The Season of Giving: Need Your Help!

Over the past few Christmas seasons, Matt and I have worked hard to remind the boys that the Christmas season is a time to GIVE and focus on FAMILY, LOVE and CHRIST.  Not the "getting" and not Santa.

We do this in several ways.  We participate in Operation Christmas Child, we donate our outgrown coats and clothes, we adopt a family or child off a Christmas Tree, we make donations to local food banks and we donate toys the boys don't need anymore.

In addition to those activities, we have our 25 days of Christmas advent countdown.  In the past these activities have been more fun things - less giving oriented.  This year, I want to tie in a few more activities that inspire the giving atmosphere.  But I'm stumped!  I can't come up with more than 5 or 6 that I have. :/

Can you help?  What are some things you do? Or some ideas you have that would be appropriate for a 4 year old and an 8 year old?  (I'm not willing to take them to a soup kitchen just yet.)  Activities could take as little as 5 minutes and as long as an hour or two.  I'm open to just about anything!! 

Adjustments All Around

So much going on in our lives!

Matt has been home for more than 45 days now.  We're still adjusting...I think we'll continue to for sometime.  I learned to live alone and handle schedules, cleaning, working and cleaning how it worked for me and the boys.  Matt learned to be self-sufficient and not have to think about others' schedules and needs.  Now, Matt is back to work, so we're having to work around several different schedules.  It's taking time, a few disagreements, and lots of compromise, but we're getting there. 


Payton is doing SO well at his new school!  He's happy most days and has made some great friends.  He has learned some new social skills and is fitting in really well.  The academics are at his level and he's being challenged in most subjects.

He is also taking karate twice a week.  He is doing better than we could have imagined and loves the instructor.  His perfectionist nature is allowing him to memorize and master his skills.  He's not allowing his gross-motor issues get in the way.  He's pushing through and making the best of it, even if it requires him to work hard.

Maxwell has learned to read in the last month too!  He's sounding out 3-4 letter words and can read a full "beginning reader" book.  He's so happy!  Next time you see him, ask him to read a word for you!

We're getting ready for the holidays around here.  It's our favorite time of the year and I can't wait for the joy, the celebrations and the time with family.

We pray you are all doing well and hope to see many of you this upcoming season. 

Crockpot Salsa Chicken

I have a few recipes that are my "go to" recipes for when I can't think of what else to make or when we have activities that leave our schedule short of time.  One of the family's favorite is Crockpot Salsa Chicken.  I don't have exact measurements because it changes depending on what I have in the fridge and pantry.  Here is about how it goes down:

Chicken Breasts (boneless, skinless) - 3 breasts feeds the 4 of us plus leaves us enough for a second meal
Salsa, 1/2 a jar
Canned or fresh corn, 1 can or 2-3 ears worth
Black beans, low sodium, rinsed and drained
1/2 a packet of fajita or taco mix

Place the chicken in the crockpot.  Sprinkle seasoning package on top.  Pour the salsa, corn and blackbeans on top and cover.  Cook on high for 4-6 or low for 6-8.  Shred the chicken in the crockpot using two forks or tongs.  It should shred easily.  Allow to soak in the juice for another 20-30 minutes.

Serve over rice.  Or use to make burritos.  Or use for quesadillas.  It's good LOTS of ways!!

Add it to your menu and let me know which way you prefer it!

Home Sweet Homecoming

Although we planned it, knew it would be emotional and such a wonderful experience, nothing could prepare us for the moment our boys actually saw their father for the first time...in a very surprising way.

The boys had no idea that Matt was coming home.  Matt came home and we grabbed the camera to head to get Payton from school.  We waited for "THE moment"...waiting for Payton to come out of school.  I was anxious and excited for him. Several friends were there with us and were anxious to see Payton's reaction.

Ms. Niemi brought the third graders around the side of the building.  There was Payton, the last in line.  He saw me, but Matt was hiding behind a pillar and couldn't be seen.  I said "I have a surprise for you, Buddy." and Matt stepped out.  Wow.  What a moment.  No one could predict Payton's level of excitement.  There was a two second delay and then he loudly repeated "DADDY! DADDY!!!  IT'S MY DADDY!!" over and over again as he ran and jumped into Matt's arms.  It took a few minutes for the shock to wear off while he stayed close to Matt and held his breath.  He took a few moments to introduce Matt to Ms. Niemi and a few other people, and then was back at his side. 

We left Payton's school to get Max who was at his daycare/homeschooling teacher's house.  Payton was so excited to see Max's reaction, but was also very understanding that he needed to let Max have a few minutes with Daddy just like he got.


When we arrived at Liz's house, Matt hid in the back area of the van.  I went up to the porch and Liz had Max come outside.  I asked him to wait on the porch and then told him I had a surprise for him.  I opened the van door and there was Matt.  Maxwell's reaction was instantaneous.  He ran straight for Matt and jumped into his arms.  Where Payton was yelling and announcing his joy to the world, Maxwell was more reserved and private.  He just cuddled up and didn't want to be put down.

That night, we spent lots of time as a family.  The boys cuddled and hugged their daddy for a long time.  There have been a lot of reunions and loving moments in our family, but this was one of the best.  The boys showed such free, unrestrained love for their father.  Nothing can compare to that.  It's a memory I will have for a long time to come. 

Post Deployment Adjustment

Where has the time gone?!  My goodness! Over a month since my last post.

Everyone is doing well here in our little home.  Matt came home earlier this month and we've been enjoying having each other around. Learning to readjust...that's another thing.  I know people have to adjust after long term deployments, especially to war zones, but I knew that wasn't our situation.  I guess I knew things would be different, but didn't expect this different. 

I knew Matt and I have changed individually, both in very positive ways.  But now we're trying to make those changes work together.  I have become more independent and I have a routine that worked for me and the boys.  I'm used to only thinking of myself as the decision maker and now I'm having to relearn to consider him and his needs & thoughts on everything.  Matt has gotten used to being a bachelor.  He doesn't have to consider anyone else's routines and needs.  It's not a bad thing when you're living by yourself, it's just that we aren't in that season anymore.  We have both learned to be different people that worked well in the situation we've been in the last six months.  Now we have to relearn to be a couple and a family.

However, we are doing well on our routines.  Matt is helping out a LOT with getting the boys to and from their activities.  That has been a huge stress reliever for me.  And helping out with making dinner!  What a relief.

Overall, we're doing well.  The boys are loving having him home and so am I.  We're a family again.  And that is the best feeling in the world. 

Welcoming Fall

It's that time of year.  I love this weather; jeans and sweaters, Ohio State Football, cider mills & doughnuts, picking apples...  There is just so much to love.

Fall has also brought change.  Maxwell (Thank, our LORD) has not had any serious injuries since his broken nose, which healed up just fine.  Payton is attending Warren Woods Christian School.  It's the school run by our church.  Payton absolutely loves it there and has come home happy every day.  His teacher is amazing and is firm, but loving.  They are a good match - which is great because she is the only teacher for the small class of 18. 

This crisp weather also brings me back to school/work.  I am still loving my job and the work I get to do.  In my third year now as the librarian, I'm developing what I want the kids to focus on and how to get them interested.  It's going to be a good year.  My boss is allowing me to work part-time until Matt gets home.  That is a huge burden lifted.  I'm able to run errands and take care of some needs without two boys in tow.

Matt is still in D.C.  He's still loving that as well.  I'm not sure where things stand on when he'll be home and how long he'll be home, so I'm keeping that information top secret.

I hope you are able to enjoy this beautiful weather!