7th Day of Christmas - New Year's Eve (1 0f 3)

New Year's Eve.  Years back we saw this idea on Debbie's blog. We immediately loved it and used it.  We put an activity in each brown bag. Every hour  - on the hour - we open a bag and do what's inside. We've used a variety of activities - make it fit your family and age of kids.....

 



 One thing we usually do is a "time capsule." We didn't get this worked in last night. We had less hours than normal as we used a couple of hours to pick Michael up from the Air port. Each person brings an item to include in the time capsule that represents their year.....we talk, we toss it in...we pray...we seal the year.....and then we look at a past year's time capsule. The movers think we're nuts. Photos on that when we get it done this year. LOL

In our bags this year were:

5 p.m. - Ingredients to make individual pizzas and Gingerbread Structures

6 p.m. - Dinner and clean up

7 p.m. - Gift Exchange

8 p.m. - Two new games and puzzles

9 p.m. -  Gingerbread competition - bunch of stuff which could be used - did this at Thanksgiving last year but saved it for Christmas this year.....swapped with the Time Capsule

10 p.m. - Twister and Charades (board)

11 p.m. - Nerf Battle (gun and ammo)

11:45 p.m. - Party poppers, silly string, glow sticks, confetti guns

 

5 p.m. - one of the choices in the gingerbread structures was Ninja men

Great to have Michael home and he jumped right into the fray

 Krista helped me make crusts earlier in the day - everyone assembling pizzas

 

We even had a big one to put in the freezer for next Friday - and um - I didn't include this photo for the pizza but for this shot of Jamin. I love having everyone home. LOL

 

During this hour our teams began assembling the structures for this year's gingerbread competition. Krista and Izaak were team captains. Izaak won the draw and got to choose if they would incorporate Ninja or Nativity gingerbread figures into their design. He chose Ninja as their plan was a castle.  They discovered the Ninja men were NOT pre-baked....and thus began their fated evening.

 

Jamin and Jared were tasked with making the Ninja

 

Meanwhile the women worked on cute......

 

The recipe didn't work like the box said it would

 

They decided to make walls for a castle....they collapsed.

 

7 p.m - the bag contained a piece of paper and they caught on immediately - Gift Exchange

 

Stacia mad G'ma and G'pa pillows

 

These "presence" were my best "presents" - Stacia gave them each DQ cards

 

The kids gave Krista NCIS - LA - they really combined money to bring the boys out so didn't give each other "gifts"....

 

Krista bought a puzzle, and then wrapped the pieces with candy in a ball of crepe paper for each of the kids. The idea was to combine the pieces to make the whole. I love her concept of family and her gifts always support that idea. Last year we got canvases that had our names and spelled out our family verse - if they were all together...the pieces are hung all over America. LOL Each strong alone - but not the complete picture.

 

Jared figured out the quickest way to unwrap

 

This girls was SO excited!

 

The boys gave the kids a RETRO gift - Nintendo 64.

 

One of the boys' memories is Michael playing Snow Board Kids with them. They gave Michael Snow Board Kids and the kids the opportunity for the same memory. Love it.

 

We gave the boys items for their new apartments - all are moving into new homes and apartments.

 

And gear....

 

Bre is as excited as Stacia.

 

Michael and I have joked for years that when we retired we'd become full time RVers with pink flamingos outside our trailer. It was a joke. It's coming true. We plan to move into our trailer until we figure out how to get back to Japan. He will retire from the USAF in 2015 and so he gave me my first flamingo! I love it.

 

8 p.m. - Bag of games and puzzles

9:00 Gingerbread Decorating Competition - separate post coming

 

10:00 p.m. Twister and Charades...years ago Krista made a "Gherkin Size" Twister board 

 

Stretching

 

Combat Twister

 

11:00 p.m. Nerf Battle - Bre moved the couch to hide

 

11:45 p.m. Bag of Party stuff

 

Declaring blessings for 2015 with sparking cider

 

Starting the new year with family prayer - all in a circle - together - life is very, very good.

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

2014 Family Vision and Verse

It would seem I never got around to documenting our 2014 Family Vision and Prayer Verse. We did, however, live it - deeply.  I'm tempted to post the graphics and move on....but that wouldn't be authentic, nor transparent.

 God has loved us well, deeply, courageously and that calls forth the same type of love from us.

We focused on loving both God and others courageously in 2014.

We rejoiced at BreZaak's wedding and thought how fun this year's vision was.

The Holy Spirit  prompted us to continue loving Him courageously when life's circumstances seemed senseless.

He reminded us to love courageously when others did not return love.

We learned to courageously love the critic, the gossip, the slanderer as well as the true friend, the supporter, the Christ-like.

He enabled us to love courageously - through the unforgivable.


He taught us before we could love others, we needed to come to Him and let Him love us.

