nicknamed him, "Rocket." The team had weekly practices and games, and although it wasn't "fun" to bring (and wrangle) all of our kids to the field, I think it was a good discipline for Big Brother. The only other sport he has played has been soccer, and at the younger ages the soccer teams in the YMCA league don't actually practice. The kids just run around the field in a group chasing the ball. It's a bit unorganized, to say the least.

There was more structure with t-ball. The kids still spent plenty of time playing in the dirt, climbing in the dug out, and wearing their gloves on their heads, but they also learned the different field positions and ran the bases. In t-ball, each kid gets to swing until they hit and run all of the bases. There are no outs, and score is not kept. At the end of the last game, the coach told Papa Bear that Big Brother is ready to move up to the next level - baseball - that will require try-outs, practice, and keep score. I'm not sure yet if Big Brother will choose to play soccer or baseball in the spring, but we will be there to cheer him on. It was a fun season, and Big Brother really enjoyed seeing his friends (and having snacks). Good season, Dodgers!

November virtue - Gratitude

We try to make gratitude a regular practice around our house. Nightly, during prayer time, we talk about things we are thankful for. This month's virtue is gratitude, and the definition we are using is this:

Giving thanks and showing heartfelt appreciation. 

While we talk about things we are grateful for regularly, I am going to challenge the kids (and myself!) to show our appreciation this month. This may look like giving an unexpected hug, using words, writing someone a note, or leaving a treat for people who care for us. I am also interested to see what ideas the boys come up with to show their gratitude.

Tying in with the virtue and Thanksgiving, our family is making a gratitude chain. We made one last year, and it was really neat to see and read the things we were grateful for. We even left the chain up for awhile as a visual reminder of our many blessings.

The verse that goes along with this month's virtue is:

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through him."  Colossians 3:17. 

Whenever I need a change of perspective, whenever I get in a funk, it helps me to remember all that I have to be grateful for. Showing our appreciation can also really change someone else's day, too. Who can you thank today?

A visit with Papa John

Papa John and L came to visit this past weekend. We enjoyed the hotter-than-normal fall weather with Big Brother's t-ball game, grilling out, a boat ride, and (maybe the highlight for Big Brother) playing Legos!

Thank you for coming to visit, Papa John. We love you!

Halloween with Grandpa Adams

Grandpa Adams came out to visit this Halloween weekend. Our neighborhood is an excellent place to trick or treat, and the kids are really fun ages for Halloween. Baby Girl was content in the stroller the whole time, and the boys got a lot of candy. It was a successful Halloween weekend and fun visit with Grandpa Adams.

Early riser

Daylight Savings time doesn't mean a whole lot when you have young kids. I used to look forward to gaining an hour in the fall when we turned the clocks back, but nowadays the dog still wants to be fed and the kids still wake up early.

Once I am awake, it is difficult for me to go back to sleep. This morning I decided to use the extra hour before church to make a crock pot homemade bread recipe I've made once before. It's pretty easy and makes a simple, basic white bread. Middle Brother helped while Big Brother played in his room and Baby Girl slept. I guess she did get the memo about getting to sleep in an extra hour.

Crock Pot White Bread

Ingredients:
*2 1/4 tsp. active dry yeast
* 1 tsp. sugar
* 1/4 c. warm water
* 1 egg
* 1/4 c. vegetable oil
* 1 c. lukewarm water
* 1 tsp. salt
* 1/4 c. sugar
* 3 to 4 c. all-purpose flour (I used around 3 1/2 c.)

Directions:
In a small bowl, combine the active dry yeast, sugar, and warm water. Let it sit for about 10 minutes while it bubbles and foams.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg, vegetable oil, lukewarm water, salt, and sugar. Add the active dry yeast mixer after it has finished sitting for the 10 minutes. Beat all of this together in an electric mixer on low for about 2 minutes.

Add the flour and continue beating on low until the dough gets "gummy." Take the dough out and put it on a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic (2-5 minutes). The dough will remain sticky. Form it into a ball.

Place parchment paper in a slow cooker and turn the slow cooker to high. Place the ball of dough in the center of the slow cooker, and cook on high for approximately 2-2.5 hrs. Not all slow cookers cook the same, so check it after approximately 1.5 hrs. Press on the top of the dough. The bread should feel firm when you gently press down if it is done. (Mine cooks for close to 2 hours).

Let the bread cool completely before slicing. Enjoy!