Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas with Jon's family in Orange City. Here are just a few pictures from the five days we spent there. Highlights included: all the yummy food (of course); a picture scavenger hunt (go to Sue's blog to the Kroesche Family Games post to see more about that, plus a special video); little boys running, laughing and playing; spending time with family; and a whole week of Jon, Jeremiah and myself being together! We had such fun, but we were also glad to get home to somewhat a sense of normalcy.

Christmas Baking

Things in our kitchen have been rather busy of late. I love to bake, and it wouldn't be Christmas if the mixer wasn't going, the oven wasn't on, the counter covered in dirty dishes, flour, and pans of cookies, candy, etc.

At Jon's suggestion, I tried to cut down this year, but it's so hard. I love to bake, and I keep thinking, "I'll just make one more thing." But really, I think I've done less this year; it's just been over a shorter period of time.

Our kitchen has produced thus far three kinds of Christmas cookies, several "cookies in a jar," cinnamon rolls, and something else that I won't name since it will be used as gifts for some who read this blog.

Jon and Jeremiah even got into the baking mode with some sugar cookies. As I was starting to roll out the dough, Jon says, "What are you doing?!" I replied with the obvious answer. "I'm rolling out the cookie dough." "No," he says, "I'm supposed to do that. It's tradition!"

Now I've heard that the tradition for the Kroesches growing up was Mom made the dough, Dad rolled it out, and Dad and the kids cut out the cookies. However, we've been married for 9 years (9 years, thank you very much) and this is the first time it's been offered in our household. Granted, I don't make cut-out sugar cookies every year, but still. How was I supposed to know we were starting that tradition this year?

So, Jon rolled out the dough, and Jeremiah "helped" to cut them out--for about 5 minutes. Then he was more interested in chewing on the cookie cutters. (However, he loved eating the finished product.) But it was a good start to what I hope will be a yearly tradition that will last in his memories when he's older.

So, after today, I'm done with my Christmas baking. Well, maybe I'll make just one more thing . . .

Thoughts of Christmas

So Jeremiah is taking a nap and this seems to be the best and sometimes only time to blog. He is so active and full of energy. It's fun trying to keep up with him.

As Christmas draws closer it's good to reflect more on the reason for the season. We sure are glad it's not about shopping, parties, or toys. It's not about hoping the stores do well so the economy can keep on rollin'. It's this time of year when we should be filled with joy as we reflect on the gift God gave to us, the gift of His Son, Jesus. Before He came there was no way to be redeemed from our sin. Now that He has come we have hope and a reason to be joyful.

We are blessed in so many ways and thank God for His blessings, but mostly for the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ.

A Christmas Prayer

I received this in an e-mail today and thought it was so good that I should share it:

Most Holy & Majestic Father,

There's so much "hype" around Christmas time. I have to admit that I enjoy all the jolly jingle and festive frolic as much as anyone. But, Lord, as I enter into the fast-paced season ahead, help me walk slowly and quietly.

Let me stop and listen to the angels sing of the greatest news ever told!
Let my heart, mind and soul join the chorus. "Glory in the Highest!! The Messiah has been born!"

Among all the bright sparkling lights and cheery holiday tunes, let my spirit travel once again toward Bethlehem to honor and worship Jesus, my King! The Prince of Peace, the Lord of Hosts, Mighty Counselor, Son of God, the Lamb. All Your love, mercy and power somehow made flesh in the tiny form of a humble baby born in a manger. Let me worship the only one who is worthy to take our sin away and open the gates of all eternity!

Amen

On the Go

It's almost 8 o'clock, and I just finished the dishes after putting one extremely wound-up boy to bed. From the time he finished supper to the time he went to bed, he pretty much just ran up and down the hall. Every so often, he'd turn around to look at me as if saying, "C'mon, Mom. Chase me!" So I did. Up and down the hall. Into the living room. Around the kitchen. Tickling, laughing, carrying my "sack of potatoes." It was fun.

I don't do the chase game as well as Dad does, but he's out of town--in sunny Miami, no less, while we enjoy highs of 20 degrees! Jeremiah is at the age now where he misses Jon more. He wakes up saying, "Da-ddy!" and goes to look for him. The longer trips like this one (Tuesday through Saturday) are hard on all three of us. But we get to talk on the phone several times a day and that helps.

It also helps on our end to get out of the house if we can. So this morning we had a play date with the Thelander twins from church. Braden and Conner are 4 months older than Jeremiah. They played together very well, and it was fun to watch them teach some new games to Jeremiah. Since there are two of them, they can do things at home that Jeremiah can't--like one climbs into a cupboard and the other closes the door. They knock, giggle, and change places. Jeremiah liked the climbing in part, but he didn't always like having the door closed on him.

And along that same theme of twins, we went to the hospital to see my friend Tonya who just had a twin boy and girl on Monday. Leah and Canaan are still in the NICU, so we didn't get to see them since Jeremiah was with me. But I know we'll see them lots. Their older brother Caleb is almost 2 and is a favorite playmate of Jeremiah's.

It's quiet in the back bedroom now. My energetic little one has finally fallen asleep. But I know tomorrow he'll wake up raring to go. And I'll need to be on my toes to keep up with him!

P.S. The pictures have nothing to do with our day. They were taken during Thanksgiving at my parents' house. (The one picture is of Jeremiah and his cousin Kaylee.) But since we haven't posted in so long, I thought I'd put them up.