Change of settings

Hey people.  Some of you may have recently gotten an invitation to read this blog. . . . Recently the blog was receiving some unwanted viewing and I had to change the privacy settings to include specific emails.  Therefore, your emails were among the ones that I didn't need to restrict.  If you have no desire to read this infrequently updated blog - no worries.  There is nothing specifically special about this blog - just lots of pictures and updates about life in the midwest.  Thanks for your indulgence.  

Blessings!!!

My oh My. . .

Since it has been so long since I have last posted (sorry about that). . . I really don't know where to begin.  I guess Christmas is as good of time as any. . . although it seems so long ago already.  Christmas, sad as it sounds, was not "Christmas" this year.  None of us felt like it was Christmas, there was kind of a somber mood all of Christmas day and leading up to it as well.  We had an uninvited guest on Christmas morning, that stayed until a couple of days past New Years. . . Miss Icky Yucky Stomach Flu.  Our main Christmas celebrating took place the week before when Ellie, our dear neighbor in Oregon and eldest daughter's best friend came to visit.  I guess that is really when we felt festive.  While she was here, we took the girls to Chicago to the American Girl Cafe for brunch. . .my oh my was it beautiful and fun.  What a special treat!! We walked around Michigan Ave and then went on a horse drawn carriage ride.  The girls had a blast and really enjoyed their Chicago Experience. . . all compliments of Great Papa and Nana and Bompa Williams - that was their Christmas present - a Chicago Experience, that we are otherwise to cheap to do.  :)  Once Ellie left and the stomach flu arrived, that was it.  :(  School has resumed and so have the busy schedules.  The snow is still here, and we do love each day that it snows some more fresh beauty.  There's something so purifying about the white of the snow. . . like that song, "White as Snow, White as Snow, though my sins were as scarlet, Lord I know, Lord I know, I am clean and forgiven. . . ."  We love that song.  :)  
Anyway, our biggest struggle that seems to dominate our thoughts is churches.  There are many wonderful, wonderful churches in our area. . . we have just yet to find one that is a good fit for our family.  We are different.  (We sometimes seem to stick out like a sore thumb, or at least I do in all of my unpolished ways).  We spent 6 months at one church and fell in love with the people, while inwardly hurting as it didn't meet some things that are vitally important to us, knowing that we hadn't yet found the one and we needed to provide more change for our "we are so sick of change" family.  Our family knows full well that our identity is in Christ, not in the Church we attend. . . and yet we struggle.  After trying our 3rd church today, I told Christian I have this sinking, depressing feeling in the pit of my stomach as it was yet again not the one.  Not to put it on a pedestal or elevate it to an idol, but just to recognize it's specialness in our hearts . . . our church back in Oregon was everything that our ENTIRE family loved and needed in a church.  All of you Solid Rockers - count your many blessings, we have yet to find anything that holds a candle to Solid Rock. . . the realness of the people, the genuiness of the pastors, the phenomenal teaching, the FUN, and of course, the chest vibrating - crazy loud - yet amazingly worshipful music.  How we miss it dearly.  And to be completely truthful to you many (maybe 3 of you) followers, my heart aches for Oregon.  We know the Lord has us here, for however long a time, I pray it is short and we can go home - our temporary, earthly home - but more than that, we pray for the Lord's will in our lives, that we may be obedient to what He has called us to - even in the midwest. 
SO sorry for the raw blog - thus the delay in posting - still trying to gather myself up and embrace that "the joy of the Lord is my strength" - I tend to like to wallow in my sorrows.  Probably the next thing I need to pray about. . . self pity.  :)  There's always something!! :

 On the way to Chicago

 Hailee at American Girl

 Taelor and Ellie - when these sweet girls became friends 5 years ago, they were the same height, despite their 2 year age gap. . . not anymore.  :)

 At the American Girl Cafe

 Allison and Mommy

 Ellie and Taelor

 Heart shaped pancakes with star shaped butter  :)

 Christian, smirking thankfully when he notices another man in this pink, estrogen filled room.

 The Christmas decor was beautiful!!

 On the carriage ride - twas a wee bit cold. . . .

