Day Ninety-Six

JJ had the day off from work today. We took the kids for a little walk at Bald Hill around noon. Everyone was cold, but we made it. It became apparent that Dominic was not feeling well.

With sick kids and tired parents, I wasn't sure if the New Year's Party would actually happen. But...it did. We had friends and family over to ring in the new year. I actually made it until midnight, though I doubted that I could. We had a great time.

Another year gone, another year full of broken promises and failures. And yet, it was another year to be thankful for God's blessings and His grace.

What can I possibly be but be thankful?

I know you've probably heard the tune, but here it is again. Thanks to Bono..and the rest of the band.

Grace.

Day Ninety-Five

Simeon is sick with a high fever and a nasty cough. Dominic is grouchy. The two of them are currently watching BAMBI together while Aidan and I are talking photography over coffee and toast. He's eating toast. I'm drinking coffee.

We decided to start a project together. Aidan will be posting photos and writing book reviews on his own personal blog. He admits that he was a little jealous when cousin Maxwell got a camera and started a blog. He's wanted to do it ever since. I've made him wait, but I think now's a good time to start this thing. We'll see where it goes.

However, I'm not going to give him free reign on the computer and he's not learning to type...yet. I'll be doing the typing and he'll either write down the text or dictate it to me. In other words, it somehow has to be related to schooling and proper grammar...and also learning to become a better photographer. I'm relentless. Hopefully he'll learn some things in the process.

Here's Aidan's Blog. He came up with the name, chose the template, and all that jazz.

Day Ninety-Four

We had a little snow storm today. No, it was nothing like our Minnesota family who had blizzards and snow drifts as tall as their house...but for US, it was exciting. No, it didn't stick, but it was pretty. Aidan took some pictures. That is becoming a common theme around here. I have no idea how we got a camera-lover in the family. Hmmm....

We've also been reading a lot on these cold days. I bought The Tale of Despereaux for the boys as a Christmas gift. We just finished it yesterday and I would highly recommend it. Wow. I laughed, I cried...and once again the boys were laughing at me...for crying. This is how it goes. Some I hope they'll understand. The scene at the end is so beautiful, so full of truth. We're left with this hodge-podge of sinners, royalty, broken people, and rats...all dining around one big table, breaking bread together. Enough said.

Day Ninety-Three

Once the presents are unwrapped, that doesn't mean that Christmas is over. On the third day of Christmas, their Mama gave to them, three candles in their oatmeal bowls.

We also had the Yoders over to play. Their littles were sick, Simeon was sick, and we just decided to throw caution to the wind and share germs. We had a great day of playing and they ended up staying for lunch AND dinner.

Cheers to family who live close by!

And now, a quote by my dear friend Charles. Charles Dickens, that is.

"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."

Day Ninety-Two

Let's just say that Aidan has been just a bit enthusiastic with his new camera. This was his favorite photo from today. We now share the computer and he has his own folder for photo storage. Aidan told me that he thinks this is a really good picture of Simeon since he's carrying his favorite "gwanket" and his Scooby. I agree.

Day Ninety-One

"What we believe about God is the most important truth we believe, and it's the one truth that does the most to shape us. God is the Sun too bright for us to see. Jesus is the Prism who makes the colors beautiful and comprehensible."

Michael Spenser (aka the "Internet Monk")

I BELIEVE IN GOD the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth.

I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried;
He descended into hell.
The third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From there He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.

AMEN.

A blessed Christmas season to all.

Day Ninety

Christmas Eve. I finished wrapping some presents while JJ took the boys out for a bit this afternoon. Why is there a picture of our cat? Let me tell you. He is what I call God's way of sanctifying me even further. This cat will meow and scratch to get in and out at least twenty times a day...sometimes more. In and out, in and out, in and out. While I was wrapping presents, I ignored him for a long time. Scratch, scratch, scratch. I cranked up the Christmas carols on Pandora and tuned him out.

Finally, I went out to the kitchen to refill my coffee cup and found him at the window like this. Just...waiting.

I let the poor cat in.

This is a daily photo blog. I can post very mundane things.

Other than wrapping presents and lying low, we had a Christmas Eve service at the church in the evening and then the Yoders came over for the annual un-wrapping of Christmas pajamas. I decided to just leave my camera out of it. The flash isn't working and it would have been dark and blurry anyhow. I have yet to get a picture of them together in front of the tree with their pajamas on. It seems like I should have one. Hopefully, before we take the tree down, I'll do that. For now...you get the cat.