Year in Review-December 2017 Part 3

I spent a lot of December planning the last Advent supper at church. I made supper for 75 people and served it on December 22. Several church families had family home for the holidays and it was a fun evening. We collected peanut butter and jelly for the Seminary food bank and here is some of what was collected. After supper that evening we decorated the church for Christmas and had Christmas cookies and goodies while we decorated. I served the wassail tea that our church in ID served at the Ladies tea every year and everyone loved it. I think it will be a new tradition to serve that while decorating at our church now. I love that our church waits until the end of Advent to decorate the church and it is all ready for Christmas Eve.

One day my parents babysat the boys so they could decorate Christmas cookies with my mom. Our boys had been sick with colds so the date got changed several times until everyone was healthy to do it. Ram and I ran errands while they were at my mom's. It was so nice to be able to go without them. When we got back to my mom's our Lambs monkeys were in my mom's tree in her front yard. I know it is just a few more years until we can leave them alone, but I love days like this when I get a little break, because a homeschooling mom doesn't get many breaks like this.

We ordered our own hats for our local March for Life. It was a major pain to order them,  we could not get the website to work. We finally called the Synod and they were so helpful to place our order for us. Shipping was outrageous because they expect churches to make a big order, not just order 5 hats. After all that we were really excited when they came in the mail and we had to take several selfies. I don't know if we will ever make it to the Washington D.C. March for Life, but we will proudly wear these at our local March for Life.

I really liked how this one turned out. 

Lamb 3 needs to work on his selfies a little bit.

I told you Lamb 2 loves selfies!

On December 23, the day after I served the dinner at church, Ram went to get our tree out of storage. While he did that I quickly swept and did a little cleaning to get ready for the tree. The whole family helped and we decorated the tree quickly. We chose a slightly different spot than last year and I love our tree in this house with high ceilings. I am so glad I purchased it at a church auction last year.

All of the Lambs were acolytes for the first time together on Christmas Eve. 💗💗💗
I think I am done buying Christmas outfits sweaters or dress shirts for them because they will be acolytes for the next several years.

My parents ended up coming to church with us on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day even though that was not planned, because my mom did not want to drive in the snow. It ended up being really nice to worship together. Ram assisted with the service so I was glad to have my parents to sit with me. Lamb 2 just can't help himself with selfies when he is given a camera!

Christmas Eve

I bought a skirt for $2.64 including tax at Christopher and Banks after all my coupons. I couldn't believe it really worked. Unfortunately they had very few skirts for sale in the whole store. I found a basic grey skirt in my size that I love. Another unexpected blessing for me while Ram is in school!

I don't have any photos to post here, but a few days after Christmas we went over to a friend's house to decorate gingerbread cookies. The mom was so organized and a fun time was had by all. Lamb 1 took pictures, mostly of the babies at the party, instead of decorating cookies. Lamb 2 and 3 decorated a cookie, ate the toppings, and then decorated it again. They did this with about 3 cookies each.

After the gingerbread party we went to eat lunch at Chik-Fil-A. The Lambs got a gift card as present from a church member. I thought that was a great present for preteens. Lamb 1 and 3 were happy to order whatever they wanted and still had $ left on their $10 gift card. Lamb 2 ordered everything he wanted and needed us to pay a couple more dollars. That's the way it usually goes-Lamb 1 saves his money, Lamb 2 spends whatever money he has, and Lamb 3 spends some of his money. They were glad to order what they wanted instead of being limited like we usually do when the whole family goes-(water or lemonade, no dessert).

Chik-Fil-A was really crowded-what was I thinking to go to lunch during Christmas vacation? So the Lambs wanted to get out of there as soon as possible, but I made them pose for a picture outside. 

Grandma spoils our boys so much that we don't buy them very much for Christmas, just small stocking treats for the 12 days of Christmas. I thought this Lego chemist was pretty cool so I ordered it. The company made a mistake in advertising this set, so after it arrived I got an e-mail that they would refund my money. So they ended up getting this set for free.

And that completes our 2017 Review. Happy New Year!