And with our faithful pony. . . who kept nibbling at Hailee's coat while trying to take pictures.  :)

Pre Christmas Fun

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of activities.  First Hailee and cousin Olivia had their Christmas Choir program at church - pics to follow, super cute.  Then Allison and Hailee both had their school Christmas program - again, pics to follow, super cute.  Not to forget, of course, all of the class parties and activities.  :)  Recess duty this last week was crazy with kids that are so excited for Christmas they forget how to play nice.  The winter break came at the perfect time. . . with a pre-Christmas gift.  Our dear Ellie, our former neighbor, and best friend to Taelor, arrived last night for a week.  We couldn't be more excited to see her beautiful face!!! :)  We started off her trip with sledding and iceskating this morning.  We told Ellie it was cold - I think she didn't fully grasp cold till she came here. . . actually, I still haven't grasped it either.  I've definitely grasped pain - you know, the feeling (or lack of feeling) you get when you go outside and it's 10 degrees and the wind is blowing   . . . yeah, that feels good.  :)
The 4 girls have been begging all day to exchange their gifts with one another as Ellie leaves on the 23rd to go home to her "other" family.  :)  So, because we're so tough, we gave in.  They had a good time exchanging gifts and hugs. . . it was a sweet time.  Then we pulled out the gift we were giving to all 4 of our girls - which is actually from their great Papa, Nana and Bompa, and us.  It's a trip to the American Girl Cafe for brunch, treats at Ghiradelli, and a horse drawn carriage ride in downtown Chicago.  They giggled, and jumped, and hugged. . . I think they are pleased.  Monday is supposed to snow - so it will be warmer and more magical in that carriage ride.  I can't wait to take pix of our sweet little girls.  :)

Hailee Hop about to sing in her adorable little choir robe.

Just a little bored. . . . (we of course were totally entertained watching Hailee be bored)

Allison and Hailee all dressed up for the school Christmas Program!!

 Hailee (above) looks so angelic. . . key word here is "looks"

 Allison absolutely refuses to look or smile at me during any performance. . . that's okay, these are the only pictures I'll show at her wedding. . . .  :)

 Hailee and Ellie

 Ellie and Taelor

 Hailee

 Allison - I guess she's not performing!! :)

 All my girls - warming up after all of that sledding/ice skating fun.

 Post pre-Christmas gift unwrapping.  :)

CHRISTmas here we come!!!

Last night the two little littles and I bundled up, complete with blankets and hot cocoa and went to the downtown Wheaton Lighted Christmas Parade.  It was super fun and SUPER cold.  It seemed as though the whole of Wheaton showed up for the parade - the streets were lined with tons of families, all bundled up trying to keep warm and enjoy the parade.  My favorite part were the two different groups of bagpipers.  Not only did they sound really good, but I was thoroughly impressed with the fact that they were wearing their Kilts and exposing bear legs in the it's way too cold to expose bear skin weather.  :)  We ended the evening by going to the popcorn shop.  A "famous" shop to all in Wheaton.  It's an alley (about 4 feet wide) between two buildings that has been turned into a popcorn and candy shop.  We waited in a really long line because I had promised the girls that if they didn't complain about the cold, they could get some candy.  You can only imagine how thankful I was that while waiting in line, the girls were completely oblivious to the brief conversation going on in front of them.  Basically, the mom in front of us told the kids they could each spend $3 for candy. . . EACH!!!  Well, (insert sarcastic chuckling) I'm really stinkin' cheap. . . I told my girls they could each have 40 cents - I had $1 in my pocket and we needed to account for sales tax.  Allison spent 41 cents (jeesh) and Hailee spent 35 cents (that's more like it). . . and I didn't notice until later that the really smart mathematician who gave us our change gave me 30 cents back.  It was a good night!! :)

This morning, we decided to have a bit more fun ( cuz freezing our tushes off last night just wasn't enough for us ) and caravan with the fam (Christian's brother Josh, wife Kelly, 3 littles - Olivia, Emily, and Andrew) to a Christmas tree farm.  The ride there ( and back ) had moments of hilarity as the boys quoted YouTube videos back and forth on the walkie talkies. . . something about Turtle man?!! :)  Going to a Christmas tree farm isn't too much different in Illinois than in Oregon. . . as long as you don't look too far past the Christmas trees around you and realize you can see forever. . . because, of course, there are no gorgeous mountains in the distance blocking your "forever" view.  ;)  There are also no Nobles - which is all we buy, well, until today.  I prepared myself for a completely ugly tree and a hopefully better than ugly attitude.  Upon arrival, I was pleasantly surprised that they had Frazier and Douglas Fir trees - both are an attractive alternative to the Noble.  We started out on the tractor drawn hay wagon and headed for the field. . . after, that is, I learned the entire wagon was waiting for me. . . who of course, was talking and taking pictures and STANDING at the back of the wagon.  I guess for liability purposes I needed to sit.  Whoops.  :)  We soon discovered the trees growing in the field, though pretty, were short and skinny.  So, much to the girls displeasure, we opted for the prettier, taller, fuller pre cut trees back at the beginning of the hay ride.  They are from North Carolina.  :)  Apparently it's just not the same if daddy is not down on his knees working that saw.  With a quick reminder, or two, of the yummy apple cider donuts that awaited us in the country store, buying a precut tree seemed to be a good idea to all littles around.  We found a beautiful tree, went into the super cute barn and enjoyed apple cider donuts, hot chocolate, fun decor and just relaxing.  While waiting for the trees to be tied onto the car - the guys threw the football around.  ( They keep one in each car for moments like these. . . the moments they have longed for. . . the moments when 2 brothers can play catch and laugh together).  The day was a fun filled day, finished off with decorating the tree and house at home.  :)

