Prayer and Cookies

December 14th- Bake Cookies for a Neighbor

Don't worry, folks...we were done with those cooking utensils did not touch the dough after they touched this little girl's mouth:)

Tomorrow we will take the cookies and have the kids deliver them to our neighbors.

Just wanted to jot some things down so I never forget them. Nic and I have really been working with Hayden about learning who Jesus is. It is hard for a little kid. They don't really understand what we we are talking about with someone they cannot see. We have a little devotional that we read with her at night and we talk about Jesus all the time. I always ask Hayden if what she is doing would make Jesus happy. She has been struggling a bit with acting our in public, and yes, I know she is only 3. But I wanted to start young. We pray a lot and thank Jesus for everything we have and for each other. Because of her late start with talking, she doesn't really say her own prayers, but loves to pray. The problem is, I want her to know who we are talking to when we pray and why we pray.
The other day I read on one of my friends' FB wall about her little girl praying and thanking Jesus for living in her heart. It was very precious. Like I said before, I know Hayden doesn't fully comprehend when we talk about and who He is, but I thought that was a great thing to always talk about. So, the last few days since I read that post, we have been talking about how Jesus is everywhere....that He lives in our hearts. I didn't really know how she would respond to it. Last night I was cuddling with Hayden and asked her if she loved Jesus. She got a huge smile on her face and said, "oh yes! And He loves me too!" I then asked, "who else does He love?" She responded with, "Bubby, and mommy, and daddy." It melted my heart. I am always praying for my children...that they will strive to know God and follow Him. That they will love Him with all their whole hearts and one day when they truly understand what it means to ask Jesus into their hearts, that they will. This is one of my strongest prayers.
Tonight, after we prayed before dinner, I asked Hayden, "where does Jesus live?" I didn't really think she would respond with anything. But to my surprise she said, "in my heart!! And in mommy's heart, and daddy's heart!" Just watching her whole face light up melted my heart. So, Brittany, if you are reading this, please tell Sienna 'thank you' for putting those special words in a way my daughter would understand:)
Speaking of prayer, Colt has finally caught onto praying. He will now fold his hands and say "pray". So, 2 nights ago, we prayed about 20 times during our dinner.
You might ask me why I am so fixated on prayer and helping my kids to learn how to pray. The answer is simple for me. It is a way to communicate with God. It is a way that I can not only bring my worries, fears, etc to Him, but it is a way to thank Him for the many blessings each day and to adore Him. It is a way to stay close to Him.

Ok, so some more things to record...
-Bubby is now saying "socks" and "shoes" clear as day.
-He is also saying, "I luv oooo." Love Love Love that little boy!
-Some other sayings- "I go bassetball game" (he is constantly wanting to watch basketball), "Iss dark out", "Cean up, cean up"
-Hayden told Nic and I tonight she was going to the beach with her boyfriend. We have NO idea where she even came up with this and let's just say Nic wasn't too thrilled about this piece of information.

Advent Calendar

I know it is a little late to be starting an advent calendar, but I have been really wanting to do one, but didn't know how to start. After searching blogs and Pinterest, I decided that I would make one out of blankets that we never use. It's not perfect, it's not the most creative, but I think it will work just fine for us! One of the things that I am really wanting to do with our kids is teach them that Christmas is not about receiving presents (although they do get to open some), but about giving. This is very hard for young children to understand, but I am praying that by starting younger, they will grow up giving.
After debating what to do, I decided on writing down an activity, or some way of giving back, each day of the month until Christmas. I am looking forward to starting this tradition with our family and I know Hayden is stoked. Each day the kids will pull out the activity from the little pocket and then, as a family, we will do what it says on the card.

I saw on one blog that they included a verse for each day that, when all was said and done, it would be the story of Christ's birth. Some of the activities might be a little advanced for the kids this year, but I am hoping by next year Hayden will at least be able to do them.

