Let's share!

One of the things I love about the blog world is how you can use it to connect to a lot of people all at once. I read quite a few blogs every day, and most of them are by people I don't even know! I just enjoy reading what they have to share, getting inspiration from their photos, getting ideas for many different things. Some of these blogs are read by thousands of people and their posts get comments by the hundreds! Reading through the comments can even be fun depending on what they are! So... I'd like to try something out. I know my readers are more like in the tens, not the hundreds, and certainly not the thousands! - But - I believe we can make this work anyways, as long as you are willing to participate and leave a comment!

So, I thought it'd be fun to share Christmas traditions. Please, leave a comment and tell us about one or more special tradition that you either grew up doing or do now. It'll be fun to read through these comments and maybe we'll all get some new ideas for our own households! So, I'll start:

1. Favorite childhood traditon - Christmas Eve we'd go to the candlelight service at church, then we'd come home for our annual Birthday Party for Jesus! Sometimes we'd do a mini advent service, sometimes we'd have communion as a family, but we always read the Christmas Story and we always lit candles on an angel food cake and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus! After this, to appease my sister and me, we'd get to open one gift - which evolved into always being a special ornament that was somehow personal to the receiver. We'd then usually watch a Christmas movie till bedtime. Jeni (my sister) and I would always sleep together Christmas Eve and we'd always roll our eyes in the morning as Mom would be blarring music and making lots of noise in an attempt to wake us all up and get us moving! :)

2. My other favorite childhood tradition was driving around through the "rich" neighborhoods, looking at all the beautiful Christmas lights.

3. As I've gotten married and had children, it's been important for Jamie and me to create some new traditions for our kids. One is that we only get/give one gift for each person. So, I receive one gift from Jamie, one gift from Sophia, etc... I also give one gift to Jamie, one gift to Sophia and one gift to Riley. This forces us to be very thoughtful with our gift b/c there is only one shot at making it meaningful! It also forces us to not spend too much on a bunch of junk and to keep the focus off of "getting."

4. To keep a tradition from my childhood alive, we all get to open one gift on Christmas Eve. Instead of ornaments though, we all get new p.j.s!

5. On Christmas morning, we all get together on our bed and read the Christmas story. We then each take a turn and "give" Jesus a gift. These gifts can't be wrapped, but they are something from our hearts. Before we open any gifts we head to the breakfast table and celebrate Christ's birth with a special breakfast!

All right, your turn! Can't wait to hear about all your fun childhood memories and current traditions!

Ruthie :)

So Thankful

So, now that Thanksgiving is over, and we have just one month until Christmas (WOW... that's hard to believe), we have officially entered in to one of my favorite times of the year. So, in the spirit of thankfulness, here are the reasons I'm thankful for this special time of year:

1. All of the extra time spent with extended family2. Putting up the Christmas tree (though this year, we put ours up the week before Thanksgiving, as opposed to the week after - that was when we had the time to do it)
3. Baking Christmas cookies
4. Playing in the snow with Sophia and Jamie
5. Snuggling on the couch under a warm blanket
6. Sitting in the living room with all the lights off except for the tree lights
7. Putting finishing touches on all the planning, purchasing and creating of special gifts to give to those I love
8. Participating (and as the Mom now, I get the privilege to initiate them too!) in all of our special family Christmas traditions
9. Going to the Christmas Eve service at Church
10. The excitement of going to sleep on Christmas Eve; feeling all the anticipation of what's to come in the morning - not just opening gifts, but most importantly celebrating the birth of my Savior!!!

What is a reason (or 10 :) ) that this is a special time of the year for you?? Leave a comment, I'd love to hear!

Ruthie :)

Thorns

Happy Thanksgiving. Today I want to challange you to not only think of and be thankful for the roses in your life, but to ponder the thorns that the Lord has allowed to be placed in your path, to pierce your flesh; and to be thankful, most of all, this Thanksgiving, for those. I just listened to a great radio message by Nancy Leigh DeMoss on this very subject. Visit her site to read the whole transcript or listen on your computer. http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/roh/today.php

Nancy spoke of a young, Scottish, 19th Century preacher, by the name of George Matheson. By the age of 20 he went completely blind and through his trials he penned this prayer. I hope that you can pray this prayer today, or sometime soon, and really mean it! Let the grace of God, through the thorns, refine you this day.

