2012

Well, wasn't that year a doozy! 

As Teresa once said, "My didn't saw that one coming!"  If you're still visiting this little blog and keeping up with our lives, thanks for sticking it out.  

The word that comes to mind for 2012 is SURVIVAL.  I figure I spent a good 10 out of these past 12 months just surviving.  First, adding a fourth child to the mix (which always takes a little adjustment), then losing our nephew Luke just 6 weeks after, then finding out about Rachel's skull at the end of April, followed by illnesses and difficult losses for several friends . . . so often I found myself with nothing more to say than, "UGH."  I gave up trying to recover from one blow before the next one hit.  My prayer became figuratively throwing my hands into the air and mentally exclaiming, "Blahhhh!" 

No words left. 

That's OK.  God knows our needs even if we can't put them into words.  How do I know that?  He never stopped taking care of me or those I love.

At one point early in the summer, my focus was making it through the day. If I could still physically stand up straight with the fear and anxiety that was raging through me, well, that was a good day.  One day CM friend Sarah posted this on her Facebook page. 

 

That was it. 

Maybe there was more to life than merely making it through the day.  Thanks to a little extra encouragement from my mom and a little added help from my friend Zoloft, things started to look up.  (We have since parted ways for the time being, but I have to say once again that modern medicine is a wonderful thing.) 

This year was mostly SO, SO tough.  There were so many situations I didn't want to be in, conversations I didn't want to be having, things I didn't want to be thinking about. . . but,  

thankfully, God's GRACE is SUFFICIENT in our weakness.  In everyone of those situations, I came out stronger on the other side. 

As Glennon at Momastery so aptly puts it, life is "brutiful"--a blending of BRUTAL and BEAUTIFUL. 

For all of the tough stuff, there really was so much beautiful--watching all of Rachel's "firsts" and some of the big 3's "firsts," too,  our vacation to Minnesota in June, the family weddings and celebrations, the gift of ordinary days . . . .  so, so much beauty. 

More than any of us could ever deserve. 

As we jump into 2013,

I hope we will all dream a little bigger,

endure the brutal

and embrace the beautiful.

 

I also hope you will keep stopping by.

More adventures await!

 

Dec. 28

How have your "leftover" days been treating you?  Ours have been quite the opposite of lazy, that is for sure!

Yesterday, David won the Husband and Father of the Year Award.  (Whew!  That was close!)  I had planned to go to Aberdeen and take Teresa with me, but at the last minute she decided she wanted to stay home.  David told me to take my time and enjoy my present from him (uninterrupted shopping with shopping money).  I did and it was WONDERFUL!  I did my part to help Aberdeen's economy (I'm always willing to help out), and came home to find the boys' beds bunked with the former office shelves moved into their room.  Teresa had scored a couple of cabinets from the office, too.  All of the big kids had "new" living spaces and they were so excited. 

Today I got into the mode of cleaning, organizing, and pitching, too.  If you weren't enjoyable to look at, useful, or had sentimental value, you didn't stand much of a chance around here today.  It feels SO good to get organized and ready for the new year! 

 

 

But . . . before we march into 2013, let's take a look back at Christmas 2012!!!

First, we have Melius Christmas.  We have our Santa Baby Rachel, the girl cousins (missing Lydia), John, Jodi, and Avery sharing the Christmas story, the boys' combines from Grandpa, and Dad helping Landen build a very complicated ship model Uncle John brought back from China.  It took him several hours to finish.  It obviously clouded Dad's judgement as he told Nathan he could have Mountain Dew before bed!  Nathan loves it when such opportunities arise!

Here we have Christmas in Eureka with the Joachims.  Just a cute closeup of Rachel, Rachel kissing Nathan, the grandkids with Papa Butter and Grandma Shirley, Landen's FAVORITE present, Aunt Amanda with her nieces and nephews, and Teresa with her new doll that came with matching jammies (they make such a cute pair)!

