So, Christmas is over for us. Here is a run down of our Christmas extravaganza:

Saturday, December 20th: To my sister Kristin's and her husband Joey's condo for the Carfrey Christmas. We had brunch, opened presents, and played the Wii. Joey and Kristin gave the boys a Jeep game, as well as a steering wheel. Lindsey and I played a competitive game of tennis. I was thoroughly excited about my Multiple Blessings book by Kate Gosselin, who is on my favorite show, Jon and Kate Plus Eight! Afterwards, to my grandma Carfrey's in Grove City. Here we had a ham and other yummies. We did our traditional ornament exchange, as we are all grown up now and don't buy for each other anymore. My cousins Erin and Patrick and my Aunt Deb were there as well as my parents and sisters.

Sunday-day off

Monday, December 22: I headed out for a ladies night at my Aunt Nancy's house. Here we get together with all the cousins and thier wives for a game of dice, some food, and a gift exchange. Great fun, love seeing cousins (or my mom's cousins) that I don't see very often.

Tuesday-day off

Wednesday, December 24th: We set out around noon for Derrick's grandparents' house. His parents and siblings were there, as well. Yummy German lunch, rouladden (I think that's what it is. It is beef rolled up around a pickle), gravy, potatoes, etc. We opened presents, the boys added to their legoes collection. We played euchre and spent good time together. We all headed to church at Living Truth for the Carols and Scripture service. Got home, sprinkled reindeer food in the lawn, set out cookies for Santa, and went to bed.

Thursday, December 25th: Merry Christmas! Matthew was up at 6:30, and we did the best we could to hold him off until Lucas made an appearance about 45 mins. later. Derrick had cinnamon rolls going, and was happy to begin his 12 Days of Christmas poems he wrote for my gifts. No traditional opening for me this year. It was a short poem and clue to lead me to the next gift. He had quite the time with this....I got a digital camera, a computer, a journey necklace, a Wii fit, a Wii dance mat, and some clothes and things. The boys were all about their Jedi Math game for their Leapsters, Super Smash Brothers for the Wii, and not so into the clothes. Every time they opened clothes, they said, "But I didn't ask for clothes." Oh well. Then, around noon it was off to my grandma Mae's for the rest of the day. Yummy lunch of coke ham, pork roast, noodles, etc. This year while the little ones played with new toys, we grown ups had a horse race. We all brought toy horses, my mom and aunts laid out a race track, and by the rolls of dice we moved along. I came out the top winner. Yeah!

Friday, December 26th: Christmas at the Hursts. We were there from 10am-10 pm. This year, we played BINGO to open presents. When a number was called that was on your card, you retrieved it from under the tree and gave it to the person it was intended for. My mother-in-law numbers packages instead of labeling. Anyway, once you got "BINGO", or in this case it spelled "JESUS", you could open your stocking. It was quite the process, with breaks to eat, the boys to play, etc. They were particulary excited about their light up, create your own light sabers. Derrick and I were happy with clothes and other things we needed. Then, we all played some Wii games, as his parents made that their household gift this year.

And then it was all done. We were home to put things away, and started that on Saturday. We got much done, despite the sore throat I had coming on. As it turned out, I had a virus that was affecting my throat, and Derrick ended up taking me to the ER (cheaper than urgent care with our insurance), so they could put me on an antibiotic. I spend the rest of Sunday so out of it, that I didn't even notice him haul the desk and new computer upstairs and get it set up. Thank goodness for Grandma Patty and Grandpa Keith who came to take the boys to church so he could go in with me. He had taken that Sunday off, as we had planned to travel. Good thing we didn't!

So, that's that. We have been hanging around home, playing the Wii, getting fit on the Wii fit, and dreading the return of school. I hope you all had a great Christmas!

We are finally on Christmas break. Our months have been very busy with church adding another service on Sundays and a Wednesday night service as well. The boys are growing and changing every day. They are getting sassier, but also cuter. They are so excited about Christmas this year. They have been faithfully opening each door on their Advent calendars and counting down the days. They were shepherds/innkeepers in the Kindergarten Christams program this year. Lucas had to say, "Sorry, no rooms", and "The Lord has told us what has happened." Matthew got to say, "Sorry, no rooms. But wait! How about the stable? It's nothing too fancy, but at least it's a roof over your heads." It was very cute! One of their Kindergarten highlights this month was making gingerbread houses. Derrick and his dad were the lucky ones to go to the classroom and help Matthew and Lucas with their houses. I think Derrick and his dad were more into it than the boys were.

