Day 365: Happy New Year!

It's New Year's Eve!

This year has been full of blessings for the Ermold Family including
-the purchase of a new home on April 29th (My birthday!) and living "on our own" for the first time since we were married.
-the start of a new and better job situation for Davey in July.
-the news of a baby girl on the way. Only 6 more weeks!

There were trials too, though I think the blessings far outweigh the trials. Thank you to those who have been supportive while we were dealing with the roughest part of Daniel's preschool experience. He has been doing very well since we started the sticker chart system. Praying he continues with this more positive behavior in the new year.

It really has been a good year. I am so very thankful for the God I serve and how he has worked in my life this year. I know he is not done and I am certainly glad about that because there is A LOT more refining to do in this girls life.

My attempt at a last "cute" picture of the year.

I can't believe I made it a whole 365 days with out skipping a post! I honestly didn't think I'd make it. Thank you to those (all 3 of you) who followed me this year. Though I won't give up blogging altogether I will be taking and break and probably won't do the 365 thing again.  It's Been fun but I am definitely ready for a break!

Happy New Year!

Day 364: Time to Sing

Well, we got rid of our tree today. We are planning to have some people over on New Years day and besides the fact that is was starting to look pretty ratty, it also took up space that we'd like to have with guests over and kids running around.

Daniel was very sad when he noticed me taking the ornaments off of the tree. He kept saying "but we have to decorate!" And was even more sad when Davey took the tree outside. "But we have to have a tree!" I know buddy, I was just as sad to see it go. I love having the Christmas tree up. So pretty and smells so good. It just gives a happy feeling in the house.

I am reminded of the year my brother Chris requested that my parents keep the (fake) tree up until his birthday on January 14 because my brother Tim always got to have it up for his. (Timmy's birthday is today. Happy Birthday neighbor!) I get it though, if my birthday wasn't in April I'd probably request the same thing!

After getting rid of the tree, Davey replaced it with the keyboard we are borrowing from my parents. The boys forgot all about the tree really quick!

Micah just sat there "playing" and "singing." Love it!

Not exactly a child prodigy but we're working with him.

Day 363: Impromptu Visitors

Today, and most every day of break unless we are going somewhere, we stayed in our pj's all day. 

Our new neighbors got some appliances delivered today and were testing the paint colors they chose for their house. Then asked if they could make us dinner. Joanna wanted to use her new appliances but since they have nothing else over there to cook with, she cooked at our house which is fine with me. I will most likely never say no to someone else making me dinner!

 I can't wait until they actually move in. There is the potential to get very sick of each other but we're all super excited for now!

(Notice the pj's still on my boys and if there was a picture of me you'd see sweats, no make up, and messy hair. Good thing we're family!)

Day 362: Sleepy Boy

Micah woke up sick around 3am, got a bath, and went back to sleep in bed with me, while my heroic husband cleaned up the mess. He slept well the rest of the night and had little to no more symptoms the rest of the day but boy was he ready for an early nap.

Getting sleepy and watching Veggie Tales around 11am

While making the boys some lunch around noon I realized I heard Daniel but hadn't heard Micah in a while. Davey went on a search and found him fast asleep.

Aside from getting tired early, you would never have known he wasn't feeling well. Thank you Lord for a quick sickness as I know there is much worse going around right now. And here's praying Daniel keeps from getting it even though they shared cups and instruments today...

Day 361: Christmas with The Pearsons

This afternoon we had Christmas with my parents and my brother Tim's family since none of us were there on Christmas day.

 Daniel was very excited for his transformer. Thanks Uncle Steve and Aunt Jenn!

Soon as we got home we the boys were very excited to get a bath with these. Thanks Uncle Steve and Aunt Jenn!

What could it be?

A vacuum!!!!! A broom and dustpan from Grandma and Grandpa Ermold and now a vacuum from Grandma and Grandpa Pearson. This boy is set! And so excited! He didn't put it down or care about any other gifts once this one was opened.

Day 360: Train

The boys played hard all day with their new toys. Of course, I didn't even think about taking any pictures until they went to bed. Below the tree is hand made wooden train they got from Dave and Marie. One of Dave's (retired) coworkers made it for them. So neat! I am thinking it will become a seasonal toy to be taken out specially for Christmas each year. This way the novelty doesn't wear off and it doesn't take up that much space in the play room all year.

Day 359: Merry Christmas!

 We had a good day with the Ermold Family! Somehow I have no pictures of Daniel opening gifts. There must have been people in the way or he moved too quickly to get any good ones.

Micah got a broom and dustpan which he carried around most of the day.

Playing with my tablet while other people open gifts.

Mikie got a cup. As soon as he opened it he said "Juice!" and tried drinking out of it.

Mom-Mom Bortz with Jericho and Micah.

Micah wanted to climb in Grandpa's new backpack. I think he's going to Florida with them the next time they go.

The train!

After a good day at the Ermold's we went  to Mom-mom Bortz's house for a little bit for Christmas with that side of the family and then headed home so Davey could work in the morning. It was a quick trip but the boys loved it. We'll celebrate Christmas with my parents on Saturday.

Day 358: Christmas Eve

It doesn't quite feel like Christmas Eve to me this year because it's the first one in a very long time I haven't gone to the Candlelight service at my church. It's always my favorite service of the year.

This year though, we headed up to PA as soon as Davey got off work. We'll only be up for 24hrs so we wanted to get out of town as soon as possible.  Daniel has been anticipating this trip for days. He was very happy to finally be going to Grandma Ermold's house.

