Christmas Decorating

We put the tree up a little later than usual this year because I was a little nervous that we would spend all our time trying to distract Caleb from pulling the ornaments off!  We also got a cat this summer and I wasn't sure if she would also be a problem.  But actually it has gone quite well.  We didn't put the ornaments on the bottom of the tree, so Caleb is leaving it alone.  We catch the cat batting at ribbons on the presents once in a while, but it's not as bad as I thought it might be!

He doesn't sit still for more than one second these days!

Such a big helper!

He was very intrigued by the beads!

First Snow!

So this isn't the first time Caleb has seen snow, but the first time he got to play in it!  Last Sunday afternoon we took Caleb out for a few minutes while it was actually a decent temperature to see what he thought of the snow.  He was interested, but not able to walk very well because the snow was up to his knees and his snowsuit was awkward to walk in.  He sat down and brought a handful to his mouth, and then made a sour face because it was so cold!  It was fun, and we're looking forward to more playing this winter - and it looks like we're not going to be short on snow at all!!!

I have lots of catching up to do with pictures, but I'm having some trouble with blogger, so it looks like I'll be posting a couple pictures at a time.

Big shoes to fill!

My mom brought this shirt up with her yesterday - I wore it when I was little!

I haven't written in a while, and I keep putting it off because I haven't had any great pictures to post.  So we'll skip the pictures for now, but I'll get some up soon.

Last weekend Joel and I were planning on spending Saturday Christmas shopping while Caleb spent the day with Grandma and Grandpa Hogberg.  On Thursday we decided that we needed some time as a couple, so we dropped Caleb off Friday night and stayed at the Country Inn in Roseville.  The weather wasn't great for driving Friday night, but it was fun to watch the snow, listen to Christmas music, and discuss what gifts we were going to buy for family members.  We stopped at Tanger Outlet Center on our way down - I can't resist Carter's!  It's so dangerous!  Fortunately I was able to stay only with the 60-70% off racks, and I found many great things for Caleb!  It's always fun to shop for him!  We had a nice relaxing evening at the hotel (after we turned the heat on anyway - it was about 50 degrees in there when we got in our room!).  

Saturday we slept in a little - it was great to not get up with Caleb at 6 or 7 - and had a yummy breakfast.  Then it was a flurry of shopping all day long.  We stopped for a little snack at Arby's and then kept shopping.  We pretty much got everything done!  It was crazy, but a great opportunity to shop without Caleb - he gets too bored spending too much time in a cart!  Then we got to attend Christmas at Northwestern.  What a privilege to listen to the Christmas story and worship with such polished ensembles!  It was a great performance and I enjoyed the focus of the night.  We picked up Caleb afterwards and got home very late, but it was worth it.

Sunday was very busy as well.  After church we had potluck and then our annual Ukraine auction to raise money for food and heat for our sister church.  It is always a fun time as the creativity of our congregation really shines.  People bring in many wood projects, baked goods, and hand-made blanket and quilts just to name a few.  I will have to post later a picture of a fun little chair we bought for Caleb.  Oh, and Joel was the auctioneer!  He did a great job and everyone had lots of fun!  Then we went home for a couple hours, had a quick supper, and went right back to church for our Fireproof Bible Study.  The weekend was full of very fun things, but we were exhausted at the end!  

So there's a window into our lives.  I'll be sure to post some pictures soon.  We're looking forward to just one more week before Christmas break begins!!!

Funny Photo Tag

I was tagged by Amy at We Owe How Much? for the Funny Photo Tag.  So I'm supposed to go to my pictures, open up the sixth folder, and post the sixth picture.  Here it is:

So this is a great picture to remind me to be thankful!  I'm so thankful Caleb's delivery went smoothly and that he was healthy.  We are so blessed to care for him and watch him develop.  He is growing so quickly and is such a joy each day!  On these precious days that I get to spend at home I put off putting him down for a nap because he's just so much fun!  

So now I tag Shar at handful.of.rain, Ella at ruminations, Amber at Only Alive with You, and Becky at Children are a gift of the Lord.

Here are the instructions:

1.  Go to your sixth picture folder and find the sixth picture.

2.  Pray you remember the details!

3.  Post it on your blog.

4.  Tag four others and leave a comment on their blog to let them know they've been tagged.

Thursday we spent time in Milaca with my dad's extended family and then went to Joel's parent's house in the evening.  It was great to spend time with family and watch them enjoy Caleb.  He's so social!  Caleb enjoyed trying all the yummy thanksgiving meal foods.  He's really starting to enjoy lots of "grown-up" food.

Another reason for me to be thankful today is because there was a large and dangerous fire here in Isle yesterday.  I'm so thankful that the fire didn't spread to other buildings or homes.  And I'm especially thankful that no one was hurt during it.  The fire was just four blocks from our house, and one block from the apartment building we lived in before we bought our house.  You might have seen the story on the news yesterday or today, but if not and if you're interested in reading more, click here.

I have been clinging to Psalm 62-63 this week.  Here is a sampling:

God--you're my God!  I can't get enough of you!

I've worked up such hunger and thirst for God, 

traveling across dry and weary deserts.

So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, 

drinking in your strength and glory.

In your generous love I am really living at last!

My lips brim praises like fountains.

I bless you every time I take a breath;

My arms wave like banners of praise to you.

Psalm 63:1-4 (The Message)

I also enjoyed this passage from the Message translation:

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides.  You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors.  So don't try to get out of anything prematurely.  Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father.  He loves to help.  You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it.  Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought.

James 1:1-8 (The Message)

Wow.  How true it is that my faith-life has been forced into the open, and I am not so proud of its true colors.  But times like these are necessary to grow.  I pray that I will not only be changed and mature in my faith walk, but also not have to backslide so much next time before a major growing period again!  Lord, help me to not "try to get out of anything prematurely" so that you can do your work in my life.  I want my faith to be well-developed!  I love the line, "If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father."  How often it is that I don't know what I'm doing!  How blessed we are to have a Father who brings us hope, joy, and peace!

I haven't gotten a chance to blog in a while, so here's an update:

Last week I coordinated a Family Fun Night at school.  It was very fun to plan and get the kids all revved up for it.  Our school has never done anything like this before, but over 50 kids showed up with their parents!  It was fun to see them in a purely fun setting with their families. I also enjoyed giving out many free books!  I felt like Santa!  I'm hoping to continue this as a yearly event and build relationships with the families involved in Title I.

Last weekend we headed up to Newfolden to celebrate Thanksgiving with Joel's extended family before his grandpa heads to Texas for the winter.  It was the first time in many years that all of Joel's cousins could be together.  It was a packed-full house, but what a special time for the whole family to be together!  There are now five great-grandchildren in the family, so it was great to see those young ones interact!  Caleb especially liked playing with little Riah (almost exactly one year older than him).  At one point Riah gave Caleb a kiss on the cheek to make his owie feel better, and then Caleb turned and chased her down to try to kiss her back! It was so cute, but I think he scared her off!  Children are such a blessing and a joy!  Here are a few pictures from the weekend:

The immediate family.  I wish I had a copy of the picture of all of us together - over 30 - but only one camera was used to capture that.  I'm sure we'll get a copy eventually.

Uncle Miles, Aunt Judy, Cousins Jenny & Luke with their little baby Cadence, Joe & Liz with Riah, and Jordan.

Cute little Riah!  

Kisses for Mommy!

Making fish faces with Uncle Josh!

The little ones crowding around the fun toy together!

Joel with baby Cadence.

Caleb is sure cruising fast these days.  As of this week he has eight teeth.  I'm a little nervous for the molars that should come in next.  We're still trying to get him used to more "real" food so that he can eat more of what we're eating for meals.

We're enjoying a nice quiet weekend at home.  Hope you enjoy yours too!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween was a pretty fun day at school.  Caleb got to wear his costume a few times this week.  Wednesday night at Awana was "Trunk or Treat", so Caleb joined in with the kids a little.  Yesterday my mom dressed Caleb up and brought him into school in the afternoon for a visit - it was fun to show him off a little!  Last night we enjoyed staying home for once and relaxing as we welcomed trick-or-treaters.  Caleb wore his little black sheep outfit again to answer the door a few times.  He enjoyed seeing all the kids and thought it'd be a good idea for him to get some candy too.  Yeah, I think we'll wait till next year on that one!  I tried to take him out to greet the neighbors in his costume, but none of them answered the door!  I was sad to find our house the only one lit on the whole block.  Anyway, here are some fun pictures.  Enjoy!

We tried having a photo shoot a few days before Halloween, but he wasn't too amused.

Presenting...Ba Ba Black Sheep!

Notice the tail and paws!

Priceless!

This is his new favorite face - he makes it while he breathes loudly through his nose!  

Too funny!