Decorations!

We were decorating the tree last night when Colin asked where his pirate ship with the animals was.

A Season of Advent

Advent is waiting. Waiting with anticipation for a coming King. 

December can be one of the most hurried and rushed months of the year.  With two of our three children's birthdays in December, we don't want it to feel rushed.  We want our children to look with anticipation towards December 25.  Not for presents, but for Christ. 

This post is sharing some of the things our family is doing this year, to create an atmosphere of anticipating Christ and celebrating Christmas, His Coming.

This year, for the first time, we are having a Jesse Tree.  The reference to "Jesse Tree" is found in the eleventh chapter of the book of Isaiah. 

1 Then a shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit.
2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him — a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, a Spirit of counsel and strength, a Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.

The Jesse Tree is an Advent adventure to experience the stories of the Old Testament that tell of Christ's coming.  We read and wait, as those in the OT waited for their Savior.

I wanted rustic ornaments and a rustic tree.  I set out Sunday afternoon, with my daughter and scavenged for limbs around our house and in the woods.  I'm quite pleased with what we created.

And our first week's ornaments.

I hope to get a post out later this week showing how I made the ornaments.  (I added the numbers on to the picture with photo editing software.)

Starting on the first day of Advent, we also began reading the story Jotham's Journey.  We've heard many good things about this book.  We've also heard there is some violence, so be sure to read ahead.

And beginning on December 1, we'll put our Advent Nativity together and also read the 24 chapter book, The Jesse Tree.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
There is a beautiful devotional at A Holy Experience.  I'm not reading this particular one with the kids, but it is one I plan to read after I do their devotion with them.  If you are interested in doing your own Jesse Tree, there are ornaments to print at the end of the free ebook.  You may need to enter your email address to sign up to receive the updated posts from A Holy Experience.  It is only when you receive the updates via email or a blog reader (google reader, etc) that you will see the link.  Directions are on the site.

Are you doing anything to celebrate the season of Advent? 

Thanksgiving Week Recap!

On Sunday, we hosted my family for Thanksgiving!  A lot of work, but it made the 3 days following (and the days leading up to Thanksgiving Day) very relaxing and restful!  And, for Thanksgiving day, we were with T's side of the family - which was also restful as I wasn't the one preparing the food!

***

Back in June, I decided to start running/exercising and to change our eating habits.  In the process, I became a stronger runner and started losing weight.

Q's piano teacher (and very good friend) told me about a 5k run on Thanksgiving morning - Sticks and Biscuits 5k, a fundraiser for a local hockey rink/team.  This became my motivation to get up in the early morning hours and continue running/exercising.  (I didn't run every morning, but alternated with workout DVDs)

Yesterday morning Q's piano teacher picked me up and we drove to the hockey rink.  In the cold rain/sleet, we ran the 5k.  Now, I've run 5ks and 5 mile races before children - but this was my first road race in about 7 years! I forgot how much of rush they give me - even when sleet is pelting your ears and face!

My goal was to finish under 30 minutes.  But guess what?  I forgot to look at the race clock when I crossed the finish line.  I got home feeling pretty sure I was under 29 minutes.  I got on the computer and found out T's cousin's wife (who had been there cheering on many of her family members and watching her own son race) had snapped two pictures of me.

I'm pretty in pink!  I was a sprinter on the track team in high school and LOVE to sprint to the finish line - all the while passing people in the process!!!   Its fun to give it that final kick ... and then collapse! ;)

And the second picture she snapped?

So thankful she was there to snap this one!

Before stepping into a much anticipated hot shower, I stepped on the scale and found that I had officially hit the 30 lb mark!  I had been holding my weight steady for the past 2 months and really wanted to lose that last 1.5 lbs to hit 30 - and yesterday it happened!!

I don't expect that you ran a 5k for Thanksgiving, but I hope that you had a wonderful day!  And yes, I realize I'm one of the few that think running is FUN!!

Now, where's that apple cake!?!?  ;-D

He's going to be 8?

My youngest two children both have birthdays in December!   My daughter knows she is turning 6 and is super excited!

Every. Single. Time. I ask my 3 year old how old he will be on his next birthday, I get the same response.

Here's how it plays out.

Mom: Colin, how old will you be on your next birthday?

Colin (annoyed he has to answer this. Again.): 8 (with a sigh)

Mom: No.

Colin: 7 (obviously bothered and annoyed)

Mom: Noooooo. 

Colin: 4 (with a huge sigh and both language showing the signs of giving up)

Mom: YES!

2 minutes later ... repeat above.

It just cracks me up, because he sounds so sure of himself!

My baby will turn 4 in two weeks - I think we'll get him straightened out by then.  However, me?  I may need help adjusting!

Wordless Wednesday

It's not that we don't have enough furniture! ;)  Some days are just better than others!

Become the Perpetual Change!

