Check it Out

Hey everyone!!! My son has a blog. http://nocondemnation81.blogspot.com/ Be sure to check it out. He posts everyday and the topics are always from the Word of God. He has some great thoughts, so head on over there and be prepared to be encouraged!!

Advent

Celebrating Advent is a wonderful way to welcome Christmas into your heart and home.

The word Advent means "arrival". Christmas time is a season of preparing for the coming of something......or Someone. It is a time specifically set aside to ready our hearts to receive Christ, the coming King.

As Christmas nears it seems that our days get fuller. Our time is consumed with countless holiday chores, shopping, cooking, entertaining. Before we know it everything begins to run together in a blur. Advent is a way to pause and reflect on the wonderful news that God has given the world a Savior.

An advent wreath is traditionally made of evergreens symbolizing God's eternal love. Four candles - three purple and one pink - are arranged around the wreath. A white candle is placed in the center of the wreath. Each candle represents something and is to be lighted at specific times.

Advent begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas. Some families gather every night for activities and others just on Sunday. My family gathers every night. We always have a devotion and pray together. Sometimes we sing or make a craft, the possibilities are endless.

Week one - The Candle of Hope. This represents the promise of a Savior. A good passage to read before lighting one purple candle for hope is Isaiah 9:6-7

Week two - The Candle of Peace. This represents the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. Micah 5:2 and Luke 2:1-5. Light two purple candles this week for hope and peace.

Week three - The Candle of Joy. This represents the tidings of great joy the angels announced to the shepherds. Luke 2:8-14. Light three purple candles for hope, peace and joy.

Week Four - The Candle of Love. This represents God's love for the world when He gave His only begotten Son. John 3:16 and Luke 2:15-20. Light three purple candles for hope, peace and joy and light the pink candle for love.

Christmas Eve - The White Christmas Candle. This represents Jesus Christ as the Light of the World. Isaiah 9:2 and John 8:12. Light all candles.

So instead of getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season. Find a perfect resting place, renew your spirit and transform this year's Christmas celebration into the best ever.

Christmas Traditions

Family traditions are the glue that binds one generation to another. They give kids and parents something to look forward to, as well as something to count on during the hectic holiday season. Here is a collection of some of my families favorite Christmas traditions.

Each year I get Dakota and Bethany a new Christmas ornament. The night we decorate our tree they get to open their ornament gift. They are the first ornaments hung on the tree each year. I try to get something that reflects something in their life. Bethany loves American Girls so for the last few years she has gotten an American Girl ornament. Last year Dakota got a mini guitar ornament and this year I found the cutest duck ornaments made out of metal. I just had to get him five, one to represent each of his 5 pet ducks. When the time comes for my children to move out and start a life of their own I will give them their collection of ornaments so they will have a nice start for their own tree.

We always string popcorn and cranberries for our tree. Our Christmas tree is not complete until we get the last strand on. We string our popcorn while watching a Christmas movie. I do believe that we eat just as much if not more than we string.

On Christmas Eve, my family and my sister's family gather together at mom's for Christmas dinner and presents. We always eat first and then before opening presents we read the Christmas story out of the Bible. This was a tradition that began with my dad. He would sit and we would all listen to him read. He is no longer with us, and my mom now sits in the same chair he did and reads the scriptures to us.

Another tradition that we have is praying on Christmas morning before the kids open their presents. On Christmas morning we gather together for a moment of prayer and thanksgiving before heading to the tree for presents. Jesus is the reason for the season and I want my children to know that it is not the presents, the tinsel, or the tree...but Christ.

Favorite Christmas Movies

For me, the best way to start off the holiday season is by breaking out the Christmas movies. We have quite a collection of them. I thought I would share my favorites. They are in no particular order. I could never pick just one favorite. lol

Miracle on 34th Street

Whether you are watching the 1947 version or the 1994 version, this movie is the only proof you need that Santa really does exist!

Frosty the Snowman

A childhood favorite!!!

Christmas with the Kranks

If you are thinking of skipping Christmas this is the one for you!

A Walton's Homecoming

This is the pilot, the movie that began the series we all love. I will warn you though, there are a few characters that are not the same as the ones in the series.

The Santa Clause

If you are going to watch this one you might as well make it a marathon and watch all the Santa Clause movies with Tim Allen. There are three all together and they are all awesome.



The Christmas Shoes
Grab a box of Kleenex's and enjoy this heartwarming tear jerker!

It's a Wonderful Life

A Classic!!! No holiday is complete without it.

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer

Even after my kids are gone this is one I will still watch every holiday season!

The Nativity Story
This is a great movie on what Christmas is really all about.

The Polar Express

Love it!

A Smokey Mountain Christmas

You've got to look past the poor acting on this one. The songs are wonderful and the thought of spending Christmas in a cabin in the Smokey Mountains makes it worth the watch!

The Grinch

We always watch the old cartoon version and end with this movie. Jim Carrey is always hilarious!

