Christmas Card Photos!

On Sunday we had some family photos taken in hopes of getting our Christmas card out sometime in the near future. It was pretty cold outside and Mya was completely uncooperative. She gets a little freaked out in new places...Here's to family photos!

The Great Christmas Tree Hunt!

On Saturday we went to Reinhart's Christmas Tree Farm. We tackled the Christmas tree search with the Schacher's and also with Grammy. We decided that if we didn't take Grammy we would risk losing one of the kiddos in the sea of trees. The kiddos had so much fun and we found a beautiful tree. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

PS: So sad but for some reason I can't move the photos around AT ALL...occasionally this happens to me, so you will have to use your imaginations about the order (shouldn't be too tough).

Marathon Friday...

Friday felt a lot like a marathon. My mom picked me up at 4:30 for our annual after Thanksgiving shopping trip. We didn't need much, just a few odds and ends. It is just tradition for us to shop early the day after Thanksgiving as sort of a 'kick-off' for Christmas. We got home about 3:00 in the afternoon and I began taking all the fall decorations down, packing them to the basement and clearing out the regular decor to prepare for the Christmas decorating that would take place. It is always a big job that I need my sweet hubby's help with. He was kind enough to pack all the Christmas totes up to the garage so I could begin decorating. For the remainder of the night we decorated the house. Yes, the Christmas season is in full swing at the Bennett home!

Thanksgiving

I give thanks for wonderful friends and family as well as a savior who is amazingly faithful. That being said, we had a pretty uneventful day. We had dinner at Ryan's parents house with plenty of family and friends. Probably the most interesting part of the day was our dinner guest, Tim Taylor from 104.1 The Fish (The family safe morning show, yadi, yadi, yadi). Naturally my personable hubby kept the questions rolling and it was fun to have a radio voice at the table.

Apart from that it was business as usual. The table was beautiful, the kiddos were darling, conversation was good, and the day was wonderful. Happy Thanksgiving!

the kiddos were darling...

Cousin Eric and our dinner guest Tim Taylor...the table was beautiful...I took some glow bracelets, bouncy balls and other random treats to Nana and Papa's house to distract the kiddos. Later that night, Logan decided to go to bed with the glow sticks (ALL of them). He was excited about his new night lights. He was less excited the next day when he realized his 'night lights' weren't going to stay lit for long. Oh the disappointments in the life of a 3-year-old.

Blessings and Happy Thanksgiving!

Mya's First Nightgown!

I'm not sure why it took me this long, but I finally got Mya her first nightgown. I tried desperately to get a photo of her sweet, little girl but she refused as she couldn't figure out why I was bothering her by chasing her around with my camera. Mason on the other hand couldn't figure out why I wasn't chasing him around with the camera (our little ham). Finally I put Mya on a stool to get a picture but I couldn't keep Mason away. They sort of come as a pair! Hooray for little girl jammies!

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walki in the Truth!

I love the things that Logan notices about the Lord and His working. Yesterday we drove by a cross and Logan said, "Mom, that's like the one Jesus died on." So we talked a little bit about it and continued on. Just a nice teachable moment to reflect on what Jesus did for us.

Whenever someone is singing a song Logan pauses and says, "Are we singing to Jesus?" (That's what we do around this joint, and since he doesn't always appreciate my singing I have to remind him that Jesus doesn't assess our vocal quality but just our heart.) Hallelujah for that!

Last week he was telling me about Jesus feeding the 5,000. He didn't remember a ton about the story but he looked at me with awe and amazement as he said, "Jesus fed all those people with just a little boy's lunch." I love hearing his insight about the Lord, His power, and His word.

We do Logan's Bible Study at night and he is really committed to it. The other night he fell asleep in the living room so I quietly carried him to his room and slid him into bed. With one eye cracked he whispered, "Mom, don't forget my Bible Study. Despite his grogginess and exhaustion he didn't want to miss an evening learning about God and His Word.

Not too long ago when Logan had a friend over I heard Logan repeat something he often hears. They were having a three-year-old conversation about sharing and Logan told him,"Everything in this house belongs to the Lord and we share it all."

Talk about warming the heart of a mother. We pray for our kiddos. For their character, spirit, joy and an open heart to things of the Lord. I rejoice when Logan notices the little things in life and relates them to Jesus. That means Jesus is on his mind and that brings me inner joy while also reminding me that what I do as a mommy is important. The lessons of character I teach my kiddos will make a difference and the prayers of intercession I offer to the Lord will have a positive impact on their lives.

