Bible Quizzing

When the fall activities started up at church in September, Morgan decided she would join the kids bible quiz team. The quiz team studies one book of the bible per year and participates in three meets. This year they are studying the book of Genesis. On Saturday they had their first quiz meet that would cover their first eight lessons and bible verses. It did get to be a very long day with Landon and Mauryn in tow (Lance was working - thank you Hank and Barbie for all your help!!) but it was so worth it to see the joy and excitement of the kids at the end of the day. I am truly amazed at how much Morgan is learning and retaining, even Landon is saying bible verses and spouting off answers to quizzing questions. It warms a mother's heart to see her kids treasuring God's word and their excitement and joy in doing it.

Morgan singing during the pre quiz meet music
Morgan received a blue ribbon - perfect on all her bible memory work

Morgan's team, which placed third overall (there were 40 teams )

Morgan recieved a gold medal, she only missed one question out of 40

A Polka Dotted Birthday Party

On Friday morning, Mauryn had three of her little friends over to celebrate her birthday. As each of her friends arrived, she would stand up and squeal with delight - too cute~!

My wonderful neighbor let us use their plastic pool and little balls as an area for the babies to play. The babies loved crawling in and out of the pool and playing with the balls. I think Landon loved it even more - he thought it was fun to jump off the couch into the pool.

These are the gift bags I made for Mauryn's guests.

I printed off pictures from each month of Mauryn's life and then cut them out and hung them from lights on our fireplace. It was so fun to see her life in pictures from the last year!

Funfetti cupcakes for Mauryn's guests. Landon did all the sprinkles - he was sure a big helper!

Mauryn enjoying her cake! Oh so yummy! I thought for sure she would crash after her party but no nap for this little lady - too much excitement, too much sugar, too much birthday :o)

Mauryn got this little scooter for her birthday. She is too short (and probably too young) to get herself going on it, so big sister has been recruited for the job. Mauryn loves to be pushed around on it. She just giggles and smiles.

All in all a fun day!

Happy 1st Birthday Mauryn Grace!

Happy Birthday my sweet baby girl! Where did this past year go? It was over in the blink of an eye. You have been such a sweet, gentle, and loving baby. Our family has been so blessed by you! I can't wait to see your personality really flourish over this next year. We have seen little hints of who you might be: we have seen your little tantrums (not pretty!), your silly faces, your love for music and dancing, and how you like to show off! You are so precious and I am thankful each day for having you as a daughter. I can't wait to see what plans God has in store for you little one! I love you !

What's in a name?

Over the past year, we have had many comments and questions about Mauryn's name. So in honor of her first birthday tomorrow ( my baby is turning 1!), I thought I would write about how we came to name our baby girl.

When I was pregnant with Landon, we had narrowed our boys names down to two but we could not come up with a girls name we agreed on. I LOVED (still do love) the name Maura. Lance though it was okay but he surely did not love it like I did. He really liked the name Brynn, but I didn't love it.

During this time, Lance was teaching a high school Sunday school class. One week their lesson was on the story of Naomi and Ruth. Lance came home and shared this verse with me " Don't call me Naomi, " she told them. "Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter......" Ruth 1:20 Lance said he just couldn't name his daughter something that meant bitter. I plead with him... we don't have to spell it Mara, if we put the u in there the meaning is "dark complected." It was pitiful, I wanted to name this baby Maura if it was a girl. I know it is only a name, but I thought it was the most beautiful name I had ever heard.

One day when I was driving to work the name Mauryn came to me. I would get part of Maura and Lance would get part of Brynn. It would be the perfect solution. I called Lance right away and he really liked the name. Even though I came up with it as a choice, I was not "in love" with the name. The baby was a boy, we have Landon and no need for the girl name.

When I found out I was pregnant with Mauryn, the discussions began again. Lance was set that we would use Mauryn. I wasn't so sure. I liked it but I just didn't love it. I finally agreed to Mauryn but we couldn't decide how to spell her name - we were too busy arguing over a boys name :o) When Mauryn arrived, we originally had her name spelled Maryn. As the day progressed, Lance thought we should add the u to her name so people would hopefully pronounce her name correctly (pronounced Mar as in car, in). I love that we added the u to her name - at first I wasn't sure but now I am so thankful we did it.

Overwhelmed

I was sitting down today to update my calendar and felt myself grow tense. As I worked on our day for Friday, I could hardly fit all our commitments onto my calendar. I am so frustrated that I just want to SCREAM. How could life get so busy? I know, because I can't say NO!

When we first moved to Idaho, it was so nice to have nothing on our calendar. I think Lance got a little antsy because of his ADHD personality, he needs lots of activity. I am a more of homebody, I don't like to be too busy, so I loved it. I loved the simple life. The weeks where we could be home in the evening to play games, go on walks, go on bike rides, and just enjoy each others company.