He spoke courage when our flesh screamed fear.

We loved through doubts - ours and others.

And throughout the year we prayed each of us would learn to love the Lord, our God, with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. We prayed to love others as much as we loved ourselves.

We discovered it takes courage to love wholeheartedly!

As a family, we walked through cancer scares, chronic pain, two miscarriages, cancer realized, life threatening accidents,  an unwanted divorce and the death of a sibling....and we learned. It takes courage to keep a heart vulnerable and engaged in the face of pain....but Jesus meets us there.

Surrendered to Him suffering becomes the gateway to experiencing His amazing, sustaining grace.

We rejoiced at weddings, anniversaries, student government victories, racing victories, college graduations....with God by our side we can love courageously - in all seasons.

Love Courageously - a sustaining vision.

Choosing Joy!
©2015 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

A Thing of Beauty - Exceeds Expectations

It's a wonder to behold what happens when love moves in . . .

I assumed Lisa Samson’s AThing of Beauty  would be the typical boy meets girls story. As such, I nearly passed up the opportunity to review the book.  Something in the description of Fiona Hume, a child star who left Hollywood after rehab to build a safe place for herself surrounded by beauty, piqued my interest. Fiona is gritty, broken, opinionated, quirky and determined. I loved cheering for her happiness. This is a story of love, forgiveness and redemption.

I was pleasantly surprised to find A Thing of Beauty  a page turner. I delighted in reading along as Fiona's relationships deepened, her wounds healed and she began to learn how to receive love.  "Could it be so simple as recognizing the beauty in the other's giving?"

I found this glimpse into a hoarder's mindset illuminating. "My heart years a little. Not for a relationship, which surprises me, but just for beauty, even small, winking shards of the stuff, for beauty all around."

This is my introduction to Lisa Samson; I will look for more of her work. This was a fun, easy and yet intriguing read. I'd love a sequel.  There are enough unresolved threads in this story to keep me pondering. Good read.  Pick up a copy when it releases 13 January 2015.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review; I am disclosing this in accordance with the FederalTrade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Sixth Day of Christmas





This has been a fantastic day! I got up early and had an hour to sit with Jesus before making a double batch of muffins. As they cooled, I went for a 30 min walk.  Walking in the door and seeing these two makes any day wonderful....Cy (26) and Krista (27) were our "twins" until Cy hit puberty - then everyone thought he was much older. LOL

 

Mom has been watching Acey Deucy and played a couple of games with Nolan this morning.

Jared has a birthday on the 4th and will be 21. This means there is "paperwork" we need to do to keep him listed as a military dependent (i.e. cheap insurance).  Jamin (24) purchased Tricare Young Adult. Tricare said he needed a military i.d. to visit the doctor.....I took the two of them to visit DEERS. Turns out you can get a military id for kids over 21 who are still on Tri-care which will allow only clinic visits.  BUT I had the 1172 for Jared but not for Jamin. And, of course, "I" can't sign Jamin's 1172. We were half successful and at least know how to get the id for Jamin next week. LOL

We also visited the BX and Commissary before coming home. This was happening at home.....

Dad needed a bit more medicine, after a talk with the doctor Mom, Krista and I headed to Walmart Pharmacy....

Walking into the home and seeing THIS is alarming. LOL Yep, whenever we get together it calls for a Nerf Battle. LOL

 

Jamin, Jared and Izaak charging Zander....

 

Zander attacks - he's behind the duct tape shield....Nolan offers support

I helpfully told them if anyone broke a bone I was not leaving the house again and they'd have to crawl to urgent care. ::snort::

 

Cy and BreAnne

Krista

 Team One

Cy, Nolan, Bre, Zander, Arielle

 Team Two

Krista, Jared, Jamin, Izaak - Stacia was an ammo girl

I've been taking meal requests and I'm thankful for the industrial sized pans which I haven't purged yet. LOL  We've had roast, Chicken Pot Pie/Veggie Pot Pie, Chicken Divan and tonight BBQ meatballs. We are going through a phenomenal amount of produce - and that makes me happy. ::snort::

Zander and Izaak enjoy a retro game

 

Stacia is in 7th heaven with this full and busy house!  Bre reads The Candymaker's Gift

 

A priceless moment as Bre reads an OLD family book - The Princess and the Kiss - to the younger girls....

 

...while the Prince she gave her kiss to stands behind.

After dinner seven of us soaked in the tub. The kids taught G'pa Phase 10.

 

Zander has been watching Izaak's video game

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~

Living all of life before the face of God...

 

The Best Christmas Gift Ever

This morning was truly odd - gloriously odd. Arielle and Krista were determined to go on my  walk with me. This isn't their norm. 

I woke up early and got some private time in with God, and prayed and thought about the day the family in CO were having - it was the day of Mike the Elder's funeral.

