Elisha does not fool around when it comes to food.  He loves it.  And he really loves to rub it all in his hair.  (I was hoping he'd give that habit up for Lent.  Alas...)  Once, I tried to take a picture of him after he rubbed yogurt in his hair and then stuck goldfish crackers to the yogurt (I assume as decoration), but he took them out by the time I had my camera.  These photos are quite amusing though.   

I almost feel awkward writing on my own blog.  It has been so long since I've written...and I realized looking through past posts that I've written rather infrequently in the last year.  Incidentally since around Elisha's birth.  I do believe there is a connection ;-). 

That being said, I've also just questioned the blog itself and my interest in continuing to write and post.  Honestly, I've become completely jaded by our social media obsessed culture...i-phones, i-pads, facebook, twitter, instagram, pinterest, linkedin, etc.  I could write an entire post about my deep concern of the anti-social effect that these "social" venues have on adults, children, families, schools, churches, etc.  But I won't.  I really don't want to (right now anyways).  And I think my jaded-ness has contributed to my lack of blogging.     

But, here's the thing.  From time to time, I enjoy blogging - whether it's posting pictures of my kiddos or writing and sharing a bit of our real life with you.  And I enjoy reading other's blogs even more.  Especially folks who blog about their real lives.  I have gleaned and continue to gain so much true encouragement from blogs of friends (and even from friends of friends).  And for that I am grateful.  And somehow, in God's mercy, I have been told that things that I have posted have encouraged others who have read them.  So, I guess I haven't become jaded by blogs ;-).  And I hope I won't.  Call me inconsistent, but this is how it is.  And I hope and plan to continue writing and sharing. 

The last few weeks have been bittersweet for our family.  We celebrated Elisha's 1st birthday on December 20th, Christmas with family & friends on the 25th, and Mary Clare's 5th birthday on the 27th.  We also celebrated my sweet Grandma's life.  She went to be with the Lord on December 22nd.    Thankfully, and in God's mercy, Phil and I were able to be with her and my family the weekend that she passed away.  While rather sudden and painful, that weekend was filled with tender mercies and I have sweet memories of those last few days with my Grandma and dear friend.  Life will never be the same without her, but she loved the Lord her God with all of her heart, and we are resting in the promise that she is now in His presence.  

Here's a photo of my Grandma (and Grandpa) with Elisha last winter at his baptism

The 1 year old

The 5 year old

We praise God and give him thanks for these TWO precious December babies and Christmas gifts!  They light up every day!!  

 Yes, they are under the bathroom vanity...and they had a marvelous time there.  While the contents from under the sink ended up all over the floor, at least they stayed occupied while I took a few minutes to get ready for the day ;-).  Where will they go next?

Mary Clare and I have read some really good books together this fall.  I LOVE when people recommend children's books to our family, so I thought I'd share some of our recent (and some repeated) favorites with you! Some of them are definitely more geared towards little girls (fyi for those of you with little boys...my little boy could care less at this point).

1. Missing Math, A Number Mystery by Loreen Leedy
2. Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss
3. The Quiltmaker's Gift by Jeff Brumbeau & Gail de Marcken (a new favorite!)
4. Rose Red & Snow White by Ruth Sanderson (we also love her version of The Twelve Dancing Princesses)
4. Edwina, The Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct by Mo Willems
5. Cloudette by Tom Lichtenheld
6. The Four Seasons of Brambly Hedge by Jill Barklem (MY new favorite!)
7. Usborne Illustrated Classics for Girls (includes six classic stories including Little Women and Heidi)
8.  Usborne Dinosaurs (Mary Clare is really into dinosaurs these days)
9. The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (Phil and Mary Clare are making their way through this again...it's so cute...she'll only read it with him)
10.  The six books of the "American Girl Kirsten" series by Janet Beeler Shaw (these were mine as a girl - I wasn't sure if MC would be old enough for them, but we've soared through them and she has loved every one!  And they've been awesome to use for little unit studies!)

Happy reading with your little ones!

a fall-filled weekend

 We have an abundance of trees around our new house...and therefore an abundance of raking to do!

 Presenting...Cinderella...

 ...and Prince Charming!  There was a ball and everything.

 Downtown trick-or-treating...

 ...with a parade!

"Can we please go home already?" 

 "This is more like it!"

We've been sick.  And after we were sick, we got sick again.  After being sick that time, we got sick one more time.  Seriously.  September was a month of sore throats, runny noses, and coughs for our family.  Hopefully we are on the mend for the last time!  For a while at least.

I'm planning to post some before and after pics of my favorite house rooms soon...things have finally been hung on the walls in (most) rooms.  For now, here are some pics that are much cuter...and satisfy the grandparents much more ;-)

I can't believe that Elisha is 9 months old.  "He's been out as long as he was in" Phil likes to say.  He is at an adorable and favorite baby age of mine.  Mr. personality but still cuddly when he wants to be.  Though he's also at that danger-to-himself stage...trying to walk, climbing everything he can, opening cabinets, and putting everything in his mouth.  Who knew crispy leaves could taste so good? 

Mary Clare continues to blossom into girlhood.  I couldn't believe when we had to buy clothes in non "T" sizes this fall.  Long arms and legs on that one!  She loves dress-up, princesses, and her little brother (as long as he's not "messing up her stuff").  Homeschooling is going well so far.  She's learning how to read and loves being read to.  We've been having fun reading the "Kirsten" series (from the American Girl Series) that belonged to me when I was a little girl.  She asks me every day when she'll get my Kirsten doll. 

While the days (and nights!) at home can be long and tiring, especially with sick ones, I've been struck by how fast they are flying by and how precious time with my little ones is.  Now that we are unpacked and pretty settled in our house, I'm looking forward to just "being" with these sweet smiles...no more boxes!