I am not sure when all the craziness of being busy started. I can not pinpoint an exact moment. Right now I am feeling overwhelmed. These next two weeks are just packed full of activities - field trips, dr and dentist appointments, putting on two birthday parties, attending a birthday party, quiz meet, baby shower, and our small group (as well as our normal stuff). When I was getting my calendar up to date, I could just feel myself suffocating in all that was going to take place and all that needs to be done. I really wanted to just lock myself in my bedroom, hide from it all, and pretend I had nothing to do. Calgon take me away.....

It is going to be a busy and at times, stressful two weeks. We will make it through, this feeling of being overwhelmed will go away. It helps just getting it all out here on my blog. I don't want to forget what November is all about in this hustle and bustle: it is a time to be thankful. I am glad I am keeping track on my sidebar to keep me focused on what is truly important. I am thankful for the word NO and I am going to start learning to use it more often and not feel bad. As I look ahead to December, our calendar is open. I want to keep it that way. I want to go back to the simple life of not having something almost every day or night. I want to enjoy being at home with my family. Right now, at this moment, I do feel overwhelmed. I know it won't last and I am grateful for that!

Mauryn's First Spin the Gator

Last year Landon got a John Deere Gator. He loves to drive his gator on our back path, to the neighbors, and in the backyard to help his dad with yard work. There are not many days that go by that Landon is not on his gator, especially since he learned how to make it go very fast! Every day since Mauryn came home from the hospital, Landon has been asking when he can give her a ride. He had it all planned out, how he could put her car seat in the back and drive her around. I have kept putting him off telling him Mauryn would have to be bigger to get a ride. Then about a week ago, we were going down to our friends/neighbors for dinner. It was a beautiful night so we were going to walk and take the wagon. Landon wanted to drive his gator and carry all our stuff in the back end. By the time I came out of the house, Lance had Mauryn buckled in (plus the diaper bag strap around her). I was thinking Landon would drive the gator and I would take Mauryn in the stroller. I wasn't sure how it would go but Landon was just radiating excitement so off we went down the street. The only sounds we could hear were Mauryn and Landon just laughing and giggling. Landon was so proud and thrilled to finally give his baby a ride.

Giving Thanks

I can't believe it but this is my 50th post! Since we are in the month of November, the thankful month, I thought I would list 50 people and things I am thankful for - in no particular order - just what is on my mind and in my heart today (there are many more but I am keeping my list to 50).

1. Lance, who impulsiveness and silliness keep the atmosphere in our home light
2. Morgan, whose kind and gentle heart keep me focused on what is most important
3. Landon, whose boundless energy keeps me going
4. Mauryn, who is just pure joy
5. My pets, who give me unconditional love
6. My mom, who taught me how to be strong in the tough times
7. My dad, who is a walking miracle
8. Daylight savings time, so I get an extra hour of sleep
9. My home, which is my safe haven
10. My neighbors Pat and Val, who have become like family since we don't have any here
11. Quiet nights at home with my family
12. TiVo
13. Fresh baked chocolate chip cookies - YUMMY!
14. Lefse
15. Traditions
16. Crisp, autumn days
17. KONOS online co op
18. My elliptical machine, it allows me to run at home when my kiddos are asleep
19. Dairy cows, they keep my husband employed
20. Lance's job, which enables me to stay at home with our kids
21. Amy, she knows the real me
22. Moving, it took us out of our comfort zone
23. Days spent at the beach
24. Waking up to new fallen snow (which we don't often get here so I am REALLY thankful when it does!)
25. My brothers and sisters, who have impacted who I am today
26. My time teaching and all the kids and families who touched my life
27. Online shopping, what a time saver!
28. Baking, it relaxes me
29. Scrapbooking, I get to be creative
30. Reading, I can be transported to a whole new world
31. Sunday afternoons spent watching football and napping
32. Kara, she can always make me laugh
33. Janna, she has the sweetest and gentlest spirit
34. Blogging friends
35. My church family
36. Jesus, who died on the cross for my sins
37. Morgan's love for learning
38. Landon's contagious smile
39. Mauryn's sweet hugs and love
40. Luther College and all the memories it holds
41. My nieces and nephews
42. Being called to homeschool
43. Photographs, which capture special moments and are the treasured reminders of those times
44. Early mornings, I love the peacefulness and QUIET
45. Trips to MN to visit my family and friends
46. The Wiggles, I love watching my kids dance to their music - pure entertainment
47. Sunrise, you never know what the new day will hold
48. Hank and Barbie, who love my kids and treat them like family
49. Nursery workers who showed up for their shifts (then I was able to go to service)
50. November, a time to reflect and be thankful (and celebrate Morgan and Mauryn's birthdays!)

I will be continuing my thankful list on my sidebar for the month of November. Leah at South Breeze Farm is marking down one thing each day that she is thankful for on her blog. She is welcoming anyone to join her. Check out her blog to join in!