Man, what an awesome weekend we had up in WA. The first night we got to hang w/ the Kopps. Next day we were totally spoiled w/ a great breakfast from Katie. Then we headed out to see Monkey Grandma (Justin McElderry's mom, and yes that is her real title). She loved on my kids which was great. She made the day special and made us feel like family. What a blessing she is. When we were there over the summer she let us sleep in the princess room. She made a canopy out of the four post bed. Well in the middle of that night I somehow broke one of the post and when she came in to check on the sound I was sitting there holding one of the post! All to say I couldn't leave this time without leaving another mark that I had arrived. I some how managed to trip on a curtain and pull the entire rod out of the wall! Yep.... total blond!
She made crafts with the kids, made them their own personal pumpkin pie, snuggled up for book reading, and let them dress the Christmas tree any which way they pleased (pictures to come in a later post).
Friday we left the kopps and headed to Jane and Tony Rodriguez's, who live in the Port Orchard part of WA. It was beautiful. There was no fog until Sunday so we had an amazing view of the space needle and downtown Seattle. We got to play with Cutie Pie their new addition to the family ( cute little golden retriever). Mak and Anna hit it off and Josiah was the general of the squad. Ezekiel followed them along... until he found the light saver. Then he some how determined that he now possessed all the power and authority... girls didn't dig that too much. But it was great to sit and talk w/ Jane and Tony for entire weekend. What great people! And if you don't know much about Jane's House--- the organization.... then let me know because I would love to fill you in on how this faithful organization is bringing God's love and truth to India. Amazing.
We sadly had to head back home to Portland today... apparently there is this thing called work and Jane and Ton had a lot of it waiting for them.
But we look forward to heading back that way for Anna's birthday party. Like I said Mak and Anna were like two peas in a pod.
What an awesome weekend.
As soon as we get the pictures down loaded then we'll have them posted!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Invasion to WA
So we crazy folk will be heading out to WA. We will be heading out on Wed to hang with the Kopps and their awesome dog Bailey. Then on Thursday Monkey Grandma (McElderry's Mom) has graciously allowed the Weavers and the Kopps to gather at her house and have pirate beans and turkey. Then on Friday and Saturday we then head up to see Jane and Tony and their two awesome kids. Yep, this is going to be a great Thanksgiving... though we will still miss our family back in southern cali. Hope to have some great pictures to share with you all.
And by the way... HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! We are such a blessed bunch to know and have you in our lives. So thanks for allowing us to be loved by you and allowing us to love you too.
Many blessings to you all.
J
And by the way... HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! We are such a blessed bunch to know and have you in our lives. So thanks for allowing us to be loved by you and allowing us to love you too.
Many blessings to you all.
J
Monday, November 17, 2008
Crazy days
So last night I was up until 1am due to the fact of my intense fabric cutting. Makayla and I are sewing 3 little lap blankets this year for Christmas gifts. We have finished one and are on our way with the second. Last night I cut all the fabric for the second one and decided while I was up I would finish recovering my fourth chair. Oh! for those that don't know .. We finally found a dining set on Craig's list. We have painted and recovered the set... Pictures to come.
As I enter into my Monday we are looking at me watching Aden from down the way today, then Mak's soccer practice, then back home so I can watch another child named Sarah, then lunch, then putting 3 kids down for naps so that I can do home school and sewing w/ Mak, and then later tonight some friends and myself plan on stealing a friend for her 30th birthday. SO crazy.Greg announced last night that he was going to the Library to study and wouldn't come out of the cave until dinner time. But I seriously can't complain about this kind of craziness. I love having my days be filled with people, especially my two kids. They are such a crack up. Makayla just walked down the stairs in the brightest combination of clothes! But she's happy and I'll now be able to tell which one is my kid on the soccer field.
Well, off to begin a day of productivity.
As I enter into my Monday we are looking at me watching Aden from down the way today, then Mak's soccer practice, then back home so I can watch another child named Sarah, then lunch, then putting 3 kids down for naps so that I can do home school and sewing w/ Mak, and then later tonight some friends and myself plan on stealing a friend for her 30th birthday. SO crazy.Greg announced last night that he was going to the Library to study and wouldn't come out of the cave until dinner time. But I seriously can't complain about this kind of craziness. I love having my days be filled with people, especially my two kids. They are such a crack up. Makayla just walked down the stairs in the brightest combination of clothes! But she's happy and I'll now be able to tell which one is my kid on the soccer field.
Well, off to begin a day of productivity.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
How does one add a link to these things??!!!
So I apparently stink at adding links to a site , so if you know how to do it and can explain it to a blonde that would be great.
Jen
Jen
Advent Conspiracy
Click on the link.
