Magic Moments

I couldn't let 2010 go without one last post. Someday when I look back at this blog I'll want to know what we were doing on this last night of 2010. And boy, are we having a memorable night!! Aiden has been asleep since 7, Tom is playing a video game, and I'm doing nothing. What a way to ring in the new year. Here's to all of you who have more exciting lives than we do! If our New Year's Eve is foreshadowing the year to come, I'm ok with that. A quiet year would be welcomed. :) Even though I wish for a quiet year, I doubt it will be...and I've made my peace with that. Reflecting on our last year I can only remember the blessings and the milestones. I think we're on an upward journey and I'm learning to be content with God writing our story. 2011, BRING IT ON! I know that good things are waiting! My how my little guy has grown since last year! Untitled from Jenny on Vimeo . Since I was slow on the draw, this year Aiden is wishing you a Happy...

Can it be that Christmas is over? It was a whirl of activity....loads of fun (and cookies)....chaos and craziness...happiness....and not enough sleep. We're trying to get back to normal even though I don't want to. Today I managed to dump the Christmas tree on the front porch and do 7 loads of laundry. But, I'd rather still be celebrating. I'd rather have no personal space and be surrounded by our big family. Our house is too quiet. Tom, Aiden, and I all woke up a little bit sad. I suppose that is a good thing....we have lots of family to love and had an amazing reason to celebrate. Sit back and relax...5 days in 1 house with 25 people makes for 1 long post. :) Our family believes in Santa and it's a beautiful story that plays out in a beautiful way. It draws lovely illustrations and points to Christ. Celebrations start on Christmas Eve with a stocking hanging ceremony: Untitled from Jenny on Vimeo . And then a Birthday Party for Jesus....do you sense a them...

We're having so much fun....more to come!

It's the soul stirring faith of the Wise men that has me standing in awe this Christmas season. I can't stop thinking about how the actions of the Wise Men reveal a deeply rooted faith and how mine pales in comparison. Can you imagine? The Wise Men saw a star and followed it on foot (and camel) for 1,000 miles. The most amazing part is that during all those miles they weren't even sure exactly what they were looking for. I keep thinking of the verse, "Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you don't see." That definitely describes those men as they traveled by faith. The time it took them to travel was enough time for Jesus to grow from being an infant into a child. It's probably safe to say that given the circumstances their faith stood the test of time. Is my faith that steadfast? Certainly not! I grow weary and impatient during much smaller circumstances. To add to their story, these men were the least likely to give up thei...

It feels like a lifetime ago, and to be honest 7 years is kind of a lifetime ago....at least in my mind. 7 years makes me feel old, yet it makes me feel comfy, cozy, secure, and grounded. I can't believe we've been married for 7 years!!! Someone asked me at Thanksgiving how long we'd been married and when I replied "7 years" I was caught off guard. Even though I feel like we're newly weds, I don't think that 7 years keeps us in that category anymore. Thankfully when I told that person we'd been married 7 years she was shocked and said we looked really young and asked if we got married right out of high school. :) So,we're officially an old married couple and I wouldn't have it any other way. I love each and every year we've had. I'd do it over again, I wouldn't change a thing, and I'm ready for the rest of forever with Tom. Aside form living in 5 different places, what does 7 years bring? Let me show you: 1. We got marri...

It's a good thing that eggs sunny side up are my favorite! With this felt breakfast set finished I expect Aiden to serve me breakfast in bed. They are far from perfect, but they're done! I haven't finished the sweet set and I doubt that will happen before Christmas. The cookies are made but I have yet to finish the doughnuts and sew the s'mores. All in good time.....I will finish them because eating s'mores after breakfast is the best time to eat them. ;)

Tonight we made cocoa and watched Mickey's Christmas Carol with Aiden. That was my favorite Christmas movie as a child and Tom and I watch it every year and then sleep by the Christmas tree. This year we let Aiden in on the tradition and it was very fun. After the movie we let Aiden open one of his presents (I'll tell you why in a different post). You can definitely tell which presents Daddy picked out and which ones Mama picked out. Daddy bought him swords and a football helmet and Mama chose natural toys like wooden and felt food and games. :) I think Aiden is going to love them all. Tonight's present (pretend swords, in case you can't tell) was a hit for sure! I think falling asleep tonight is going to be very difficult for Aiden....but what else is new? I also think that Daddy may love this present just as much as Aiden. Untitled from Jenny on Vimeo .

