Christmas

What a beautiful Christmas we had this year. Eli came down to our room in the early morning. I got the breakfast casserole in the oven just before he came down. We read our story of the baby Jesus being born, ate breakfast and then we began celebrating Baby Jesus' birthday, too!! Mommy got a new camera- I'm going to try to download some of the cool video I got- but here are a few pics to start us out :)

We had a blast in the morning. I finished up the cookies- Eli was such a big help, washing and helping cut out all the shapes,


And, of course, cleaning off the spatula :)
Then Eli and Papa got all bundled up and headed out doors.

Papa got the old snowmobile running, so the boys went for a ride while I finished gathering our items for that evening.

What a blast they had!!

Here is Mama Snowman, Eli snowman and Papa Snowman- Good work!!!

We headed over to Mamaw and Papaw's then to have Christmas Eve dinner with the family. It was nice to relax and spend time together- it's the first time in over 10 years that Tim and I haven't had to head off for the services at church that we were always in. This year we were able to just go with family and relax and enjoy our time. It was very nice.

Then back to Mamaw and Papaw's to open presents- and, as Eli says, to celebrate Jesus's birthday some more!!

Here are all the grandchildren on Tim's side of the family. We missed our opportunity for the family shot- but at least got the kids :)

Even Baka got in on the festivities with us!!

My Brother-in-law, Scott, surprised and blessed all of us this year with some portrait sketches he did. We were all touched and deeply moved- what talent God has given this man!! Eli's picture is now on our wall- isn't it amazing?

All in all, it was a fabulous Christmas Eve- there was peace in the house and we had a lovely time together- till way late!! Eli and Wes got involved in the new Hamburger factory Playdoh kit, and even Chey played with them for a little while. We got Eli nestled in bed around 10:30 that night- with no nap- and surprisingly- no major meltdowns, either!!

Christmas morning, Tim was able to take the first few hours off so we were able to have breakfast together. Then he took off for work and Eli and I started getting everything ready for going to visit my Mom and Dad and family in PA. We soon were ready, got everything loaded up for our evening visit to the fire department in Whitehall where Papa was working (we were heading up to have Christmas dinner with him and the crew). We drove across the drive way and....

Eli was fast asleep :) He slept the whole way to the fire department (about an hour) and was able to have much more fun through the rest of the evening.

Of course, after dinner, we had to go check out the engines and the medics and all the tools. Eli loves to name all the equipment and pretend to be a firefighter.

As before, I am hoping I can download my video from my new camera onto blogger.... Stay tuned.....

On the way home, I was hoping to get Eli to drift off to sleep, so I could carry him to bed and not have any struggle. The night before, I started telling him the Christmas story, and he was asleep before I got to the shepherds.

So, I thought, I'll just pick up where I left off and keep on going. Only problem was, he never fell asleep!! we went through the wisemen, apprenticeship to be a woodworker and make things like Papaw, to learning and growing closer to God, to him staying behind in Jerusalem when he was Cheyenne's age to teach the elders, to the baptism, ministry, the men that were jealous because Jesus spoke with such authority and really seemed to know God, to the trial, the cross, the burial, the resurrection. He was really listening- at one point he said, "Wait, Mommy, back up. Explain the cross to me again. They put baby Jesus on the cross?"

No, I assured him. Baby Jesus was loved and cherished by his Mommy and Papa. It wasn't until he was much older, and I quickly went through the story again to give the time perspective.

I finally got some of the questions answered and turned on some quiet music. He was just about to drift off when I realized the song was singing about the cross.

"The Cross, Mommy, the Cross!! They are singing about the cross!! Can you tell me about the Cross again??"

May we always remember, Baby Jesus, just what you gave up when you came to Earth for me. (plural- each and every one of us can put our name here)

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Here is a short clip from my new camera of Elisha opening up his camera- enjoy!!

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Visit with Grandma

I was getting pretty desperate to see Grandma. So, around the middle of December, Eli and I called Grandma, packed an over night bag and headed over to Indiana. We only stayed for a few meals, but it was soooo wonderful to just spend some time with her.


Here she is wrestling Eli down on the couch. We had so much fun, wrestling, playing, talking...






Playing Kitty cat together, with him hiding behind Grandma and peeking out. Can't wait to come see Grammalot again!!!

Santa at the FD

We had a lovely Christmas dinner at the Newton Township Fire Dept this year. The Aux did a great job- the decorations and food were wonderful!!

