dillan & petska family christmas

waiting

i've been waiting for this package since november. i pre-ordered a new bible from amazon.com.

the message/niv parallel study bible.

i've used the message/niv parallel for a couple of years now & really like it. i love being able to compare the different translations side by side. i also like reading the message version of verses i've become so familiar with that i sometimes skip right through it without thinking about what it says.

i'm also anxious to see what the "study" part of it includes.

yeah, that's right, i'm anxious to read my new bible. that's one thing God's done for me this last year especially. given me a desire to read his word. how cool is that?

Sweet 7

Happy Birthday to Kamrie!
7 years old today...
We love you sweetie.

great break

where has time gone since my last post? i really don't know!

i have tons of Christmas pictures to post but need to get them downloaded...

we've had a fun break, spending long weekends with both sides of our families. we've been sledding, shooting trap, playing games, seeing friends, sleeping in, eating goodies, shopping and so much more.

on the way home from seeing a few minden friends the kids were absolutely excited. cooper said (about angie who'd had baby jonathan dec 2) "i'm glad angie pushed baby jonathan out."

smart kid. wonder where he's learning this stuff from?

can you say "older brothers?"

Praise

Chloe & I celebrated on Friday with Applebee's & a Sonic Slush. Her other tube (in her ear) fell out & the hole in my ear is closed completely! Dr. Fitzpatrick won't see Chloe again for 6 months, by then the hole should be closed. We are so thankful for Dr. Fitzpatrick's care. He is a Christian & isn't afraid to talk to his patients about his faith. It is especially comforting to know he's not relying on his own strength or wisdom when sending your 3 year old in for surgery or even myself having my eardrum repaired.

Scars...

Cooper will have a few scars on his forehead. After his stitches had a week to heal he hit his head again on something (we're not exactly sure what) & ended up with 2 more wounds. He looked pretty tough for a week or so. He's a tough guy, that's for sure.

Hunter's 11th Birthday

The kids were so excited to give Hunter birthday presents. For several years now, they will wrap up things from around the house to give people for Christmas or their birthday. They spend hours planning what they'll choose to wrap up as a surprise for that special someone. You can tell they are growing up because the gifts are starting to be jokes--like the monkey dressed up in girly baby clothes that Kamrie wrapped up for Hunter. Some of them are really cute because they'll wrap up some of their favorite things to give away. It shows just how much they love the other person--they are willing to give away their favorite toy.

Preschool Program

Chloe was a beautiful "Mary" for her preschool program & Cooper got to accompany her on her trip to Bethlehem as the "Donkey." They both did great, remembered their lines superbly. Cooper also got to stand & sing with Chloe's class. It was fun to watch them both.

Chloe's Haircut

Chloe got a super-cute haircut last week. The girls' hair is so much easier now that they both have shorter cuts.

i like you.

cooper was banging on our door wanting daddy a couple of nights ago (long after he was supposed to be in bed). he said, "i want you daddy, cuz i like you."

aaah. who wouldn't open the door for that?

Kids Christmas Song

Here's what our kids will be singing at church on Sunday. It's a beautiful Veggie Tales song from a child's perspective, thinking about Jesus as a boy.

Basketball Preacher

We celebrated at church today. We exceeded our goal of raising $400,000 for our building project, so Pastor Todd (super-wrestler) got to preach in a basketball uniform. He was a great sport, we all had fun. We're thankful for God bringing the money in for the new building.

p.s. thanks to jared, the "reporter" for putting together the video.

bond/newquist thanksgiving fun

b&t

advent candles

what could be better to celebrate advent than extra large styrofoam candles the kids can light? here's what we'll be doing in children's church this month!

p.s. yes, the flames come off, we'll light one at a time each week adding one more. they are about 3 ft tall or so...

Brad's Trophy

i help at a mother's bible study on monday mornings. these are some of the kids. brad stopped for a few pictures before he checked in his deer. they all thought it was so cool! some of them touched his antlers.

muffin making

i got to help in parker's class last week. we made cornbread muffins & homemade butter. it was a great time. there were several other mom's that helped & parker took lots of pictures while us mom's were waiting in the home ec room waiting for the muffins to bake. he has a great group of kids in his class & a wonderful teacher. thanks mrs. dickey!