Dear God, I have never thanked You for my thorns. I’ve thanked You a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorns. Teach me the glory of the cross I bear. Teach me the value of my thorns. Show me that I have climbed closer to You along the path of pain. And show me that through my tears, the colors of Your rainbow look much more brilliant.

So, what are some thorns you are thankful for today? Please, if you are willing, leave a comment on this post and share some thorns. I have many, some I know the reason for, some I don't. Let me be the first to share...

~ my four miscarriages; these aweful events, definitely thorns, have brought me to a place with God I don't think I'd ever have reached aside from just walking through it and allowing Him (sometimes kicking and screaming) to refine me.

~ the challanges of raising a four-year-old, while nurturing an infant, while struggling with the effects of post partum depression. I haven't yet learned all I can from this thorn, but I'm walking through and trusting God to refine me and if His grace allows, to show me why.

~ the challanges of being a ever faithful, encouraging, submitting, respecting wife and helpmate to my true love, Jamie. We have a good marriage, I can't imagine any better, and yet, every marriage has its thorns and I pray that Jamie and I learn to be thankful for these thorns and to allow them to refine and grow our marriage to be an ever-increasing image of Christ and His Bride, the Church.

Well, there you have it. Three of my thorns, that today I am making a concerted effort to be thankful for! Looking forward to hearing from your heart.

Ruthie :)

What you might see (or get to eat) if you stopped by this winter...

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

And not just here at my blog. What do you think of the new layout? It was so easy, and if you have a blog you should try it too! Just go here http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/ and give it a try!

Last Friday we had a special day. Jamie had the afternoon off, so we made homemade donuts, drank hot chocolate and put up the tree! Of course we had to enjoy our tasty treats on our special Christmas dishes that come out every year November - January. It was a the first real snow that day too, which made it feel even more cozy and Christmasy.

The snowflakes were just starting to fall...

... as Jamie and I walked into Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital on November 25, 2004. I was 41 weeks and 3 days pregnant (otherwise known as 10 days "late"). It was Thanksgiving Day. My Mom had planned to host Thanksgiving at her house, wait for it... so did Jamie's Mom! Crazy, I know! :) So, those plans didn't exactly go "as planned," and instead they all sat in the hospital waiting for Sophia Ruth to be born! I was in labor for about 10 hours, then proceeded to push for 2 full hours before Sophia made her grand entrance at exactly 6:02pm! She was 9 lbs, 14 oz and 22inches long!

She just had her four year check up today and she remains above the 95th percentile in height and weight. She is tall and solid, like a beautiful athlete. She loves to wear pink, dance and sing and play make believe. She loves doing art projects and always thinks and creates outside of the box. She is ever so active and loves to play, and play hard! She loves to climb and run and ride her bike. She is a beautiful mixture of girly girl and tomboy! My favorite part about her getting older is seeing her mature in her love towards others, her attitudes and her knowledge and love for God. Hearing her pray is ever so precious and seeing her love for the Bible and her curiosity about Spiritual things is so special.

I can't beleive my sweet girl is four. I am more in love with her today than the day I found out I was pregnant with her and I look forward to loving her for the rest of my days!

She is four!

The birthday fun began a little early this year for Sophia. On November 15, Sophia had a joint birthday party with her buddy, Josh, who turned four on the 14th. The party's theme was "Princesses and Knights." The kids had a blast making crowns/shields, hunting for treasure (chocolate coins!), busting open a homemade, paper bag pinata, decorating their own cupcakes and just playing together! All the parents came too and we did our best to fit in some fellowship amidst the kid-craziness!

Birthday Buddies! Sophia and Josh.

Happy Birthday Sophia Ruth!

On Sunday, the 23rd, we got to celebrate Sophia's birthday with her grandparents and two of her great grandparents! I always enjoy thinking of a creative cake to make for Soph's birthday, and this year we did the classic "doll" cake. You basically bake the cake in an oven safe bowl, which becomes the dress to the doll that you stick into the cake. Sophia's was Cinderella. It was so fun celebrating with my parents, Jamie's parents, my Grandpa, Jamie's Grandma and Shirmy! Thanks for all the fun, fellowship and generous gifts!

Behold, the doll cake.

