Christmas Time

Yes, it has been a busy month. Like many of you have probably had too. We kicked off the Christmas season by getting our tree. (There is a wonderful tree lot in Thousand Oaks where you can cut your own for a realistic price.) The kids have a ball. We enjoy watching them run among the trees. Oh, the fragrance is purely from the Lord! It doesn't feel like it should be Christmas till I smell the pine. ....ok call me weird. The challenge is always to find one that is narrow but tall. I always underestimate the true size of the tree and the space it is to be placed. Two years ago the tree was so wide we only had about 2 feet of opening to walk between it and the wall. Tom has to remind me, yearly, just how narrow the tree really needs to be. But the large trees are so beautiful! ....but they also would take up the entire living area. I did have the pleasure of purchasing two trees this year. We were able to get a 14 foot tall -5 foot wide tree for the ISP Christmas Pageant 'Christmas Dinner'. The tree was beautiful and perfectly imperfect. It was decorated with white lights, paper chains, popcorn strands, and candy canes. Very simple, but had its own beauty none the less. Yes, the ISP had a pageant. I can proudly say that Tom put together the script. It was quite cute. He even played Mr. Edwards in the Little House scene. Quite good, if I can brag. Even with the hic-ups throughout the play it was quite quaint and everyone appeared to enjoy it. The tavern that was set up for the dads was a huge hit. Their own personal space complete with shavings on the floor, dart boards, peanuts, and Henry Weinhard root beer. They fellowshiped, hid, and had a ball. This may become a tradition for ISP events. Chandler was in the group that sang 'Merry, Merry Christmas'. Harrison was in the nativity skit playing a New Zealand shepherd (complete with boogy board), and also joined with the group that sang 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen'. The culmination of the play was the discussion between a father and his family about how gift giving is an example of how Christ gave us the gift of His life to save us. A wonderful reminder of why we do all the celebrating in the first place.

The fall months have been filled with lots of activites.

Harrison & Chandler carved pumpkins. Chandler wanted hers to be 'standing on his head'...so of course we carved him upside down. We had a post haloween party where the kids had a few friends over. We played one game - mini powdered donuts hanging from string - the goal to eat it the fastest. It didn't go over really well because one kid got his braces stuck and therefore tied to the donut. Quite amusing for the parents - not so for the child. The children then spent the evening consuming large quantities of soda and candy while watching a movie. We then sent the children home.

In November we had the opportunity to make Christmas cards for the 'shut-in' (dear older saints who are no longer able to make it to church).

The 2nd weekend I coordinated another wedding for some friends. The wedding was beautiful. It is a bizare feeling helping do the wedding of someone you used to babysit. I don't feel that old. =>

Around Thanksgiving we spent 9 days in Seattle visiting family. Cold but fun. Took a fieldtrip opportunity and did the Seattle Underground tour. The adults enjoyed it - the kids, well lets just say they didn't appreciate the historical information that was given along the way. It didn't rain for most of the days we were up there. Snow fell lightly the night before we came home, but melted by the following morning. It was a relaxing trip with no goal other than visit with the family. Wonderful!

Harrison Takes a Closer Look

Well, it happened. The Roehr & Brown vision gene took effect. Harrison needed glasses for seeing distance. He had his appointment with Dr. Beeve then later that afternoon Auntie Shannon accompanied us to Lenscrafters to pick out a pair of glasses. We had fun trying on the various styles...from big ol' bug eyed



- to the Professor Trelaney look - to Harry Potter - to the College professor - to Geek. We had quite a bit of fun. The final hip n' trendy set that Harrison chose are a cool pair of DK's with protective scratch resistance. I am so glad they give kids glasses a discount of 50%.

The Final Choice

Ooh what fun!

This past weekend we had the fun of watching Jackson for the day. It was quite a hoot to watch his little mind work. He copied the kids in just about everything. If they were laying on the floor he did too. Eating a drumstick - he wanted a bone too. A big kid cup - of course he got one just with a lid on it.