I kept the boys up extra long today so they would nap in the car. We left around 3 and they normally take naps around 1. I turned on Veggietales at 1 to try and keep them occupied. When I looked they were both almost asleep after 15 mins. One on the couch and the other on the floor.  I bribed them with a cookie to stay awake. My boys seriously need their sleep. Thankfully they both slept in the car like we planned.

Day 357: Ornaments

This morning we took a trip to Walmart for some acrylic paint and came home to paint the ornaments we made yesterday. Micah thought his was a cookie and was very sad when I didn't let him eat it.

If course, going against all I know as a teacher, I let the boys paint then I went back over it to make it look the way I wanted.  They are finger print ornaments though so at least that part is completely theirs! Daniel did a pretty good job following directions when painting. I just touched his up a bit and added the details after it dried. Micah didn't paint more than 3 strokes before trying to eat it.

I'll update with finished product pictures after they've been given as gifts.

I also made an ornament for us! It's a mold of our house key. It also has our address on it which I blotted out in paint shop.

Advent Day 23

Matthew 2:9-12(HCSB)

9 After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was—the star they had seen in the east! It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed beyond measure. 11 Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.

Day 356: Cookies!

We baked chocolate chip cookies for Christmas. Love the smell of freshly baked cookies. Love the taste even more. YUM! The boys enjoyed some cookie dough while I finished the baking. We also made some salt dough ornaments. They still need to be painted though so I don't have any pictures of them.

Super excited to make some cookies!

This lucky boy got the beater!

Since Daniel got the beater I gave Micah a spoon full. Both very happy. Not that you could tell in these pictures.

Advent Day 22

Matthew 2:7-8(HCSB)

7 Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find Him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship Him.”

Day 355: Christmas In Song

At church today our choir did their annual Christmas Cantata and then this evening we had our children's "Christmas Eve" service.

The music from the cantata was really nice. I only recorded the songs that I had family members featured in though I sort of wish I had captured more of it.

During the Children's service Daniel got to sing with the Cherub Choir. He was a bit distracted by the microphone being directly in front of him.

Advent Day 21

Matthew 2:3-6(HCSB)

3 When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born.

5 “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet:

6 And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the leaders of Judah:
because out of you will come a leader
who will shepherd My people Israel.”

Day 354: Christmas Gift

After school yesterday, I found a gift in Daniel's back pack from his teacher. I decided to not say anything and just put it under the tree until he noticed it. I figured I'd let him open it as soon as he found it. Surprisingly he didn't notice it until this morning. By the time I woke up, he was begging to open the gift. I made him painfully wait until I had some coffee. He was very excited to open it and find that it is the same bible they use at school. 

It is such a blessing to know my boy is in a preschool where he is taught the Word of God on a daily basis by a teacher that I know loves the Lord. Not many teachers would or could give bibles as Christmas gifts to their students.

Thank you Mrs. Fluharty! :)

Advent Day 20

Matthew 2:1-2(HCSB) 

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”

Day 353: Christmas Break Begins!

Happy Christmas break to all students and teachers. School's out for 2 weeks! This means I get to be home doing my favorite job. I love being a mom and covet the time I get as a teacher to be home with them over breaks.

Advent day 19

Micah 5:2-5(HCSB)

 2 Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; One will come from you to be ruler over Israel for Me. His origin is from antiquity,from eternity. 3 Therefore, He will abandon them until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of His brothers will return to the people of Israel. 4 He will stand and shepherd them in the strength of Yahweh, in the majestic name of Yahweh His God. They will live securely, for then His greatness will extend to the ends of the earth. 5 He will be their peace. When Assyria invades our land, when it marches against our fortresses, we will raise against it seven shepherds, even eight leaders of men.

Day 352: MAIL!

Daniel got a thank you card from his teacher in the mail today. He was SO excited.

Advent Day 18

Luke 2:19-20(HCSB) 

19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told.

Day 351: Wordless Wednesday

Advent Day 17

Luke 2:15-18Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Day 350: Baby Weights

Who needs a gym when you have kids?

Advent Day 16

Luke 2:13-14(HCSB)

13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!

Day 349: Pretty and Peacful

Our tree in all it's beauty. 

Advent Day 15

Luke 2:8-12(HCSB)

8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them,and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.”

Day 348: It's A Wonderful Life

Today, we got to see the Cherub choir sing "This is My Commandment." Daniel gets so excited when he has the opportunity to sing on stage.

During nap time I made cookie dough and watched "It's a Wonderful Life." It is the 1st classic Christmas movie I've watched this year so I feel like it is finally Christmas time!  I had intended to make the cookies before the boys woke up but didn't have enough vanilla and Davey was out running errands so I had to wait for him  to get home to finish. When he got home, he not only had the vanilla but he had these pretty yellow roses for me! So sweet!

Advent Reading

Luke 2:1-7Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.

4 And Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough—because there was no room for them at the lodging place.

347:Tree Decorating and Shopping!

Since our tree fell earlier this week, Daniel has been asking to decorate the tree again. Of course our evenings have been busy so this morning we finally got to it. He was super excited! 

Working hard.

This one's a little blurry but I like it.

Micah "vacuuming" up the needles under the tree

  

This is what happens when you let kids help decorate the tree. They will be dispersed when no one is looking.

After this I got to go shopping with my mom and my oldest niece Natalie. Of course I have no pictures to show for it but I have less money in my bank account and some cute new clothes.


Advnt Day 13

Luke 2:1-5(HCSB)

  In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.

4 And Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant.