11-30-10 Routine Tuesday

After a busy weekend and an unscheduled trip to the doctor and store yesterday, today was refreshingly boring. School, a piano lesson, laundry (as always), boys milked twice, I did lots of catch-up jobs such as patching and straightening up things that had kind of slid into disarray, sent a few Christmas cards out, worked on Our Family Circus – I keep thinking I’ll get it done but something always comes up and it gets moved down on the list again.  Kate made bread solo which was a big accomplishment for her again. She’s doing great. Thanks, Kate! It was cold and windy – I cut my walk short because I’m basically a walking wimp. I hadn’t dressed warm enough, and that wind does me in. Plus I had hesitated even walking because I had so much going on and I wanted to get things wrapped up; the icy cold wind made my decision easy. I hope it warms up a little bit tomorrow so I can get in a walk – I miss it when I don’t get out. Routine evening. Boys got home just in time to have supper with us which is always nice. Family worship at the table again, and then K’nex was the order of the evening; I missed my chance at a picture but it was cute having almost all the kids and a huge pile of K’nex all over the living room. I played the piano some which is a winter perk that I enjoy, and Dad did some managing like all good Dads do and then played with Joshua some. He’s been somewhat fussy with this cold he has; hopefully he’ll be over it soon, poor little tyke.

That’s it.

11-29-10 Finally!

Our trapper boys have been having a really good season, but this morning was the icing on the icing cake :) when Jesse brought home the first ever BEAVER!! There was no small excitement in this house, I’ll tell you! After that big celebration, life returned to normal, with kids doing school and jobs. We’d been giving Sarah breathing treatments for cold-induced asthma and were concerned that it would escalate during the night and land us in the E.D. – not a good thing – so I took her to Morton Peds to get her started on a steroid that would amazingly reverse things, which thankfully it did. We did a Walmart run to pick up the meds and were home for a late lunch and more school meetings. Levi had gone to Precision, Jacob was helping Grandpa Kaiser outside, and the rest were finishing up school or doing other jobs.  After putting Joshua down to nap, I grabbed a short walk – made short by threatening drizzle. I was glad to be home shortly later when it poured rain. Didn’t last long, but long enough to soak me good had I been out in it. Anyway, back home to routine, chores, etc. Supper, family worship at the table again – seems to be working ok so far to do it this way, and our singing sounds nicer for some reason than in the living room. Maybe because we’re all closer together? Joshua looked up so cute from his silly putty with his trying-not-to-smile smile when we sang his favorite, Jesus Loves Me.  It was good. Then Dad tackled our computer issues while the rest of us did whatever until bedtimes.

Potty training report. Oh, haven’t I mentioned that? Well, I didn’t mention it because I didn’t start it. Joshua started it! Ok, well, I started having him go every time I change his diaper, and we’ve been talking about it for awhile now, but this last week or two he’s going regularly when I take him. Yesterday, 2 different times he told Kate (once I was gone, once they were in the basement playing) he had to go – and he went! Amazing – my 10 year old is doing the potty training. Guess I need to buy him some big boy pants and be done with the diapers, huh?! It might help that he really likes tic-tacs – he gets so excited, dancing around, jabbering up a storm, while he waits for us to get him his prize: one (1) tic-tac. Doesn’t seem like that big of a motivator, but it seems to be working. Enough about potty training – it’s a part of our life but not necessarily the most glamorous part. Glamorous? Sure life is glamorous! It’s exciting, fascinating, sensational, thrilling (all synonyms according to Word) - - life is great and I praise the Life-Giver for giving it! We are so blessed!

Sing unto the Lord: for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee. Isaiah 12:5-6

The prize.

Motivation for kids to brush their teeth diligently [smile].

Admiring spectators.

Evening fun for all…if Dad and I weren’t battling computers upstairs, we would have joined in too.

Aunt Sarah stopped by to drop off some apples she had picked up for us after work. Thanks ASK!

That’s all.

11-28-10 Sunday

I was home with Sarah, Jewel, and Joshua today; Sarah and Joshua both have constant runny noses. Listened to church over the phone, thankful for that. Dave Obergfeldt (sp?) from Peoria preached in the morning, and Ted Witzig from Morton had the afternoon service. Both were excellent, and both were very applicable to issues going on right now in our lives. It’s encouraging to experience the Holy Spirit working like that. Trent and Dale were baptized after the regular afternoon service, and judging from the beautiful singing, the whole church was rightly rejoicing as was I. Wish I could’ve been there but that’s a small price of motherhood; with my 2 little schnotzies, it was good I was home. Had a fun time catching up after church, and then Dad and I took a walk – it was clear and beautiful, not too bitter cold but definitely winter is coming. All 4 boys went fishing/trapping down at Mud Creek, and girls were inside reading or playing. Chores and supper, and Bibletime when Levi left for the monthly singing at the fellowship hall. He said there were many people there which made for a really nice singing; again, wish we all could have gone but that’s how it goes.  Actually after our busy last few days it was kind of good to veg out and relax some, although I’d much rather have healthy happy children and be on the run than have them sick and miserable, poor little tykes. After a peaceful relaxing evening (not even any ‘rasslin’!), timely beds for all except Joshua who doesn’t settle down good at night when he’s sick.

Now my turn; good night.

