DeMaster Christmas

Playing keep away in the pool with Uncle Pete and Grandpa
Crazy kids
Pete and Colleen
Getting ready for ice skating
Looks like Pete is going to crush Jack
Not many pictures of us together on the blog!
The kids and Jack
A new Packers shirt- awesome!
She really did enjoy Christmas
Quality time with Uncle Mike and Abby
We're getting a guinea pig!!
Julia got a big girl chair, no more highchair!
Grandma and her crafts
DeMaster family (minus Reuben's family)
The boys loved playing with the race car track that Pete gave to Nate
Julia's new scooter
Story time with Uncle Pete
Christmas morning breakfast
Ice skating

Merry Christmas everyone! We hosted Nate's family this year. His parents, brother Pete and sister Colleen with her husband Mike and their kids- Jack and Abby. (Reuben's family couldn't make it- we missed you guys!) Nate's parents spent a couple nights in a hotel which made the sleeping arrangements more doable. I did alot of food prep the week before- so that made meals a little easier. It was a little chaotic, but not stressful. I enjoyed being able to make food that the family enjoyed eating! Just a little way to show my love I guess. We went swimming in the hotel pool and ice skating. We got about an inch of snow one morning so everyone played outside before it melted. We went roller skating with our kids and Grandpa and Grandma last night. Caleb picked it up quickly, Isaac used a "walker" and had a great time. Julia spent most of the time running around, skates are a little beyond her skill level. We also did fondue with Grandpa and Grandma, a first for our kids. They didn't like the cheese fondue (what?!) but they thought cooking the meat was cool. The DeMaster Christmas was just fun. Lots of laughs and good conversations. Maybe it's because my kids aren't terrified of Uncle Pete anymore. Or because the cousins are older and can play together. Either way, it was sad to say goodbye to everyone. We always wish the DeMaster family wasn't so spread out over the country. But, maybe the distance is what makes the get togethers memorable. We are so thankful for our non-dysfunctional families! Ok, there is some dysfunction but that just makes it interesting. :)

Jongsma Christmas

Gma and Gpa gave her play food- there are 120 PIECES! Who is going to clean that up?!
New garbage truck!
Showing off the new rainboots
Good picture of my Mom and Julia
Love having my sister around
Caleb's best Christmas present so far- thanks Aunt Steph!
Isaac took this picture of me
Julia got to attend Isaac's preschool Christmas party- she felt so big
Grandma and the kids


Last weekend we celebrated Christmas with my family! My sister came in from Denver for a couple days. As always we love seeing her and hate saying goodbye again. My Mom, sister and I spent a day in Chicago. We took a train in from Michigan City, although we barely made the train as it was horrible driving conditions that morning. We had a nice time catching up, shopping and eating out. We stopped at Ghiradelli's for an ice cream sundae (awesome) and had pizza at Gino's East. My family was able to see Caleb's Christmas program at church. He was a shepherd. He didn't have any speaking lines or solos which is just FINE with him. I don't foresee him ever wanting to do that. We weren't able to get any good pictures of him in his costume. The kids enjoyed opening presents early in December! Caleb received an Aaron Rogers jersey (QB for the Packers) from my sister. He is in heaven. He loves wearing that shirt. And when he takes it off he tries to fold it. That is the only piece of clothing I have ever seen him fold. So adorable. For some reason I did not get any pictures of my Dad or Tim and Jenny at Christmas, sorry!

Isaac had his Christmas program at school last night. We weren't allowed to take pictures during the service (what??) so we don't have any pictures of his program either. We tried to videotape, but not sure how well that turned out. Isaac was very into it. He was singing with lots of expression, not over the top though. :) The preschoolers were definitely the highlight of the program.

I know I already posted about the His Little Feet choir, but I wanted to share one more thought. The choir said they were blessed by their time in South Haven and asked me to write a reflection on my time with the choir. They might use my piece in their marketing materials, we'll see. Here is what I wrote:

Spending time with the His Little Feet children has deepened my orphan advocacy and impacted my family. I have experience with adoption and foster care, but I’ve longed to participate in caring for orphans abroad. We have young children and taking a trip hasn’t been a possibility yet. However, the choir brought the opportunity to care for orphans to us. Hosting two boys was an experience that will stay with my family forever. It meant so much to form a relationship with the boys, even just for a couple of days. We were able to play games, hug them and just spend time together. My children hear about orphans, but this was a chance for them to see orphans are just kids like them, but they need a family. I cried after our boys left. It makes me sad to think I may never see them again on earth, but praise God for the hope of heaven! The choir’s performance gave me chills. I could see people “catching” God’s heart for orphans. We are thankful for the ministry of His Little Feet and definitely would encourage others to get involved!