We went out for the walk - for some strange reason Krista took a shower first. Now, I know she was working on the timing for this.....

 

Unbeknownst to me, while we were walking these three showed up. I had noticed they weren't buying the typical gifts for each other.  I hadn't  noticed how wide-spread the trend was as we don't have a family gift exchange on the 25th. ::grin:: This year they all pooled their money for gifts for each other and Michael and I.....and brought the boys out. As Nolan says, "We gave Mom three six-foot dummies for Christmas."
They drove the 25 hours straight - takes us three days. I don't want to think about it too much. ::snort:: They pulled over in a "creepy wooded area" and slept for a couple of hours just down from our home before driving in.

I found it odd that the girls, so eager to walk with me, were texting as we walked and were ready to head back almost immediately. I told them I wanted at least a 30 min walk. We walked and chatted and it really was a good time.  However, they knew lots of LOVE HUGS were being given back at home.

Jared and Stacia

Josiah and Stacia

 I walked in the door and noticed the whole family was in the living room. This was puzzling. BreZaak are typically late risers but there stood Izaak videoing me...and Bre with bed head.....I looked to my right and there they were.

I was totally surprised. If the video works you will see me prancing across the living room. This is NOT my norm....but I was trying to determine if I should take off my shoes or just walk on the carpet....and I am sort of laughing, crying and screaming all at once which produced an evil maniacal laugh. LOL

Here are a few still shots.

Michael will be home on Wednesday and it will be so good to all be in the same place for a few days. It's time.

The boys made a valiant effort, but not long after breakfast we all laughed to see this.

Krista, Arielle, Mom and I headed to Walmart for more groceries and a few gifts for the boys.

Zander created a Lego game

Cy and Krista reconnected

Jamin brought the Nintendo 64 and all had fun playing old childhood games

I was perplexed, earlier in the week,  when Krista asked for Chicken Divan to be on our meal list. She's nearly vegan. This was odd. I didn't remember her liking it. I knew Josiah did. Then when I went to cook it on Saturday Michael asked for Veggie Pot Pie instead of the Chicken Divan. I thought that odd too - but it was his last night before flying out. Last night all opted for leftovers rather than Chicken Divan. I declared we would have Chicken Divan tonight.....turns out it was Josiah's request and Krista never has liked Chicken Divan. Meanwhile, I  created a way to make it dairy free - and a vegan option as well.....good motivation. LOL 

After dinner we visited and played games until we saw this. Yep, it's nearly as fun to take grown up sleeping shots as baby sleeping shots. ::snort:: 

Jamin - 22



Jared - 20



Cy - 25

 Bre doesn't seem too happy.

Yuuki is loving all the attention. We are excited BreZaak were able to be down here for such a nice long visit. We are enjoying getting to know Izaak better.

I'm still just AMAZED they pulled this off without me having a clue. Michael was in the dark as well. They told him when they knew we were booking tickets for him to travel to CO for the funeral. They wanted him to know  when they would be here. Looking back on it, I think he had a harder time keeping the secret than the kids did.

As all were congratulating themselves the comment was made several times that they were surprised Stacia kept the secret. This prompted her to indignantly state, "I don't know WHY all of you think I can't keep a secret."

I'm threatening all with going out to take as many "awkward family photos" as possible in the next week.

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Sunday Adventures

Krista and I joined Michael for an 0345 run to the Sacramento International Airport.  Tonight is his brother's vigil.  After dropping him off we found ourselves in Sacramento - that wasn't our plan. ::snort:: I turned around and we eventually made our way home. We slept in late after our adventure.

Stacia chose our Sunday Dinner restaurant choice. She selected Taste of China. The man at the register was incredibly insulting. I told him we had a child and two seniors included on our ticket. He asked how old the child was. That's fine. I expected that. I told him 9. He said he wouldn't change the charge unless he saw her. This began to irritate me - but I understood. She was in the bathroom. I got her out, he looked at her and said, "That girl is not 9." NOW - I was insulted. He was calling me a liar. He was making Stacia feel bad about her height in front of her. I told him she WAS nine. He again said she was too tall for 9. I told him her dad is 6'4". He wasn't budging. I suggested I bring a birth certificate next time we go out to eat. ::snort::  At that point "the lady" came up and tried to make it all better, she said they just have to see the child before giving the discount. I told her I understood, but that he continued to tell me she was not 9 after seeing her.  I went with Stacia back into the bathroom and as she talked about our experience a woman in there told us he'd done the same thing to her daughter - she's 8. He insisted she was at least 10.  Zander commented, "You're lucky my dad isn't with us." ::snort::

We watched Frozen today - Gma hadn't seen it. The kids went to the park and then to Walmart for some more shopping.....

And we did lots of this...in fact....Stacia won her first game of Acey Deucy....and Zander commented, "Not to be rude, but it's easy to beat Mom." ::wink::

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...