Tim had to work that day, but the rest of the kids and family were able to be there. And then, after the food, the fun and the fellowship..... Santa arrived!! Eli was so excited!! Even more so, when Santa called out Eli's name first!!


He scrambled up on Santa's lap and began talking a mile a minute. I heard him saying something about how he saw Santa on Caillou.


Santa gave him his present- how amazing that he seems to be able to do that all the time- find just the right gift!! Eli and I think he must talk to Jesus, too, to be able to find out what we have been asking for. He got a really cool VTECH toy that teaches how to write letters, numbers and small words.

When Santa asked Eli what he wanted for Christmas, I almost jumped up and down clapping my hands. He said, "I want a camera. A real one, like Mommy's that takes pictures." Isn't it wonderful to know that the present you purchased and have wrapped under the tree is just what your child is requesting- before they even tell you?

It was pretty exciting to have Eli's cousins there, as well.
Here is Cheyenne getting her gift from Santa.

And here is Wesley. I think he was getting a little nervous- Santa saw several kids left and his bag looked pretty empty- he mentioned coal..... But all was not lost- and Wesley breathed a sigh of relief as he perched on Santa's lap and received his gift.
Lauren, Eli's older cousin also got a turn to tell Santa what she wanted him to bring to her on Christmas eve.

You have a beautiful voice..

When Eli is in a whining mode- everything comes out in that most annoying whining 3 year old voice- I often take him aside and tell him that I am so glad that God gave him a beautiful voice. Then I tell him I really don't care much for the whining voice, but I would love to hear him use that beautiful voice that God gave him.

I mentioned that I have not been feeling well lately. The latest episode snuck in under the radar last weekend, robbing me of my voice and energy. I was afraid it was strep and pneumonia, so was much relieved to find out my lungs were clear, I just had tracheitis. Yup, my trachea was swollen, raw and painful. My voice was pretty much non- existent.

(I'd just like to mention at this point that I am really looking forward to having my tonsils removed on December 30. So, as you all are reading and sharing our journey with us- I'd love to have you praying for good health up to that point so I can have the surgery done, easy surgery and a smooth recovery time.. Thank you in advance!!)

Imagine my surprise during this time when all I could eek out was a hoarse whisper, and Eli came around the corner island of the kitchen and said, "Mommy, you have a beautiful voice," in such a sweet tone.

Then, as he stomped his little foot, he said, "Now please use it!!"

Isn't it nice, at times, to know that your children really are listening? Have I mentioned lately how much I love that little guy? It is overwhelming at times.

I thought I loved greatly when I was growing up. Then I met and married Tim and was amazed at how much and how quickly that love began to grow and blossom.

I thought I loved greatly as a wife. Then I pulled Eli onto my lap for the first time, and my whole world shifted, cracking down barriers to love that I didn't even know existed. The world had more color, the sounds were sweeter (and louder :)) the smells quite different. There was a whole new world opened to me.

As each new phase of my journey in life begins and I look back and realize how much deeper my love becomes, I am more awed than ever at how much God loves us. As we begin to celebrate the Christmas season, reflecting on all that happened in the life of Jesus, his earthly mom and dad, I find it takes on all new perspectives seen through this filter of new glimmers of what complete love feels like.

Thank you for the amazing gift of Christmas!! I can't imagine the love you must have for us that you would be willing to suffer so much, just to insure we can spend eternity with you. WOW!! I guess I could say You have a beautiful voice- please help me to listen better as You use it :)

Happy Advent!!

The Fox and The Hound

A bizarre thing happened the other day. We had taken dinner to the fire station, and there was a fellow coworker that had some pups. He named them after the dogs from the movie The Fox and the Hound. I remembered seeing that in some older discs we found, remembered it being a cute movie, so I thought Eli and I could watch it. It was the night we were setting up the tree, a few weeks ago.

Sleeping Beauty was on before that on the disc, so I had almost lost him. As the Fox and the Hound started, I began asking him things about the movie, trying to draw him in so we could watch it together.

In the opening scene, you are going through the woods, through brush and over growth and you hear dogs barking in the distance. Then a lovely, graceful fox comes bursting through the pic carrying a little one in her mouth. She stops at a fence post and takes a second to nuzzle her baby and after a quick kiss, she is off.

Eli and I were watching- and I commented on how much she loved her little baby.

Then she jumps over the ridge, out of sight..... and gets shot.

Eli's little lip began to quiver and he said, "What happened to the mama?"

I told him she had been shot by the hunter.

He came over to me, tears beginning to well up in his little eyes, lip trembling, and said, "Mommy, why do there have to be hunters? When is his mommy coming back?"

