Pics for the Grandparents.

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Cookies....yummy!!

We really enjoy getting together with the Rogers family.  It still amazes us that our California friends only live five miles away.  Sadly we don't get together as much as we would like but when we do it is a great time.

Last week we went over to their house to decorate Christmas cookies.  Stephanie made ahead of time some yummy sugar and gingerbread cookies.  Then the girls (Sofia, Selah, Hope and Anna) had a WONDERFUL time decorating them.

As you can see, the gumdrops and marshmallows were a very popular choice of decor. 

This was the perfect indoor activity on a cold, winter day for two California mamas.  :)

This man.

This man has survived cancer and a liver transplant.  This man has suffered many a personal heartache. This man has helped to plant over 300 churches and still counting.  This man has a passion that all people living in the LA Basin will know Christ.  This man is my dad.

It was my planning for a Jesus Birthday Party that got me thinking about this man.  You see, every year at Christmas, my dad made sure we had a cake that us kids would decorate.  We would then sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus followed by the reading of the Christmas story from Scripture. 

I am so grateful that this is more than a memory.  What a gift this man gave to me. My earthly father taught me about the Heavenly Father in big ways and in little ways. 

Dad, I love you and MISS YOU!  It's been a few years since I've been able to help decorate the Jesus birthday cake with you and again won't be with you this year.  But know that my kids will be doing so in my home.

Our tree.

A couple of years ago we gave in and purchased an artificial tree.  It works for a couple of reasons.  One, it is so freezing cold at this time of year that it is not fun going out and taking the time to find the perfect tree.  Two, because of the cold the heat in our house runs almost non-stop.  The heat causes the tree to dry out quickly; and being that we like to put up the tree soon after Thanksgiving we would rather not have a fire hazard come December 15.  And third, the price!  It amazes me how much trees cost these days.  Our re-usable artificial tree frees up some money for other things (like the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering!).

But man, I do miss the smell of a fresh tree.:)  No matter we had a great time as a family putting up "our tree".

Kevin is in charge of putting the tree together then the girls and I decorate it.  

Selah enjoyed putting the ornaments on the tree this year.  

Isaiah enjoyed watching the activity.

The girls posing by their first christmas ornament.

The finished tree!  

All of the wooden ornaments and the angel tree topper (that got cut off in the pic) were given to me by my Gramma in 1983.  She purchased them for me while they were living and serving in Germany.  

We love enjoying the room lit only by the tree lights.  The girls enjoy daily "re-decorating".  And Isaiah, well, we thought the tree was safe from him this year but we were wrong.

Selah's First Concert

Selah loves to sing.  She doesn't necessarily like to sing in front of people but she does love to sing.  Because of this we were so glad that she was old enough this year to be a part of the Play & Praise group (for 3 and 4 yr olds) at church.

On the evening of December 5, the church presented a Christmas music program.  This was Selah's first concert.  We were so proud of her.  She got up on the stage without being too shy or having a "I want mommy" fit.

Selah and the boys (Kurt, Aiden, David and George) sang out strong the lyrics to "Baa, baa, baby Jesus" and "Do you know why?".

Our prayer is that Selah will sing songs of praises to our Lord Jesus Christ throughout her life.  This was a great way to begin.

One gift needed.

What better place for a manger scene to be placed then under the tree for Jesus has given us the gift of life.

Bus stop shivers.

The weather outside is frightful...actually today was rather nice, a balmy 36 degrees but earlier this week the tempertures stayed in the teens.  Monday's high temp is supposed to be all of 10 degrees with the windchill factor bringing it down around zero.

Needless to say, waiting for the school bus can be quite cold.

Here are the girls (Miranda, Sofia, and Simi along with Selah) all bundled up.

 Even the mommas need to bundle up.

Kids know how to enjoy the cold.  Each afternoon when the school bus drops them off we let them play in the snow for a couple of minutes before heading indoors.  They enjoy snowball fights and making snow angels.  It's worth the bus stop shivers.

Love the snow!

On December 1 we woke up to our first snow of the season.  The girls were beyond excited.  They were jumping up and down squealing "It's snowing!  It's snowing!"  

Not five minutes after breakfast Selah was ready to go outside and play.  Even though it was a small dusting of snow that day, she enjoyed it soooooo much.

A couple of days later we had another snowfall that resulted in a couple of inches of snow.  Much better for snow play.  Sofia just loves making snowangels.

But sadly that day Selah was in bed not feeling well at all.

No worries...another snow storm is expected to come through this weekend which no doubt will be enjoyed by the Sheckler girls (and maybe even Isaiah).

The Reading Room

While visiting Grandpa Sheck there was a moment when I couldn't find Selah.  Needless to say she had discovered Grandpa Sheck's library and was enjoying the "Reading Room".  Don't ask me where she learned this.

