Advent Adventures - Toddler Edition #8 & #9

Advent Adventure #8 - Sing Christmas Carols - Which we did at Church on Sunday and then Adventure #9 - Making Apple Dumplings - Tonight our 2nd Annual Apple Dumpling making get together - Hanna Alderfer is attending the Vo-tech for Culinary Arts and she loves to bake so last year we got together and made Apple Dumplings and we had a blast so this year was our 2nd time and we are a perfect pair.  We, along with Ella's help, were able to make 38 apple dumplings in less than 4 hours (including bake time which was 40 minutes).  They look so yummy!  While we were baking we also had a fun time singing Christmas carols together which was yesterday's advent adventure.  Just imagine the fun we had as we had a toddler, a girl who is deaf, and myself singing together - it was a joyful noise to the Lord for sure!  My heart just melted as we sang!  Tonight was nothing short of a blessing to all three of us! 

Advent Adventures - Toddler Edition #5 - Movie Watching

Movie night started with a very fussy little girl... the only way we could convince her to stop crying was to tell her about a present she had waiting for her.  She reluctantly got off our bed but continued to refuse to remove her coat so we let her wear it most of the night (really it wasn't hurting anyone). So she opened her Veggie Tale Christmas movie and we headed back to the room to watch it (our bedroom is the only TV that has a DVD player) She made herself at home and we decided to just have a special big bed picnic while we were watching The Toy that Saved Christmas.  She loved that idea and before you know it she even took off her coat finally.  Though our advent adventures don't always go as we plan - they are always memorable and we are grateful for time together as a family. 

Advent Adventures Toddler Edition #4 - Garland Making

This momma forgot to buy the popcorn and the cranberries so we were forced to resort to the traditional paper chain garland which our little one loved just the same.... and she didn't feel the need to eat it like I am sure she would have wanted to do had we done the popcorn garland.  It was also good practice with her colors - though she is getting better - she still thought the paper strips were pink!  Hope you enjoy our newest crafting session with mommy!

Advent Adventures - Toddler Edition #6 - #7

Today is both day 6 and 7 - since both were completed by a fun morning at the Susquehanna Valley Bible church. We made lots is fun things, talked to Santa, and had a great breakfast. Day 6 was a Christmas tree craft (bonus because this one was edible) and day 7 was visit with Santa 

Advent Adventures - Toddler Edition #3 - Cookie Making

You can't have Christmas without cookies, right - well I guess you could but it wouldn't be quite so yummy!  This year our mom's group at church is doing a cookie dough exchange so I thought it would be fun to get my little baker in on the action.  We had a great time and only made a small mess!  Ella's biggest stumbling block - the M&Ms - she kept taking breaks to eat more - good thing I only gave her a few in a small measuring cup (yes I have turned into my mother - she would always give herself and sometimes us some chocolate chips in a small measuring cup).  Anyway I hope you enjoy our pictures and I hope the other mom's enjoy our cookies! 

Advent Adventures Toddler Edition #2

Today I am posting about both Day 1 and Day 2 of our adventure since we ended up doing both today because of napping and church yesterday.  For Day 1 - we were to set up our Nativity.  First we set up Ella's Little People set - it was fun to hear her say Baby Jesus - she was however a little frustrated when she pushed on the angel and realized that ours does not play music like Mim's (Grandma Snyder) does.  It is also pretty amazing that she would remember that from last year since she hasn't gotten hers out yet.  After we set up hers, we set up my Willow Tree one and had a talk about not touching it unless Mommy or Daddy is there... I actually think she will do well, Moses (the cat) is actually the one that I am more worried about.
.

Day 2 - Mommy Daughter Date - Today we had the great blessing of visiting one of my best friends and having a facial party.... it was fun to see many great friends and all the little girls running around we had 7 ladies and 6 little girls ages 2 months to 4 years.  What a joy as moms to have that time to fellowship and to get a little pampering with our little ones.  Ella loves lotion and make-up... I wonder sometimes how I ended up with such a girlie girl but I wouldn't trade her for the world.  Mommy daughter days are the best!