-Make and play with homemade play-doh
-Bake cookies for a neighbor
-Read The Night Before Christmas
-Drink hot chocolate
-Paint pictures for nursing home residents
-Play secret Santa to someone who could use Holiday cheer
-Start a family puzzle
-Write a Christmas story together.
-Make Christmas cards for family

-Make a cake for Jesus' birthday
-Make a red and green paper chain of 25 links
-Eat cinnamon rolls for breakfast
-Open one gift
-Have an indoor picnic with Christmas music
-Look at pictures from the past year
-Make holiday pretzel treats
-Watch Christmas movies and pop popcorn
-Bake cookies and decorate them
-Play games as a family
-Donate a toy for a needy child
-Make a Christmas ornament
-Make a Christmas milkshake
-Put on PJ's and go ride around looking for Christmas lights
-Make a wreath using finger paint

Although this stage is absolutely crazy, I am loving every minute of it with my kiddies. They are such an incredible blessing.
On another note, Nic and I had our first date in a very long time! Just the 2 of us, for 4 wonderful hours:) We went for pizza and then the Concord High School Christmas Spectacular. I love that we can get away and reconnect...even for just a few hours. It is refreshing, and I am thankful for that time. Anyways, I am going to cuddle with my little girl before she falls asleep. Night:)

25 Facts

I was reading my normal blogs today when I came across a couple of different blogs that told 25 facts about themselves. Now, I know that some of you aren't dying to know 25 facts about me, but I thought it would be fun, so here it goes...

One.

I rarely drive past McDonald's without getting a large Diet Coke for $1.07.

Two. 

If I am at home alone, I am watching either I Love Lucy or Friends. Nothing else. 

Three.

I hate to drive. I make everyone around me drive. Even if it is my car. Ask Tara.

Four.

I don't watch the News. I know I should keep up with everything, blah, blah, blah. But it freaks me out knowing about all the bad things happening in the world. I like to pretend everything is ok.

Five. 

I can't make pancakes or grilled cheese. I try. I fail. 

Six.

Once I start a book, I HAVE to finish it with the next couple of days.

Seven.

I could eat Hacienda any day of the week, any meal of the day. Everyday.

Eight.

I get lost...a lot. I have no sense of direction whatsoever.

Nine.

I talk to my mom at least once a day...if not more.

Ten.

My favorite place to be is at my parents' kitchen table with ALL my siblings and family talking and laughing.

Eleven.

I have anxiety attacks. I hate large crowds.

Twelve. 

I don't like to cuddle in bed. I feel claustrophobic. I love my hubby, but I have to sleep with space. 

Thirteen.

Cookie dough is a food group for me:)

Fourteen.

It takes me FOREVER to fall asleep. My husband, on the other hand, can start snoring within 5 minutes of laying down.

Fifteen.

I hate showering. Don't worry...I do...but I still dread it:)

Sixteen.

Sometimes I go in my children's rooms while they are sleeping just to hold them and pray over them.

Seventeen.

Nic is my best friend. I know that sounds funny and people are saying, "duh, he's your husband." But he TRULY is my bestest friend in the whole world. 

Eighteen.

I don't wear much makeup. Partly because I don't take the time to apply it. I love eye shadow and all that, but don't take the time.

Nineteen.

I laugh the most with Nic and our kids. They are comedians.

Twenty.

I make lists for everything....just so I can cross it off and make it look like I accomplish a lot. Even after I do a chore, I write it out...then cross it off:)

Twenty One.

I can't sleep in our bed if Nic is gone. If he is working late, I stay on the couch until he gets home...I don't sleep until he is home. If he is out of town, I sleep on the floor...in the living room...with our dog. 

Twenty Two.

I sing to myself in the car. I am that person you pull up beside and is totally jamming out. I pretend that I am the best singer in the world.

Twenty Three.

I forget things all the time. I mean all.the.time. My kids took my memory when I delivered them.

Twenty Four.

I play with my hair....all the time. It's my trademark. And my comfort.

Twenty Five

I can't watch scary movies. I can't. I just can't. Or I don't sleep. Or I wake up Nic every hour to tell him I'm scared.

There ya go friends! 

Santa and Pierced Ears!

