Christmas Play 2009

We've not done Christmas Plays in years, as we didn't have a lot of kids at the Goodfellow Chapel.

This little lamb has decided....

From 2009-12-20

...she wants to be a cat or an angel. I'm sure I'll get her out of this and into a lamb costume.

This angel.....

From 18 globe trotting

...is quite sure he'd make a better wise man or guard(?)....

I had to buy a new angelic shirt....and I was told...."Mom, this shirt fits, but the hole is too small for my head. ::snort::

From 18 globe trotting

Ah...it DOES fit.

From 18 globe trotting

Off to a Christmas Program that will showcase the middle school drama team, Sunday School classes, and end with a cookie reception.

Bre will be home in 4 days
Krista will be home in 6 days
Jamin and Josiah will be home in 8 days
Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Snow????

Stacia was amazed at the snow this a.m. She asked, "Daddy, can we DRIVE on this?" I remembered anew that she was born in TX and this Northern winter is new to her.

When Dad Brings Out the Globe!

Last night we had a Christmas Party. Jared had a youth night. We dropped him at the library and planned 45 min to party, then pick up Jared and take him to the movie night.

Mike went to the club instead of the party. I asked what we were doing. He told me that Ch. S was covering for him at the party. I told him to give me the bottom line. He's deploying. We got out of the car. For one split moment panic, tears, feelings of "I can't do this, NOW," "alone in a foreign country," hit me....and then the National Anthem played as we stood with hands over hearts in the wintry wind. By the end of the song, I'd regrouped. God is Jehovah Jireh. He's been working to provide for our needs before we knew we'd have needs. We are proud to serve our country and sometimes it calls for sacrifices. (That'll preach.)

We told Jared. His comment was priceless, "I thought the President was bringing the troops home from there by July." Um....yeah...well.... not Dad.

News leaks and we didn't want our little ones to hear about this around the base.... though they probably wouldn't have...we HAVE had friends who hadn't told their kids about moves and deployments and others asked how they were doing with the idea, only to discover the kids didn't know.....we told.

When Dad Brings Out the Globe...

From 09 December

Zander said, "We've been here too SHORT to be MOVING ALREADY!" ::snort::

Mike explained that "we" were not moving but that "he" would be moving to another country, compliments of the defense budget, for a time this spring/summer. He went on to explain that he'd spend a month in TX getting combat/convoy trained...so his time away from home will be at least seven months. As he mapped the route the military will send him on, Zander pointed out...."Hummph! That's not the quickest way to XYZ, this would be!" ::snort:: He was right! Knowledge he gained playing 10 Days in Asia.

From 09 December

Mike was able to skype with the older kids and his parents last night and this a.m. So, we'll share our Christmas news on the blog. We'd appreciate prayers for details...we know God is going to work them out. I had planned three trips with PWOC in March. That is the very month Mike is slated to deploy. I already stepped out of one of the trips. If I'd been selected for that it would have involved a 3rd trip in March and two more overseas trips while Mike was deployed. God First, Family Second, Outside Ministry Third....they'll be another year. I really need to do the other two trips. We're praying that they'll let Mike do his training in February and come home for March. You never know. Please pray that they either let Mike do this, or that we think of a creative way to take care of the issues. Again, God is Jehovah Jireh.

The official tasking hasn't come down yet, but should in the near future.

So, what's new at your house?

Bre will be home in 5 days
Krista will be home in 7 days
Jamin and Josiah will be home in 9 days
Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Finishing Strong

From 09 December

It took two of us "constantly stirring", but finally the Three Cheese Chicken Garlic Pasta, garlic bread and salad were ready. Good recipe - no one gagged - though I did throw in a good handful of Italian spices and pepper.

BTW, when we took Arielle to the doc this week he informed me that she has a "highly developed gag reflex." No surprise. Zander just came down to tell me he's become the Pope. I tried to explain. He's convinced he reached the highest level of Knights of Honor and is now the Pope. I guess someone else around here is going to have to reach the highest level before we can figure this one out. Hmmm...THIS is why I blog when they are in bed. ::snort::

The Advent Storybook is a hit! Stacia prayed tonight, "Thank you God for all these beautiful brothers and Arielle, too." Ahhhh.....

Grandma and Grandpa to the RESCUE. We had a treat to hide for our Advent Hunt. Thanks!