Advent Adventures - The Toddler Addition #1

We just finished a month of thankfulness, where each day we turned over a leaf and did some kind of activity that had to do with being thankful.... now we are kicking off advent with a similar set up.  I have taken foam Christmas trees and snowflakes and labeled them 1-25.  They are each hanging on a clothes line with our stockings.  Each day we will turn over one of them for an activity that we can do together with our two year old to help us enjoy our Christmas season as well as teach our child what Christmas is really about.  We want to invite you to join us on this adventure.  Maybe you already have something you do for advent - if so I would love to hear about it.  If not - you are welcome to "steal" our ideas.  Let the celebration of Jesus begin! 

Flash back to the 70s

Okay I admit it - there have been times in my life that I may have accused my mom of being a pack rat... She saved everything! And as each of us have gotten married over the years along with our wedding gift we are also given our tubs of baby clothes and other such things that my mom saved. Seriously! I used to think it was quite crazy that she saved those things until just this past year. When I found myself pulling out some of my clothes and putting them on my little girl! How fun! So mom, sorry for making fun of you! I love that you saved my stuff and I hope to do the same! Check out my newest piece of shared clothing... My swimming suit from 1976!

Remembering

April 1st is a day if remembering for myself and my family. It was on this day three years ago that we lost our first child to a miscarriage. It was 7 years ago today that I was diagnose with MS. Remembering doesn't hold me captive to my past, but remembering helps me to see how God has used both of those hardships to change me for His perfect plan. So to today I remember with our orange tulips that we get each year in our little ones memory! Today I am reminded of the verse in Job... The Lord gives and The Lord takes away, blessed be the name of The Lord!

Lent Photo: find

In the midst of a life filled with really good things I find myself struggling to make time for the best thing - God. Today's picture is of bath water full of fun bubbles with the toy floating in the midst. Ella's first thought is to go find the toys in the bubbles. I need to have that same kind of determination to not get so caught up in the bubbles that I forget about the most important things.

Day 5 - Lent post - Settle

Oops I skipped over the word settle from this weekend so if I have two day sixes that is why ... Loved the devotion for today about journeying And settling where God is calling home for you. He may not always be where you want to be at first but I can guarantee that while you are there God will teach you and use you if you are faithful to settle where he plants you.

I so thankful that God has planted my husband to be a faithful servant here in Richfield

Day 8 - lent Photo - Evil

Today we were asked to photograph evil. As I laid in bed I contemplated what a visual image of evil would be like. Then it came to me. The dark cd bitter night so I braved the cold for a moment and took a picture of the bitter darkness. So many times sin is referred to as darkness. But Also evil is similar to the bitter cold though you can't see it the effects of it are chilling!

Day 6 Lent Photo A Day - Wonder

The song walking in a winter wonder land just kept coming to my mind yesterday. As the theme is wonder. All I could think about is the wonder of God and his beautiful creation.

Lent Photo A Day 5 - World

When I think of this world I think of how God creates us and knits us together in our mothers womb. Welcoming babies into this world is a great reminder of that! Here is a picture of us with little Annie Noel who is less than one day old. Welcome to this world!

Lent Photo a day 4- Injustice

When I think of injustice I think of everything being broken apart instead of put nicely together. Today this represents injustice.

Day 3 - Lent Photo a Day - See

Today I am focusing on seeing things through God's eyes and not my own.  I took a picture of glasses to show that when we look through different lenses we see people with a new perspective.  I pray that not just during lent but throughout my life I will look at people as God's favorites and treat them as such with my words and my actions

Lent Photo a Day - Day 2

 

Today the word is “Return” – using the verse from Luke 4:1-2 “Jesus full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.  He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished”  It asked you if there is something that you are returning or turning away from…. Well I at first I started thinking about all the things in my life that I need to work on and turn away from gossip and turn away from negative emotions and thoughts, but then I went back to the word of the day and began to think about what I need to return.  I left for school with that thought in my mind wondering what on earth would I take a picture of – what did I need to return. 

