Family Christmases

Christmas has been a lot less stressed since we started staying home on Christmas Day for our own family and doing our extended family on weekends surrounding Christmas. This year, we had Steve's side first and enjoyed ourselves. It was fun to see how much better Hannah is starting to get to interacting with Kendra...they are gonna need to stick by each other as the only girls in a sea of boys!

{Hannah looks like she's telling Aidan something, which I loved;
Aidan and Kendra help Hannah open a gift.}

{Aidan's - and everyone else's! - favorite gift of Christmas by far was this guitar!}

{Everyone diving in to different things...it's hard to keep track of it all anymore!}

We then returned to Dubuque for a weekend to have Christmas with my mom and grandparents and my dad. It was a busy, but very fun, weekend!

{Granny and my mom with Hannah - I love these pictures!}

{Chris, solidifying his place as favorite son in law with the Lukken-making!}

{There are always plenty of presents!}
{It has become a new tradition that Austin helps Michael pass out gifts.}

{Plenty of time for lots of fun after gift opening and eating is done!}

The next day, we had Christmas with my dad at my sister's house. It was a fun and relaxing day that went by all too quickly. Unfortunately, my camera battery died and I did not bring the charger with me! I didn't get very many pictures, but love the ones I did get!

Christmas!

Christmas Eve brought a winter storm (blizzard actually), so Daddy spent the day home with us. We were very blessed this year with not only Christmas Eve, but the entire weekend. It was awesome to have Steve home for four and a half days - very much like an unplanned vacation! I could certainly do with it more often!

On Christmas Eve, we made sugar cookies for Santa. Aidan, Nathanial, Ethan, Noah, and Hannah all helped decorate the cookies. Noah didn't last very long at all - just long enough to load one full of frosting and eat it! Hannah thoroughly enjoyed her cookie that she "made" (with a lot of help) and so did Nathanial and Ethan. Aidan really worked hard at making cookies and not just eating them so that Santa would have some to enjoy, also!

After all our cookies were made, we all showered and got dressed for Christmas Eve service. The service was wonderful and afterwards, we were talking about a certain country song. Everyone was shocked that I had no idea what it was, so as soon as I got in the car, I asked Steve about it and he was amazed I didn't know it either. In my defense, I grew up with a dad that was very into rock and roll and not so much country, so we never (and I do mean never) listened to country. As it turns out {surprise, surprise} Steve just happened to have the cd at home. As soon as we all got inside and got coats off, Daddy found the cd and we had a little impromptu dance. It was a lot of fun and we all really enjoyed it! I was actually very thankful for the discussion after service about the song! I also tried to get a picture of all six kids in their Christmas finery, but it didn't turn out the greatest...it is not easy to get six little people to sit still for a picture! After a while of dancing, everyone got their jammies on and headed to bed.

Christmas morning brought children up far too early for their mother's taste. Austin and Aidan were up at 4:30 am!! Dad thought that was just fine, I told them I would not get up until at least 6:30 and noone was going downstairs until then. By 5:30, everyone except Hannah was awake, so Daddy gave them all a bath (which is why they are wet) to waste a little more time. I finally got up, but was not real pleased to have been bugged every five minutes from 4:30 on. I probably should have gotten up, let them open presents, and went back to bed, but I knew there was no way I would be going back to bed, so I stalled. Probably makes me a bad mommy, but that's just how it is! When I finally woke up a very testy Hannah (who is used to sleeping until at least 8), we all went down and enjoyed the morning.

I had rolls rising on the counter that Noah just could not leave alone. I was a little perturbed at first that my perfect, pretty rolls were destroyed by a two year old in a very short period of time, but it did not last long. He was enjoying himself so much it was hard to stay upset with him! He then shoved more rolls into the small loaf pan I had made. I did pull some of the rolls off the top and had him "help" me reshape them. He did a great job - and I have to admit his bread was phenomenal!

We had a great Christmas as a family and really cherish the memories we are making with each of them. In some ways, we are just getting started and in others, we are almost done. It seems these years are going by so very fast and I thank God for each of my children. On Christmas especially, I cannot imagine having a child with the precise knowledge that he would one day (just a short 33 years later) be sacrificed for everyone else. Thank you, God, for the amazing gift of salvation you give to each one of us!!

Oh, Christmas Tree!

Once again this year, we found ourselves with just Steve, Aidan, and I going out to cut down the tree (I'm hoping this rectifies itself next year and we all go!). We went to the tree farm and Aidan picked out a tree he liked - with our approval - and worked on cutting it down. Why Dad trusted him with a saw is beyond me, but he gave up pretty quickly!

When we got home, we got it set up and then left it alone for a couple of days until we all had time to decorate it together. Even Hannah helped and we all enjoyed the afternoon together. It's fun to watch the changes in each of them year to year with what they are able to help with and do with decorating!

Thanksgiving

We had two wonderful Thanksgivings this year. It was our year to have Thanksgiving with my family on Thanksgiving day and we spent the day visiting and very relaxed. I didn't get any pictures at my Dad's of Thanksgiving (thanks to a dead camera battery) and only one at my Grandparent's. At least I got one. Everyone enjoyed themselves and had a ton of fun as always!

{Hannah and Grandma Janet}

On the weekend, we went to Steve's side for Thanksgiving/Austin B's birthday. The triplets are getting to the point where they really enjoy themselves and Hannah is getting more and more independent, so she also enjoyed some time playing with all the little people. My sister in law always does a fun ornament craft and we did that also. This year she had two - one for the little people and one for the grown ups. It worked out perfect and the older cousins were great sports about helping the little cousins!

{Kendra and Noah}

{Hannah is still tiny enough to stand up under a pool table.}

{Aidan}

{Hannah, Nathanial, and Kendra are fascinated with Aunt Sue's pictures}

{Aaron "helping" Hannah make her craft}

{Troy helped Nathanial, but Nathanial wanted to do it himself}

{Aidan working hard on his craft}

{Shane helping Noah}

{Austin helping Ethan - they make a great team!}

As always, we take a grandkids photo for Grandma Lee and Grandpa Kenny's Christmas card.
{Noah, Troy with Kendra, Austin B with Thano, Austin C with Ethan, Shane with Hannah, Aidan}

Mother's Day 2009

I was feeding Hannah when I heard the pitter-patter of little footsteps climbing the steps this morning. Daddy had the triplets fed and then had "them" make me a card - and even got a picture of all three sitting nicely. Aidan also made me an awesome little picture and wrote his own little thing on it. It was a wonderful way to be "woken" up.
Aidan and his picture... Ethan, Nathanial, and Noah - all sitting nicely!
They even all came in in the correct order! (That was not planned.)

After struggling with infertility, it is such a blessing to wake up on this holiday and truly celebrate the miraculous ways in which God has completed our family. In my wildest dreams, I never would have imagined that my longings for a big family would have come true eight years ago. I am so incredibly blessed!!!

Baptism, Easter, Everything

On Good Friday, I was baptized. It was the most amazing experience of my life and I would highly recommend all believers do it. I was baptized at a week old and confirmed at 16, but it was not by my "choice," it was more about something that you did because it was expected of you. When I was born again eight years ago, it was something I gave a passing thought to but not much more than that. The church we were in didn't really encourage it and didn't do them often. As the years have gone by, I have felt a stronger and stronger desire to do so. Our pastor offered to do them on Good Friday and so I did.

I have been attacked by Satan before, but this was a whole new level. When I was going to the meeting on the Sunday before, I literally passed the church and said to myself "I really don't need to do this." Thankfully, by the time I turned the corner, I realized what was going on and went in the other entrance. Then for the next five days, I doubted my decision and became increasingly more nervous with each passing day. Of course Satan was on the attack - and I was letting him!

We do not have a baptistery in our church, so we went to the Baptist church to use theirs. (It's a little chilly in Iowa in April to be doing them outside.) When we arrived, we went upstairs and our Pastor came up to talk to us. I admitted how nervous I had been all week - and was relieved to hear him say he was also. There were three of us being baptized and we were all ready for it.

I had the most indescribable feeling when being submerged...it is something I wish I could explain but I really can't put it into words. I could literally feel the Holy Spirit enter in a way I had never in my life felt before. I have felt the presence of the Holy Spirit often - sometimes more than others - and I know that He is always there. But I actually felt a breath come from somewhere breaths do not come from...especially under water! And the peace I have felt since has been unbelievable. I am so thankful now that I did it. [In case you are wondering, I forgot my camera - so no pictures, sorry!]

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We took the kids on the Easter Basket hunt downtown on Saturday. That was an experience that I wish I wouldn't have to do again, but I know I will do it all over again next year. In our town, you receive your ticket with your number and then "search" the businesses for your basket. Noah was pitching a fit and he got the first basket. Ethan's was the second basket and Nathanial was still OK. Aidan found the third basket and about that time, Nathanial had had enough. He was honked off that he didn't have one and didn't understand we were still searching for it. Finally, we found his and then Ethan was upset because he didn't get to go in with us (I took each child in individually to get their baskets). We came home, they ate almost all their candy, and then we went to an Easter Egg hunt. We had much more fun there. The boys kind of looked for eggs, but had more fun playing than anything. We all had a good time!

