It's Thrilling To Be 3!

Happy Birthday to Vivian!

No, it is not a St. Patrick's celebration, it's Vivi's birthday and she LOVES green. So we went all out.


Viv loves her dollys, so my Mom quilted and embroidered her a sweet little blanket. Don't you just love the homemade gifts you can cherish forever? Thanks Grammy.


And the gift we've all been waiting for. We thought about the pink and purple Barbie jeep, but why when you can have John Deere green?

I had the camera on my girl the entire party so unless you were next to her, you didn't make it in a picture. Here's a peek at my nephew Jadon trying to assemble the wagon on the tractor. Other party guests were Aunt Jessica, Aunt Mary, Grandma and Grandpa Carel.

Look at her go. We will have to pry her off this thing at the end of each day.

Yes, her eyes do look a little glassy here. I think she's all partied out and ready for a nap. But not before her scrumptious, green, dolly cake. I made this same cake for Sophie's 2nd birthday, but of course not in green. She was my pink girl.

We love you Vivian! Happy Birthday!

Vivian Ruth Carel,

Happy 3^rd birthday my sweet. You would think after having gone through this two times before with your brother and sister that the newness would subside, but it doesn’t. Watching you grow day by day, week by week is a stunning and majestic reminder that despite the circumstances of the day, all is well. I have heard it said that having a child is like having a piece of your heart taken from you and put on the outside to run and play. I am warmed by your joy and your smile. Your vivacious spirit spreads colors like a prism to all who are near. It will probably be a year or two before you are able to understand these words I write to you, so I will tell you a secret. Your smile melts your father’s heart. Telling you no is formidable and nearly impossible at times. Your three years has brought happiness and wonderment to our family. Thank you. One of my favorite things to do with you is to sing before bedtime. Your favorite song, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”, will forever remind me of you. You, along with your brother, sister and mother are my bright Northern star which guide me through the perils of life. Happy Birthday.

Love, Dad

Happy Valentines Day Gretchen

My Safe Place

Several things over the past month have been an incredible encouragement to me and have reminded me how special you are; I want to share them with you.

First, in class on Tuesday during our group time, Dr Beverley asked us the following question, “Where is your safe place, the place where you are real, the place you trust the most?” It took only a moment to realize that I have a safe place in my relationship with you. You are an amazing person and despite the normal ups and downs of life, our marriage has become a steadfast safe place where I know I can be real, honest, and accepted. My love and need for you is only second to my faith in God. I love you and cannot imagine how empty life would be without you. I also realize how truly blessed we were to marry so young and grow up together.

Second, while writing my personal bio for the website, I was blown away when I wrote that my favorite place to be is with my best friend, my wife. When I realized how true that statement really has become, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Without a doubt you are my best friend, the person I choose above any other.

So, to my safe place and best friend, Happy Valentines Day 2009, I love you with all that I am and all that I will be. Thank you for being you, with me.

Love you,

Ed

HELP

I have been so frustrated with our blog. Ed says to stop obsessing, but for those of you who know me even a little know I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist. So, I need your help. See the "blog archive" on the right hand side of my blog. You will have to scroll down a little. The colors are royal blue and bright purple. Seriously, it's driving me crazy. I really want to blog, but more than that I want to change these colors to one more neutral. I NEVER made them that color anyhow. I have gone to "layouts", then to "fonts and colors". I have changed all colors to black. Every color changes except for "visited link". It is stuck or something. I have gone to Google, posted on Blogspot help forum and given my trusty friend Jody my blog password so she could try to fix it, all have failed me. Sorry Jody, I know you tried.

So, I am having my first giveaway. The person who successfully helps me fix my blog color problem will receive two loaves of my homemade bread. If you do not live close, I will overnight them to your home. Ingredients: 100% wholewheat flour (freshly ground by me), farm fresh eggs (Not from our farm, we don't have a one yet.), organic olive oil, raw milk kefir, raw honey, Real Salt, fresh ground flax seed and yeast.