From 09 December

They were all very surprised. I saved the things you didn't wrap and they'll be our Advent Prizes for the rest of the year. We told them they were from Grandma and Grandpa. I'm scheming to save enough of the Newman O's to make Oreo Truffles.

A full day and.....

Bre will be home in 7 days
Krista will be home in 9 days
Jamin and Josiah will be home in 11 days
Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Thursday...

I just finished our Family Calendar....shhhh.... Mom, when they arrive, please give the second one to Will & Sherri. I knew I wanted to make these again, but I wasn't sure it was going to happen. Shew. I will not wait until the last minute next year....made it with 20 min to spare. No, I haven't ordered our cards and I'm not sure I will. I'm still debating. One benefit of waiting until December arrived is that I do the monthly pages with photos from that month. SO....I had some Advent photos and even one of the play for December's page. LOL

We held our last Bible study of 2009 today. We've voted to go to the Onsen next week. It's our Christmas Party.....I toyed with suggesting we wait a week to maybe talk Windy into going (::snort::) and take my girls too...but I decided if I hope to get the girls there it will probably be best not to have a whole group going?

Mom, they made it. Thanks. The kids are very excited to see something besides the lone amazon.com box under the tree. Though, I HAVE had our Christmas books spread out under the tree and guess I'll need to move them. ::grin::

We ran out of little gifts to hide last night.....guess I better think of something for tonight.

I can't remember if Mike said he'd be home late tonight or on time...guess he'll surprise us. I think I'll go make some 3 Cheese Garlic Chicken Pasta.

Bre will be home in 7 days
Krista will be home in 9 days
Jamin and Josiah will be home in 11 days
Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Dairy Hollow House Skillet-Sizzled Buttermilk Cornbread

*This is our favorite. EVERYONE eats it.

From 09 December

1 C stone ground yellow cornmeal

1 C unbleached white all purpose flour (I ground Prairie Gold)

1 T baking powder

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

2 - 4 T of sugar (Rapadura/honey - adjust milk amount)

1 1/4 C buttermilk (or 1 C yogurt mixed with 1/4 C water)

1 large egg

1/4 C mild oil

2 - 4 T butter

Preheat oven to 375*. (It really needs to be HOT).

In a large bowl combine cornmeal, flour,baking powder, salt, baking soda, and sugar. If baking soda appears at all lumpy, sift in. Stir well to combine.

In a small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and oil.

Place a 9 - 1- 1/4 in skillet over medium heat (author uses #7, mine is #8 ), add butter and heat until the butter is sizzling seriously. Tilt the skillet to coat the sides.

As the butter's melting, quickly mix the wet ingredients with the dry, and using a wooden spoon, stir together with as few strokes as possible. Don't beat it; don't smooth it out. Scrape the batter into the hot, buttered skillet - if you've gotten it hot enough it will sizzle as it goes in - and pop it in the oven immediately.

Bake until golden brown on top, 25 - 30 minutes. Cut into wedges; serve hot.

*Taken from "Passionate Vegetarian" by Crescent Dragonwagon. This would be a great Christmas gift. I first saw it in the library, then got it from Paperback Swap. I love READING this cookbook, that will make sense to some of you. ::grin::

Tonight, for a quick dinner, I cooked sloppy joes in the skillet, topped it with cornbread and cooked it all at 400* for 20 min. These were a bit dry...more sloppy next time. ::snort::

From 09 December

You can find more tasty eats on my Recipe Index.

Bre will be home in 8 days
Krista will be home in 10 days
Jamin and Josiah will be home in 12 days
Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Whose Wearing the Pants?

This is an actual Dockers Store Ad. I've seen it around a few places (I think on Becky's Blog first) and it's made me laugh, and made me think. Hmm.....they must feel it's a good marketing ploy to appeal to men to "wear the pants." What does that mean? Not sure....but I'm wondering. (Hey - it's cold and our Japanese Lessons were cancelled. ::snort::). They must not fear a huge backlash from feminists. That could be a good sign. They must think most men can think of nothing to better prove they're men than to give in to a clever marketing ploy. They assume most men feel brow beaten....Of course, I believe Levi's owns Dockers and they are known for supporting things that certainly don't encourage traditional manhood....but for today....this Ad made me smile. Though I haven't ordered any Dockers yet.

Bre will be home in 8 days
Krista will be home in 10 days
Jamin and Josiah will be home in 12 days
Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...