Year in Review-November 2017

While celebrating Reformation 500, we didn't carve pumpkins until November.  Sorry for the poor picture quality. Lamb 2 and 3 each carved a jack-o-lantern, Lamb 1 thinks he is too old to carve pumpkins.

Our church celebrated their 125th anniversary. I made cake toppers and chocolate favors. This is the dessert table with my decorations and other dessert too.

Chocolate Bible favors. Idea was here. The anniversary was really a fun day with both friends that are members and some visitors that day too.

Photo Credit: CLHS Facebook Page
Lamb 1 attended Concordia Day. He wants to be in JROTC now.

Lamb 1 won a t-shirt at Concordia Day. It was perfect for him since he wants to do cross country next year.

I met my mug swap partner. Everyone that sees the necklace she made compliments it.

Only Lutheran homeschooled boys would practice a hymn for Sunday School choir during a play date.

Everyone on Facebook was doing a black and white photo post. I didn't do 7 days of posts, but I did post a photo of our mailbox at our rental house. A delivery man complimented it a few days before I took the photo.

Our public library had an author visit, Laura Numeroff. I was at the end of the line, but she stayed past library closing time and signed everyone's books that were in line. The Lambs came and listened to her talk before signing, but Ram took them home while I waited in line to get my book signed. 

I sold more books to Hyde Brothers. This one surprised me and was worth about $100.

This is the book that got me started on buying books at the library book sale. I thought it would be valuable with the prints inside. It was worth about $25.

I read this biography of Tasha Tudor before I sold it to Hyde Brothers. It is more recent but was still worth about $20. All these books I sold were 20 cents each at the library book sale.

Lamb 1 needed a new coat. I really didn't have time to shop for one and was unsure what size to buy him or where in Fort Wayne to shop for one. A friend messaged me and asked me if we could use a coat that they found when cleaning out their closet. It was Lamb 1's size AND his favorite team is the Seahawks and it was their colors. I am just amazed at when God provides for us, not only just what we need, when we need it, but also when it is absolutely perfect for us! I couldn't have gone to the store and found a more perfect coat for him. Another example of a blessing while Ram is a student!

 

My sister came for Thanksgiving and we remembered to take a picture in our Harvest Raise t-shirts. It didn't turn out the greatest so we'll have to try again next time she visits. I was noticing how much my sister and I look alike in this picture. I have never noticed that before, we used to be so different that I wondered if we were really sisters!

I wanted to buy Lamb 2 a dressy coat for church. When I measured him he needed a men's size M! The sleeves are a little long, but the coat is not that big on him. He loves to dress up for church and was happy to get this coat. I used several coupons to buy it and I think it will fit him for a couple of years.

The pastor asked a question in Bible class about what was on our pulpit. I sit in the front row almost every Sunday and I was drawing a blank when he asked the question. Ram went upstairs and took a picture for me to jog my memory. (John 14:6)

We went to Christmas in the Park which used to be called the Christ Child Festival. The Lambs were a little old for it so we didn't stay long. I just wanted to know what they did. I had grand plans to take a family photo for Christmas, but there was too much in the background that disqualified this photo without a lot of photo editing.

Year in Review-May 2017

 May 2017

May was a huge month for photos and important events in the lives of our Lambs.

Ram's parents visited and it was the first time we saw them since we moved in August 2016. Ram's dad practiced his photography skills and took several pictures for us. My parents came over for pictures too.

Lamb 1 age 13

Lamb 2 age 11

Lamb 3 age 9

We went to the zoo one day when Ram had class. The zoo brings back lots of childhood memories for me.

Lamb 2 turned 11 during their visit. It felt like old times to open up presents and celebrate his birthday with them. Lamb 2 received a Lego volcano set. 

The entire visit, the Lambs took turns with a stomach bug. We sang to Lamb 2, cut the cake, and he got sick. We took turns staying home with the Lambs and going places with Ram's parents. I felt so bad that the Lambs were sick during their short visit, but I was glad that none of the adults got the bug. It also rained most of their visit and during their drive here and back. Between the rain and sickness it was a little depressing, but we were so glad we were able to visit with them and show them where we live now. They may never drive to visit us again after this time!

