God gives six-packs of thankfulness!

Ice skating, anyone? I know, I know, it's winter in New York...but everywhere we look there is ice. Todd and Bjorn worked bravely a couple of days ago and got sand spread on our dangerous driveway. All of this ice and snow makes me very eager to think warm thoughts in order to stay positive for my childrens' sake. Warm thoughts lead to thankful thoughts. I will call it a six-pack of thankfulness! (Usually a six-pack has a negative connotation but this will put six packs in a positive light.)

A six-pack of things we are thankful for this day:
1. We have a very warm and cozy home for these chilly and icy days. And when we get chilly after sledding on the ice (!), we put on sweaters, wrap up in blankets, and enjoy some hot cocoa. Thank you, Lord.
2.  We have food in abundance. Nutrient-dense, healthy food and stinky vegetables (and some hot cocoa) are keeping us all healthy so far this winter. Thanks to our Chinese family members for reminding us of our need for stinky vegetables during these winter months! Yummy garlic, onions, scallions, shallots... Thank you, Lord.
3. We have cars that run well. Our vehicles are in good working order and somehow, they keep starting in the deep deep cold. Thank you, Lord.
4. We have six amazing blessings - arrows in our quiver for His kingdom and for His glory. We are willing and able to teach them at home and watch all of those wonderful "a-ha" moments in education and learning. What a privilege! Thank you, Lord.
5. We have a buyer for our home and are moving to warmer weather and closer to family. Things are still moving along well with all of the myriad of details and packing and we are still on target to close at the end of February. Thank you, Lord.
6. We have great memories of our 20 years here in New York and many friends in many places - 3 different and precious church families, 3 neighborhoods, 5 years in a homeschool coop, 6 years of choir. God has blessed us richly and we are looking forward to continuing relationships here and developing new ones at our new home. Thank you, Lord!

Mom and Dad's 20th Anniversary

Mom and Dad celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary on December 30, 2014. Lars and I got up at 5 am and started making a surprise breakfast for Mom and Dad/ the family. It all worked out and we didn't burn the house down! Breakfast that morning was pancakes with warm blueberry syrup and/or maple syrup and butter, scrambled eggs, sausage and coffee. We played a recording of their wedding tape during breakfast. So special!
We are so thankful for Mom and Dad and their example to us kids for our marriages in the future. We pray for 20 more years!

20 years and the spark is still alive!

ready to dig in!

God gives music and rubber duckies (?)

While I gave Matthias a bath the other night, he played with a rubber duckie - a gift for our family at a recent "white elephant" Christmas gift exchange. (thanks, Andrea!)

For those who have not bathed a 9 month old recently, you need to understand the mechanics of dealing with a wildly happy baby in a bathtub...Matthias screeches, reaches, slips, slides, splashes, pulls, spits and pries. He is nearly impossible to keep in one place. Gone are the days of relaxed, sweet bathtimes...of momma and baby talking and cooing to one another with gentle water and soap all through the tub, classical music in the background, older children all around ready to deliver soap, towel, new diaper, freshly washed baby pajamas.

Nope. Now it's a marathon. How quickly can baby get clean? How can I possibly keep his pudgy hands away from the jade plant that is perched on the seat of the tub in our bathroom? How can momma anticipate his next move while trying to keep the temperature of the water not too hot, not too cold?

So in my feeble attempt to distract him these days while getting him clean, I discovered the magic of the rubber duckie. He loves the silly thing! He throws it and it floats back. He sucks on it and momma does not remove it from his mouth. He can hang onto it with those precious little hands even though it is super soapy and slippery. And then, in the midst of his latest bath, music comes back to my tired brain. Granted, it was not a Bible song. It does nothing to encourage the saints, convince men of sin, or help us stay on the straight and narrow. But Matthias responded to the music and loved it. Can you remember the Bert and Ernie record that we used to play constantly? I think you got it for your birthday one year, Erik. See if you can recall the tune.

Rubber duckie, you're the one. You make bathtime lots of fun.
Rubber duckie, I'm awfully fond of you. Booboobeedoo.
Rubber duckie, you're so fine. And I'm lucky that you're mine.
Rubber duckie, I'm awfully fond of you!

So teach your children to sing - silly songs, fun songs, but also songs that do encourage the saints. Teach them songs that they will remember FOREVER. Start with Jesus Loves Me, Tell Me the Story of Jesus, Amazing Grace. Because what we sing, we will remember. Kiss a baby today and SING!

Day After Christmas Field Trip, etc.

Where we went.

Entrance...on a beautiful Friday.

The museum's gun arsenal. 

Uncle Cliff and Ryan doing crafts after walking around the museum for about an hour. 

Back at Charlie...Matthias and Ryan.

Just before cousins had to leave...great shot-almost everyone was smiling:) 

Christmas Day Fun Pictures Part 3

After Christmas Day dinner, almost everyone decided to walk over to a playground behind a school near our grandparent's house. The highlight was the spiderweb-like climbing thing that everyone had to try. 

Gong-Gong made it to the top in no time

Even Bestemor got in on the action...no building is too high, no climb is too risky...it's Superwoman!!!!!!! 

Lars is about to slide

No one got hurt or fell off:)

The sunset on Christmas Day

the legendary Norwegian krumkake for dessert.

Matthias is sleeping...again

Christmas Day Dinner 2014 Pictures Part 2

The turkey is ready! 

table is all set...

turkey on the serving platter

it all proves to be a little too much for Matthias:) 

Bestemor's making gravy! 

Mom's favorite: creamed pearl onions!

All the food was amazing! The menu included: Chinese Spring Rolls and Shanghai-style pancakes for appetizers, and dinner was turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, creamed onions, and creamed carrot and turnip.

Chinese Cooking on Christmas Day! Pictures Part 1

Ingrid reading to Ruthie

Mom opens the plate for Matthias' birth year

Spring Rolls ingredients!!!

Tante Michelle and Gong-Gong hard at work

Tante Michelle beginning the long, but tasty, process

About 50 ready to cook!

Gong-Gong mixing up Shanghai-style pancakes

Matthias enjoying the finished product:)

Pictures from Christmas Eve at Charlie Part 2

After dinner, we each opened "one" gift. Matthias was delighted to receive this adorable outfit. He even opened the package himself!

Ingrid's face describes our whole family's reaction upon opening one of our favorite games, Scattergories! Thank you Bestefar and Bestemor!

Gong-Gong opened artwork from Ingrid:)

Bestemor is truly speechless. It's huge! 

Matthias' silly eyes on the night before Christmas:)

Pictures from Christmas Eve at Charlie Part 1

The dining room table all set for dinner

Ingrid serenading us with pre-dinner music

The tree and Ruthie

I failed to get pictures of dinner (cod, potatoes, carrots, and melted butter) so lets skip right to dessert.
Here's Bestefar serving the traditional Norwegian rice pudding just before dessert. 

And of course, the Christmas cookie platter. What you see here is: oatmeal lace cookies, frosted shortbread, apricot bars, pepperkokkar, and Swedish butter cookies.

Matthias giving big hugs to Ruth-flashback to Bjorn and Ryan, anyone?!