Last Summer's Project

Last summer Jon & I created this train board for Bram's 2nd birthday present. We followed this Young House Love tutorial almost exactly. (http://www.younghouselove.com/2012/09/all-abord-the-train-board/) my favorite part was deciding with Jon precisely what we envisioned for the painted background. We both decided we wanted a river, a lake, a bridge going over the river, & a forest. Jon noticed one of our wood planks was sloped all along one side because of the way it had been cut originally. That plank would be one of the outside ones and we wouldn't be able to screw the tracks there because it was so uneven. Jon's solution was to make that part of the plank a sandy beach leading out to an ocean. We also decided somewhere along the line to leave a clearing in the forest, in case any matchbox minivans needed to stop there for a camping site down the road. This planning part was fun because we got to try and think like a kid again. 

Bram seems to be enjoying this more the past week or so. He's almost all but ignored it since August when we gave it to him, and honestly our fun gift has spent more time stowed away under our couch in the guest room than being used for its purpose. He seems to be more into  his Legos or his construction vehicles and accessories. But whether he plays or not, all tiny visitors and friends we've had over love playing with it. I'm sure it will get plenty of use over time. I definitely don't regret spending the time putting it together, and I had a lot of fun working on it seeing as it was Jon & I's first team project to execute.

Jean rescue mission

My favorite pair of Bram's jeans got a hole in the right knee last week. After a little online sleuthing, I found and tried a tutorial for patching jeans in a way that keeps the "distressed" look and also keeps the patch on the inside so overall the look is more subtle. Most importantly, the tutorial looked easy enough for a beginner seamstress and could be done with no special equipment (other than a basic starter seeing machine). I cut the patch out of a pair of my old jeans, and so I just had to acquire some blue thread before trying to patch them this way. It was really simple and I love the idea of getting more use out of these jeans and not having to throw them out just yet. Also I hear boys can be rather hard on their jeans so I'm happy to learn a new skill that will be useful again and again. Here is the link to the tutorial and a few pics of the finished product. http://lazyhomesteader.com/2013/01/10/thrifty-thursday-patching-kids-jeans/

Sent from my iPhone

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Now that every Christmas Skype session with family across the country has been concluded, I thought a little mobile-blog post could go up. We've had a great few days celebrating here even though this is our first Christmas away from Oklahoma. We have been in several living rooms across the US via technology and we are thankful for that (OK, CO, possibly WA later). Bram has greatly enjoyed opening presents this year (perhaps even the thrill of the opening more than playing with the gift), and we pray he one day soon realizes the greatest gift we have been given is a Savior in Jesus Christ, and those who repent and believe in Him find they have been given the greatest of riches - forgiveness, righteousness, peace, and an eternity knowing and loving God in His presence. "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich." 2 Corinthians 8:9

Hymn for Christmas - Thou Who Wast Rich

We sang this hymn at church yesterday and I was struck by the beautiful poetry concerning Christ's love for man in the incarnation (and also struck by thinking of the incarnation of Christ itself), and also struck that it was a Christmas hymn I had never heard of. My pastor elaborated on the hymn at the evening Carols service, and if you are interested in how this hymn was written in connection with Christian missions to China, click this link and read the story below the hymn. You can access the melody in this Youtube video. Beautiful melody, too.


Thou Who Wast Rich
Words: Frank Houghton (1894-1972)
Music: Trad. French Carol Melody, FRAGRANCE

Thou Who wast rich beyond all splendor,
all for love's sake becamest poor;
Thrones for a manger didst surrender,
sapphire-paved courts for stable floor.
Thou Who wast rich beyond all splendor,
all for love's sake becamest poor.

Thou Who art God beyond all praising,
all for love's sake becamest Man;
Stooping so low, but sinners raising
heav'nwards by Thine eternal plan.
Thou Who art God beyond all praising,
all for love's sake becamest Man.

Thou Who art love beyond all telling,
Savior and King, we worship Thee.
Immanuel, within us dwelling,
make us what Thou wouldst have us be.
Thou Who art love, beyond all telling,
Savior and King, we worship Thee.

Bram reading under the tree yesterday

Andy & Holly's Weekend Visit

We were excited to welcome the newlyweds on the Malone side to Maryland at the beginning of November. Andy and Holly drove from their home near Columbus, OH just to hang out with us for the weekend. We had a great time chatting every night and seeing some sights as the trees here were just beginning to show their fall colors. We drove to Annapolis, MD one morning and enjoyed some good food and ice cream. We were able to visit the National Air and Space Museum another morning and also walk around the National Mall afterward. They were able to stay for church Sunday and we got to sneak in a visit to Jon and I's favorite restaurant in Bethesda, MD, Uncle Julio's (Andy introduced us to Uncle Julio's by giving us a gift card last year). Thanks for visiting us, Andy and Holly!

Sarah and Daniel's October Visit

My sister and my nephew flew all the way from Washington state just to hang out with our family for 12 days while my brother-in-law is deployed with the Air Force. We had an absolute blast. From special outings like going to the National Aquarium in Baltimore to normal every day outings like stopping at Trader Joe's to pick up groceries, we loved every minute. And I have tons of pictures from their time here. Cousin photos are irresistible! Two boys born within one year of each other makes for great photo ops. We love you, Sarah and Daniel!

cousins holding hands

Bram and Auntie Sarah at the National Aquarium

Dolphins playing with a toy in the tank

Bram watching jellyfish at the Jelly Invasion exhibit

Jon and Daniel at the top of the aquarium (no strollers allowed)

Sisters with boys (who were more interested in dolphins and toddling around than in getting photographed)

Daniel enjoyed the dolphin show

Jellyfish glass art

Sarah and Daniel

Cousin photo op at the aquarium

Jon carried both boys for awhile, what a stud! (And that green thing is a kid-leash!)

Cousins checking out the dolphin tank

One of the many beauties in the amazing Jelly Invasion exhibit

It was so fun to be so close to the animals at the aquarium

On a hay bale at Butler's Orchard Pumpkin Festival

Bram was concentrating hard on holding this pumpkin that we ended up purchasing

Cousin buddies holding hands

Fun at Trader Joe's

Bram enjoying a "trumpet" (bugel) at a friend of Sarah's house

Neighborhood walk

Cousins "cooking" together

Morning yogurt drink

Matching cuties

Daniel and Bram flying together at the College Park Aviation Museum

Daniel wanted to be an aviator like his daddy

Obligatory picture!

Bram was really serious about his role play as a pilot!

Playing together at our local playground

Welcome, Baby Asher!

My third nephew was born 10/2/13 at around 7am in Nepal. I'm praising God for this new life! Congratulations Jay, Amanda, big sisters Anna and Liyla, and big brother Justice!