 Finally, we have Christmas Day at home!  Teresa got a Doodle Bear, Nathan tried out the gift bag, Rachel got into the fun and loved her new phone from cousin Lydia, the big kids kept the secret of a new farm picture for Dad, and Landen got what he asked for--a power strip, which came with the added bonus of an extension cord!  What more could a boy ask for? 

We hope you, too, had a most blessed Christmas with those you love most!

Stack of Facts

One of these days, I'll get a new fancy schmancy Christmas collage posted, but I just spent an hour going through all of the photos and, well, I feel a hankering for a Christmas cookie coming on.  (I must wean myself off the constant sugar intake gradually after the Christmas grazing.) 

Instead, I will leave you with this stack of treasures that Landen received.  After he opened Life's Imponderables at my mom and dad's, he was done opening presents because he was too busy reading!  I love it!

Happy Christmas Vacation!

Ever since we returned from Rochester, all I have wanted is one thing for our Christmas vacation--all of my little chicks together, gathered around the EdenPure heater (no fireplace here), drinking mugs of hot chocolate and singing Christmas carols as we all smile adoringly at each other.

Enter REAL life today after the school Christmas parties at the VERY start of Christmas vacation. . . .
Nathan and Teresa hitting and yelling at each other because Teresa isn't moving out of Nathan's seat.
Teresa screaming her head off because Landen's book bag is in her way.  This continues while I run into the Cenex to discover . . .
the gas station completely out of Cenex cards and I only had 1 more to get! 
Landen whining that he has no idea what he will do all Christmas vacation.
Me finding out halfway home that the gift card Landen took for his teacher never made it to school and he has no idea where it is.
Me trying another Cenex (no gifts cards there either) to return to find Teresa and Landen fighting over a book.
Getting stuck by the mailbox and having to shovel myself out before I can enter my driveway.
Rachel waking up from her nap as soon as we came in the door.  (Shocking, since all of her siblings are SO quiet.)
Landen telling me he is in a "living nightmare" because he has too much responsibility in life.
(Son, it's only going to get worse.) 
If we follow our history, someone will be puking by Christmas morning, too. 

But, it doesn't matter.  Sure, we will never have that PERFECT Christmas, but NO ONE EVER HAS.  Someone once painted the idea they had in their head, but that portrait only existed in an imagination.  Thousands of photographers have staged fake family holidays for their magazine pages, but they were never real. 

No,  I am afraid "Silent Night" around the EdenPure in 4-part harmony is not going to happen.  But, it really doesn't matter.  The most important part of my dream Christmas vacation is HERE--all of us are together in our loud, crazy, messy, imperfect glory.  I am all too aware that there are many, many families (my extended family included) who are not blessed with such a gift, whether it be that members have passed away or are just not able to come home to be together. 

No, none of us will have a PERFECT Christmas, but that doesn't mean that it can't still be wonderful.  No matter what have lost or are missing, we all still have an abundance of things to hold close and celebrate . . . as loud, crazy, messy, and imperfect as those may be!  :o)

Snowman Kits

Tomorrow Teresa and I will go to Nathan's class to help with the Christmas party.  We hope they like these Snowman Kits that we made as part of their snack!

Kid (and Mom) Friendly Treats

Are you looking for a fun and simple tasty Christmas treat to make with your kids? 

Try these Minty Marshmallows! 

1.  Put your child who most enjoys destruction on the job of crushing candy canes with a meat tenderizer (or another destructive kitchen tool).

2.  Have another more gentle-natured child unwrap and stick mini candy canes into the top of marshmallows.

3.  While your kids are busy, melt 1/2 bag of white (or chocolate, if you prefer) chips.  Add about a teaspoon of shortening before melting.  I like to do mine in a makeshift double boiler.  I use a metal bowl on top of a saucepan of hot water.  This keeps them melted until the project is complete. 