So we watch a little more, but he is now glued to my side. We talked about how God provides- the wonderful older widowed lady comes out and finds him and raises him. He meets the basset hound next door and they become friends.

Then, after going away for on the hunt training for the winter, the dogs come back and now the fox and the hound are enemies.

As the widow was driving away, taking the fox to the nature preserve to keep him from being hunted by her neighbor, we had to turn the movie off.

She was driving, remembering how much she loved having this little fox in her life, and he became aware of how sad she was the further they drove.

Eli jumped into my arms, beginning to cry.

When she told him to stay, and drove away in the rain, Eli's little heart broke. The dam burst and he was literally wailing.

"No!!!! That is not right- she can't leave him. Mommy!!!! Why is she leaving him!!!! She can't leave him!!!"

So, I turned off the movie and we sat and held each other for quite a long time until he finally calmed down. Then the rest of the evening, he didn't want me out of his sight- and preferred to be touching me.

OK- so no matter what rating The Fox and the Hound had before, from a adoptees standpoint- not very good until they are much older. I still cry when I think of his heart-wrenching little sobs. It had been so long since I had seen it..... WOW!!

Thank you, God, for my tenderhearted little guy, for putting him in our lives and picking us to be his parents. Please help us and guide us as he grows so we can be the parents he needs providing the support he needs to grow and spread his wings fully!! Thank you, GOD!!

Fall

Well, the fall has flown by. I have been pretty ill for the last few months- trying to get everything straightened out so I can have my tonsils taken out at the end of the month. Hoping that improves things a bit. So, I'm not quite up to exercising with Tim tonight, but feel up to writing, or at least updating some photos for Eli's blog.

Tim has had Eli much more this fall, at least since September. I began covering a maternity leave at the store I used to work at in October- so it has been Eli and Papa 2-3 days a week. Tim got the garage doors up, and some other work done on the barn. I made it home one day before dark and caught Eli playing with Papa in the garage.

He wants to help in everything we are doing :)


It amazes me how much this photo looks like one we have of Tim's niece, Lauren when she was that age!!

Here he is wearing Tim's big gel knee pads. We had to strap them on really tight to keep them up :)
Here he is backing his back hoe loader over a "road" he made from some scrap lumber. He is getting really good with the spacial relations, backing and driving his "heavy machinery."

Here he is designing and setting up roads.

I was amazed that day to see 2 school buses stopping each other on the road in front of our house. The one on the right is dropping of my niece and nephew. It got delayed by a fallen tree- so it came over the ridge just as the second bus was headed this way. Too funny out in the country!! There are only 2 buses that come this way :)

Eli was invited to a birthday party at the pumpkin patch. They had several places set up you could take pictures at. I love this one- thanks to Paula, my sister-in-law, for taking some pics of us together. Eli just asked me the other day where the pictures of me were? I told him I was behind the camera :)

He wasn't so sure what to think of the petting zoo they had set up. The quick jab touch was about all he felt comfortable with.



Then came pumpkin painting time. He did a great job painting. We ended up cooking his pumpkin the day before Thanksgiving. I was concerned I might not have enough for a pie.... hehe- I made 2 deep dish pumpkin pies, 2 pumpkin rolls and a batch of pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. Yummy!!

Look at the concentration as he painted away!!

This tube was tricky- it was actually quite smooth. We had difficulty climbing it- we did it several times with me coming behind Eli, giving him pushes when he started sliding backwards.

We went on a hayride around the farm. I am always amazed when you take the picture yourself without looking through the viewfinder and it actually turns out well.

Eli even got to sit up on the tractor after we got back from the hay ride. What a great day he had!! Thanks for including us in your celebration, Mozena's and happy birthday again to Logan!!

I mentioned exercising. Tim and I have been exercising- trying to get in shape- well, I'm trying and Tim is getting buff!! He's already lost over 20 pounds and built endurance and flexibility and strength that is amazing. I'm just trying. Anywho, Eli has been playing with our exercise bands. He put them on his feet, like I showed him. Then he decided he likes them like this- and calls them his firefighter suspenders.... Cracks us up!!

We put out our lights early this year, taking advantage of not freezing our buns or our fingers off. Here is a sweet picture of Eli handing Papa the light string. He is starting to catch the excitement we all share.

A little excitement, a lot of oneryness.....