Matthew and Lucas really are enjoying school. I can't believe all the things they are learning. Lucas's handwriting is wonderful, and Matthew's has improved greatly since the beginning of the year. He is finally learning to take his time and write his letters legibly. He seems to have a knack for Math, too...must get that from his daddy!

This week is Crazy Christmas. All told, we have seven Christamses to go to, including our own here on Christmas morning. I am so thankful for this break. Being home with the boys is one of my favorite things! We return to school on the 5th, and on the 9th I am headed to Dallas for PLI. These next two weeks of break will be much needed rest.

Merry Christmas!

Kindergarten

Well, I sent my babies to Kindergarten, and they came home exhausted. They are going to Kindergarten in the morning, and then to the latchkey program at school afterwards. It's working out nicely, and they are learning things at both places. One of the good things about our latchkey program is it is theme based, they do activities and art, and they aren't just playing all day long. I love bringing my sixth graders back from lunch, because that is the time Matthew and Lucas are out on the playground for latchkey. I get lots of hugs and "Hi, Mommy" from across the playground. I think they think it's cool that I am there, too. They are learning to read sight words, and right now they can read "I", "can", and "me". Every Friday they come home with a new poem or song to recite for us, and we have made it a Friday night phone call to the grandparents. They love to hear them recite over the phone. The other night at dinner, Lucas told me I was "Being the hands of Christ" when I shared some of my tortilla chips with him. I guess they have been learning about this at school, and for them to apply it at home was awesome. Now they want to help out a lot, and they call that "being the hands of Christ."

We are starting Faithweaver Sunday School tomorrow. It is working through the Bible in three years, and it is for all age groups. So, Derrick will be leading the adults while another couple leads the children's time. We are very excited for this to happen. It will be a great addition to our church.

This weekend is pretty low key. Last night we were to the Hursts' for Daniel's birthday...he's 17, and today we are doing stuff around the house and watching the OSU/OU game on tv. Have a great weekend!

Well, when I looked at our blog, I realized I hadn't posted an update since the beginning of July. Let's just say, our days during July have been filled with church, hanging out around the house, running around, etc.

Our church has finally found its own space. We are moving into a store front here in Marysville. Derrick and many other people from church have been very diligently working A LOT to paint, cover chairs, order supplies, etc. to make it a great worship space. We are having our first worship service there on Sunday. We are very excited to have this space. We are going to have a pancake breakfast as an open house at the end of September instead of or usual Fall Festival.

A few weeks ago, the boys and I went to the Air Force Museum in Dayton with my parents. Matthew and Lucas love it there, and so do I! The planes are so cool, and they walked around, telling mom and dad all about the planes...like they were experts or something.

We have done our school shopping. I can't believe they will be in Kindergarten next week. Of course, the backpacks are Transformers-Optimus Prime, as well as the matching lunch boxes. They started latchkey last week. It is working out fine so far. Since I am at school working in my room, it's nice they can be playing with other kids. So far, so good.

School starts next Thursday. It will be a great year, and I am kind of excited, kind of anxious. Oh well. That's how it always is when school starts. I will post some pictures soon. Have a great day!

