Prayer and Bible School

Trace praying

Trace said the sweetest prayer at lunch. Usually he says the same prayer, "Jesus, thank you for this food. Amen." and says it super fast. Instead of his usual prayer, he surprised me with a rather detailed prayer. He prayed for his sisters at school. For Kianna specifically in Mrs. Potter's class. For Daddy at work. For Trace and Mommy that we feel better (we have both been a little under the weather lately). He has also begun thanking Jesus specifically for his oatmeal, his fruit, his peanut butter, etc. It is so precious listening to our little guy as he learns to pray. 

Trace has been attending "bible school" on Wednesday mornings while I am at my own bible study called CBS (Community Bible Study). He has been learning about the life of Moses. The first week they talked about baby Moses. They learned how God protected baby Moses after his Mommy put him in a basket to float down the river and how God will protect us as well. To help the kids remember this lesson, they had babies to play with. They were able to swaddle the babies with blankets and then place them in little boats made out of milk jugs. They then placed them in a tupperware containers filled with water to simulate floating down the river. Trace LOVED it. Later, when we were driving around town and saw a river, he told me about the baby in the basket. He remembers these stories and it amazes me.

Another precious conversation I had with Trace recently was regarding the moon. The moon was still out one morning, so Trace decided to say "hi moon". He got frustrated that the moon didn't say hi back to him and said to me "why moon not say hi me?" I told him that God didn't make the moon so it could talk. I began pointing to things around us and I asked him "does the grass talk to you?" and he would answer "no, grass no talk to me". We pointed to a tree and had a similar conversation. We came upon a bush and I pointed to it and asked does the bush talk to you. He paused and said "God talk bush". I remembered that he had just been learning in "bible school" about how God talked to Moses through the burning bush. I mentioned that story and he agreed. I continue to be amazed at how a 2.5 year old can remember these bible stories and apply them to things he sees around him. God is working in his life at an early age and I treasure these moments.

The Fruits of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22

The girls both memorize bible verses each month in school. Kianna's class has been learning about the fruits of the spirit. They learned a song to help them memorize the verse and Kianna LOVES saying it. She has been eager to tell her verse to whomever will listen and is very proud of herself. She says the verse as follows only with cute hand motions: "If you're walking close to God then fruit will grow in you. The fruits of the spirt are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22". She was excited to share her verse with Grandma Sue and Grandpa Wayne while they were here recently. Kaylee decided to memorize the verse too, since Kianna was getting so much attention. We'll call that good sibling rivalry.

Grandparents Visit

Grandma Sue and Grandpa Wayne came to visit us this weekend. They wanted to see us one last time before leaving for Arizona next month. They will be in Arizona until April, so we will miss them when we go back to Iowa for Christmas. We are so happy they came to see us before heading south! As usual, we had a fun time. Grandma Sue got to help out in Kianna's classroom on Friday. She was in charge of "junk art", which is just what it sounds like. Parents send in toilet paper rolls, plastic containers, etc., and the kids use their imaginations and come up with some amazing creations. Grandma Sue wasn't so sure she liked junk art, as the kids got a little crazy with the glue. I decided it was good for her. Otherwise, we took Trace to the McDonalds playland and had a timed lunch with Kaylee. I say timed because three out of the four of us had to take our food "to go". The kids have 30 minutes to eat and then have to leave the cafeteria so the next group of kids can eat. We weren't quite finished with our food when our time had expired, so we told the little girl next to us who was in charge of cleaning our table off that we weren't quite finished. She said "oh that's okay I can wait" and then proceeded to stand next to us with her squirt bottle held high anxiously awaiting our departure. It was pretty comical.

On Saturday, we made a trip to the store so the kids could spend the money Grandma Becki and Grandpa Bob had sent them recently. The girls both picked out some crafts, which they had fun working on with Grandma Sue. Trace chose a Star Wars Light Saber, which he is pretty excited about. Daddy thought that was pretty cool too. Thanks Grandma Becki and Grandpa Bob. We had a fun weekend with Grandma Sue and Grandpa Wayne. We are hoping to visit them in Arizona sometime next Spring if airline ticket prices cooperate...    