Elf

This is great! A family favorite. We quote sayings from this movie all season!

Almond Bark Cookies

Me and Bethany made cookies today. Actually, they are not cookies, they are crackers. All you need is a box of round crackers, some peanut butter and almond bark. Put some peanut butter between two crackers, dip it in the melted almond bark, lay on wax paper until the almond bark hardens and you have a yummy treat!!

Fall Pictures

In my quest to find the perfect pictures for inside our Christmas cards I made the kids endure a day of posing. Here are a few of our unedited results......

Bethany insisted Daisy be a part of the pictures!

Dakota insisted on having some with his ducks!

I had to throw this one in. Everytime the camera comes out the kids can't resist acting goofy.

A Home School Field Trip

Today I took the kids on a surprise home school field trip. Last night I informed them that I had a fun filled day planned for them. The suspense ate at them and I loved every minute of it. At one point Dakota declared that he had it figured out. He handed me a note card that he had written the following on: For the record, I, Dakota Lynch, have hereby concluded that we will be going to the St. Louis Arch tomorrow. He signed and dated it, for proof that he figured it out. I simply stated "we shall see".

It was home school day at the Magic House. Because of their 30 year anniversary our admission fee was $1.50 per person which is the same as it was in 1979. Me and Bethany had never been to the Magic House before and Dakota had only been once when my dad had taken him years earlier. We really enjoyed, I can't say that we will be going back, for my kids are getting older, and its not a place that we would go on a regular basis. For today though it was a nice outing.

Bethany's favorite thing was the pulley used to pull herself high into the air.

Dakota enjoyed the Lewis and Clark trail and hanging out with his friend Tyler.

After the Magic House we went to the Kirkwood City Park to enjoy our picnic lunch. We enjoyed a nice walk around the lake and the scenery was very beautiful.

We completed our day with a trip to Cold Stone Creamery.

I'm thinking our next field trip might have to be the Saint Louis Arch!

Getting Back into the Swing of Things

I cannot believe how long it has been since I have posted. What a great summer we had. Now that it is coming to an end I intend on getting back into the swing of things with my blogging.

Our summer officially came to an end last week when we got home from our last camping trip of the year. It may of been the last trip of the year, but it was by far the best. We camped on top of the highest point in Missouri - Taum Sauk Mtn. When I first told Dakota and Bethany my plans of this trip they were doubtful of the fun it would bring (mainly when I told them there would be no shower house or flushable toilets). When we arrived on top of the mountain and began looking for the perfect spot to set up camp I began to have a few doubts myself. We would basically be camping in the woods with no one around. I repeated several times "this is okay" I was more trying to convince myself. The first night was a sleepless one for me. I admit now that I was scared, but of course I would never admit it to the kids then. The one time I fell into a deep sleep I was awakened by Bethany shaking me in fear. A deer had walked right up to the tent and snorted. After Dakota informed us of what it was I managed to get a couple hours of sleep. The next night was also filled with critter fun. As we were playing games in the tent we decided it was time for a snack. We had pulled our cooler up to the door of the tent. I reached in and got our goodies. As we were snacking we decided we needed another soda, I turned around and what to my wondering eyes, was a raccoon standing there opening our cooler. I am sure that my screams are still echoing thru the mountains. The kids also learned that just because there is no "bathroom" hygiene was still an important part of our daily tasks. We had a make shift bathroom and each day we warmed our water, washed our hair and did our other grooming tasks.

We hiked to Mina Sauk falls. It was an amazing hike, looking out over the rolling hills makes me wonder how anyone could ever doubt in God our Creator. Due to the lack of rain the fall was not flowing so we intend to go back during the rainy season. We rock climbed to the bottom of the falls and I do believe climbing back up is where I messed my knee up. There was a few times that I had to stop and pray for strength. lol We also climbed a lookout tower on top of the mountain. It was during this climb that I realized Dakota's fear of heights. Or as we say around here - not so much a fear of heights as a fear of falling and not so much of falling as hitting the ground at enormous rate of speed. It was very windy and he climbed down in half the time as Bethany and I. He claimed that he could just see the possibility of disaster. We took our Bible to the highest point that was marked by a surveyor and we sat in that place and had devotion and prayer. Elephant Rock State Park was another enjoyable spot of our trip. The kids had never been there and we found it very enjoyable. The whole trip was a homeschooling mom's delight! So many educational moments. Dakota and Bethany both have told me that it was the best camping trip ever! We will definitely be going back next year. After a few lessons learned, next time may even be better.

A Country Update

I can't believe it has been so long since I have posted. Summertime is a busy time. Alot has been going on and I need to update on my "country living".