 On the hay ride.

 Josh, Kelly, Olivia, Emily, and Andrew

 Look at the moun. . . I can't even pretend - it looks like about a 7 foot rise.  :)

 Hailee found a tree on the ground - she desperately wanted for her room - but at $50 for anything under 5 feet, well, you all know how cheap I am. . . that was definitely NOT going to happen.

 Another sweet picture of the other Betts family.

 Can you tell which one is faking the smile just so she can have a donut?!!

 We're so mature.

 Some kids are born with the ability to smile at a camera and look amazing. . . my kid is on the right.  ;)

 My 3 and Olivia.

 The bruders.  :)

 Go long bro. . . .

 Hailee hop

 Tae

Allison and Hailee ( Please know, my house is not usually this messy. . . we were rearranging furniture for the tree and bringing up Christmas boxes. . . okay, I feel validated now).

Thanksgiving 2010. . .the morning after

And because it's early and we aren't ready for the day. . . there was no way Taelor, my 11 year old would allow me to take a picture of her. . . so you get Bella instead.  :)

Thanksgiving 2010

Thanksgiving 2010 was a wonderful day!!!  We started off the morning with Christian's oh so yummy breakfast casserole.  A casserole that I tell myself if calorie free; cuz if I own up to the real caloric value - I might go in my closet and cry.  It was that delicious.  Christian's brother Josh and his 2 girls came and enjoyed the morning with us - eating breakfast, watching the Chicago parade, and looking through the ads. We missed his wife, Kelly and adorable little boy, Andrew. . . who needed to stay home and get his handsome sleep - it worked!!  He was super happy and adorable when we arrived at Josh and Kelly's house around 11:30am for more Thanksgiving fun.  The house was beautiful and smelled amazing.  Kelly cooked 2 bone in, skin on Turkey breasts along with all of the trimmings.  It was the most moist and flavorful white meat I have ever eaten.  :)  During the beginning of dinner, the kids (and adults ) all went around the table saying something for which they were thankful.  It was sweet to hear what the littles had to say.  We hung out after dinner - waiting for our stomachs to be accepting of dessert.  Dessert was super yummy too.  I made 2 pies - berry and pumpkin, and soft ginger cookies.  It was a nice ending to a wonderful feast.  To make it even more of a great day. . . the kids all played so nice with each other the whole time.  We were able to Skype with Christian's family while at Josh's house. . . and then with my family later when we got home.  We ended the night with Christian destroying Taelor and I at scrabble. . . Tae and I decided we hate scrabble and will no longer be playing it. . . at least not with Christian.  :)
We are constantly reminded of how thankful we are for God's grace, amazing love, and provision for our family.  Our transition to Wheaton, Illinois from Oregon has been a difficult one. . .one paved with rocky hills and valleys - but all along we have felt the Lord's steady hand helping us through.  We are truly thankful for our Lord and Savior, family and friends - both new and old.  :)


*On a side note - because I am lame, I forgot my camera during all of the Thanksgiving festivities. . . so here are the morning after pictures.  :)  and Kelly. . . if you are reading this and happened to take any pix yesterday. . . please email them to me so I can show the world. . . or the 1 or 2 people who may actually read this.  :)

First day of Public school 2010

These sweet pictures portray my girls pretty accurately. Taelor - sweet and stylish 11 year old. . . Allison (below) - young and modest 8 year old. . . and Hailee (orange) - yes I picked out my own outfit and my mom let me out of the house like this 6 year old. . . don't judge people. ;)