Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Christmas came and went so fast this year!  I'm sure the next and the next and the next will be just as fast if not faster, and before I realize it, Eli will be headed off to college.  Eek!  I'm not going to think about that- just savor and treasure these priceless, sweet moments with my family.... even if things get off to a late start because my hard working husband is taking the time to build a great doghouse for Zorro.  Sense a little undertone of tension?  I tend to set up expectations from time to time, and you know the thing about setting expectations and planning everything out in your head?  Well, with small children and a busy life, expectations usually lead to disappointment.  (And by the way it was MY idea not his to build the doghouse.)So Christmas Eve afternoon got off to a rocky start, but as soon as I changed my attitude, it was much MUCH more enjoyable.  While Jonny finished the doghouse, the boys and I watched The Nativity Story.  (A movie we plan to watch every Christmas.)  Jonny caught the last part of the movie, then we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and ate birthday cake.  As we were eating our last bites of cake, I asked the boys what comes after birthday cake.  Presents!!!  We talked about the greatest gift of all- slavation, and that is why we He came to earth in the first place.  Then the boys exchanged their Dollar Tree gifts to each other that they had picked out the day before, and then we headed out to the Christmas Eve Service at church.  I LOVE going to our church's Christmas Eve service.  I wish our whole extended family could come.  On our way home we looked at Christmas lights.  

Christmas morning Jonny read the Christmas story from Luke to us, and then he, Eli and I had communion.  Eli has been asking to take communion and be baptised since summer, and we felt like he understands and believes as much as a four year old can understand the gospel and why we do these things.  Then we opened gifts, played, packed, drove to Eugene to visit friends, and drove the rest of the way to Keno (outside of Klamath) to visit my grandma.  

The next afternoon we loaded up in the car again to make a 3 1/2-4 hr trip to Prineville to visit friends.  Because of snow and FOUR accidents, it took us 7 1/2 hrs!!!  We were reminded why we've been trying to avoid traveling with little ones- especially in the winter.  

Here are some pictures from our wonderful Christmas!  Just a few- we took way too many to share them all.

The Oelkers!

Baby's first Christmas!

Noah's gift from Josiah (picked out by Eli).  PERFECT gift for Noah!

Eli's gift from Noah.  (Basketball candy toy.)

Siah's gift from Eli.  (Soft baby ball.)

My precious boys at the Christmas Eve service.

Boys enjoying looking at Christmas lights... next year we need to go BEFORE the service.  =)

Great-grandsons with Nana.

Oh, and I forgot to share a little story in my last post about Christmas festivities.  The boys and I went Christmas caroling at an old folks home with our church homeschool group the week before Christmas.  As we were all lined up and ready to go, Eli looked out into the audience- a sea of gray hair and wrinkles- and whispered to me, "Mommy!  Look at all those old people!"  I was so thankful that he at least whispered.  He's been in the stage of making verbal observations about appearances lately- for some reason he's been  taking a particular interest in "old" people.  The funny thing is that "old" in Eli's mind is anything from the range of about 50-100.  Oh, boy!

CHRISTmas festivities...

Here are a bunch of pictures of us celebrating this special season...

Peek-a-boo!  Josiah's first Christmas tree hunt!

That's the one!  Daddy is so strong!

There was a gorgeous view of the country land around Jonny's school.

Corn Syrup painting!

It's so hard to get a nice smile out of this boy!  Here he is with his ornament for this year- he painted it at the pottery store and then they fired it up in their kiln. 

Noah is following suit with his 'say cheese' pose. 

You can't see the writing, but this is Josiah's 'Baby's First Christmas' ornament. 

We've been counting down to Christmas with our Christmas chain!

Each morning the boys get a small surprise in their Christmas bags. (One morning it was small dinosaur toys that were later chewed up by Zorro...)

My baby's first Christmas!

Eli & Noah made graham cracker houses with neighbor Nona.

When Becky was here we went for a horse drawn wagon ride and sung Christmas carols through the Monteith District of downtown Albany.

We made Christmas sugar cookies!

All of us!  It was quite a project.

We cut shapes with cookie cutters.

And painted them, but I'm not sure why we did this.... next year I think we'll just use different colored frosting.