As I was sitting here in class as my kids were doing their work I decided that since it was Valentine’s day I would write a letter to my little Ella bean.  So I did, and as I was closing the letter, I was writing how I needed to be reminded each day that she is not mine, but a gift from the Lord and return her and trust her into his care each and every day…. There it was RETURN – Ella – I have to give her back to God daily so I don’t freak out about every little thing and worry if she is going to be okay – God created her, and she is just on loan to us – she is His and daily I must return her into His care!  He will take care of her! 

Lent - Photo a Day - Day 1 - Who am I?

There is site called RethinkChurch.com – and this year for Lent they are asking people who would like to participate to take a photo a day to represent one phrase or word connected with lent.  Since I was sick yesterday I didn’t get a chance to blog by I did take a photo yesterday.  The phrase was Who am I?  When I thought of the phrase I immediately began to sing the old Point of Grace Song – Who am I, that you would love me so gently, who am I, that you would recognize my name, who am I that you would speak to me so softly, conversation with the Lord Most High, who am I? 

I began to think of what images reminds me of who I am in the eyes of God…. I thought about a lump of formless clay (but I didn’t have any available to take a picture of) so I began to think about how God sees me, as a child.  That image kept coming to my mind all day long.  And as many of you know if you have been following my blog, I recently met my birthmother and just yesterday had the privilege of meeting my half sister for the first time.  What a great reunion of which I will write more later, but while I was there she gave me a gift from my mother, Nancy…. It was a beautiful gold mother daughter necklace with our birthstones in it.  It seemed to be a perfect symbol of who I am…. I am mother of my little girl Ella and to one who was lost to miscarriage…. And I am a daughter, a daughter of Nancy, a daughter of Lynn, a daughter of Eleanor, but most importantly a daughter of the King!  So I took my first picture of my new necklace as a picture of the phrase – WHO AM I?

The Ultimate Family Reunion - Part 5 Finale

So Tuesday comes....  we get up and get ready for the big reunion.  I thought about what to wear and considered putting on make up and then thought - I never wear make up why should I wear it today.... I put on my favorite shirt my favorite mountain hardware pullover and my comfy jeans (okay one of two pairs of jeans that I can actually still fit into after having a child).  I included what I wore because I have had people ask me what I would where.... Joel's answer for any question I asked him in the whole process has been - just google it.... okay I can just picture myself googling - what to wear when you meet your birthmother for the first time.  Or what would be a good place that is semi private that you can meet a person for the first time..... and just an FYI - I did not google any of the previous statements.

We drove to the restaurant - took Ella, my scrapbook and headed in - I was looking around the parking lot but I didn't see anyone.  Joel had called to see if we could sit in the back room - good move on his part thanks to the prodding of his favorite wife :)  We went in got Ella seated and with my back turned Nancy walked into the room - Joel said she was here and as I turned I received a huge embrace... I didn't even see her face but I am guessing she must have seen mine as it would have been weird to just start hugging someone if it were not the right person.

We went to sit down and then she said - well I am left handed - oh my me too!!!  And that just started the list of things that I had gotten from her..... my favorite was the moment when we both said we loved Ketchup and it had to be Heinz - seriously -  who knew that was genetic!  We both love mushrooms and hate tomatoes, we have the same dimple, and much to my father's dismay (with me, not her) she also twirls her hair (I have tried to stop but hey - it's genetic)

We sat down at the table and talked about the scrapbook and the pictures she had brought for me - I have a picture that looks very much like her senior picture which she gave to me.  It was so fun to just see how much alike we are.  She told us about Mandy and James my half brother and sister - she gave me medical information - how strange I have the blood clotting from her and the MS from my Birthfather.  I also found out I have two more half siblings on my bfather side, and the daughter would like to meet me - so more reunions will be commencing soon!  As we talked she showed me her mother's ring - it made me want to cry - she had a mother's ring and my rubies were there with her other two children - that meant so much to me!

