MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Well after planning and packing for days and hours - we are loading up and shoving off for New Mexico in the morning. Who knows when we will leave - Merl is still trying to figure out how to fit all the gifts in the van - snow pants and boots for the day we hope to go sledding in the snow!

Just wanted to say Merry Christmas to our dear friends and family who so bless our lives.......may the Lord Jesus Christ become real to you and yours this Friday.........

Blessings and Love,

Tracy

gingerbread cookies

Gingerbread cookies are another favorite here at the Miller house. More cookies that need to be rolled out and cut! Yikes. Most years I only have the endurance to make them once. This year I have already made 4 batches (in two sessions). That was a little much. All my helpers hung in there for a few rounds but then were gone to play outside......however I didn't mind that so much. Here is a true confession - I sort of like to bake alone......not always - but quiet is not a bad thing! Music, coffee.....I'm just sayin'......

drawings

Each year I like to encourage the kids to draw the nativity scene - or other Christmas themes. I love viewing things through their eyes. Here are a few artistic pieces from this year (if you click on the picture it is easier to see) .....

Ryan's perspective

Madison's viewpoint

peppernuts

Peppernuts are a 17 year old tradition in our family and it was given to us from the Miller side. It is an old German recipe from the late 1920's - a treat we used to receive from Merl's mom every year at Christmastime. After almost 10 years of marriage I believed I had accumulated enough experience in the kitchen to attempt preparing them......as I felt they were a bit labor intensive. I believe I was 8 months pregnant with Ryan at the time - in my tiny little kitchen working hard most of the afternoon. When Merl got home from work that day I immediately wanted him to test them.......he chomped and chewed several and said, "Hmmm......something is missing." "Don't you tell me something is missing!!!!!" "Sorry, but something is missing." After further investigation I discovered that I had omitted the most important and key ingredient!!!! Anise.

Well let me just say that it has taken years of working at it but I now have confidence that we are producing full quality peppernuts! In the original way of making them, one rolls pieces of the stiff dough into pencil like strips to later cut into the small disc shaped cookies. This year Allison received darling little cookie cutters from her Aunt Sarah - so we rolled the dough out and used the cookie cutters. I think we have now decided this is our new favorite way of doing it! We love to give them away for Christmas - only problem is it is hard to keep from eating them all while we are making them and having any left for others!

Peppernuts waiting their turn for the oven

Cooling time

Cutting peppernuts the "new way"

One of my lovely assistants

The finished product waiting to be eaten or packed away!

nativity

We love nativity sets at our house! Our first one was small and glass. After we began having children we decided we wanted a nativity set that the kids could handle and play with. We invested in some nice pieces that are near indestructible and try to add one a year. Merl's brother Loren made the beautiful stable we set it up in. Along the way we have been given a Playmobil set as well as a little wooden one. I love having them around so the kids can play with them throughout the month.

Our favorite "fancy indestructible nativity"

Some of the playmobil pieces

sweet

more sweetness

wood nativity

jesse tree

In my own family growing up we used a beautiful homemade advent calendar that my mom and dad created out of felt to count the days leading up to Christmas. Over the 25 days it basically told the Christmas story. We read coordinating scripture verses and my brother and I took turns putting the ornaments on the tree each night. When we were married and would spend Christmastime at my home, Merl was introduced to the tradition and after we had children he decided we should have our own.

A Jesse Tree is a tree which holds ornaments representing biblical events from Creation to the birth of Jesus. The Jesse Tree is named from Isaiah 11:1: "A shoot will spring forth from the stump of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots." It is a vehicle to tell the Story of God in the Old Testament, and to connect the Advent Season with the faithfulness of God across 4,000 years of history. The Branch is a biblical sign of newness out of discouragement , which became a way to talk about the expected messiah. It is therefore an appropriate symbol of Jesus the Christ, who is the revelation of the grace and faithfulness of God. (Dennis Bratcher)

Merl made our tree and the ornaments himself. Each evening as a family we gather to talk about the explanation of the symbol on the day's ornament, read scripture, pray and sing a Christmas carol......not always picture perfect....but helpful in preparing our hearts.....

advent

One great Christmas tradition we are continuing in our home is something my family did from ever since I can remember. We celebrate Advent which is the period of time beginning with the fourth Sunday before Christmas and ending with Christmas Eve. This is a time to prepare ourselves to celebrate the first coming of Christ. Advent is a time of reflection, thanksgiving, anticipation, and worship. As we were reminded today in our church service, Christmas is also a time to look forward to a time beyond now - our promise of a new heaven and a new earth - the home of righteousness (2 Peter 3:13). Because of Christ - we have redemption - there is an eternal plan for us. He came to bring meaning and significance to all that we do.