4.  Dip the bottom of each into the melted chocolate and then dip in the crushed candy canes.

5.  Eat right away, wrap up as gifts, or use as a pretty centerpiece for your table!

Our Birthday Girl

. . . from our supper on Friday night and Rachel's birthday dinner on Sunday afternoon. 

After I put her to bed on Friday night, I swore she even LOOKED bigger. 

Happy Birthday, Rachel!

Special Guest

Guess what!  The special guest at Story Hour was Santa!  Teresa wasn't the only one who was surprised.  I guess when you are 3-5 years old, you just don't see that coming so far away from Christmas. :o) 

Teresa was happy to sit on Santa's lap, but she couldn't think of anything she wanted.  Santa said he would surprise her. 

Rachel took a turn at the end.  If she could have asked for anything at that time, it probably would have been a nap.  The little stinker didn't think she needed a morning nap before we left for the library on her birthday!

More birthday photos to come . . . .

Busy, busy, busy . . .

It has been quite a busy week, as you can probably tell by my lack of blogging! 
Packages have been arriving daily, evidence of my online shopping therapy while in the hospital.  Most of it was Christmas shopping, so I had a good excuse! 
I did the bulk of my shopping online again this year.  Zulily.com is one of my new favorite sites, as is Ebates.com.  I really do prefer the real life, tangible shopping, but that is just not realistic at this point in my life.  There is just one gift I am kind of concerned about arriving on time . . . one that we ordered on Monday.  It's not the end of the world if it doesn't get here.  The tooth fairy always has good excuses for not arriving when she should.  I'm sure Santa can come up with a good one if need be, too, if he has to deliver one present a little late! 
Christmas cards are in the works.  I can't wait to see them--they have been done in Aberdeen since Sunday, but I won't be able to get there until Saturday to get them.  (I was not anticipating this busy week when I placed the order.) :o) 
I took a road trip on Tuesday with friend Roxanne and four of our children to Eureka.  Our ultimate goal was to pick up the pig our families will be consuming over the next year.  With the promise of Subway near the end of the trip, it went very well! 
Yesterday was the boys' school Christmas concert in the afternoon.  Our evening was spent in our 2nd (and final) rehearsal for the All Saints Advent Program on Sunday!
Today we are entertaining a little named Ezra.  It's been a wonderful day!  He liked us right away and Teresa has had fun having another one year old around to mother.  :o) 
Along with all of these things, there have also been preparations for Miss Rachel's birthday tomorrow!  The girls and I will go to Story Hour in the morning.  They are expecting an unnamed Special Visitor at the library.  Teresa does not expect it to be Santa.  She asked me if I know of a new guy who moved to Faulkton who may be stopping by!  She will be, I hope pleasantly, surprised.
We will have a birthday supper with Grandma and Grandpa Melius and then will have Rachel's 1st Birthday Party on Sunday with grands, aunt Amanda, godparents, and god-siblings . . . (god-cousins)?  Whatever you call them, we will have a lot of children here and it is sure to be fun! 
After that party, we will skedaddle back to church for the Advent Program at 4pm!
So, yes, it has been a BUSY week, but it's all good stuff.  We've been happy (except for Nathan when he has to put on his boots) and healthy (except for a few runny noses).  No complaints here. 

When the Weather Outside is Frightful . . .

a cup of homemade hot chocolate is so delightful!

 

Homemade Hot Chocolate

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 cup white sugar (more if you prefer a less dark chocolate taste)

a pinch of salt

2/3 cup boiling water

7 cups milk

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

whipped cream

 

Combine the cocoa, sugar, and salt in a saucepan.  Blend in the boiling water.  Bring this mixture to an easy boil while stirring.  Simmer and stir for about 2 minutes.  Watch that it does not scorch.  Stir in milk and heat until hot, but do not boil!  Remove from heat and add vanilla.  Ladle into mugs and garnish with whipped cream.  Makes about 8 servings.

Refrigerate any leftover hot chocolate and make a delicious morning mocha latte the next day!

Make that 3 Front Teeth!