Our baby's growing up...

Today I snapped this photo. When I was reviewing pictures later my jaw dropped open. My little baby Logan looks like a big boy! He says the funniest things now. He reminds me to do things, he tells jokes and acts like a kid rather than a baby. My how time goes fast!

Portland Children's Museum

On Saturday Ryan and I took the kiddos to the Portland Children's Museum. The kiddos had tons of fun and got some wiggles out! It was so nice that Ryan could come with us (his first time to the museum) because he seems to have so much more enthusiasm than I these days! I get kind of tired of the same old things we do day after day, so Ryan offers a breath of fresh air. While we had a great time, I realized some things that really bug me:

1. People that don't use soap when they wash their hands (especially after the bathroom or diaper changes)-- GROSS!

2. Parents that don't use the word OBEY and expect their children to do it! It seems that a good chunk of America thinks this will damage a child's psyche. We saw several kiddos being outright rude or disrespectful to their parents and receiving little to no correction.

3. Mean kids (I don't know if it is the kiddo or the parent who is paying no attention that bugs me more).

We really did have a great time! We love it there. I didn't mean my little list to be negative, but rather sort of humorous as I state the obvious. Blessings!

Mason in the Clifford exhibit

Logan, Mason and Mya on the play stage with the drums

Mya sort of gets that 'deer in the headlights' look when there is a lot of new stuff going on. She just sort of takes it all in.

Logan got so wet at the 'water play area'

Hello down there!

Mason's New Trick!

Mason has a new trick! He loves to get out of his crib. I put him back, he escapes, Ryan puts him back, he escapes, I put him back, he escapes...you get the idea. His new trick has made for some long nights and even longer 'to bed' time. We typically follow the same ritual that works like a charm (as far as quickly and quietly getting everyone to bed). Now that Mason is able to get out of bed, he feels completely stifled to be forced to stay there. It has been one big BATTLE! The natural reaction would be to convert his crib to a toddler bed, but we're just not ready to do that. Mason and Mya share a room and they are a little peanut gallery together. They are the best of friends and I have a feeling that it would be hard to keep them apart during the night if they were both in a toddler bed. Sort of a slumber party so to speak! All that to say I am committed to teaching Mason to obey and stay in his crib. The last few days have been getting better and better....we are on the home stretch! It is pretty funny watching him escape though! He has gotten a couple bruises out of the escapades...

Dead Camera Battery!

Yesterday was Logan and my 'date day' after Bible Study (BSF in Salem). We typically go to lunch and do something fun together (and more often than not Shauna and Ella come too). I was so excited to take pictures of Logan & Ella eating lunch, playing at NW Kids Club and eating ice cream at the mall. Naturally I realized that my camera battery was dead so you all are going to have to use your imaginations in regards to our SUPER-FUN day! Bummer....

Achey, Breaky Body!

So I sound like a bad country song, but I am so stinkin' sore. I wish I could say that I am stiff and tight from massive physical exertion (leading to massive calorie burning, of course) but that would be a big, fat FIB! I have been scrapbooking for two FULL days. Yesterday I scrapped from 9-9 at an scrapbooking event and today I finished up at home from this morning until right now. I was determined to get my holiday gift projects done this weekend.... by done I mean, completed, uploaded, ordered, etc. The whole shibang! I always wait until the last minute and one of two things happens. 1.) I just skip the sentimental, meaningful projects and figure I'll do better the following Christmas or 2.) I pay astronomical shipping costs to get something I've known I needed before Christmas all stinkin' year! So all that said, I have been sitting on my duff for two days working tirelessly! I am thrilled...really thrilled but have one aching body! This year I will be done shopping and creating well before the Christmas season begins so that I can bake cookies, enjoy the the sights and smells, do crafts with my kiddos, focus on the Lord, not be grumpy, and not have to hit the malls at rush hour! Praise the Lord, and bring on the Christmas season!

Cure for the Boring Breakfast Blues!

We pretty much rotate through pancakes, waffles, french toast, and eggs for breakfast around this joint, but for some reason 'egg-in-the-hole' is hands-down the favorite. These pictures are of 'egg-in-the-star' and sometimes we make 'egg-in-the-guy', egg-in-the-flower or 'egg-in-the-heart'. I just lightly butter both sides of the bread, cut out a shape with a cookie cutter, and put it in the frying pan. I quickly add an egg, fry on both sides and voila....Egg-in-the-STAR!

