7 And Ready For Anything!

Our oldest is 7. Can it be? Noah is ready for anything, shooting, camping, fishing, tea time, cooking breakfast, drawing, gardening, hunting, the list goes on.....

Always ready for adventure!

I was laying in bed this morning thanking God for you Noah and I kept coming back to  Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. In my mind this is a great verse for you. You are kind, tenderhearted, easily forgiving and love Christ. I could not be more proud of the young man you are growing to be. I cannot wait to see all that He has in store for you sweet boy. I love that you love the Lord, others, animals, the outdoors, school, sports. You make your dad and I smile everyday.

 Eager to wear a tie (or camo, whatever the occastion calls for)

Mama loves you buddy! 

Your dad and I will never forget how our lives changed 7 short years ago. Even with the broken collarbone that you got during delivery, you were the happiest baby!

 We have loved every second with you! You are truly a blessing from the Lord!

 Photo shoot with daddy after coming home from the hospital. Can you tell which feet are Noah's? 

I Choose Joy! Counting 1,000 Gifts (271-300)

271. Uncontrollable laughter.

272. Fun school.

273. Hot tea.

274. Praise music.

275. New recipes.

276. Hersey Nuggets.

277. Clean garages.

278. Sisters who encourage me to be better.

279. Husbands that take charge so I can rest.

280. Good friends.

281. Ice skates.

282. New days with new blessings.

283. Quiet house.

284. Bright shirts and new belts.

285. Kids excited to worship.

286. Being at home in the warmth without having to go anywhere!

287. Birthday cake and ice cream.

288. Carmel rolls.

289. Homemade thank you cards.

290. Homemade dill pickles (and the garlic at the bottom of the jar = yum)!

291. Wild grape jelly that oozes in all the cracks of my toast.

292. Our dogs excitement over the mail carrier.

293. The smell of clothes drying.

294. Thick lotion on dry hands.

295. I love you hugs after rest time.

296. Boys that love to put what they have learned in school into a drawing (Vikings Ship).

297. Head lamps.

298. Hot apple cider.

299. Unsolicited "I love you" from brother to brother.

300. Sketch books and pencils.

I Choose Joy! Counting 1,000 Gifts (211-270)

211.Our kids being more excited to give gifts than to receive them = Blessing!

212. Quesadilla maker!

213. Boys eager to make supper.

214. New recipes

215. Boys that love smoothies with spinach in them.

216. Warm house to protect us from the cold winter wind.

217. Books of the Old Testament put to music and sung by my boys.

218. Airplanes bringing my husband home from a mission trip.

219. All 3 boys napping at the same time!

220. Reminders of accountability from a dear friend.

221. The twinkle in his eyes as he enters the house!

222. Great BIG hugs!

223. Happy hearts.

224.Talking all night about adventures.

225. Snuggling after my run (and shower or course).

226. His breathing slow and steady as he sleeps.

227. His smell.

228. Strong confident loving hands.

229. Monkey cheeks.

230. Brother love.

231. Outgoing personalities.

232. Smell of bacon cooking.

233. Soup in the crock-pot.

234. Small/mini shopping carts and happy helpers.

235. Notes in the mail.

236. Birthdays!

237. Smell of potatoes baking.

238.  Birthday cake.

239. Boys in ties.

240. Frosty mornings.

241. Flannel sheets.

242. Photos of Dirbe!

243. Good manners.

244. Donuts!

245. The smell of bread baking.

246. Loose teeth.

247. Crisp clean sheets.

248. Warm towels out of the dryer.

249. Sleeping in!

250. Vicks.

251. Boys eager to start school work.

252. Snow covered fields

253. Animal tracks in the snow.

254. The thought of spring planting.

255. The way my teeth feel after flossing.

256. The smell of coffee brewing.

257. 1 on 1 time with each of my boys.