Today Chandler got her cast off. She was so excited that the SAW was going to be used on her. No fear there. ...she still may not play on anything that she might fall off of, but she can work on gaining back her mobility. Her wrist is stiff. Auntie Gretchen is going to have to suggest some exercises.

Happy to Fear ??? God

The past couple of months our fellowship group has been going through a series on Ecclesiastes. It has been quite thought provoking and a wonderful reminder to me about the vanity of life without our God. The 'rabbit trail' our pastor has gone down for the past couple of weeks has been a great stimulator of discussions and personal contemplation about our fear of God leading to repentance and restoration with the Savior. Without Fear of God dealing out the consequences to those who are obstinate and disobedient we can not fall to our knees and truly honor and worship Him. Without fear each action and thought is based on embittered obligation rather than joyful submission to His perfect will.
Being reminded how much our Father wants to bless us if we obey and the curses that He will meet out if we are not His is so encouraging at this time. Friends and family are going through some major trials. Those who are saved are seeking comfort in Him and are blessed beyond measure....not with personal 'stuff' but with hearts that are at peace, with steadfast hope of His perfect timing, and are sharing their trials with us and comforting the rest of us in the Goodness of God through it all. Those that aren't redeemed are terrified, blaming God, trying to bargain with Him (as if He is a trader of goods), and asking questions of eternity.
I remember when someone in our family (who wasn't saved) was dying there were those that didn't want him to be 'scared into heaven', and yet that is just what needs to happen from a certain point of view. We need to fear the wrath of God, we need to fear the God of the Heaven so that we can then see our need for that same God to save us. I don't know if that family member truly ever got saved. It would be nice to delude ourselves into thinking he made a last minute decision, and yet he agreed with everything and yet didn't live it personally. He agreed because it was the "religious" thing to do, and yet he didn't repent. Each time the topic of salvation came up you felt more like you were receiving a pat on the head than a personal affirmation of agreement on the topic you just discussed. Personal sin was never seen within the life. Deals - yes, God as your neighbor - yes. But never the God of the Universe, Awesome and powerful. ...to see our own unworthiness before the Creator...and then repent of our sins leading to a heart devoted to God.
I am learning that mortality and frailty is a good thing. God teaches us great things through our own hurts and those around us. Learning to pray for God's goodness to be bestowed yet knowing that it may not mean healing is a hard "pill" to swallow. I watch those around us gaining strength from Him through the situations and sit in wonder at how our Great Father works!

School has been underway for the past month. Life is getting back into a routine. Yeah I know 1 month is a long time to be getting back. Sorry, but I must remind you that I am far from perfect. This year Harrison is taking writing, science, & PE through the ISP, swim thru the Y, and AWANA on Wed. nights. He loves it all. He even has the same leader in Awana as last year. Chandler is taking library, music, & PE at ISP and Awana. She was in Ballet & Swimming at the Y until the 16th....
While visiting family Chandler fell off her scooter and fractured her arm just above the wrist. We spent a glorious Sunday morning in the ER. Thankfully it wasn't on the growth plate. Her arm was splinted in a half-cast. For the next week she did her chores as if the left arm didn't exist. Quite a sight. A follow-up appointment with her dr. down here told us we needed to see an Orthopedic dr. to have it fully casted. We met the wonderful Dr. McKeever at SCOI and Chandler picked out her color of choice....you guessed it PINK. She even has signatures on it after we explained that part of the whole cast scenario is that people must write on it. It makes it a fun memory.
Back off the Rabbit Trail:
Chandler & Megan are also a part of the Keeper's club that our ISP is doing. We are with a group of K-1st grade girls who meet once a month and the girls learn different skills. The focus is on training them to be Keeper's at Home. The mindset is on serving others through practical skills and abilities. By using your gifts, you are able to serve the body of Christ and others may see your love of the Saviour.
Harrison may be joining the Contender's Club. Something similar to Keepers just with a more boy centered theme: Leadership, woodworking, archery, etc...
I am teaching Writing again this year. This time it is two classes. One for the 4-5th and the other is for 6-7th grade. It has been quite fun. A new challenge, but that is what makes it fun. Since last year's theme was Nautical, this year we decided to do Medieval. Both classes are titled The King's Court. The students move up in rank; from the lowly Cottar to the stately Baron. We even have the 'Gong Farmer' for those who receive behavior guidance forms. You can do the study into what a gong farmer is...lets just say it isn't pretty.