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On Sunday, we got up early for Sunrise Service at church. The youth group did a few skits and they were all great. They did the most powerful presentation of the "Everything" skit (by Lifehouse - this is not our church's skit). I believe it was better than anything I have ever seen online - they did awesome. We then had a fantastic breakfast and Sunday School and then our regular service. Which was also so very moving. It was an awesome, awesome day filled with thanksgiving to the One who saved me from the pits of hell. I absolutely love Easter - it is my favorite holiday. I feel it gets way too commercialized (like every other holiday), but it really doesn't have to. We had a wonderful morning in church and our kids didn't even miss looking for eggs. I was glad we had done the activities on Saturday, because it meant we could totally focus on Jesus' sacrifice and His resurrection 100% on Sunday. I am so very thankful for Jesus and what He did - for ME. And for YOU. He did it for ALL of His children. I cannot even begin to imagine allowing my child to suffer so brutally and be convicted so wrongly for someone else's wrong. I go to bat for Austin all the time and am infuriated when he is wrongly accused. And, yet, this is exactly what God has done through Jesus Christ for each and every one of His children - so that he can have a relationship with you and I. I just cannot put the gratitude I feel into words. I read a fantastic blog about Easter and I cannot even begin to be as eloquent as she was, I highly recommend all read this post.

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I hope that you all had a very blessed lent, Holy Week, and Easter!

Christmas with the Calonder's

Yesterday we had Steve's family's Christmas. It was icy when we were getting ready to leave, so we decided to just try to get there and if it didn't work, it didn't work. By the time we had been out about 45 minutes, it got much better, so we continued. Unfortunately, it was headed the same direction we were. On our way home, it was nearly impossible to navigate on the major highway, none the less the minor ones we were going to have to encounter to get home. Thankfully, we were not far from Steve's sister's house, so we stayed there for the night. It was awesome of her and her family to put up with eight extra people for a night. By the time we left in the morning, the roads were much better.

It also happened to be Steve's 40-something birthday. I'll be kind and not mention how many. Early 40's, and we'll leave it at that...

Daddy and NoahGrandpa Kenny and HannahShane is so nice to put together one of the tractors the triplets got. (Trust me, they were frustrating to get together when we went to do the other two!) Noah is so happy it's together.

Aidan the Clone Warrior.

Daddy and his birthday cake - Noah and Aidan are "helping" to blow out candles.

It's Christmas!

Everyone woke up bright and early Christmas morning to find lots of exciting gifts. Even the triplets were getting into the hang of opening gifts. Hannah isn't quite sure of all the chaos around her.

Silly Nathanial - he took his hat to bed with him and wore it all day long. We had plenty of heat by that time, so I'm not sure why he did it?

Noah and Ethan opening up their presents.

Nathanial, Noah, and Ethan playing with various toys they got.

Steve and I made a really good, easy dinner. We even used the "good" china for us, Austin, and Aidan. The little ones still used everyday dishes, but it was fun to use the good stuff for a change. We made roast turkey breast, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes and gravy, crockpot stuffing, freezer corn - our last two bags :-( - broccoli cheddar casserole, cranberry/apple/pecan salad, and rolls. Steve then made his extra special "Holiday Punch" (orange juice and Sprite) to go with it. It was delicious!

Our Christmas Table

Christmas with Grandma Janet

Christmas at my mom's was cancelled on Sunday due to really icky weather, so we went today. Prior to leaving Nathanial and Ethan had to go see the ENT due to the nasty ear drainage they've had for about a month. We've tried drops, then an antibiotic. Today she vacuumed both their ears out and then cultured it and put them on stronger antibiotics. Hopefully it will work. We came home to no heat, so had to call our heating/plumber guy over. Not looking forward to that bill at 10:30 pm on Christmas Eve! The day was great, though, and we all had fun.

Noah is a sticky, chocolatey mess! Nathanial is waiting to open presents.

Ethan's begging for more chocolate.

The two girls - Emma and Hannah

Daddy and Noah (I think I have almost this exact same picture from last year...)

Austin waiting patiently.

Austin and Uncle Michael all ready to pass out presents.Aidan opening his Leapster (I didn't get a great shot of him afterwards).

Everyone gathered 'round to check out the Leapster.