Praise Time

I am honored to have the privilege to teach my kids about Jesus. My desire is for them to grow to love the LORD with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. Lately, I have been trying to teach the girls when they pray not to always say the same thing, but to "think" about what they are saying. We have also been talking about beginning our prayers by praising Jesus for who He is and not just asking him for things. For example, thank you Jesus for being the creator of the universe and for all the beautiful trees we are able to enjoy. It was really fun because when we had this conversation a few weeks ago on the way to school the girls just started rattling off things to praise Jesus for. They said Jesus you are mighty, you are powerful, you are... It was really a special conversation. Kianna has been doing great since then remembering to praise Jesus and can often be heard saying, "Jesus thank you for being the creator of the universe...".

The other day she told me "Mom, I love you this much" and spread her hands out wide and then said "but I love Jesus this much" and spread them out even farther. She can often be heard singing praise songs to Jesus. Our sweet little girl is in love with Jesus at an early age and we are thrilled.

Fall Crafts

Kaylee requested that I take a picture of some of their most recent crafts, so here it is. The girls had fun collecting leaves outdoors and then making pictures with them, that is what Kianna is holding. She wrote her name with the leaves. Kaylee is holding onto the Fall tree they created using a twig and play-doh for the leaves. Our girls LOVE crafts.

More Projects...

I'm so excited to report that I got my sewing machine back out this weekend and tackled a few projects. I mended Kaylee's skirt and a pair of Trevor's work pants. In addition, I decided to make a hooded bath towel. I believe I purchased the towels way back when Bryker was supposed to be a Lola, if that tells you how long I have been wanting to learn how to sew (he will be 4 years old in March). More projects to come...

Carpenter Farm

We had a fun playdate with some friends from our small group today. We met at a local farm which had pigs, calves, goats, sheep, ducks, and bunnies for the kids to see up close. They also had a barn filled with hay and a long rope for the kids to swing on. They also had a small maze made out of straw bundles for the little kids to walk through, but the best thing by far was the covered wagon filled with dried corn kernels. It was filled with buckets, shovels, trucks, etc., for the kids to sit and play with and man did they play. I believe they spent a good hour playing with the corn kernels while us moms chatted away. What a fun way to spend our morning. Did I mention it was free!!!

Apple Orchard

Trace and I joined our old MOPS group for a playdate at a local apple orchard. We got to sample some fresh apple cider and apple donuts, got to pick our own apples, got to visit the pumpkin patch, and got to take a hayride through the cartoon forest. Trace was excited to see Batman, Spiderman, and Superman in the forest, especially the latter since they had on matching shirts. It was a fun morning with perfect weather.

My New Runner

Last September (2010) I found the perfect fabric for a table runner, so I bought it.  At the time of my purchase I didn't own a sewing machine, but planned on borrowing my Grandma Carie's machine. Grandma was excited to teach me to sew, but unfortunately after 10 years of idleness her sewing machine no longer worked. I attempted to use another hand-me-down machine and discovered that it no longer worked either. One may think that learning to sew wasn't meant to be, but I persevered and decided to invest in a cheap sewing machine last November. It has remained unused since the day I purchased it, that is until this past weekend. I spent Sunday afternoon reading through the manual and practicing a bit. Then today I tackled the runner. I'm happy to announce that 13 months later I have finally made my runner and am oh so proud of myself. My husband is hoping that I continue to sew, otherwise he reminds me that this was one expensive runner!

LCS Homecoming 2011

This was a fun week for the girls as they got to dress up each day according to that days theme. Tuesday was pajama day. Kianna was excited to wear her new nightgown and bring her matching doll. What I didn't realize was that Kianna and her friend, Callie, had talked ahead of time and had both decided to wear the same nightgowns and bring their matching dolls. It was so cute when Callie rushed to the door to greet Kianna with their matching PJs and dolls. They all looked adorable! (I'm so bummed apparently I accidentally deleted the picture. Ugh!)

On Friday night, the fun continued with a date night for Trevor and I as we went to a Kutless concert with friends. Forty-one people came forward to accept Christ as their saviour. Trevor and I were honored to be able to pray with a few of them afterwards. 

On Saturday, the girls attended the LCS Little Cheer camp where they had fun learning a new cheer and getting glamorized with glitter and ribbons prior to performing before the football game. While they were doing that Trace had fun decorating a cookie and getting his face painted like Spider Man. At the same time, Trevor was busy coaching the little boys football camp. Trace was thrilled when the little boys starting chucking little footballs at the innocent bystanders. I witnessed one person get pelted in the head. It was kind of funny (she didn't get hurt). I think they might want to warn the crowd next time. Trace was excited to snag one of the balls. He has barely let it out of his site since. It was another fun, action-packed day.