New Every Morning: 2013

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Welcome, Elijah James!!

"I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth."

We welcome Elijah James, born Thursday evening at 6:22pm, weighing 9 lbs. 13 ounces and 22 inches long. Not our biggest boy, but a close runner up!

Our favorite nurse...

Daddy's turn to hold his little boy...

Selah was Elijah's first visitor, and she couldn't stop grinning...

Nurse Grandma introducing Elijah to Judah, Isaiah & Hannah...

Biggest brother Judah fell quite madly in love with his little brother...

Hannah's turn...

Finally Isaiah's turn...

Next day... our three boys...

Elijah gave a gift to each sibling...

Marshmallow shooters!

Hannah and her new dolly...

Daddy & Elijah taking a nap together...

Three generations...

These three wanted to visit and hold Elijah lots and lots of times. Selah was gone at a friend's house, but was anxious to come home again to hold Elijah...

Daddy & his boys...

Getting ready to go home...

One last nap in his hospital bassinet...

Waiting to go home...

1 very supportive and blessed Daddy, and 1 thankful but tired Mommy, with 1 new little guy to add to a noisy and active family...

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Advent: the Coming of Christ into the World

Advent. Today we celebrated Christ's coming. He came to earth, taking on our flesh, with the purpose to suffer and die for His people's sins. But that's only part of the meaning of Advent. We also anticipate His coming again. He is the Coming One. Has He come into your life? Are you ready?

Today was a fairly quiet day. We are also waiting for a little one to appear. Not the Lord of glory Who came 2000 years ago, but still a little human life, just as Mary waited in Bethlehem. Another covenant child for our family.

We are ready. Bassinet assembled, clothes washed, diapers waiting.

But we wait for God’s time, God’s will.

Grandpa was our guest of honor today. Here the kids helped him make egg salad...

Last minute I planned a special activity for the kids... graham cracker houses...

It was a great success!

Hannah's bowl of candy, minus the ones she already consumed...

So cute to watch her intensity of planning and design...

Judah, ready to apply more icing...

Selah's design...

LOVE this picture! Duane is desperately trying to salvage his icing plans while Hannah just as intently places her chosen candy...

Concentration!

Grandpa giving Judah some tips...

Finished candy palaces!

Now, how long do you think it'll take before Mommy throws all that sugar in the garbage?!

After dinner & carols they played a couple rounds of Uno Attack...

And now? We wait. Any guesses as to our names? We do not know the gender, but we're guessing a boy. Our chosen names will fit well within the family. We're open to suggestions...

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Taking Advantage of the Snow...

I've learned that when it snows in our state you need to take advantage of it before it's gone. So I've sent the kids outside multiple times, warning them that the snow wouldn't last long, "so enjoy it now!"

But it did! I think it was close to 2 whole weeks of snow before it all melted. So here are a few pictures captured when I braved the cold to snap some pictures...

The girls riding down our 'mountain' together...

The boys with their snowballs soon bigger than they...

And what do you think their favorite activity in the snow is?
Eating it! Crazy kids...

School snow days or delays? Nope, not this family. But there's always an afternoon waiting for romping in a winter wonderland.

Sinterklass Celebration

This year for the holidays we attempted the Dutch tradition of 'Sinterklaas' in early December.

Here are three ladies, enjoying one another's company...