Simply Amazing!!

What a difference two years makes - and if you think this is amazing - you ought to see her in action too!!  This girl has made strides!!!

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!! Here is a glimpse of our day...

LOTS of picture-taking from the girl with the new camera!!

Ok - lots of picture-taking from ALL the girls with cameras!!

Patiently waiting for our turns!!

Cooper got a new toy too!

Aaron liked his Pizza Ranch gift card!

One of Mom's favorites - Chick-o-Stick - so the boys each got one in their stockings - they need to learn to love them like Mom!!

New Hats!!

Another new hat - don't worry - we'll take the tags off eventually!

Still more waiting our turn!!

Merry Christmas from All of us to All of you!!

Merry Christmas Greetings from Us!!

We do often send our Christmas Greetings via email - this is nothing new for us - but this year, it has very special meaning as we plan to send a gift to friends of ours that are missionaries to China in place of the cost of postage, paper, printing, etc. So greetings to all of you electronically - and know that even though there is no handwritten greeting - it came from the heart!! We have had a blessed year - God is good and continues to amaze us! Our letter is in "bullet form" this year - it is short and sweet but kind of highlights our year!
 

Blessings to you - we treasure your friendship and are thankful you are in our lives!

Christmas Letter 2011

It's THAT time!!

Our annual tradition - cut out cookies!!

You may see some at church tomorrow night....

Or at the library this week......

Some might just end up in our bellies too....

But wherever they appear - it was fun making them AND

Sharing them!!!!

Here's the Pile!! That was a lot of cookies!!!

Starfish Project

When I shop for Christmas, I also like to support worthwhile causes when I can! So I was thrilled when I saw this fabulous jewelry line a couple of weekends ago. The Starfish Project is near and dear to me having two daughters born in China. This is a project that helps to support women in Asia that might have been in the sex trade - it teaches them a skill and gets them out of their bad situations. I LOVE that - because it is not an easy life for many women in Asia. I just highly encourage you to look at their beautiful jewelry - and if you'd like to order - just email myself or my consultant, Emily Moret. Here is her Facebook Page.

Don't miss their adorable children's items!! The jewelry is quality - I've seen it in person and LOVE it! Just a few of my favorites!!! SO if you are interested - just email me or Emily and place an order through my show - I am hoping to support a great cause AND Christmas shop too!! (There is no way to order online and it go toward the party so just make sure to email your order!! Thanks!)

joeb382 AT orangecitycomm DOT net or

emily DOT moret AT yahoo DOT com

Trimming the Girls....

Oops, I mean the tree!!

Here is what we're up to tonight - perfect for an icy, wintry day!!!

Their dad taught them how to "fluff" branches - they are A-1 Branch Fluffers!!

Umm - yep, we even modeled the star!!

Adopted....

We were getting ready for the Katelyn's Fund Service in Sioux Center yesterday and we all had to wear shirts that said, "Adopted". As Chloe was putting hers on, she said to me, "OH GREAT, now EVERYONE will know I am adopted!" It took me off guard - I forget that to these little ones, sometimes they have no idea that they look differently or that people can easily look and see that they are most definitely adopted. Don't I wish we all saw things that way!!!

Then she went on to tell me, "Mom, I am very lucky - I am adopted TWO times!!" And I looked at my little one in amazement, as I said, "Yes, you have been adopted twice - and how blessed you are!!" Praising God for adoption today and everyday!

Here is the video that was playing as we went up front - almost 300 of us - with our "Adopted" shirts on. Love it that we can all be adopted by our Great God!!!

Happy Halloween!!

Yep - we went trick-or-treating in our pajamas - and carried pillowcases to collect our candy in - and then smelled candy all night long (as Chloe so aptly put it!!). They did not want me to wash the pillowcases yet - they smelled TOO good!!

And they got brand new jammies out of the deal!!! They loved it - however, Chloe also informed us that curlers in her hair were a bit embarrassing to be out in public with!!

See What's Glowing at our House!

The kids chose their own designs this year.....

The boys chose this one......

Oops - that wasn't very nice!!!!

Chloe chose that one.....

And Jada chose this one.....

And Dad did ALL the hard work!!!

Picture Day

Remember the horrible crash on our bike the day before Picture Day!?!?!?

Well here is the result - road rash and all -

Just shows how much fun she LOVES to have!!! :)

Jada's B's

Just so proud of this girl - she is working SO hard!!!

The Pride of the Dutchmen

I've always inwardly cringed at this - PRIDE OF THE DUTCHMEN Marching Band - hmm, don't we try to teach our children not to be so proud??? So this title has always wrankled me a bit (I hope I just made that word up - I like it!!!). This year, Caleb, has begun his first year in High School marching band beginning Aug. 1 with a daily dose of band camp. Yep, I will say it out loud - I couldn't believe it - Aug. 1?!?!?! I thought it seemed a bit much but we encouraged him to keep with it. Now, months later, all I can say is - I think a bit of that "pride" is seeping in to this Momma's bones! We have field band competitions almost every weekend from Sept. - Oct. and although they are long days for the kids - we, as parents, are thinking this is quite fun to behold!

I am proud of this band - and I think it's ok if they are bit "prideful" as well! They have worked hard, are scoring high, and look amazing on the field - NOT doing easy things, I may add as well. Thought I'd share some pics with you - HOPING video is to come!!

Getting Ready to Take the Field

Caleb is back row - almost to the 20 yd. line - He plays the Tenor Sax.

Yep, smallest kid, biggest sax!!

LOVE that black!!

Tossing the Flags Over....

Catching the flags...

Caleb is front middle.

There, more than you wanted to see, I am sure.

But no complaining or I'll put the other 100+ on there too!!!

Buddies

I had a little photo opp - so I took it!!