Perpetual Change is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization that exists to inspire change. It does not take much for one to greatly affect the life of another. Together with you, Perpetual Change accomplishes this through Orphan Care, an Adoption Promise, and Advocacy of the Voiceless.

“Get people talking, Get people motivated, Get people involved”

Become the Perpetual Change!

Perpetual Change asked me to donate a bag to their etsy store - that opened TODAY!  Please visit their store and help!!

In making the bag and writing up a "sale page" for them, I decided to finally stock my own etsy store.  Momma Roar's {forget me knot} is officially stocked with 6 different, made to order, bags.


Feel free to browse! 

My little Boone! ;)

Q is taking a PA History class at co-op this semester.  He had a tough assignment to complete.  A 1-2 minute presentation on a famous PA person.

The wise boy chose Daniel Boone, whom we had studied 4 weeks prior in My Father's World.

He prepared.

He practiced.

He stressed.

And he prayed.

Yesterday, it all paid off.

I couldn't have been a more proud mommaroar!

Works for Me Wednesday!

Every November, we like to do a Thankful Tree in our house, writing out our blessings daily and thanking God for them.  (Link to last year's tree and painting our leaves)

Last year, we took the time and painted leaves.  It was a messy process and something I didn't want to do every year.  I liked our leaves and wanted to preserve them, so I took them into a local education store and had them laminated - I went on Tuesday, the day lamination is 20% off!

It took a while to cut them all out, but now we have them to use every year.  You can write on them with a dry erase marker (which can smudge off easily) or a Sharpie pen.  We used a Sharpie pen.  Last year, when we took our tree down, I resisted the urge to clean off the leaves and I'm so glad I did.

As we pulled out our leaves to start this year's tree, we took the time to read over what we had been thankful for last year.  One of my favorites: "New teeth!"

While you make think Sharpie is impossible to remove, all you need is nail polish remover and some cotton balls.  It breaks down the ink and wipes away.

Here's this year's Thankful Tree!  We recreate the tree every year, just drawing it on brown mail packaging paper from the grocery store.  And that works for us!

To see more, Works for Me Wednesday posts, visit We are THAT Family.

Perception!

Colin (almost 4): Why does Daddy call me Batman?

Me: Because Batman is on your shirt.

Colin: There's no Batman on my shirt.

Me:  What is on your shirt, Colin?

Colin: Teeth.



He's right!

Laundry Day

At least someone in the house looks forward to laundry day! ;-D

Jesse Tree Ornaments

Let me introduce you to my most current headache project.

My Jesse Tree ornaments.  I've ooh'ed and aah'ed over the ones on this site, but knew I could make my own.  I even bought the iron-on transfers, but it looked like tedious and intricate work - work that would never be completed.  So I waited.

And waited. 

For 3 years.

And then this year, I was looking at new project releases on the You Can Make This website.  And then I found it.   I was thrilled because I found a way to add color to the designs.  I was planning to stitch outlines around the designs, but giving it color is what was holding me up.  I came across stitching projects using crayons to give the design the perfect bit of color!

So I set to work and I'm more than halfway done.  I have until November 28, the first day of Advent, to complete them.  I'm really excited about them.  So I wanted to share just a sneak peek.  I'll be sure to post them when I'm done with a short tutorial.  If you like them, but don't want to make your own, I'll make sets to sell for about $500! ;-D

A Tight Squeeze

The kids and I ran an errand Tuesday morning.  We searched a bit for a parking spot, but finally settled on one that would have us pulling in towards a truck that had pulled in a little past the white line.  I felt the need to get in as tight as I could, since my vehicle is a long SUV.  As I was pulling in, I noticed the driver was still in his seat, with his door open and it appeared he was checking something on his phone.

He wasn't looking at me, until I put my vehicle into park.  He stood up on the running boards of his truck and shouted something to me. I told the kids to stay in their seats, and I rolled my window down.  He informed me, in a less than respectful way, that I had hit his truck.

I hadn't felt any impact, and knowing I had pulled into the space at such a slow speed, I didn't suspect any damage.  But the guy was fuming.

I exited my vehicle and went to look.  The black molded license plate frame was indeed touching his truck's bumper.  I apologized and told him my truck must have jerked forward as I put it into park.  He again repeated that I had hit his truck.

I felt the need to inform him, as nicely as I could muster, that if he hadn't pulled through the space, over the white line, I may have had enough room to pull my truck in so my back end would not be sticking out.  I apologized again and we both got back into our vehicles.

I didn't like the idea of getting out and walking away from the truck while he was still in his.  So I turned around and talked to the kids, trying to keep their eyes from looking at him.  We stayed in a few minutes - and he never budged.  Rather than sit in the car any longer, I told the kids we'd get out and head into the store.

As we got out, he walked around to the passenger side of my vehicle - the side where my kids were getting out.

I rushed around to their side and looked at the man, not sure what was going to happen.

He looked at me and apologized.  He said he was having a rough week and dealing with a lot of stuff.  He apologized and offered, "It was just my bumper, you're not going to hurt my bumper."