YUM!

Cookies make Noey happy.

We had a cousin gift exchange at Papa's Pizza.  This is all of the cousins from my side of the family, well, except one little boy who was too excited about his gift to step away from it.  =)

We added another stocking to our display this year!  Thank you, Becky- you're the best!  (Eli insists on hanging his on the E,  Noah's on the N, and Siah's on the O- for his middle name Owen of course...)

Jonny did a great job with our lights this year!

This video isn't really Christmas related, but its sorta funny.  We went to Chuck-E-Cheese after we picked up Becky from the airport, and Noah was afraid of Chuck-E-Cheese and wouldn't let me set him down.

 

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this boy

Christmas visitors

We have been blessed to have family come and visit this month for Christmas, and here are some fun pictures to show from it...

We went bowling while Grandma & Grandpa Oelkers were here.  It was Josiah's nap time, so I bowled with him in the Ergo, and being the wonderful baby that he is- he quickly fell asleep.  Grandpa Oelkers hadn't bowled in 25ish years and bowled a whopping 196!

Sweet Eli on Grandpa Oelkers' lap.

Noah & Josiah shared some love with Grandma Wilson.

Jonny's parents played one of my favorite games, Scrabble, with us!

Captain Social, Mr. Friendly, Sir Sweetheart (aka ELI) is good at making people feel welcome.

Jonny's parents were good sports playing Wii golf with Eli

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Josiah doing what he does best- looking CUTE!  (Becky does a pretty good job at looking beautiful too!)

Me & my sis  =)

We went bowling again with Becky.  This time we had three teams.  Eli & Becky were Team Becky, Noah & I were Team Batman, and Josiah & Jonny were Team Siah.  (He had to bowl while holding Siah boy!)

Sunday School

We were the teachers in Eli's classroom again today.  We've been sick for two weeks, and served the week before that, so its been a long time since we've actually been in the church service. (I'm so thankful for technology and being able to listen to the messages online.)  Next week we will be out of town, so we are really looking forward to the Sunday after that!  I miss worship!  I sure hope the boys aren't sick again...

Anyway, back to today- we had 18-20 kids, and only four of them were girls.  Yeah!  I guess we're the right fit for that class because we know boys... we know busy boys, and let me tell you- there are a lot of busy and active little four & five year old boys at Calvary Corvallis!  Even though I was exhausted afterward, it was good for me to see that our boys are normal.  I guess Eli and Noah didn't received an extra dose of energy from inside my womb... its in the genes- they're BOYS!  I wouldn't say its the same for every single child, but for the most part it amazes me how different boys and girls are.  Sheesh!  During worship one of the little girls covered her ears and was about to cry when Jonny asked the kids to sing B-I-B-L-E real loud.  Poor thing.  Then there was a girl with four older brothers who was singing as loud as all the boys- go figure...

Anyway, it was a fun time, and we are still really enjoying it.  Here is a picture of the craft we made today.  Its a star ornament.  We read about Jesus being born and the wise me following a star to get to him.  I don't have any pictures from when we taught three weeks ago.  We read about God providing a wife for Isaac.  We did a coloring craft and played pin the tale on the camel.  =)

Do you know which Oelkers boy is which?

TORNADO!?

Today a tornado hit Aumsville- a small town three minutes from Turner, where Jonny works. 

It's so hard to feed this baby!

Nehemiah Study

I joined another bible study, initially for Homeschooling mom's (our church has such a big & great support group for the homeschooling families) but is really for any woman who wants to come.  In fact, at last Friday's study I was so encouraged to parent my two year old with more grace & patience for him and myself by a woman who doesn't even have children.  So neat!  Anyway, I really enjoyed last week's study.  It was over Nehemiah 3 & 4. The study is one where we actually have a little homework to do.  Its been cool to read the text and then dig deeper by reflecting on questions relating to the reading and then relating to our personal experiences.  

Here are a few interesting things I gleaned from last time... 

• Types of people involved in the project of rebuilding the wall & similarities to God's people today?  People from all walks of life!
• Where is it that God's people (then & now) should begin working? v.10  Near our homes & in our homes. 
• thought- Think of the benefit to God's people if everyone acknowledged HOME as their first priority of service.  My first priority & ministry is my husband and children!