The Lambs had their first piano recital in IN in May. All of their grandparents were able to attend! 

After they performed, they went and sat in the audience for the rest of the recital. This was Lamb 3's first piano recital. He was so happy to join his brothers and perform! I loved watching my stair step boys during the rest of the recital. They did a good job listening to the rest of the students perform. 

The piano teacher had these Kit Kats as a cute snack for the reception.

On one of the days that everyone was healthy we went out to eat for ribs.  We were trying to figure out what to order and finally decided to order this huge platter and share it. There were no leftovers after the 7 of us finished eating lunch!

We went to the farmer's market on opening day for the season and a newspaper reporter was there as we were trying tea. We bought some tea and this photo was in the newspaper.

Lamb 1 was confirmed at our church at the beginning of  May. 

My sister was unable to attend, but Lamb 1's other godparents were able to attend. They also came to MN to his baptism. I never would have guessed that they would also be able to attend his confirmation. Another blessing that we moved back to the Midwest.

We hadn't seen Lamb 1's godparents for many years so we were excited to have a visit with them. Playing giant cards with godfather Latif was fun.

His godfather works at a brewery and brought Ram some special edition beer. You can't buy it in the store any more, but we were so glad to get some.

He brought root beer for the Lambs.

Godmother Ruth brought a kite and we took it to the park. She loved our park and gave me a new appreciation for our neighborhood. I took it for granted after growing up in Fort Wayne. 

Lamb 1 enjoyed playing ball with his godfather.

 

I was one of the winners of the photo pie contest so CPH sent me a shirt.  In the competition with my sister, I was the first one to get a t-shirt. She had to wait until the book was released to get her t-shirt.

I had already won the t-shirt, but the Lambs wanted to do the coloring contest. I was surprised that they wanted to do it, I didn't ask them to do it, they chose to do it. We put them on the refrigerator for months.

We attended a sheep festival at a local park/farm so I wore my Ewe hat and Ram wore his Ram shirt.

We took our rooster pictures to the farm for a visit. We had fun on the hayride.

I brought some of my bulbs from ID and planted them at my mom's house since we are renting now. I was pleased that they came up in May.

 

My sister visited for Mother's Day and it was the first time that we met my brother-in-law. They have been married for 5 years, but always lived far away from us and we were unable to go to their wedding in Hawaii. We went to a park and had fun playing basketball. They moved back to the Midwest in May so hopefully we will see them often!

They loved playing football at my mom's house. We had beautiful weather for their visit.

Even my mom played football!

We tried to take family pictures but it was sunny and they didn't turn out well. 

The selfies were hilarious even if they didn't turn out.

We helped my dad put the flowers we gave him for his birthday outside for the hummingbirds.

 

The Lambs think Uncle Eric is strong and fun!

Godmother Hannah was not able to attend Lamb 1's confirmation, but she did go to our church the Sunday that she visited so we could take pictures. Lamb 1 was an acolyte that day.

We lived in ID for 5 years and neither Ram or I were ever called for jury duty. 9 months after we moved to IN, Ram got jury duty. It was actually more complicated than I thought it would be to prove that he was no longer an ID resident, but he was successful to get out of this jury duty. It would have been too long of a commute!

Lamb 1 and 2 attended a blacksmith class. Unfortunately Lamb 1 got a minor burn and had to sit out with some ice for awhile. He was able to return and complete his project that day. The newspaper came and did a report and several weeks later they were in the newspaper and on a video at the newspaper website. They would love to do more blacksmithing, but it meets on Saturday mornings and we usually have confirmation class then. Lamb 3 was sad that he was not old enough to do blacksmithing. Maybe in a few years they can all go to the blacksmith shop more regularly.

I was amazed what they completed in just a couple of hours.  They were treated like adults and expected to be serious about their work.

On a different Sunday than Lamb 1's confirmation, Lamb 2 and 3 had their first communion. 

One of Lamb 3's godfathers was able to attend his first communion. He was not able to attend his baptism, so this is another blessing that he was able to attend this day.

We went to a Memorial Day parade. I love being back in my patriotic hometown for events like this! 

Lamb 3 got out his cars to play while we watched the Indy 500.