Our family has decided due to economic times but mostly due to the invasion of the celebration of Christ arrival to refocus on how we spend our $ and time at Christmas time. Our family normally does gift exchanges and it might be looked down upon that we will not be buying exactly what was on the Christmas list but instead finding a way to spend time with them, making a gift, or donating in their name. if you haven't already bought all your gifts for Christmas, I challenge you to watch this and make a decision for yourselves on how you might be able to do Christmas differently.
www.adventconspiracy.org If for some reason this link doesn't work type in advent conspiracy to google and it should be the first listing offered.
Our family has decided due to economic times but mostly due to the invasion of the celebration of Christ arrival to refocus on how we spend our $ and time at Christmas time. Our family normally does gift exchanges and it might be looked down upon that we will not be buying exactly what was on the Christmas list but instead finding a way to spend time with them, making a gift, or donating in their name. if you haven't already bought all your gifts for Christmas, I challenge you to watch this and make a decision for yourselves on how you might be able to do Christmas differently.
www.adventconspiracy.org If for some reason this link doesn't work type in advent conspiracy to google and it should be the first listing offered.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Halloween
Yes, we are so evil. We allowed our kids to dress up and to actually do door to door trick or treating. Normally we just go to a Harvest event at a church but not really knowing where we are and what is offered around here we just oppted to hang out in our courtyard and go down just one of the streets close by.
Makayla and her friend Sarah dressed up as twin fairies. Zeke was a cowboy. He kept saying he was Woody from Toy Story. And Justus was a dragon while his sister stole the show as a pink bug.
Makayla and her friend Sarah dressed up as twin fairies. Zeke was a cowboy. He kept saying he was Woody from Toy Story. And Justus was a dragon while his sister stole the show as a pink bug.
Pumpkin Pumpkin Pumpkin
We took the kids and Fudge kids to a pumpkin patch along with some of Greg's friends from school. We had a great time. The fudges had spent the weekend w/ us. It was a full house for 3 days!!!
* Christ followers or Christian
Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased. –C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory
This quote convicts me to my core. How true it is to me that I ride the fence in my relationship to Christ. The original coined phrase of "Christian" was meant as a negative put down. It means Little Christ. We, followers of Christ, however do not find the term to be offensive. Well... maybe until now. Let me explain. There is this joy to be associated with Christ. Whether it is popular or not to be so closely associated to Christ that others might say "He (or she) is like a little Christ running around" would be a great honor. However, I do believe in today's culture the word "Christian" has gotten new associations. It no longer means a reflection of Christ but yet a devouter to rules and laws and even hypocrisy. Sounds harsh, I know. We have strayed from the idea to be so filled with His Spirit that those around us could not reject the fact of who our Lord is. But in stead have traded in a relationship and worship of and with our God for love of tradition and heritage. I do not believe Christ is honored when we forget Him in our daily doings. Are we following Christ or are we following tradition? Have we fallen in love with doing church well that we have betrayed our love with God Himself? Now don't get me wrong, this is not a church bashing session. But we have got to stop and look around and see what are we investing in. Are we investing in our love with Christ and following through with action? Or are we investing more time and energy in preforming a better, smoother program with Christ standing outside our doors. And this is not speaking of leadership but I am speaking about the whole body. You, me, the guy sitting next to you. What are you investing in? What am I investing in? If you can say Jesus, than Hallelujah. Praise God. As for me, honestly it has not been until recently when all has been striped away that I HAVE had to invest more in my relationship and not be so easily content with my mud pies in the slum. I pray that one day I will be able to truly have a better comprehension of the Holiday at Sea that the King has awaiting for me.
This quote convicts me to my core. How true it is to me that I ride the fence in my relationship to Christ. The original coined phrase of "Christian" was meant as a negative put down. It means Little Christ. We, followers of Christ, however do not find the term to be offensive. Well... maybe until now. Let me explain. There is this joy to be associated with Christ. Whether it is popular or not to be so closely associated to Christ that others might say "He (or she) is like a little Christ running around" would be a great honor. However, I do believe in today's culture the word "Christian" has gotten new associations. It no longer means a reflection of Christ but yet a devouter to rules and laws and even hypocrisy. Sounds harsh, I know. We have strayed from the idea to be so filled with His Spirit that those around us could not reject the fact of who our Lord is. But in stead have traded in a relationship and worship of and with our God for love of tradition and heritage. I do not believe Christ is honored when we forget Him in our daily doings. Are we following Christ or are we following tradition? Have we fallen in love with doing church well that we have betrayed our love with God Himself? Now don't get me wrong, this is not a church bashing session. But we have got to stop and look around and see what are we investing in. Are we investing in our love with Christ and following through with action? Or are we investing more time and energy in preforming a better, smoother program with Christ standing outside our doors. And this is not speaking of leadership but I am speaking about the whole body. You, me, the guy sitting next to you. What are you investing in? What am I investing in? If you can say Jesus, than Hallelujah. Praise God. As for me, honestly it has not been until recently when all has been striped away that I HAVE had to invest more in my relationship and not be so easily content with my mud pies in the slum. I pray that one day I will be able to truly have a better comprehension of the Holiday at Sea that the King has awaiting for me.
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