I got some mouthwash at the store the other day. It is actually for children above 6- but Eli loves it. You put it in your mouth before brushing, swishing around for about 30 seconds, then spit out. It is a dye- bright blue. It colors plaque and food in the teeth. We have some flossers he loves, and we are finding how necessary they are, as he has several tight contacts already with his little teeth.

So the other day, as we were discussing getting ready for bed, it took us a second to determine that he was asking if he could use "wash mouth" before brushing his teeth. I am so delighted to see him starting such good habits so young- I'm sure his Grandpa will be thrilled- he drilled it into us as children. I don't think we were as easy in this regard as Eli has been- of course we didn't have wash mouth and cute little Plackers to remove plaque.....


We went to my cousin's wedding a couple of weekends ago- and he just had to have some sunglasses. So I let him wear the old pair I had in the car. He promptly fell asleep- why is it we love these sleeping pics so much?

Mom and Dad got some video of him singing Old McDonald- If I can get that, I'll post it here....

Between the wedding and the reception, we went to a McDonalds in Camden, OH. It was amazing!!! I can't believe it!! The play area was larger than the store. They had a little bit of everything. I wish I could have gotten some photos of Eli playing with his cousin, and then Tim climbing all over the jungle gym with Eli. At the reception, we sat down close to the back. He was a bit on the "I'm tired and if I sit I may fall asleep, so I'm going to run til I drop" kind of mood. They asked the father of the groom to say the prayer.

Eli promptly bows his head, fold his hands, says, "Thank you, Jelas, for the food. In Jesus name, amen."

He looks around- unfortunately, his prayer was much shorter than the formal prayer. We sat there for a few more seconds, and he looked at the couple to our left. "It's OK, " he said to them, tapping them on the arm. "You can open your eyes now. I'm done."

About a week before Thanksgiving, he woke up early and was yelling something to us from his bedroom. I went out to find out what was wrong.

Thanksgiving this year was fun. We celebrated with Tim's extended family on his Mom's side the Sunday before Thanksgiving and with Tim 's parents on Thanksgiving day. What a great time of year to remember all that we have to be thankful for. So many times it helps to put it into perspective.

"Mommy, can I open my gate and wake up now?" he asked, as he proceeded to open his gate and come on down the steps. So much for making sure we know where he is while we sleep.....We have left the gate up, so we can at least hear when he opens the gate....
Tim ordered some new boots the other day. They came while he was at work. Eli wanted to open Papa's "present." So, we did- and then he proceeded to try on Papa's new socks and boots. Here is the pic we sent to Papa so he could see his new boots.

If you look at our tree in the background- you'll see the popcorn/cranberry garland. Eli and I worked on that the other day. I was pretty impressed. I gave him a sharp needle, and he did quite a bit by himself. He preferred the cranberries. They went on a lot easier than the popcorn. He kept putting his head in the pop corn bowl, grabbing a piece and eating it saying he was Baka... what great imaginations children have :)

I can't believe it has been a whole month (almost) since I last posted. So many things, so little time...
Last night, I got home from work, we ate a late dinner and I took Eli up to his bathroom to get a bath and prepare for bed. He wanted to take a shower in mommy's bathroom downstairs, so decided he was going to wail and scream/cry the whole time I was bathing him. By the time we finished (and it was uber-quick!!) I had a headache that was just about to split my head.

I looked at him and said, "Eli, let's play a game- lets see how quiet we can be for a few minutes... super quiet. "

He calmed down and looked at me. "Why?" he loudly asked, as most 3 year-olds are want to do.

The truth popped out- "Because Mommy has a super bad headache, and I think if we can be super quiet for a few minutes, it will feel better. "

My son displayed his compassionate little heart at this point- all thought about why he was crying left, and he looked at me, came closer, laying his hands on my head.

"I will pray for your head, Mommy. OK?" He said so sweetly.

"Sure, Sweetie," I said. "That would be great!!"

So, with his hands on my head, he began.... "Dear God...."

He paused, opened his eyes and looked at me very closely.

"Where does it hurt, Mommy?"

I took his little cool hand and placed it on my head, just above my left temple region, and he began again. "Dear God, please make Mommy's head feel better and take away her headache. In Jelus name, Amen. "

He looked immediately at me and asked if I was starting to feel better. I told him I was a little, and I knew it would be gone soon. He then asked about our youth pastor, Lonnie, who we have been praying for over the last few weeks.

Thank you, God, for moments like these where I feel like maybe he is getting it-figuring out what it means to have that close relationship with you. I pray you continue to lead and guide Tim and me as we travel this incredible journey of parenthood You have blessed us with !!