Family Beach & Camp Days

We spent a week in Carpenteria and another weekend in Balch Park (Sequoias). Both trips were fun. Spending time with family and friends is always a time of learning, patience, and fun. ...not in any particular order of course....but then that is the way it is anytime you spend long hours with people.

Walks to the beach, building sand castles, walks to the local eateries, a scaveger hunt, interesting servers and food = Beach trip.

Hikes on very dirty trails, fallen logs the size of your house, redwoods that were growing since the time of Christ, all those stars!, roasting marshmellows, setting up a new tent, hunting for frogs, getting filthy = Camping

Oh the Things you can do...

Summer is quickly coming to an end but there are still a few last hurrahs. We have been blessed to go swimming, hang out at the beach, pick peaches, and just hang out…most of the time doing it with friends both old and new. The kids had the opportunity to attend a first aid class taught by some of the ISP moms. It was a treat to end the class with a visit from the Fire dept. who answered questions and gave us an opportunity to see all the gear they wear to help fight fires and still stay safe.
Swim lessons have been going well. Harrison is enjoying them and improving his strokes. There is even a young friend in the class with him, so he has a buddy.

The peaches were delicious! We had lots of cobbler. Lots. They were super juicy and oh so sweet.

Movie seen

Tom & I had the chance to see the latest Harry Potter movie: The Order of the Phoenix. It is the first time in a long time I didn't sit thru the movies thinking oooh they missed this part, they should have stuck in that part, this was so important to the plot-why did they leave it out. While few movies stick completely to what the author has put to paper - I do expect the overall premise and main plots to be there. For the first time the location of the castle and Hagrid's hovel have been in the same location they were in the previous film. It was always a game of 'find the new location of Hagrids' with each film. While some things were changed to keep from introducing yet another non-essential character, the main thread woven was much the same as the book. The only part that would have been nice, although not necessary to the story, was more involvement with the twins and Umbridge.
While the H.P books are far from being considered GREAT literature on my list...I have found them wonderful for entertainment value, although I am beginning to wonder if Rowling is being paid, like Charles Dickens, by the word. Sadly, what is considered great lit by today's standards fails to come close to those from the past. I have read few current authors who have the ability to bring the reader into their world and teach invaluable life lessons in the process. I have yet to learn anything from the HP books that even gives me pause to think. Everyone is rebellious, breaking rules is fun, revenge isn't good - but it isn't bad in small doses either, and if authority doesn't give you a reason it is ok to do your own thing. While it is an amusing story for an adult to read, since we should have the ability to discern; the story line has been discussed whenever Harrison reads them about the folly of each character.

Summer Fun

Life is flying by for us. Summer has quickly filled with fun things that keep us movin and a shakin. Harrison was in a basketball camp for 2 weeks up at M's College. It was an intense 6 hours of daily practice Monday-Thursday. The coaches had them doing drills that I was amazed the kids were able to do. Granted I sat and watched on Thursday so Monday probably looked nothing like it. His skills improved by leaps & bounds...and he had fun in the process. The neat thing was that the coaches led the group of 60+ kids in devotions every morning and stressed how unimportant basketball was compared to living a life devoted Christ. It was wonderful to watch how kids who showed kindness towards others and perseverance were given notice (They were given an otter pop at the end of the day). Harrison was even recognized one day after the coach noticed that even after getting hit in the face with the ball, he continued to try hard. This was exciting news since we have been working on this. Now Harrison is up at the Jr's Summer camp till Tuesday. Chandler has been my little shadow throughout the last two weeks. She got very excited when Harrison would come home every evening. She did comment how much the car smelled like sweat after picking up Harrison and his friends. She is such a girly-girl. Chandler is having friends over today to swim. She is very excited and has great plans for all that they will do.