Nuggets Along the Trail: 2014

Over the years, we've always compared our family life to a wagon train heading west. Just as everyone had to do his part to get to Oregon years ago, so everyone in our family must do his/her part to make our journey through life successful. If somebody climbs in the wagon and lets the others do the work, we just don't make any progress. We all have to pull our weight and work together. Along the trail we find lots of pebbles that make for a smooth ride and some bigger rocks that jar us a little; we hit the occasional pothole that can slow us down. But if we purpose to search diligently, there are countless gold nuggets and precious gemstones along the way as well. This journal is an attempt to preserve some of those precious moments for our children, and our children's children, as together we travel this trail called life.

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

12-31-14 Last Glimpse of 2014

12-31-14 Steiner Christmas

by Kate

Too bad the rink wasn’t ready, but we played a lot of inside games instead.

While we played the Name Game the little guys had a good time providing the entertainment.

A. Jill headed up Bingo games with prizes and everything.

Somewhere in there we opened up a few gifts.

A. Sarah’s gift is always the most entertaining. It’s fun figuring out what the gift is.

We played some pretty crazy games of Around the World.

I’m not sure how it happened that three little boys ended up with one ipad. I don’t remember any big fights so they must have gotten along pretty well.

THE END.

[editor’s note: although we missed both Grandma and U. Dave who were sick, I’m glad to report that they’re both on the mend.]

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

12-30-14 Friday

Monday, December 29, 2014

12-29-14 Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

Busy morning.

After supper.

Christmas Day after church.

After supper.

That’s it.

Mom-isms

When you've got a lot of irons in the fire, sometimes you're gonna get burnt.
Much gain comes to him who hustles while waiting.
Good intentions produce little.
Efficiency is utilizing effective but careful shortcuts for the sole purpose of making more time for the next productive pursuit or service to others.
Laziness is utilizing shortcuts, careful and effective or not, for the sole purpose of making more time for the next selfish or nonproductive pursuit or activity.
Never try to multi-task while giving haircuts.
Carelessness hurts.
I've never met a mess that can't be cleaned up.
God made dirt not to hurt.
When you go on a walk, take gloves and a bag for trash.
Shortcuts usually aren't.
A job done right has been done twice.
When sick children are almost better, we always regret taking them anywhere.
When sick children are almost better, we are always glad we kept them home.