I couldn't hold out.....I've been picking the green tomatoes. But, OOOH they are so yummy fried up and smothered with melted velveeta. However, I did wait until I picked my first red tomato. I figured that was my "go". We've been getting a steady supply of ripe ones and by next week I should have plenty to share with family and friends. The cucumbers are in nice supply also, and the zucchini, well any of you that has ever grown zucchini know that you are not in want of it when it starts producing. Our beans came on nicely and are about done producing. This year I canned with a pressure cooker for the first time! My mom was there to walk me through it and it was a cinch! All these years I have been terrifed of pressure cookers. I thought they were a time bomb getting ready to explode. Mom always made us kids leave the room when she canned. It was alot easier than what I expected and I am now hooked. We are already planning on planting more beans for next year! My corn is looking great. Another couple weeks and I expect we will be having corn out of our ears! (pun intended)

The chickens are getting big. Not quite full grown yet but getting close. One thing that has me concerned is the fact that we have TWO roosters. One of our hens was not a hen after all. I talked to a friend that raises chickens and she said it may not matter, to just wait and see. As long as they get along and a pecking order is established it might be okay. But truth be told, I am concerned. I wanted 1 rooster and 4 hens, not 2 roosters and 3 hens. The two roosters are constantly challenging each other and I just want peace in my chicken yard. lol But, for now we will wait....

My duck news is the saddest of all. We lost are female. A raccoon got her. It was so upsetting. I felt like a horrible crime had been committed. I was not prepared for the site we saw the morning we found her. The kids gave her a nice funeral and then we began our pursuit for justice. It took 3 days but we finally caught the little rascal. The first and second night he stole all the food and didn't even throw the trap, the third night we set 3 traps and ran a security camera out there so we could see where we were going wrong. We watched the little booger steal all the food from one trap, but finally we had sweet victory, he was caught. Since then I have put a radio in the chicken house, which is right next to the ducks. I have also learned that raccoons hate dogs and if you put dog hair around they will stay away. Well, we have 2 poodles and when I groom them it is like sheering sheep. So the hair now goes around the duck and chicken house! So far no more signs of racoons.

I have to talk a little bit about Fred our only remaing duck. When we first got the ducks they were not very tame. They would not let us get close despite all of our efforts. Since Ethel died Fred is a new duck. I have spent alot of time with him. Just sitting and singing. When I go to feed or water I sing, when I let him out to free range I sing. I wanted him to get used to my voice. For my voice to be comforting to him. My kids think this is crazy, but it has worked. He now follows me around like a puppy dog. When he backs off I just start singing and he picks up his speed until he is right by my side. He comes up to the garden with me everyday. I even moved his swimming pool up there so he has something to do while I work in the garden. As silly as it sounds, I have fallen in love with this duck. He has stolen my heart.

Before the female duck died we were saving some eggs to incubate. We had nine all together but only 7 of them were fertile. My son wanted an incubator for his birthday so it has been his project, but one that we have all enjoyed. They are set to hatch next weekend and we can't wait. I'm sure there will be a blog post devoted especially for them!!

Little Bit Country

There is something about country living that has always appealed to me. When I was a little girl we would go to the country to visit my grandparents. The food tasted better, the people were friendlier and the scenery was gorgeous. To me there is nothing prettier than to look out across a field and see the big round bales of hay scattered across it. When I was 19 I moved to the country. My first house, as we called it, was a shack in the woods. I had no neighbors, just woods, fields, and cows. As a young new mother I was alone and terrified. It was quite an adjustment. After 2 years we moved into the city limits. Our town had a population of less than 600 people. Everybody knew everybody, you didn't have to worry about locking your doors, and you had to dodge pot holes instead of cars. I am no longer living in that small country town, but that does not mean that I am no longer country. I feel more country now than I did then. Yes, I lock the doors when I leave, I don't know everyone, and I am back to dodging cars, but I am now enjoying some country pleasures that I have always dreamed of.

I have always dreamed of owning chickens. Sounds crazy, I know. I have this vision (maybe it is from watching too many episodes of Little House on the Prairie) of going to feed my chickens in a long calico dress, apron and hat and scattering the feed out and the chickens pecking around me. That dream is coming true for me. I don't have a calico dress but I have the chickens. Yesterday as the kids were swimming I sat down to take some pictures of my beloved flock. As I was sitting there they all flocked around and I thought to myself...life is good.


I had never dreamt of owning ducks, but they have also become part of our country living. They are so much fun to watch. Especially when the female starts "talking" to the male. It looks as if she is "chewing" him out everytime. However, if you listen carefully he is quietly quacking over and over something that sounds like "nag, nag, nag". In the past month we have learned a lot about ducks. We gather an egg a day which brings a joy in itself and we are looking forward to incubating the eggs later this month.



Now you can't be country without having a garden. I will leave the details of my garden out since I have already blogged about it once. But I will add that it is coming along beautifully and I can almost see it grow overnight! I can almost taste that first ripe tomato (if I can leave them on the vine long enough to get ripe). One of my favorite things is fried green tomatoes, topped with melted velveeta cheese! There are already a few green ones on the vine, but I will leave them alone.... for now.