The baking is the one thing I really don't like about Christmas. My Grandmother bakes every cookie imaginable (my favorite are the spritz) and my mother bakes at least 2 different kinds and buys another kind from the bakery. At our house I make the same chocolate chip cookies that I bake every week. Tom will only eat chocolate chip and I shouldn't eat loads of others so what's the point? My sister-in-laws will show up with all kinds of good treats and I'll have my lame offering of chocolate chip cookies, but oh well. For the sake of christmas I did make cut-out sugar cookies with Aiden this morning. I cheated and bought a mix at Target because this morning I also made pumpkin chocolate chip muffins and cinnamon crumb bake to bring to Christmas. Baking all those things with a two year old makes a mess but Aiden LOVED his "rock star cookies" (read: cut-outs in the shape of a star). I'm proud of myself for not freaking out when a whole lot of sprinkles...

I say it every year, but I think this Christmas was my favorite. :) I guess they just keep getting better and better. I think this year was special because it was our first Christmas at the cabin and the longer I live in Minnesota the more I embrace the culture. We had a blizzard. Outside looked the The Tundra....and I LOVED it. Maybe I didn't love the cold, but I LOVED the coziness. (see the ice house in the background? More on that later.) The cabin is so great mostly because my Dad has this great vision for what he wants it to be. We laugh at all the things he wants to get but then thank him for it later. What a special place he has created. My Dad gets the prize for "seizing the day" and for making it possible for us to seize the day. Had it been left up to me that ice house would have been the first thing to get put in the dumpster when we moved in. But, my Dad saw it as the diamond in the rough and rescued it. And thank goodness he did. The boys spent t...

It has become an annual tradition. Since Aiden's first Christmas we've ventured downtown each year to take in the Macy's display. They've had the same display for 3 years now, but part of me doesn't even care. It's very cute and magical just the way Christmas should be. I just love to take in everything Christmas. Aiden just soaked it all in (and I did too). I think it was super fun for Aiden to think about how the Elves are busy making a Camera just for him. :) Natalie and Elyse came along....of course. This is where all those little elves sleep....Aiden's eyes were pretty big. Aiden and Mama The cool thing about the same display several years in a row is that we took a picture at the same place each year. I sometimes wish the magic of Christmas would keep Aiden little forever. 2008 2009 2010

It's the end of Aiden's first semester of preschool and I'm the proud mama and teacher that gets to give him a successful stamp on his report card. I'm patting myself of the back for sticking with our curriculum and being diligent with our 3 days a week/3 weeks per month plan. We're right on schedule! However, most of the credit goes to Aiden. He was a very easy student and asked to do school more than I offered. That little boy is a sponge and just absorbed everything. Aiden knows letters A-K and has a verse for each letter. We've done numbers 1-11 (although the math part has come much more slowly) and we've had a science topic each month. Don't get me wrong, I have loads of lesson plans we didn't get to, but we were consistent on many things. I'm tweaking things for next semester and I'm going to add in more creative outlets and craft opportunities and I'm going to tap into Aiden's hunger to know all about animals and his new...

Putting food coloring into your bath water will not turn your child into a smurf but it will make for an extra fun bath. This was Tom's great idea and childhood memory. I didn't believe him so I called my mother-in-law who confirmed that food coloring wouldn't stain your child or your bathroom. If you need a tree repair man just call Aiden. After getting our tree and seeing the men saw off a portion of the bottom of the trunk, pack it up, and strap it to our car, Aiden was inspired to learn the trade. He has been very busy "working" on our tree. Lastly, we have finally recovered from the stomach flu and I'm pretty sure it is now safe for us to have visitors again and rejoin the world. After being home bound for a week I lifted the quarantine just today. We're excited for better days to come.