Our Tree

Peace...a word found on thousands of holiday cards this season, yet so far out of reach for many. As I look at our tree this year I reflect on the past year and thank Jesus that He redeems our lost and weary hearts as we yield ALL to him.

A year ago I lived in a house twice as big on two and a half acres with a couple hundred trees and two creeks, my dream home. Our nine foot tree sat prominently in front of the fireplace. Problem was it wasn't a dream and there was no peace.

So this past year has been a year of change. We have sold, given away, and thrown away many of our things; we sold the "dream" house; we gave up titles and busyness at church; we gave up some friends and what's left…simplicity. Sometimes I think we get caught up in the things and stuff of life, and then we miss it.

A couple of years ago I sat with a friend in a Panera Bread Co having breakfast. Our table sat between two groups of women. On our right were some grandma types who were sharing pictures of their kids and grandkids, telling stories of days gone by. On our left were some soccer mom types with their PDAs syncing their schedules and trying to get through their week. It was surreal watching these contrasting life stages side by side. I'll bet you if the grandma types could tell the soccer mom types just one thing it would be to slow down and hold your family close before they slip away to old memory filled photos.

One of the best memories of my youth was fishing with my Dad. We would fish nearly every week through the summer and after we loaded up to go home we would stand and make cold cut sandwiches on the hood of his truck, watching the brilliant red and orange glow of the sunset as it disappeared below the horizon. I'm sure there were a thousand things he could have been doing other than fishing, but I'm glad he didn't. I will never forget those summer nights.

So back to peace, we found it. It was lost, but we found it. This year our tree is smaller, so is our house, yard and just about everything else, but we are happy and I wouldn't trade trees for anything.

Edward

Cookies, Cookies, and more Cookies

Holiday baking is something I love and look forward to every Christmas. This year, since I had help from my two chefs in training, it only took me nine hours to make seven double batches of cookies and candy. You know how that works, "Can we help Mom?"........ the time it takes to do something all of the sudden doubles. This year the baking was about the experience not the productiveness.

We have such wonderful neighbors who have all been so good to us. It was a delight taking our home baked goodies to every one of their doors. We delivered plates to ten houses.

Candy Cane Thumbprints


Pecan Shortbread Logs


Pumpkin Pie Drops


Chocolate Surprise Bites


Candy Cane Bark


Chocolate & Peanut butter Fudge

How Lovely are Thy Branches...

As much as I love the idea of heading out to the Christmas tree farm to pick out that perfect tree and watch as my husband and son cut it down themselves, Home Depot is closer, easier, and more convenient.

Jacob picked the tree this year and did a great job. Just look how straight the trunk is and how uniform the branches are. I delegate Jake to pick out our tree every year.

Believe it or not, this is our 15th year to string popcorn for our tree.

Our first Christmas together, back in 1994, Ed and I sat on our living room floor stringing popcorn together. It has become a favorite holiday tradition for our family.

You've gotta love those old Hallmark ornaments you received as a gift for your first Christmas. This one was from my Grandma Battin.

An ornament from my childhood.

The homemade ones are the best. Sophie made this dolly ornament out of bread dough, painted it and sprinkled with glitter.

Just look at that reindeer. It hung on our tree when Jacob was 5 and will hang on our tree when he is 55.

It can't get sweeter than this.

Another "First Christmas" ornament, from Grandma Hoefer.

In memory of our trip to Disney World, this was Sophie's 2004 ornament.

School time

This is a picture of my daughter working diligently on her writing assignment, can't you see? At the right of the picture, she's holding a green pencil. I know, Ronny is a bit distracting, isn't he. Well he distracted me too.

This bag was on the table and he crawled right in......well, with a little help from me he did. See, it's not just our kids who get distracted from school.

He is always where the action is and this was the most action in our home at the time because Vivian went to work with Daddy for the morning.

The lighting was perfect so why not take a few pics of my kitty.

Then this is when it happened, she came home.

"Oh no! She's back." At least I think that's what he was thinking.

She loves her kitty and let's him know it.

This cat doesn't hurt from not enough love.

He hurts from too much love, poor kitty.

Nap time is officially over.