So it's Monday again...I just can't seem to keep up with this blog as much as I would like to. Maybe it is the crazy life we lead hear at the Minder household...or maybe just my laziness:) Anyways, we are now into December, which means almost every weekend is filled up, every night filled with Christmas movies (well, most), and lots of family time. This is my favorite month of the year. Sometimes it is a little overwhelming, but still, it is my favorite.
One thing that we did when Hayden was first born was take her to see Santa. Even though she could care less about the whole thing, we took her any way to get a picture of her and Santa. Last year we just never got to the mall and just didn't ever think about it. Then Christmas was over and I had wished we would have gone to take the kids. Sooooo...this year I was adamant about taking the kids and get their picture. We decided we were going to take the kids to the fire department for Breakfast with Santa on Saturday morning. However, I didn't expect every family from Elkhart County to go as well:) While we did get some yummy breakfast, we didn't get the chance to see Santa. Well, we just didn't want to wait in the mile long line with 2 kids in a crowded place with winter coats and all. We packed the kids up and decided to go home. On our way home we decided to try the mall to see if it was crowded. To our surprise we were the only ones in line to see Santa. The kids LOVED it:)

As we were leaving, I was joking as we went by Claire's in by saying, "Hayden, do you want to get your ears pierced?" I knew that Nic would say 'no' and would put his foot down. "Yes, mom!! I want ears like yours!" Oops! Didn't expect that AT ALL. Even more, I was SHOCKED when I heard Nic's reply. "Are you sure Hayden?" Well, she loves her new ears, even after "the lady cut my ear off" and "my ear is falling off" comments. She was a champ and only cried for about 30 seconds.

That night we went to Bethlehem Live at the Crossroads church. We were excited for the kids to experience it. However, the 2 1/2 hour wait was a little much. The good thing was they had worship music going on for those who waited. I brought the camera but left it in the car:)
All in all, it was a great weekend with the little fam. The kids are back to their usual selves, which has been such a blessing.

Our Life

This past week has been a struggle for Nic and I and the kids....all because of sickness. Hayden and Colt have both had nasty colds and Colt has had another ear infection. I can't tell you the difference between him tonight from him the other night when he was in pain. So much more pleasant:) He is back to his happy, flirty, funny self. Hayden is also feeling MUCH better, thank the Lord. Nic and I, on the other hand, are almost over the worst part of our colds, popping vitamins and medicine like it's our jobs. I just wanted to record a couple of incidences from the past week so I can look back on them when the kids are older and congratulate myself for making it through this time in our lives:) Hehe! Here we go:

*As we were watching a football game the other night, Nic was yelling at the TV (he still thinks the players can here him through the television). All of the sudden, we heard, "Pass the ball, dang it!" It was Hayden. Apparently we need to seriously monitor what we say.
*Hayden has been having a hard time going to the bathroom and has been taking medicine to help everything go smoother, if you get my drift. Well, last night after going #2 in the toilet, she looked at it and before I could flush it, she said, "no, I wanna show daddy. It's big." Awesome. She is her father's daughter.
*Colton has learned how to tackle. And by that I mean he full out will take Hayden out in a blink of an eye. He has learned to play at the same level as his big sister. The other day Hayden was yelling, "NO BUBBY!" in her whiny voice, so I just assumed she wasn't sharing with him. After calling out, "Hayden, you need to share" over and over, I finally went in the other room to see what was going on. Colt had grabbed Hayden's head from behind and was on top of her and wouldn't let her move. He was smiling. She was not.
*Tonight I was sitting on the bean bag playing with Colt and Hayden. All of the sudden I looked up to see Colt running at me in full force and before I could stop him, his head went into my face. He smiled. I had tears in my eyes and have a fat lip.
*The other day Colt kept crying and crying in his crib. I waited and waited, thinking he would eventually just fall asleep. After 30 minutes of crying, I figured maybe he really did need something. He did. His legs were stuck in slits of the crib. Mom of the year award right here, folks.
*Colt didn't sleep for 2 nights in a row. He was up every 1/2 hour. He slept the next night. Hayden didn't sleep the next 2 nights. We will see what happens tonight. I'm tired...Nic's tired. We will get through this stage of life with 2 small children, right? Word of wisdom: DO NOT take "drowsy" medicine if you think there is ANY chance your child might not sleep that night. Not cool.
*Hayden thought she would potty train Colt one night this week by taking him to the little potty and take his diaper off. It was full of poop. Potty training failed Hayden that night...as well as our floor.
*On a sweeter note, the other night I was in a lot of pain due to my monthly issues (ladies, you understand, I'm sure), and I was bent over on the floor almost in tears when Hayden started rubbing my back. For those of you who know my little Hayden, sympathy isn't one of her strong suits:) She looked at me and said, "Mommy, you ok? Daddy will take care of you when he gets home." Such a sweet moment.
*Tonight Hayden was climbing on Nic when he looked at her and asked, "Did you poop in your pants?"  Hayden replied, "Noooooooooooo. I beep beeped." Again, her father's child:)

So, as I read through this, I realized there is a lot of personal information about my children's bodily functions...I apologize....kind of.