He had used vulgar language in his explanation, and quickly apologized for using it in front of my kids.  He said he has kids too.

I hurt for the man.  I offered him one last apology and wished him a good day.  We both headed into the store.

We never saw him again.

But my heart was hurting for him. And my kids had witnessed this.  So I used it as an opportunity.

Before we left the parking lot, I tucked a note under his windshield that simply said,

"We pray that you'll know God is bigger than any problems you may face." 

With my children, I said a prayer for this man and his family.



Lord, may we be quick to pray, rather than quick to ignore, recognizing God puts people in our paths for a reason.

Trick or Treat!?!

Goody bags ready?

Pumpkins?

Costumes?

Good to GO!

Afternoon trip through Amish Country

Each summer, the kids participate in the local library's reading program. One of our favorite prizes?  Free tickets for the kids to ride a coal-burning steam train through our local country-side - its beautiful!  We enjoy going each year.  This year, we saved them until fall so it would be less busy!

I only took two pictures - but my youngest makes these pictures great - so I had to share!  I love these guys!

Up to their old tricks! ;)

Its been since Spring that my youngest, 3 1/2, has taken consistent afternoon naps. 

I still send the kids to their bedrooms for some rest time and down time once or twice a week.  Our oldest usually reads, our daughter plays 'school' with her stuffed animals.  And our youngest, well, he has a train set in his room now, but he prefers to climb Mt Everest (otherwise known as the wire shelving in his closet).

He knows he isn't to climb, so on Tuesday, he hid from me.  And promptly fell asleep.

I opened the door to his room, saw an empty bed and heard snoring.

The next day, Wednesday, after a full morning at co-op and looking ahead to Bible study that evening, I decided to have them take another rest time in their rooms.  This time, it got quiet quickly in Colin's room - no climbing.  I wondered what he was up to.  And I found this.

When his Daddy got home, we asked him if we should take the bed out of his room?  He assured us no, we shouldn't.  LOL!!!

On Thursday, we used our free tickets from the library's summer reading program to take a relaxing train ride.  So relaxing, that all three kids fell asleep on the way home.

I'll let you use your imagination for that picture! ;-D

Wordless Wednesday

Destination - Unknown

Finger Jell-O

Last year, a good friend :-D hooked me onto buying, yes buying, finger jell-o at a local family grocery store.  They sell it at their deli counter and it is cheap.  Plus, they sell a variety of colors/flavors and its a nice thing to pick up at the store when running in for a few other things.  And, the kids LOVE finger jell-o.

Last week we had to make regular jell-o to create an animal cell for science.  I had a few extra boxes in the pantry so I took the extra couple of minutes to make my children finger jell-o - homemade finger jell-o!  Strawberry flavor, no less!

My efforts were questioned when my 3 year old said, "Mom!  You know how to make finger jell-o?!?"  And then rewarded, when he told me, "You make the best jell-o in this city - in this world!"

Watch out people!  Leigh Ann's famous homemade jell-o may take first prize at next year's hometown farm show!  Is there a category for jell-o?  No?  Well, let's get that changed!!

We've had some company!

Our bird feeder has been quite the hang out lately!

Jars of Clay

2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)  "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."

I have loved the group Jars of Clay since college!  They've just released another album and I'm in love with this one just as much as their others.  Here's my new favorite song!

Talk to me cause I've been talking to myself

Help me get these thoughts out of my own head

I don't believe, most days I don't believe

Mercy is true, it's hard to live with the things I do

So God bruise the heels we've dug in the ground

That we might move closer to love

Pull out the roots we've dug in so deep

Finish what You've started

Help us to believe

Keep our eyes wide open (Love is kind and love is daring everything we need to keep our eyes)

Keep our eyes wide open (Love is kind and love is daring everything we need to keep our eyes)

We can't go on, seems this conversation's done

It's so hard to win these fights and love You at the same time

So take my hand till grace makes a way to bend

Till the things I said to ruin only lead to my own end

So God bruise the heels we've dug in the ground

That we might move closer to love

Pull out the roots we've dug in so deep

Finish what You've started

Help us to believe

Keep our eyes wide open (Love is kind and love is daring everything we need to keep our eyes)

Keep our eyes wide open (Love is kind and love is daring everything we need to keep our eyes)

Keep our eyes wide open (Love is kind and love is daring everything we need to keep our eyes)

Keep our eyes wide open (Love is kind and love is daring everything we need to keep our eyes)

Draw us in, send us out

Draw us in, send us out

Draw us in, pull us out

Help us to believe

Keep our eyes wide open (Love is kind and love is daring everything we need to keep our eyes)

Keep our eyes wide open (Love is kind and love is daring everything we need to keep our eyes)

Help us to believe

Silly Nilly

We've been adding a little landscaping around our rock wall this fall.  This week, the hydrangeas were put in.  They are the "Pinkie Winkie" variety.

Aren't they just so cutsey wutsey?