• What is the most ambitious remodeling project you have ever  undertaken?  What lesson did you learn about yourself through the process?  No real physical remodeling projects for me, but personal remodeling that is prompted by the Spirit is a life-long project.  It can be so painful at times, but yields great fruit.  I'm in the middle of one of those right now!  Those 'projects' are just a reminder of how sinful and utterly useless I am without the Lord's gracious hand upon my life.
• thought-  Remember that the purpose behind all work undertaken for the Lord must be the glory of God- not the organization behind it or the people involved.  Jesus Christ fulfilled His purpose and left His followers motivating words to do the same:  "I have glorified You on the earth.  I have finished the work You have given Me to do."  -John 17:4
• Do you have a work to do for God?  -Ephes. 2:10  Right next to that verse in my bible I have the date 09.12.09 and the words "be a mommy".  My building project is to build a christian foundation for my children as I raise them in the Lord.  I can't do that without the 'building plan' of God's Word.  He is the architect. 
• The words built & repair are used often in the text.  What do these words mean?  Cause it to continue- rebuild.  Restore to a good or sound condition after decay or damage.  To make good.  We are made good by the lumber of the cross (JuRita shared that one with us!)
• Why were the gates of such great importance?  They are the instrument that either allows or prohibits the flow of traffic.  They are used a lot.  They are noticeable.  They spoke of the character of the character of the town?  They led to the center of the town?  Vulnerable?  Who & what am I allowing to enter my home?  Are we being good stewards with the home He has provided?  Are we locking and opening the 'gate' at appropriate times for the well-being of our family and glory of the Lord?
• thought-  Locks and bars are mentioned five times, indicating not only the importance of doing God's work but of protecting it.  
• thought-  Locks and bars are used to protect from what is outside, and also to keep safe what is inside.  

• Anyone working on a building site is required to wear a hard hat on the job.  What 'hard hats' do you wear? The armor of God- Ephes. 6
• thought-  Consider (search the scriptures for) the enemy's tactic's to enter and the believer's counter tactics to lock him out. 
• Memory verse:  "So we built the wall... for the people had a mind to work."  Nehemiah 4:6

This boy is somethin' else!

Eli never ceases to amaze me.  In some ways his personality seems to be so much like mine and other times, such the opposite.  It almost seems like he has some of the qualities I like about myself and doesn't have the ones I dislike.... which makes for, I think, a fabulous little personality bottled up in this cute little boy!

One of his personality traits is how outgoing and gregarious he is.  Definitely more of an extrovert than an introvert.  I'm the opposite.  I like people, but, for the most part, I wait for them to approach me.

Today at the park there were four boys, two of them ages 11 and the other two probably about 6, playing football with each other.  Eli was slowly going up and down the slide watching them.  He's quite the athlete and loves sports.  After a few minutes of observing, he asked me if he could go play football with those boys.  I was about to say no, when I stopped and thought about why I was saying no.  Because we don't know them.  Because you don't just join in someone else's game... especially when they're strangers.  Especially they are all older than you.  What if they make fun of you!?  I realized those were all my fears and why I would be shy in a situation like that.  There was nothing dangerous or morally inappropriate going on at the moment, so I decided to say, "Sure, you can ask them." 

The next few minutes were so exciting for me.  I anxiously watched.  I wanted to hold his hand and walk with him, but I felt like I should stand back and observe.  But believe me, my eyes were on him like a hawk!  I felt nervous for him.  (I'm such a dork!)  He confidently put his hands in his pockets and took a few steps toward the group of boys.  He stopped and observed some more.  The two younger boys took a seat on a nearby bench, so Eli approached them first.  This was so interesting to me!  They were the less intimidating looking... definitely the ones I would have asked if I was a little kid. He walked right up in front of them and this is how the conversation went:
Eli:  "Hey.  Are you guys going to play more football?"
Boys:  "No."
Eli:  "But those boys are playing football."
Boys:  "They're just playing catch."
Eli:  "I can play catch."
Boys:  blank stares.
Me:  Heart racing.  Praying... please don't let those boys be mean to my Eli.
Eli:  "Can you go ask them if I can play with them."
Boys:  "No.  You can."
Eli:  "Okay."  He slowly walked over to the bigger boys.  (Hands still in his pockets.)
Eli:  "Hey, can I play catch with you?"
They looked back and forth at each other for a bit, and then said okay and came in closer .... um... because it was a little four year old kid wanting to play catch.