The advent wreath has a purple candle for each Sunday of Advent. (1) represents Hope (2) Peace (3) Love (4) Joy and then a white candle to be lit on Christmas Eve - the Christ Candle. Every night at dinner time we read a scripture verse and light the candles based on the week. After dinner is cleaned up we move on to the living room for another tradition - our Advent calendar - or Jesse Tree. More on that later......

christmas change

Each year we try to find more ways to purge the selfishness and materialism of our culture from our own family Christmas - and truly turn the advent season into a celebration of Christ and what He means to the world. I have found the Christmas Change website to be challenging and have great ideas. Read the blog section, watch the videos - be challenged.

Happy 11th, Madison!

Today we celebrated Madison Joy's 11th year. She is truly a blessing and "joy". Her breakfast request was bacon, egg, and cheese omelets so the day began with those and a few gifts from the family. After church we broke from our usual tradition of a birthday meal at Joe's Real BBQ and went across the street to his other restaurant, Liberty Market. The food and service were great - Maddie got her free meal and we all enjoyed ourselves! In the afternoon she and I did a little shopping for a dress and then it was off to church for the evening where she received a special "birthday song". Now the birthday girl is sleeping soundly after a long week of Thanksgiving and birthday festivities.

I am truly thankful for the gift of Madison to our family and the talents and character she brings. It is encouraging to watch her grow and mature into a helpful, creative, determined, caring, and sensitive young lady. It is exciting to see the areas in which the Lord has gifted her and wonder how He will use her some day if she yields to Him. My prayer for her is paraphrased from her "birthday verse" - Romans 15:13:

Madison Joy - I pray the God of hope will fill you with all joy and peace and that you will trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit........

to whom will we give thanks today?

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."

Psalm 100

a birthday party in the park

This is a dual entry I guess - one to document a birthday party and also blessing #20 - dear friends. This year due to various reasons we decided to combine Allison and Madison's birthday parties. Since their birthdays are 2 weeks apart it is tempting every year to do it but this is the first time we've celebrated together. Madison especially wanted to invite "families" so we gathered with several dear family friends primarily from our church. It was a blessing to have Grandma and Grandpa Miller with us - though we also missed Grandma and Grandpa Spence (in NM for my nephew's 1st birthday party!). We are privileged to have so many loving friends in our life. My heart is filled with gratitude as I reflect on the friendships we have here. Every year I am wanting to include more and more people - and Merl assures me that the day will come all too soon when we can invite everyone! (He likes thinking about the grand party of all - his girls' weddings!)

It was the optimal Arizona day for a party - 70 degree weather and sunny. We started the party with cinnamon rolls, bagels, and doughnuts - coffee and orange juice per the girls' request (well the coffee was mine.) The kids loved playing soccer, riding their scooters, and playing games. The pinata was made true to our family tradition by daddy - who always makes it from scratch. This year every child from age 2 - 11 got a swing at it......the last one being Madison, who thanks to the gentleman before her, whacked it wide open to everyone's delight! Daddy then read the girls' scripture verses followed by singing and gifts. The kids then were happy to be free to run and play again.

Simple but fun, I think. Thanks friends for making our day memorable!

Let the party begin with sweets and drinks!

Soccer fun

Duck, duck, goose

Whack!

Such attentive sweeties

Daddy reading the bible verses

Notice the little brother helper....

blessing #19

#19 - Children with wild and fun imaginations.........

I never question the time investment of reading aloud to the kids everyday......especially on days like this. Today they could not wait to finish their school work and get outside to play. This time they tell me they are "runaway slaves"..... running from the "slave runners". A little background......we are studying the period after the Civil War - and reading a lot of historical fiction. We are in the middle of devouring "The Great Turkey Walk" which tells the story of a boy who decides to walk 1000 turkeys from Missouri to Denver in a business venture. He chooses the town drunk as an unlikely business parter and the story follows the two of them on their journey. It is a touching and exciting story about their adventures and their developing friendship. Along the way they discover and befriend a runaway slave boy trying to make it to the Kansas border and freedom. Historical fiction really gives the kids a sense of what it was like to live during the time......so they are usually eager to act it out! Fun times....

blessing #18

I am thankful for a studious, determined, full of life 8 year old boy who once in a while will still cuddle in my lap while I read aloud to him everyday!

Blessings

I am working on counting my blessings. I have been journaling then and will share some here from time to time. I listed 1-14 in my journal.....they began in a more broad sense......but are now getting more specific and simple....here are a few for today:

#15 - sweet 2 yr. old boy who loves hugging mommy and saying "morning, momma".

#16 cooler, fall weather

#17 Unfolded laundry: representing more school accomplished!

5 years old......