 

Grinch Cookies

 

 

Here's a new holiday recipe from Landen.  The third grade class had a student teacher for a few weeks named Miss Togel.  Thursday was her last day and she brought Grinch Cookies to share with the class.  Landen said they were SOOOO good that he brought the recipe home with him!

Last night, the boys worked together to make their own Grinch Cookies.  They are really good and we think you will like them, too!

Grinch Cookies

Mix together:

1 dry white cake mix

2 eggs

green food coloring (as Grinchy as you'd like)

6 T butter

 

Mix below in a small bowl:

powdered sugar (a cup or so)

1 tsp. corn starch

 

Make small balls of dough and roll them in powdered sugar mix.  Bake at 375 for 9-10 minutes.

 

 

Around the Christmas Tree

This is, without a doubt, the prettiest tree I have ever had. 

I know my mom wouldn't be offended by this statement.  The tree we had growing up, God bless that tree, could have been used in the off season as a giant green toilet scrubber.  It always looked cute decorated, but it was nothing short of a miracle.

David and I bought a real tree the first year we were married since I had never had a real tree and I really thought I wanted one.  I was wrong.  It wasn't that pretty of a tree and it dried up before New Year's Eve.  Let's not even mention the mess pine needles make.

I purchased a nice artificial tree the next year, which lasted us until last year.  Every year a few branches broke off and last year we didn't even put the bottom row on it.

This year I decided to take the plunge and buy a tree to fit our vaulted living room ceilings.  My big Black Friday purchase was a 12' tree.  Sister-in-law Angela and Aunt Darla filled my cart with purple and silver accents.  With lots of help from David (I can't reach the top even with a ladder) and our own loved ornaments, it made one big beautiful tree.

I love it so much, I just might keep it up year round. 

I love it . . . and I have no idea where I am going to store it.

 Here is just a sampling of some favorite ornaments.  Every year each child receives an ornament that goes with one of their interests or milestones for the year. 

Gingerbread Time

As I log more years as a wife and mom, it is fun to see each year which recipes stand the test of time in our family. 

This recipe for Semi-Homemade Gingerbread Cookies is one of those keepers.  It starts with a store-bought sugar cookie mix and the dough rolls out very easily.  These cookies taste just like "real" gingerbread cookies and have a soft texture, too.

Hand your assistant cookie decorator a can of frosting with built-in sprinkles and you are good to go!

All Nathan Wants for Christmas . . .

is a Nintendo DS, but he would have better luck asking for his two front teeth!

Monday

It is Monday after a wonderful weekend on the MOVE!

Our trip to Rochester with all four kiddos went very well.  We arrived at St. Marys Hospital early Friday afternoon.  We first checked out the elevator, then we showed them the toy rooms, Rachel's room, and the hospital chapel.  Our South Dakota farm boys nearly got stuck in the rotating hospital door, but once we got them to keep moving FORWARD, all was well. :o)
After that, we continued to our appointment with Dr. Bite at the Mayo Building downtown.  The Plastic Surgery department is on the 12th floor, but that wasn't quite high enough.  We took them up to the 19th floor and we spent a long time admiring the view of the city below.
Rachel had a great check up and we won't have to return for another visit until the spring.  Then they will want to see her progress after a year and once before she starts Kindergarten.  I am OK with that.  With the big event behind us, it doesn't bother me to come back for occasional check ups. Especially now that we know familiar faces and places, it makes for much less stressful visits.  Besides, there is a lot of great untapped shopping left for me to do in Rochester--I just know it. :o) 
Our road trip involved visits to all of the Melius aunts, uncles, and cousins.  It is quite convenient having family placed along the way and we are thankful for the fun times we spent with them all!

Yesterday I was able to conclude the weekend with the Christmas on the Prairie Concert in Hoven.  What a beautiful way to begin this season of Advent!

Now it is time to unpack . . . and put those suitcases away for awhile!

It's good to be back home again!