Cookie Baking Night 12/18/2017

Tonight was Cookie Baking Night and our annual Niece and Nephew Christmas party. 

We started by making our own french pizzas for supper.

We decorated a Christmas bag to take home our goodies

Next, as is our tradition, we decorated a gingerbread house cookie

Enzo & Uncle Greg

Rylar

Allison

Uncle Greg

Ethan

Aunt Katrina 

Carissa

We played the dice game for small prizes

We read about the reason we celebrate Christmas to begin with (from the Bible). We learned how Jesus humbled himself and became a man. He started His life on earth as we all did, as a baby. When we sing classic Christmas Carols like "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" we're singing about the great Savior of the world who came to this earth to die for us, forgive us of our sins, and reconcile us to God. Oh, what a story! Oh, what a Savior!

And on that note of the Good News, we say: Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night. 

Cookie Baking Night 12/4/17

Tonight was Cookie Baking Night. In attendance this evening: Carissa, Allison, Rylar, and Enzo.
Tonight was Rylar's birthday choice (he turned 6 years old yesterday).
For supper he chose: pizza, peaches, strawberries, and oranges
For his cookie he chose: chocolate chip cookies

Ho-hum. Another day. Another cup of flour to measure. 

We had a slightly traumatic egg cracking experience (no egg in the bowl, egg on the pants, egg on the floor, tears were present). Egg cracking is like horse falling off, I suppose. You have to get right back in there and do it again or you'll forever be afraid. With some coaxing, Rylar cracked four more eggs and was a pro by the end. 

Welcom home, Uncle Greg! We missed you so!

For our Bible time tonight we read lesson 6 from Leading Little Ones to God titled "God Sent His Son". This launched us into a lively conversation on why we celebrate Christmas and what it means. We also read John 14:8-10 from the Bible. 

Rylar got to choose the games we played tonight since it was his birthday choice. He chose "Sequence for Kids", a classic, and we played several rousing games of it. 

Happy Birthday Rylar! We love you so!

As usual, a fun time was had by all. 

Caregiving-You Start, I'll Chime In (Prayer) 12/03/2017

My mom has always been a prayer partner in every sense of the word. When you pray with her, you do not pray alone. She interrupts and adds to prayers. She confirms and pleads. She boisterously praises and joyfully claps her hands. She sings and recites Scripture. All this happens alongside, in the middle of, and on top of my prayers.

We have this conversation a lot. "Do you want me to start or do you want to start the prayer?" 

"You start. I'll chime in," she says.  And chime in, she does. 

I suppose this would annoy other people. I've learned to find a rhythm and keep going in the midst of the interruptions. It bothered me at one time, but it doesn't bother me any longer. I'm used to it, and now I enjoy it. I know the day will come when I will miss the "chiming in".