Happy Birthday, Dear Allison Grace! Can't believe she is 5 years old today - but this is reality sure enough! I think she had a special day - with handmade signage from big sister, yummy homemade french toast, fun at church, lunch to claim her free birthday meal at Joe's Real BBQ, and pizza for dinner. Yes - food is a big part of birthdays around here! We are thankful for our joyful Allie and her sweet smile......

"May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

the end of swimming for now.....

I am totally behind.....on the eve of yet another weekend I am just getting to writing about last.....when I really should be catching zzzz's! I already posted some swim team pictures back at the beginning of the fall swim season - but just wanted to wrap up the kids' seven month swimming stint with a last hurrah. Yes - I said seven months! Seven months of swimming 3 times a week and 4 meets later we are hanging up the swimming suits - for the holiday season at least. I don't think you'll hear any complaints from the younger siblings.......though they were exceptionally patient at meets and as you can see from the pictures: excellent cheerleaders!

I have to say the swim team experience has transformed our two aquastars in neat ways. They raced their best in all 4 strokes this season. We have watched Madison mature and become focused and dedicated in working toward her goals. I have observed a new diligence in her schoolwork as a result I think of her swim workouts. It has been a great stretching experience for her. She has definite resolve and perseverance. In every meet there were sometimes up to 50 girls in her races and even though she was not placing in the top of the pack, she always came out of the pool with a smile. I really admire that. Ryan began the season grabbing the lane line or stopping every few strokes for a breath. As an 8 yr.old he was at the bottom of his age group (8-10) but determined to give he each race his all. He was admittedly very nervous at the meets - but still plunged into the cold water for the sake of his competitive spirit and his quest for a medal or ribbon......He ended the season in the top 20 in all his races - blistering through without "stopping for a breath!"

I am amazed at what happens when it seems the kids are being intensely challenged and we decide to gently encourage them to continue to work through their fears. I am always 100% glad we pressed through it. They seem to emerge on the other side of the trial more confident and with new character lessons learned......well worth the effort.

Keep the boy fed and he is happy

3 joyful cheerleaders!

They are serious about their role here......

Bravery if you ask me - this water is not warm......

This girl swims one great breaststroke!

A boy has got to see where he is going!

There is no more pause for the breathing now!

thankfulness

I have been contemplating for awhile trying to make a list of 1000 gifts as suggested on the above blog. The idea is simple: begin counting and keeping track of the blessings bestowed upon me from the Giver of all Good Gifts. Put a number on them - and keep a log - a journal of gratitude.

Apparently there are studies of those who keep gratitude journals and they are reported to be more joyful, enthusiastic, interested, attentive, energetic, excited, determined, and strong than those who did not. I don't know - I am already fairly determined and interested in life - but I know I am a real pro at seeing the glass half empty. What would happen if I make a goal to count 1000 blessings by a certain date and focus on that? I really believe that to an extent joy and happiness are a choice. I am in a battle with my flesh and the Evil one who seeks to steal my joy and pull my eyes off of my Redeemer and Sovereign Lord. I think a gratitude list is one way I can build my armor and give glory to the Lord at the same time.

George MacDonald wrote, "No gift unrecognized as coming from God is at its own best....when in all gifts we find Him, then in Him we shall find all things."

I am going to give it a try......probably won't list every single one here - but will blog about some of them.....thanks Ann for a great idea!

one little, two little, three little, four little Indians

I am so not "go with the flow - spontaneous".......which does not usually mix well with having four kids or homeschooling. In our early days of schooling (I can say that now that we've been doing school for over 6 years!) I was not able to really relax and roll with what came. If a friend called and all of a sudden wanted to go to the zoo or on a special picnic -I couldn't get it together or feel the freedom to do things differently. I am thankful that finally I am seeing the vision of our homeschool: this is not supposed to "look" like what everyone else is doing. It is about spending time with our kids and making memories - and through it they "catch" the academics.

So - that said - this morning when Madison came skipping in and asked if we could switch our schedule and read our history and read aloud "outside by the fire and the Indian tepee" - my first response was, "I seriously doubt it." Then the war waged within me - aargh I would have to sit on the ground, it is chilly, where would I set my coffee, we need to do math first, would they really sit and listen? "Stop worrying about the silly details and go with it," says my better judgement. I am so not flexible or much fun.......fun to me is doing the same thing every day without much effort.......I am being stretched!

Therefore we sat outside in the "chilly" 60 or 70 degree weather and read about the 1890's in America and then all the kids chanted for more as we neared the end of one of our favorite books of the year so far, Caddie Woodlawn. If you haven't read it you missed out - but it is about a girl and her family living in Wisconsin in the pioneer days and her sweet relationship with the Indians as well as her feelings about growing up into a "young lady". Even Allie can't wait to listen each day.

At the end of the day the work still got done - well maybe not everything I'd planned - but at least we made a memory......