11-27-10 Saturday

Today was another vacation day, kind of, which we all again thoroughly enjoyed.  Dad was to Tremont early to fill up with diesel then home again to pick up Jacob before heading to Fred’s to get a couple bull calves and deliver the chickens we raised for him. Back home we picked up and did laundry, and little ones slept until we basically woke them up and headed them straight to the van. By 9:00 we were all on the road to Uncle Dave’s for a delicious brunch with all the Steiners. We enjoyed our time together again, heading home around 2:30. Dad sold his old F-150 Ford finally, and kids kicked in to chores, showers/baths, and supper prep. Supper was a little early, then Dad, Levi, Jesse, and I went to testimonies for Trent Koch and Dale Beutel. We had a very blessed evening hearing how God has worked in these young men’s lives; singing was wonderful and fellowship was precious. Home to find all littles in beds and the house in good order – thank you very much Tori. Your management in our absence is an incredible blessing! After hashing the day/evening over awhile with the kids, we finally sent them to beds and headed there ourselves.

Aanndd….a few pictures.

It was pretty cold & windy, but we still got out for a walk; ASK and some of the kids were out playing basketball for awhile too.

More Name Game.

That’s it!

11-26-10 Friday

Another vacation day, but still things to do to take care of farm and animals and get ready for company for supper. Dad and the boys were outside working, and we girls were inside working…but oh the fun of working together. ASK, with Kate to help, did a few errands in Morton for me, and Grandpa did a profitable scrap run with Jacob and Ben. ASK and I got in a quick walk after lunch before diving into supper preparations. We had another fine fun evening with all the Steiners; since it was pretty cold outside, everyone was inside all evening. Good times were had and precious memories were made. Late beds for all, and everyone slept hard!

Morning fun with Joshua’s new blocks!

9 Magazines – how can a game be so simple and yet so fun!?  This was followed by several rounds of The Name Game – fun for all ages.

Music of course.

 

Recovering from Black Friday.

Happiest Baby On The Block.

 

 

Lots of basement activity.

That’s it.

11-25-10 Happy Thanksgiving and Steiner Christmas

We have so much to be thankful for – first being our salvation through Jesus Christ, and second being freedom to worship as we please. It’s so interesting to me how society jumps from halloween right to Christmas – completely skipping over the only holiday that is still completely focused on God.  Christmas for many leaves out Christ but focuses on trees and Santa. Halloween has no Christian origin whatsoever but rather has pagan roots. Valentine’s Day originated for a Catholic saint who loved others as Christ did but is now celebrated as a romantic holiday. Most importantly, Easter to most people means bunnies and painted eggs; the death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is foreign to many people. But Thanksgiving – it can’t be denied that our forefathers, pilgrims and Abraham Lincoln both, were celebrating and honoring God by giving thanks to HIM. Other than attempting to call it Turkey Day, which for some reason hasn’t taken hold very well, it’s really not possible to erase our Christian heritage from it. Having it as a national holiday is one of the last pieces of evidence remaining that proves we are a Christian nation, although maybe some will say we are to tell each other thanks on Thanksgiving. Hogwash. Is that what the pilgrims were celebrating? Thank you to each other? Thank you to the Indians?  Of course not. They were thanking GOD. I wonder what public schools do with that piece of history? How do secular textbooks present that outside of a Christian worldview? Hmmmm - I’m kind of curious now. Anyway, enough rambling.

Church was very full; lots of visitors helped make the singing beautiful – Hymns of Zion #245 Psalm of Praise just about raised the roof.

Home to chores, change, cook a little food, get last-minute gifts ready, and back to a delicious turkey dinner at Grandpa Steiner’s by 1:00 or so. After dinner we did some singing and had our Christmas gift exchange since Uncle Jeff’s won’t be coming back at Christmastime. Then a light evening meal, a fun piñata for the kids, and we were home and in beds by 9:30, with some very tired little ones, especially Joshua who didn’t nap all day. He was such a great little trooper though – kind of amazing how such a little bit of a boy can bring us so many smiles and so much joy. We are so thankful for him.

A few pictures – from a few cameras (Aunt Sarah’s, Aunt Jill’s, and mine. Can you tell who’s whose?)

Ready for church.

Full tables.

 

A little plucking going on.

 

Milles Borne.

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More music.

Ready to sing.

So Let The Sun Shine In!!!!!!!

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All grandchildren except Seth who was napping.

 

Joshua was so cute with his blocks from Aunt Sarah – I love his “trying-not-to-smile” smile. Precious! These would be wonderful for portraits (thank you Aunt Jill!) except for his bib!!  Think he’ll still have it when he’s 5????

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Fun alligator game from Aunt Sarah. (crocodile?)

Ok, so he’s the star of most of these pictures – but isn’t that how our babies are supposed to be? These were just so cute, though!! (hmm, Mrs. Moyers (h.s. English teacher) would say I’ve used that word too many times now. Is adorable better? Or precious?)  [smile] Joshua was pretty loving in some of these shots – Seth is not only the happiest most easy-going baby I think I’ve ever known, he’s also probably the toughest!

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(note – the bib got lost = wet shirt. Oh well)

More gifts.

Frozen socks. :)

 

After opening gifts - playing house, of course.

And of course the grazing bar was always open.

Where there’s a will, there’s a way for these 2 partners in crime.

Aunt Jill brought a piñata which everyone enjoyed. Even Joshua got into it – He said “Bang, bang,” after everyone’s turn. He didn’t know there was anything in it, and the candy disappeared so fast when it broke open that he never found out…but he had fun anyway.

 

Second time around, Ben and Silas were blindfolded like the bigger kids. Silas still nailed it, though!

Home then to beds – thankful again for a wonderful day with family, rejoicing in the bountiful blessings we’ve been given.