258. Harsh truths = loving realities.

259. Salt and vinegar chips.

260. Boys that play well together.

261. Books that speak straight to my heart.

262. Challenging puzzles.

263. Sunshine after the storm.

264. Icy/fast sledding hills!

265. Greatful hearts.

266. Smells that remind me of happy times with those that are no longer with us.

267. Boys in chef hats.

268. Sugar free breakfast of smoothie with my Vitamix and Danish.

269. Christmas songs as ring tones.

270. New goals for the year.

I Choose Joy! Counting 1,000 Gifts (170-210)

170. Zerberts from boys! 3 year old, 5 year old and 6 year old that is ;)

171. The smell of bread in the oven.

172. Very large cardboard boxes made into fortresses.

173. Getting tasks checked off the list.

174. Calls from Nicaragua.

175. Photos from Kenya.

176. Mission work

177. Warm cookies and cold milk.

178. Hand written thank you notes from the heart.

179. A dust/salt free truck after a much needed car wash.

180. Frozen eyelashes on my running partners smiling face after a run.

181. The excitement of the 1st day of swimming lessons.

182. Birthday coupons!

183. Drums made of empty pales.

184. Fleece jackets mid winter.

185. Running into old friends.

186. Warm sunny winter days.

187. Steamers

188. Warm cornbread

189. Proverbs

190. Sleeping all night!

191. Early risers to do school work after taking over 2 weeks off.

192. Birds song

193. String of popcorn hung outside on the trees.

194. Longer daylight hours.

195. Friends to sled with.

196. Crockpot meals.

197. The smell of the roast cooking as we walk into the house.

198. Naps

199. Gift cards!

200. Ice cream with chocolate and peanuts

201. Anti bacterial wash cloths (love Norwex)!

202. Songs of a 3 year old!

203. Morning kisses

204. Being able to stay home with our kids.

205. Oreo's

206. Fresh air

207. New PJ's

208. Long talks with a dear friend.

209. Boys that can get their own winter gear on!

210. Snowpants.

I Choose Joy! Counting 1,000 Gifts (126-169)

126. Exciting news from friends!

127. Ugly Christmas outfits.

128. Worship with our family.

129. Lightly falling snow.

130. Helpful boys.

131. Freshly shoveled driveways.

132. Large tables so everyone can sit together at meal time.

133. 5 year old boys on their birthday.

134. Morning parties.

135. Boys in cowboys boots!

136. Broom-ball with dad and cousins.

137. Fresh water on the ice.

138. Winter campfires and their smell.

139. Ponds ice that looks bright blue in the moonlight.

140. Moonlight.

141. Hot Tamales.

142. Afternoon naps.

143. Clean sheets.

144. Showing Jesus love on the front page of the local paper.

145. Everyone sleeping in the same room for the night.

146. The smell of clean floors.

147. Unexpected compliment from a stranger.

148. Feeling God's presents in church.

149. Chocolate and peanut butter = YUM!

150. Leftovers.

151. Family parties on New Years Eve.

152. Neck gators.

153. A great deal of butter.

154. New Years fresh starts.

155. New calendars all clean and white.

156. Facetime.

157. Sisters that I love!

158. Clean counters and workstations.

159. Seasonal coffee creamers.

160. Hot soup on a cold day.

161. Homemade soup.

162. Freshly sharpened pencils.

163. Boys eager to make me coffee.

164. Snuggles from my husband before he heads to the airport.

165. Gemma tails wags when she sees me.

166. Chicken Noodle soup.

167. Snowflakes made out of coffee filters painted and hanging on the window.

168. Safe return for mission trips to Africa.

169. Peaceful days at home.

Advent and Christmas

To say our family LOVES Christmas would be an understatement. We love everything about the month of December. The lights, music, giving, volunteering, service projects, craft projects, bible reading, singing, food, gathering with friends and family, worship services, cards, and JESUS it is all wonderful. 

This year was not an exception. We loved Christmas! We cut back on the presents this year for ourselves and the kids and focused more on giving to others in need. You know you can buy a sheep for a family in need for just $80?!

Here are a few photos of our fun from advent and Christmas this year. I wish I would have gotten a photo of the boys serving hot chocolate (we were surprised to see it was captured in the local paper). They gave out 100 free cups to people downtown. It is amazing to see the surprise in people faces when you remind them that Jesus loves them and give them something warm, free and with a smile.  Jesus would defiantly be giving hot chocolate in the cold streets on MN!

Ringing the bell for the Salvation Army

 

  Advent activity night at church - frosting cookies!

Donation drop off at the Ronald McDonald House for their kitchens.

















Sledding fun on the luge track!

Bible Reading

 Brother love!

 

 

Cousin Love!

 Game Time

Fun to have uncles that play with the kids! They love them and cannot get enough time with them!