Through all of this, I can honestly say I wouldn't trade a moment of this for anything. This is our life. It's crazy. It's loud. It's messy. It's full of parental mistakes. I learn every day. It's so worth every second. I love it all.

Thanksgiving Break-All in one post:)

It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving Break has come and is almost over. It is a break that I have waited for in great anticipation and prayed that God would slow time down long enough for me to capture every single moment. This past year has been a year of tears, joys, question, rejoicing, hardships. BUT it has also been a year to look back on and give THANKS to God....in every situation. In the last few posts, I have written down things that I am thankful for. Here are a few more to go on the list...

I am thankful for...

*God's unfailing love. For His provision. For His grace. For His mercy. For His faithfulness. For His provision.

*Family movie nights...complete with popcorn and snuggling.

*Age 3...it is an AWESOME age and I am absolutely loving every second of it.

*Antibiotics for my little boy who is a complete mess with an ear infection. 

*Christmas decorations and Christmas music...no matter what mood you are in, it automatically turns into a jolly mood when you look at a Christmas tree or hear the music:)

*Warm weather on November 26.

*An education.

*McDonald's diet coke.

*A king-sized bed...:)

*Prayer...I have found myself on my knees this past year more than I can ever remember. It is the one place where I can cry out to God and be completely real. 

*The Bible. 

*A car that works.

*A house that feels like home.

*Date nights...they are far and few in between but I look forward to them and LOVE the time I have with just my husband.

*2 healthy, beautiful, sweet babies. 

*The opportunity to watch 

There are so many more things I am thankful for, but it would probably end up being a book:) So I will stop there. 

Anyways, here is a look at what this break held for us...

Nic and I took the kids to Concord's basketball game on Tuesday night. We started the night at Applebees, where the kiddos loved the huge booth we had to just the 4 of us:) They actually watched the entire game. Colt sat right on his daddy's lap and had the look of true concentration on his face...it was quite precious to watch, not to mention it made his daddy proud.

Kris and Sarah came over on Wednesday to bake. It was wonderful. We watched a Christmas movie while baking our little hearts out...Sarah and Hayden made turkeys. Despite giving Kris a hard time about baking, we were able to make our own Chex Mix in the crock pot and monster cookies.

(I forgot I took these pics on my sister's camera...oops! I will post them when I get it from her!)

Later that evening, Nic, the kids, and I decorated the house with Christmas decorations. I loved the reactions on Hayden and Colt's faces when we turned on the lights on the tree. It was priceless.

Brooke spent the night to help prepare for our meal the next day.

It was finally Thanksgiving day!! Yummy food. Awesome company. Good day...that ended in another visit to the theatre with Tara and Kris to see Breaking Dawn...again.

 Colt got a little fresh with Hannah girl

 I love this...so much

 Apparantly I was the only one who thought we were doing a "fun" picture...oops!

 Hayden camping out in Rara's room 

Friday and Saturday were low-key for us. No shopping. Just hanging out around the house. Hayden spent the day with her Gamma and Poppy and her aunties. She was in heaven. Colt, on the other hand enjoyed his one on one with his momma and daddy. What a little ham!! We later celebrated Brooke's birthday over a VERY good dinner! Hayden and Colt LOVED having their food cooked in front of them!

We had an unexpected visit to the doctors this morning that resulted in finding out Colt had has a severe ear infection, which explains the sleepless last 2 nights and a temp that got up to 103. Poor guy. He is miserable. Hopefully this medicine kicks in SOON! 

I seriously can't believe tomorrow is Sunday, which means the next day is Monday, which means back to work. Now the countdown to Christmas!! Let the Christmas movie watching begin!!