Happy July

Hi, everyone. We are finally back into a routine and having fun this summer. Monday I took Matthew and Lucas to the library to make the bug craft of the week and get some books. We made a butterfly out of a clothespin and coffee filter then picked out books. We also picked up our summer reading packet. Not sure if we are going to get 20 hours of reading by August, but we'll try. That takes a lot of kids picture books to make an hour! Then in the evening they had their Little Champions practice at Sports Ohio...this time they are learning football basics. Tuesday we stayed around home and cleaned and played. They also went to a neighbor's house for a "pool party". Fun stuff when you have about six little kids in a blow up pool! Tuesday night Derrick and I went to the Brazenhead Pub with the Hoffmans. We really enjoy their company, and plan on getting together with them more often.
Wednesday we went to the Columbus Zoo with Mrs. Mathys..aka my friend Emily. She was Matthew and Lucas's preschool teacher last year. She lives a few streets over and stops in periodically. When she stopped in on Tuesday I invited her to the zoo. The highlight of the zoo was the boys feeding the lorikeets. For a dollar, you can get a cup of nectar to feed the lorikeets.
Thursday was our family day together. We went to Dublin to see Wall-E. It was a very cute movie, and the boys were silent for the whole time! They love going to the movie theatre. After that we hit Toys R Us and they each picked out a new Jedi Starfighter to add to their collection. We finished the day off with a trip to Kohl's and to Kristin and Joey's to drop off a gift for their anniversary.
Friday we hung out around home and then my parents came over to walk down and watch fireworks with us. Another family in the same spot had sparklers. Needless to say, the boys were a little skittish about them and wouldn't hold any.
Saturday my mom came to get Matthew and Lucas while Derrick and I headed to the furniture store to pick out end tables, a coffee table, and a sofa table.
Sunday was church and then to Bob Evans for lunch with my family. When we got home, we got out the slip and slide and played around for a while. Have a great week!

Hotter Than.....

Hi, all. So, Derrick and I just got back from Phoenix on Tuesday. Let me tell you...that 84 degrees and actual humidity in the air were welcome!

We left on Tuesday, the 17th. We had to leave home around 5am. Our flight to Chicago O'Hare was uneventful. However, when we were on the plane in Chicago, they discovered it had a mechanical issue that needed to be fixed. An hour or so later, of sitting on the plane, we were off for Phoenix. When we arrived, we took the shuttle to the hotel and had lunch at the hotel restaurant. I attempted to nap, but I was too tired to sleep. The first night was a buffet dinner at the hotel room. After that, we were bused to Christ Church Lutheran in Phoenix. We had an invigorating opening worship service. The best part was the blessing. In a group as couples, we went up to the altar as if we were going to communion and they blessed us and gave the husbands a cross necklace. After the service we had an ice cream social. We were able to meet so many people there.

Wednesday we met our collegial groups and the husbands and wives were split into two different rooms. We talked a lot about our values, who has influenced our ministry choices, etc. For me, it was an eye opening, confidence building experience. After our sessions that day, we went back to the hotel to have dinner with our collegial groups. We each had our own ballroom to eat with our group and our mentors. Our group is so much fun! God was really working with putting our group together.

Thursday was more sessions at the church. Then Thursday we were on our own for dinner. We went with three other couples from our collegial group to a place called Tempe Marketplace. It is an outdoor mall. We ate at the Maria, Maria Cantina. It was a lot of fun getting to know each other and laugh. Friday ended early and we went over to the Scottsdale Mall. We walked around Old Town Scottsdale and had dinner at the Italian Grotto. Such fun places to shop and good food to eat. We had a lot of fun.

Saturday was our last day of sessions. This day we worked on a family plan and a mission and values for our family. The best part of PLI right now is the emphasis on the importance of our marriage and being there for each other...especially me supporting Derrick in his ministry. Saturday night we had a closing banquet. It was very nice. We had wine from a gentleman's private collection, which was fabulous. After this was hospitality hour and then off to bed.

Sunday we had worship and then Derrick and I rented a car and drove out of town. We drove to the mountains and stopped at a trailhead to look around. There were cacti everywhere, and it was VERY hot. We could just feel the heat radiating from the ground. After all, it was 112 degrees! I was afraid to see a rattlesnake, and everything around us was desert quiet. So, while I am concentrating and taking a picture, Derrick makes this slithering snake sound and slides his finger up the back of my leg. I jumped and screamed loud enough to scare away anything that may have been there!

Monday we flew home. Our flight out of Chicago was cancelled, so we had to switch airlines and about six hours later we were on our flight home.

This week the boys have been going to VBS at St. John's, so I am working in my classroom and getting some things finished. While we were in Phoenix, they stayed with Derrick's parents. They had a lot of fun at Chuck E Cheese, Kings Island, and going to the movies.

Have a great week!