But you know what?  They threw it, he caught it, and threw it back- no problem.  They scooted back a little.  They threw again, he caught it, and again, another perfect pass!  He was passing a football with kids almost 3 times his age!  One of the times one pass was too high, and it hit Eli right in the face.  I could tell it really hurt.  Like, if it were me and him playing he might cry a little.  The boy said sorry and asked if he was okay.  Eli paused a minute, rubbed his face, then in his tough boy voice said, "Yeah, I'm fine."

Oh my gosh!  Eli is so cool!  I would NEVER be brave enough to do something like that when I was 20 let alone 4 years old!  I was trying not to stare, and I thought I should back up more... plus there was Noah screaming at me to push him on the swing...  =)

When it was time to go, I gave him a little warning and he told the boys, "Okay, I can catch one more time, but then I have to go home to make cookies!"  After his catch he ran towards me, but yelled back, "Bye, guys!  Thanks!"

I love that little boy. =)

like minds...

I'm probably the only one who gets a kick out of this, but take a look....
I love to see Eli's mind & personality develop.  I think he's gonna be an organized type like his mama. 

This is his "spaceship".  See how perfectly symmetrical it is?  Even down to the colors!!  I was SO impressed.  =)

This is a cool little magnetic nativity scene Grandma Oelkers mailed to the boys.  Noah puts them in his mouth... (is he EVER going to stop doing that!?) but look how Eli set it up all by himself.  I thought he did such a good job putting the Shepperd with his sheep, the animals all around the stable, and the gifts with the three wise men.  He knows this story so well.  He said, "Here's the gold, frank- sense, and MYRRH!"  Again, so organized!

Not right

I read this interesting post on a friend's blog.  I was shocked to find out what those bigwigs at KLOVE are paid!!!  We listen to HOPE 107.9 most of the time- a local station... I wonder if they're on the same pay scale....

thankful

I am thankful for the Christmas season.

I've been listening to Christmas music, making hot cocoa with whipping cream on top, buying/making gifts, beginning to pull out the Christmas decorations, and this weekend we're going to go out and get our tree!  We will be staying home for Christmas this year, but we will be so blessed to have different family members come to visit us all month.  And of course, its wonderful to remember & teach our kids the TRUE meaning of Christmas.  =)

thankful

I'm thankful for my husband. 

He is such a good dad and such a good husband.  He's really patient with me.  =) 
Lately, I've really been appreciating how he can fix things or do things that would take me a really, really long time.  He put up our Christmas lights the other night and they look great!

thankful

**First, I apologize for the weird highlighting colors... I don't know what's wrong and can't figure out how to make this look normal!!!

I am thankful for salvation.   I love the demonstration of the gospel through the Roman's Road- the good news shared by using verses from the book of Romans...

Romans 3:23  "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

 We were all born under the power of sin's control, and are unable to live up to the standard of perfection that Jesus lived.  Nobody is innocent.

- Admit that you are a sinner.

Romans 6:23a  "...The wages of sin is death..."

Sin has a consequence or punishment.  The punishment that we have earned for our sins is death. Not just physical death, but eternal death!  A spiritual death that alienates us from God, and will last for all eternity.  

- Understand that you deserve death for your sin.

Romans 6:23b  "...But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Salvation is a free gift from God to you!  You can't earn this gift.  Jesus' death paid for the price of our sins. Once our sins are atoned we can spend eternity with God.  Jesus' resurrection proves that God accepted Jesus' death as the payment for our sins.

- Ask God to forgive you and save you.

Romans 5:8,  "God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us!"

When Jesus died on the cross He paid sin's penalty. He paid the price for all sin, and on the cross when He took all the sins of the world on Himself, He bought us out of slavery to sin and death!  He did all this because He loved us and gave Himself for us!