Then she told me the story - she was 15 - six months along when her parents found out, sent away to a home for pregnant teens.... knew that she could only give me love and not provide for me and knowing her parents wanted her to put me up for adoption that is what she did...  she held me and cared for me the first week of my life.  I can't even imagine.... she even got to see me one last time when I was two months old.  It was so appearent that you loved me so much.  I told her that I wasn't angry, I knew she loved me and I think that gave her a large amount of relieve.  I know she did the right thing - but it was the hardest thing she ever had to do .

She has been looking for me for years!  But PA is a hard state to find someone - she even petitioned the court with no luck.  It is hard to not second guess myself and think if only I would have looked harder sooner, but I have to trust that God's timing is perfect!  She loved Ella (I mean do you blame her she is stinkin cute!) and it was so neat to see them playing together.

We just talked and talked and ate - lots of Heinz ketchup and talked about what the future would look like.  We are taking it one step at a time.  I am so excited that I will soon get to meet my new siblings and get to know Nancy even better.  My parents are even planning a trip to meet with her.  I am just so thankful they are all so supportive.  I know that God will work all things together for the good of those who love him!  He has removed a huge question mark on my heart and has now given me a name and face to continue to pray for.  Nancy what you did for me was the most amazing selfless love any human could have demonstrated.  I am forever grateful and I can't wait to see how God will work in our new journey together.

Here is a picture of us at our Ultimate Family Reunion!

The Ultimate Family Reunion - Part 4

It's Super Bowl Sunday and we have a full day - good to keep busy when you have a tendency to be consumed by your thoughts but also not good because you never know when your emotions are going to overwhelm you.  In all honesty I was afraid to go to church - why you ask?  Alot of good intentioned people asking a very guarded processing type of a person a lot of questions all at once - causes me to have an internal meltdown - I was already overwhelmed trying to figure it all out - to have some control over a situation that I have no control over and then on top of it try to teach a Sunday School Class on Raw Emotions - can you see the turmoil I was experiencing on the inside while trying to hold it all together on the outside.

Also I worry - I worry what people think - I was so excited I wanted to post that I found her, not thinking about what others might think or say and then I thought maybe I shouldn't have posted that - then I could work through this on my own and when I had it all figured out I would post all about it.... (reality check - I will never have this all figured out that is why I am me and not God!)

I want to honor both my Moms!  I want to honor my siblings both the ones that I grew up with as well as the ones that I just found out that I have!  I want everyone to be happy and I like organization - but oh my - how do you organize this!  Then I panic - and realize how overwhelmed I am thinking about what this will look like, will we have another family to visit on holidays, will we do gifts, will I call her Nancy or mom - but then how do you call two people mom but yet they both are my moms just different (and if I may kindly insert in here - I am really not looking for any answers to these questions, though I value your thoughts these are all things that I need to work through and come up with answers that work for us! - Thanks for understanding!)  I can't explain to you what this all feels like unless you you have been through it yourself and even then - every situation is different.

So Joel found a place for us to meet in Burnam - it was set Monday 11 am in Burnam - Sunday passed - a few meltdowns but was busy enough to make it through.  Monday comes things to do but my heart feels like I need to make her a scrapbook - yes that is what I said - scrapbooks take forever to make but I had it in my mind so I decided that was what I was going to do - during nap one for Ella I began looking through all my pictures.... collecting pictures from different events and places in my life.  From when they brought me home until just this past Christmas.  To me it was theraputic to start looking at my life and what I would want for her to see to show her and experience through my pictures....  nap two I printed some pictures and after dinner I would start the scrapbook.  Oh and in the middle of this time - Joel finds out that the place we were going to go and meet was closed until 4:30 - oh no - finally I had gotten used to the idea of where we were meeting I had it all planned out then - wammo - another change.

New location - JP Pancake house 11 am in Mifflintown with Joel and Ella and meeting Nancy!

Back to the scrapbook - thanks to my friend Sheree - we finished 20 some pages in less than 3 hours - it wasn't fancy but it was exactly what I had pictured in my mind and I was so excited to give it to her.  As you could imagine my mind was racing as I went to be that night as usual Joel was fast asleep and I laid there thinking what my morning would look like - what I would say and what she would say when we saw each other for the first time.......

Finally fell alseep...... To Be Continued!