Those EYES!

Maybe I'm a little biased (go figure), but I sware my kiddos' eyes could light up a dark room! While they were eating lunch I was snapping photos and this is what I came up with....

Mya to Portland!

Yesterday Mya had another appointment in Portland to assess her development. I always face these appointments with apprehension and uneasiness. I know in my heart that she is doing fine, but I long for 'medical approval' that she is right on track. I decided to take Mason to the appointment also because he is so good at drawing her out of the shell she retreats to during these appoinments. She gets quiet and unresponsive because she is bashful in new environments. Fortunately Mason did just that. The kids played, giggled, ran and 'talked'. The doctors were pleasently surprised by what they saw. She received passing scores for most of the assessment and they don't want to see her again for 9 months. They were astounded at her progress and were thrilled with her development.

In our study of John (Bible Study Fellowship) we just finished up chapter 5. In the chapter a nobleman has a son who is ill to the point of death. The nobleman leaves his son to go seek out Jesus in hopes that Jesus would agree to come heal his son. At first glance this was a story I had heard many times, and truthfully I didn't think much of it. But what struck me this time around was the fact that this man was willing to LEAVE the side of his very ill son in an act of intercession of sorts. What if the official's son had died while he was away? What if Jesus hadn't offered healing to the boy? He could have potentially missed the last days and hours of his son's life. The official had faith that if he left his son and sought out Jesus, his son would be healed. I felt convicted to leave the health of my kiddos to Jesus (especially our little princess, Mya). Of course I believe that Jesus does offer healing and restoration through medical intervention, but there is a peace that comes from the reminder that we are called to leave our children in the hand of the Father, and even bring them there regularly through intercessory prayer. He is the Great Physician and the Healer! Despite my fleshly desire to have all things under my own control, Mya is first and foremost the Lord's child. Hallelujah for that!

All that said, Mya is doing so amazingly well. When I look back to all the scary, emotional times we have faced I feel confident that Mya's health has been restored. I'm not sure why, but I am grateful. I trust that Mya's life will bring him honor no matter her circumstance! Thank you Lord.

Disney on Ice!

I had it all planned! I got tickets to Disney on Ice for us, my mom and all three of the kiddos. I couldn't decide if Mason and Mya were too young to enjoy the show or not so I opted to take them, but also take my mom as an extra set of grown-up hands to help out. I couldn't wait for the kiddos to get all nestled into their seats with popcorn, soda and souvenirs. They were going to get to see Lightning McQueen and crew as well as all the other Disney characters and princesses. I just knew they were going to LOVE it, be so well-behaved and make magical memories of family and fun. We were going to take lots of pictures and have glorious scrapbook pages of our adventure. Clearly I had NO IDEA what the day would truly be like. Basically it went like this. First, Mason and Mya didn't want to be there. They squirmed, screamed and were extrememely disgruntled. Second, Logan wanted to go home. He loved seeing Lightning McQueen, Tow Mater, Sally and the rest of the cars but they were only on the ice for 10-15 minutes. Once the Cars were gone he kept yelling that he didn't like the show and wanted to leave. No one around us could enjoy the show because of our kicking, yelling crew. So at intermission we left, got on the wrong Max, got lost but finally got back to our car! Grrrrr.... What a waste of time and money. Every fiber of my being wanted to create a darling scrapbook page depicting a wonderful afternoon of family fun, but I couldn't remain in denial. The whole afternoon stunk, we wasted a lot of money on a show that our kiddos didn't enjoy at all, we lost several binkies and we didn't really get any great pictures. Oh well, we tried and we will probably try again next year. The show really was amazing (at least what I saw of it)! Hooray for Disney on Ice!

The Max ride to the show...we didn't pay attention to how we got there because we didn't anticipate the solo ride home! Downing a LARGE popcorn before the show even started!

The CARS characters...if only they had stayed out the whole show!

The skaters really were amazing!

A Quick Look at Fall...

Halloween was just another day in the land of Sickyville! The kiddos were battling colds/flu symptoms for several weeks. It was such a bummer, but nonetheless the kids got dressed up and went over to Nana and Papa's for pizza with the cousins. Logan had the energy to trick-or-treat about two houses before he asked to go home and go to bed...Poor guy! All in all I was just happy to get some cute costume pics of the kiddos!

We took the kiddos to EZ Orchards Pumpkin patch this year. They loved it and the weather was awesome to boot! Thank you Lord for crisp fall days!