In her lit up splendor! :)

Tonight, which happens to be Soph's actual birthday, we had some friends come over for a potluck, cupcakes and fun. It was a great time to celebrate Sophia's life once more. Geesh, this girl had three parties! I hope she's feeling the love because she is really one blessed little girl to have so many people caring about her.

Eating dinner.

Dolly (holding Riley), Tina, Feibi (Dolly's daughter), Jamie, Soph, Me, Shirmy (in back) and Karen


The last activity of a fun- filled birthday day... reading the Bible with Daddy.

Astounding love

My sweet Sophia girl. She is such a spitfire and so stubborn and can be SO contankerous. - But! Oh, how fabulous it is when I see the prayers of my heart being answered and I see evidence of the Lord working in her heart; teaching her love, gentleness, grace and forgiveness. While getting her ready for bed tonight I put toothpaste on her toothbrush and set it on the counter for her. She was excited that she got to brush all by herself because I usually help her. She exclaimed (not knowing I'd already done it), "I can put the toothpaste on all by myself Mommy; watch this!". I replied, " Oh, I'm sorry baby, Mommy already put the toothpaste on.". In the sweetest, most gentle voice, she answered, "Oh, I forgive you Mommy. And Mommy, you don't need to say sorry for that.".

That was a refreshing and encouraging change from the normal preschool whining I usually hear!

And can I tell you how in love I am with my son? When he looks up at me while he's nursing and he smiles - oh, man! Melt my heart!

Blessings to you tonight.

Ruthie :)

Read at your own risk

I've roped you in with that title, haven't I? :) Why read with caution, you may ask? Well, I am about to write some things that will forever dash your illusion of my perfection (or shall we say dis-illusion! HA!). Here we go...

I have never been inclined to swear. I didn't grow up in a home of swearing parents, and my friends - the ones I actually spent a lot of time with - didn't cuss (unless you get concerned that I was too sheltered, I knew the cusswords - I went to public school afterall - I just didn't use them). Even to this day, when I stub my toe or break a glass, a swear word does not cross my mind or try to leave my lips. I have a lot of bad habits, this just isn't one of them.

Hey, I was the girl, who in 7th grade got sick of one boy's antics and decided I'd try to shut him up by using a "bad" word. I'd never tried out a swear word before and I should have stayed the straight and narrow path because my attempt was dissastrous! This was before I had all the meanings and appropriate uses of swear words worked out. Well, feeling armed with some good ammo, sure to shut this annoying guy up, I called him a "B****." No, not a "Son of a B****," just the "B" word. Much to my dismay, and shame, using this word did not have the desired effect, instead I was met with much laughter and a lot of, "What'd you call me," "What did she say?" Okay, I quickly learned the classic use of this particular word is directed at women, not men, and certainly not 7th grade boys! :)

So, fast forward a "few" years. I don't swear, but in moments of frustration I have been heard saying a certain word, that albeit is not a swear word, it is rather unlady like and slightly unsavory. And it certainly does not sound right coming out of the mouth of your almost 4 year old daughter. After reading the conversation below you will not only figure out what word I am talking about, you will also discover that, like her 7th grade Mom, she does not understand the meaning or appropriate use of the word.






































Me: opening Sophia's bedroom curtain... "Look Sophia! It's snowing!"
Sophia: looking outside... "Oh crap."

Enough said.

Ruthie :)

Her dream

Me: Sophia, put all of your blocks into this red bin.
Sophia: No, I'm not going to clean up my blocks and tear down Disney World (she had made "Disney World out of her blocks a couple weeks ago and has not played with it since).
Me: Okay, but than Mommy will.
Sophia (very loud and desperate): NO! Don't tear down my dream!

I think I need to enroll her in acting lessons. I know, I know... like mother like daughter, apple doesn't fall far from the tree, etc... :)

Ruthie

I saw her bone

Sophia, Riley and I went to MOPS today. As we were on our way out of the church, Sophia tripped and hit her head on the concrete block window sill. She let out a blood curdling scream and turned to me. Right above her left eyebrow was a gash, about 1 1/2 inches in length and it was literally GUSHING blood. I dropped Riley's carseat and ran to her. I looked at the gash and I could see her skull at the base of it. I about lost myself. I screamed for help and thankfully I was in a church full of moms! They helped us out and got some gauze and a band aid on Sophia to get the bleeding to stop. Blood was everywhere; on her face, in her hair, all over our hands, on our clothes, some even got on Riley's carseat. I was frantic. You'd never guess I was a trained RN. I felt so dazed and faint and frantic. She never lost consciousness, but I saw her bone y'all! That was not cool.