 More Cousin Time

Praying that you spent time with Christ this Christmas. He left his perfect place in heaven to come as a baby, grow into a man, and be crucified on the cross and die for our sins.

John Piper reminds us of the awe and wonder of the Son of God.  As Piper puts it, “You can read every fairy tale that was ever written, every mystery thriller, every ghost story, and you will never find anything so shocking, so strange, so weird and spellbinding as the story of the Son of God.” Space thrillers of our days like Star Wars cannot hold a candle to the real living Jesus Christ.

“But these things are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:31

Take time this year to learn more about His perfect love in the Bible. 

Never Slow Down 3 Years Old!

The day Jonah was born we walked into the hospital at 6 pm. He was born at 6:17 pm. He has been moving non-stop since. He is fun loving, quick-witted, energetic, humorous, animated and caring. He adds such a wonderful dynamic to our family. We thank God every day for our wonderful boy. His smile is contagious! Just try to not smiling when seeing him.

 

 Jonah wanted to ride rides at MOA for his birthday this year. Fun was had by all!

Birthday Breakfast! Happy Birthday Jonah!

Eyes That Sparkle! 5 Years Old

I cannot believe that it has been 5 years since our Jacob blessed our family. He has the bluest eyes that sparkle and twinkle when he is happy. We love your willingness to help others and concern you show for those less fortunate. You have a compassionate heart that is evident in all that you do. You are creative and lighthearted and a wild man! Your dad and I love you so much and are so thankful for you. Happy Birthday Jake.

I Choose Joy! Counting 1,000 Gifts (51-125)

51.Corn bread made gluten free!

52. "What's in the Bible" video series.

53. Canned goods to make meal prep a breeze with there is not much time to prepare, Stew!

54. The library.

55. Unexpected visits from my sister Jill.

56. Canned homemade tomato soup.

57. Central vac.

58. Really cold ice water.

59. Big sisters 40th birthday!

60. Foss.

61. Thoughtful cards from friends. They seem to know when I need it most!

62. The beat of the drum.

63. Old farmsteads.

64. Coming home!

65. Bouncing balls.

66. Grandma and Grandpa Diers hugs!

67. Corn syrup free candy!

68. Sunny winter days.

69. Christmas cards in the mail.

70. Early bed times for the boys!

71. Road trips with the boys.

72. New treasures found at old farms.

73. Family heirlooms.

74. Random days off school during the week.

75. Chapter books geared towards boys by christian authors.

76. The way butter melts into fresh banana bread.

77. Pretend play.


78. Early bedtime for mom!

79. Snow!

80. Luge tracks made by dad in the backyard!

81. Hours of sledding.

82. Snow forts.

83. Snow covered trees.

84. 2 hour lat starts from school ;) .

85. 3 year old "reading" books to himself.

86. Hot chocolate and marshmallow cream all the boys can drink.

87. The night off cooking.

88. Flannel sheets.

89. Grandma and Grandpa Diers eating with us.

90. Grandma and Grandpa Diers listening with much interest at the boys read books. They are always so encouraging!

91. Haircuts at home.

92. Happy 3 year old after getting some much needed sleep!

93. The stretching, grunts and wiggles of boys waking up early.

94. Early morning cinnamon roll cake smell filling the house.

95. The excitement of the dog.

96. Kids having an overnight with Grandma and Grandpa Diers while mom and dad have a date night.

97. Hot tubs.

98. Christmas lights reflecting on fresh snow.

99.Cookies out of the freezer.

100. Clean house!

101. Noah's comment, "School is fun."

102. Paper, glue and scissors.

103. Carmel corn.

104. Extra big hugs!

105. Unexpected free time!

106. Birthday boy Jacob more concerned about making something for the people attending to his party than what gifts he would like to get.

107. A forgiving husband.

108. The smell of wood burning in the fireplace.

109. Snowflakes that shine in the sun.

110. School in bed!

111. Praise music to start the day.

112. Dad being able to come on a field trip.

113. Free hot chocolate for 100 unsuspecting people.

114. Unexpected gifts at the front door left by a friend.

115. Frosty afternoon runs.

116. Family time by the tree.

117. Boys that love salad.

118. Field trips as a family.

119. Hot coffee on a cold morning.

120. Long underware.

121. The excitement of homemade gifts.

122. Unexpected visitors.

123. Carolers.

124. Christan DVD's.

125. Presents in the mail that make me feel special.