- Give your life to God. His love poured out in Jesus on the cross is your only hope to have forgiveness and eternal life.  His love bought you out of being a slave to sin and paying the penalty of sin.  His love is what saves you, not religion, or church membership. 

Romans 10:9-10  "...If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting  in salvation."

Because of Jesus' death on our behalf, all we have to do is believe in Him, trusting His death as the payment for our sins, and we will be saved!

-Believe!

 

Romans 10:13  "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord  will be saved!" 

Salvation, the forgiveness of sins, is available to anyone who will trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. 

- Call out to God in the name of Jesus and you will be forgiven & given new life!

thankful

I am thankful for our home.

On my way to the mall at 6am on Black Friday there was a message on the radio about being content.  Great timing.  The pastor was sharing about a mission trip he went on to Africa where the people were living in mud huts and literally had nothing.  Children were naked and starving.  He said he shared the same message on being content with the African people, and they received it better than the Americans he first shared it with when he returned to The States.  It reminded me of the mission trip to Mexico Jonny went on after our freshman year of college.  He built a 500 sq ft stucco house for a family of 12 who were previously in a house as big as a bathroom.  They were so thankful and excited about their new big house.  I felt sick to my stomach thinking about the gross uneven distribution of wealth in our world.  As a family of five living in a 1100 sq ft home (barely!) we are SO BLESSED!

thankful

I'm thankful for my mom.

The title MOM entails so much.  It's quite a job, and she did it so well.  After doing this year's Thanksgiving meal, I realized how much work goes into it!  Now that I am beginning to experience all the things she has done for me, it makes me so much more appreciative.  She has had a never ending list of responsibilities throughout the years and is such a hard worker.  It seems like every year I become more and more thankful for my mom. She has taught me so much.

She's knows how to have a good time too.  =)

thankful

Do you have a signature food item for your Thanksgiving meal?  Jonny's mom always has these little jello dishes next to each plate.  I decided I wanted to do something unique that my kids will grow up having at our holiday family meals.  I looked around and decided on THIN MINTS!  Yum!

thankful

I'm thankful for my THANKSGIVING DAY! 

We had a blast just us.  We started the day by going down to Eugene so Jonny could run in the Turkey Stuffer again.  Then, as a special treat, our whole family got to go swimming in the indoor water park- where the race was located.  After that, we headed home to get busy cooking!  This was the first Thanksgiving meal I made all on my own!  (Okay, well, I called my mom about three times, my grandma once, and requested the help of neighbor Nona quite a few times, but, hey, mostly on my own!)  

This was our Thanksgiving menu:

Turkey

Stuffing

Mashed potatoes

Gravy

Garden Salad

Fruit Salad

Yams with marshmallows

Roasted Green Beans with garlic & bacon

Peas

Rolls

Home Made Pumpkin Pie

Blueberry Pie

Then Nona added a few more things:

Home-made biscuits (SO GOOD!)

Cranberries

Fruit Jello

Apple Pie (Jonny's fav!)

At the start line.  SO many people- I think it was 1,000!

Siah looking cute while waiting for Daddy to finish his race.

Here he comes!!!

Improved his time from last year by a minute!

Indoor water park!!!
     

Yeah, I'm cute!  Check out these splashes!!

Jonny held Siah boy for me, so I was able to have lots of Noah time.  I love that white headed monster!

Somebody has discovered his voice, and BELIEVE me, it can be pretty loud, especially when he's waiting for Mommy!

I don't do well with meat.  I could easily be a vegetarian.  I got a little freaked out, so Nona came over to help me get started.  We baked our turkey in a bag, and it turned out great!

Eli helped me roll the dough for our pie.

Big brother feeding baby brother while Mommy is busy cooking.  Eli is such a good helper!

Noah helped me mix the mashed potatoes!

There he is.  My man.  He thought it was great fun, biologically speaking, to carve the turkey.

FEAST!

Dinner time.  We are so blessed.

While I was distracted with meal preparations, Noah got bored, found a black Sharpie and decided to do some artwork.  It was really, really quiet, and I turned to Jonny and said, "Its too quiet.  I think Noah is up to something." ............