Thanksgiving 2010

We once again made the four hour trek to Michigan to spend Thanksgiving with the Sheckler side of the family.  This relatively easy drive has become a little more difficult considering we are squishing 5 people and all of our stuff into our little Toyota.  Add the needs of a nursing baby and two little girls who don't like to sleep in the car anymore... our trip now takes closer to 5 1/2 hours.  But we made it there and back and are ever so thankful for time with family.

Isaiah loved hanging out with his Grandpa Sheck.

Selah and Isaiah with their cousin, Stella.

Uncle Glen got caught giving Isaiah a PICKLE!!  Isaiah, however, didn't give him the reaction he was hoping for.  He must have chomped on that pickle for a good 15-20 minutes. 

I love this picture.  There is a 94 year gap between these two.

The girls with their cousins Hayley and Jordyn.

And our family picture...Isaiah's first Thanksgiving!

California Friends

A few days before Thanksgiving, my dear friend Catricia and her sister, Alicia came for a visit.  Catricia and I first met over 10 years ago when we were both living and working in Turkey.  We actually were roommates for awhile.   Catricia has been back in So Cal for a few years but will soon be returning overseas.  It was so great being able to catch up on life before her next adventure begins.

Both Catricia and Alicia are like aunties to my children.  I love how they love my kids.   Come visit again soon!

Sofia, Isaiah and I with Catricia.

Alicia and Isaiah.

And no, I'm not being the mean mommy forgetting to take pictures of the middle child.  My middle child happens to be a child that does not like for her picture to be taken. :)

Chubs Jr.

When I first met Kevin's family they shared with me that his childhood nickname was Chubs.  This was so hard for me to believe considering when we married he was as thin as a stick.  But after they showed me family pictures I realized why the nickname.

And so it seems Isaiah is following in his father's footsteps and WE LOVE IT!!!  We love the cheeks and the rolls.  But who doesn't love a chunky baby?

Today Isaiah had his six month check-up.  Here are the stats in comparison with his older sisters when they were six months.  When you see how much he weighs you can see why we refer to him as Chubs Jr.

Height
Sofia 26 1/4 in
Selah 26 1/2 in
Isaiah  27 3/4 in

Weight
Sofia 14 lbs 14 oz
Selah 16 lbs 3 oz
Isaiah 18 lbs

The boy is six months old!

On November 24 Isaiah reached the 6 month milestone.   He hasn't added any teeth to the two he got at 3 months but I wouldn't be surprised if a couple breakthrough his gums on top soon due to the way he chomps down on everything and the drool.

We've started feeding him solids and after a week of pounding the rice cereal we've added squash.  He loves every bite that is given to him.  And the girls love feeding him.

He's quite strong and has learned to maneuver himself sideways, around and backwards using his arms; every which way but forward.  This will come soon enough because he is continuing to become a better sitter-upper and when laying down on his belly he will  use his legs to push his little bottom in the air.

His eyes seem to be leaning towards brown but hints of blue won't quite go away so he may be our hazel-eyed child.   And his smile, well, his smile just puts a smile on everyone else around him.

Oh we are enjoying our son!

Parent/Teacher Conference

Last week Kevin and I attended our first parent-teacher conference. Upon our arrival, Mrs. Jones asked us how in the world we got there without Sofia helping us find the classroom and showing us where to go. She's got Sofia pegged. Kevin has nicknamed her "the director" and needless to say she continues to be so at school. I asked Mrs. Jones how this affects Sofia's interactions with her classmates. She said the students have learned to just walk away when they've had enough and Sofia doesn't seem to mind. Together we laughed and appreciated this strength of hers.

We were pleased to hear that Sofia is excelling in all areas of academics as well as her behavior. We were also pleased to hear that Mrs. Jones is challenging and moving Sofia forward in her learning. After 25 years of teaching she said Kindergarten is no longer milk and cookies. Kindergarteners are expected to be at a B level in reading by the end of the school year. The lowest level is AA moving to A then B and so on. Sofia is currently close to a D level.

It's encouraging once again to know that placing Sofia in public school was the correct choice for us. We pray that the knowledge Sofia gains will benefit her learning of "the wisdom of God"...the meaning of her name.

Pics from family surprise.

Here are some random pictures from our family surprise (see below post).

Isaiah heading to the airport to meet Uncle Kirk for the first time.

 You can't blame the boy...I mean, you can only guess how often his cheeks have been pinched.

 Selah and Aunt Kelli enjoying the view of Chicago. 

 You wonder what Selah must be thinking as she observes her uncle Kirk and Sofia putting Hershey Kiss hats on their heads.

 Sweet kisses from Aunt Tamra.

Isaiah hanging out with his cousin Hannah and Uncle Kirk.

 Who is the sister-in-law?

 Pile of love!!!!