Well, a dear Mops mom drove with me to the hospital. Jamie met me there. My dear friend Loree, who also goes to Mops, was so generous and offered to take Riley. I ended up keeping him though b/c he really needed to nurse and I figured I'd be okay with him there as long as Jamie was with us.

Well, 5 vending machine purchases (it's amazing what you'll do to try and comfort your child when things are so out of your control!) and 1 1/2 hrs. later we were in an ER room. If you heard a child screaming around 1:30 pm this afternoon, that would've been my daughter. She is almost 4, she is strong, she is strong willed, she did not want to be in the hospital! She kept saying, "Let's get out of here, just you and me, let's leave." Oh man.

So, Sophia was forced on her back and wrapped up in a blanket like a straight jacket and then was restrained by three nurses and Jamie. The Dr. proceeded to shoot lidocaine (numbing stuff) into her gash with a huge needle multiple times. {are you kidding me? I'd be freaking out too!}Oh, that was fun. Then, he had to stitch her up, twice... that's right. He was finally done and then he noticed that all her flailing had busted them, so he had to pull them out and do it again!

My poor girl was soaked with sweat when it was finally done. She got a popsicle at the hospital, then we went to get ice-cream.

The dr. said her bone and nerves are intact and he doesn't think infection should be a problem. She slept for 3 hrs. this afternoon and asked to go to bed tonight (um, yeah, never happens!).

She really is okay though. The stitches have to stay in for 5 days then she has to keep steri strips on for another week.

Here she is right after getting stitched up. The swelling is much better now.

She is a trooper and I'm so thankful to Jesus that it wasn't any worse.

10 Weeks Old Today!

We can keep him???

Isn't she lovely?

You know, Jamie and I have been blessed with two really good looking kids. I mean, come on, it's a great thing to be able to say, "Well hey, my kids are adorable!" on days when I'm not feeling so... adorable. But, this is so not important! God says that man looks at the outside but that God looks at the heart. I want my children's hearts to reflect Jesus. I appreciate the Lord weaving together such fine lookin' people, but much more importantly, I pray each night that He's weaving their hearts together for Him; that they might love and serve Jesus with their whole hearts. I pray that one day, when the timing is just right, according to God's perfect will, that my children will be better looking on the inside than they are on the outside.

You can have your smores and eat them too!

Let's see, a box of graham crackers, some left over trick-or-treating candy (mini hershey chocolate bars) and a bag of mini-marshmallows purchased for our hot chocolate. 3 ingredients I never have in the house all at the same time. What to do... what to do??? Oh! Add to that a Mom with a giant sweet tooth and a daughter who's always willing to join in the sweet-eating fun!

So, you can also have your smores and eat them too and you don't even have to sleep on the hard ground in a tent to get them!

1. Gather your ingredients (chocolate chips work too!)

2. Put chocolate on one graham cracker (or 1/2 for better portion control!) and microwave.

I did 10 seconds, than 5 seconds, than 5 seconds, than 5 seconds again. Basically slow and steady until you see that the chocolate is starting to melt. Be careful though b/c the graham cracker will start to burn, and that doesn't smell good! Your microwave times may need to vary from mine.

3. Pile on some marshmallows and microwave for 6 seconds. Be careful, these suckers want to explode! It doesn't take long for them to get warm and gooey!

4. Assemble the yummy, gooey goodness...

5. ...and enjoy! Don't forget to make one for Dad!

Can you smell your birthday?

The other morning Sophia comes into our room and begins to explain how when she woke up she smelled the air and it smelled like November 25 (which happens to be the day of her birth). She than, with a sweet smile on her lips and a flutter to her lashes asked, "Mom, is it my birthday today?"

:) Ruthie

Perusing Tunes

Do you like the new feature? If you have no idea what I'm talking about, turn on your volume! I'm just proud of myself for figuring out how to get the playlist put together and put on my blog! I enjoy reading a variety of blogs each day and some of them are so fancy and so I've been inspired to attempt at making my blog look better, be more interesting and well, just more fun! So, hopefully there will be more changes forth coming! Stay tuned... ha! excuse the pun. :)

Ruthie :)

p.s. did i spell peruse correctly?