His Little Feet

Isaac laughing while trying to pretend he's asleep
Yabsira- 11 years old from Ethiopia
Jesus- 9 years old from Honduras
The choir performing
3 Ethiopians and 1 Honduran playing in our street- very cool
The boys liked to play Connect 4 with us. They beat me alot.

Last week our church hosted the children's choir, His Little Feet. The children are orphans from Ethiopia and Honduras ranging in age from 6-12 years old. The four Honduran children have foster families back in Honduras that will probably adopt them. The ten Ethiopian children came from orphanages and need families. We hosted two boys, Yabsira from Ethiopia and Jesus (hey-soos) from Honduras. We also had a staff member, Cinthia from Honduras. They stayed with us for 3 nights and it was a great experience. Yabsira understands alot of English and could speak some to us. He is also picking up Spanish from Jesus. It was funny to see an Ethiopian boy running around speaking Spanish. The boys and our children warmed up to each other fairly quickly. We had quite the nerf gun fight going on the first night. Yabsira was affectionate and gave us lots of hugs. The boys were super excited to see deer on the side of the road one night- I was praying that we didn't hit them! They enjoyed playing with our remote control cars too. We have friends across the street who also hosted 2 kids. One afternoon the 4 boys rode our scooters and bikes up and down the street. It was very cool to see children from different countries playing outside our house. Yabsira watched me practice with the bell choir and he thought that was interesting. The children's choir performed at Caleb's school and at our church and everyone loved it! Both venues raised a good amount of money for the choir and everyone left asking the question, "what is God asking me to do to help orphans?"

Saying goodbye to Yabsira and Jesus was really hard for me. I cried when they left. It makes me sad that I may never see them again. I know I'll see them in heaven someday, but it's still hard. I mostly feel sad thinking about Yabsira. He just seemed to enjoy spending a couple days in our family. I'm praying hard that he will be adopted when the tour is done.

It's been a couple days since the boys left and our kids still talk about them. When Caleb and Isaac have nerf gun fights now they say "no cabeza!" We said that to remind Jesus and Yabsira to not shoot people in the head. And Caleb has added the boys to his prayer list, that they will be adopted. Having the choir here was a moving experience for many people and I thank God for blessing us all!

Thanksgiving

Daniel Boone tabletop display
Looks like Big Bird's nest
Nothing says Thanksgiving like watching pigs
Cuddle time with Grandpa
Sporting a new 'do


And once again I am playing catch up. We had a nice Thanksgiving. We went to my grandparent's house in Wheaton with my Dad and brother/sister-in-law. We all rode in my van. It was funny seeing my brother wedged in between booster seats in the back. And Isaac had a horrible cough which had Tim cringing. (And Tim did not get sick.) Nate had to work that weekend so he stayed home and watched the Packers game in peace. I don't think he minded us leaving. I always enjoy spending time with my extended family. The day after Thanksgiving we went to Cosley Zoo. Zoo is a generous term. It's more like some farm animals, but the kids still like going. And I want to say that the Thanksgiving meal is completely wasted on my kids. They eat some turkey, a couple bites of beans and a roll. They didn't even like the applesauce because it was chunky. Nate remembers not liking his Grandma's chunky applesauce either.

Caleb had Patriot week at school. He had to do a tabletop display of a historical figure/event. He did Daniel Boone and I think it turned out well. Caleb and Nate have had the stomach flu. I've been disinfecting the house and praying no one else gets it!

My head has been spinning the last couple of weeks with details for the children's choir. They arrive on Tuesday afternoon and leave Friday morning. We are hosting 2 boys and a female staff member. I'm really looking forward to it and praying that the stomach flu has left our house by then!

Caleb was embarrassed by me the other day. I found it funny. I brought him to school late and his class was outside for recess. I walked with him outside but as soon as he had to turn the corner to join the kids he said, "Mom, you can leave now." Thankfully this only happens once in a while, for the most part he still wants me around him. I'm trying to enjoy it, I know it will end.

Yesterday I got my hair cut really short. I just wanted a change. The stylist blew it out straight. It's fun to see it straight, but it will go back to curly tomorrow. It's too much work/time to straighten it.

I'm also excited about next weekend! My sister is flying in and we'll celebrate Christmas with my family. Stephanie, Mom and I are also going to spend a day together in Chicago- fun times!

November musings

Watching TV on their cars. Drive-in movie anyone?
They are a little big for these cars, but they look so cute!

So I am lacking in the picture department right now. What have we been up to... I had Caleb's parent-teacher conference today. It makes my heart happy to hear the teacher say, "Caleb is a joy to have in my class." He is doing really well academically and becoming a better leader. Last year he struggled with being a follower when other kids were misbehaving. The teacher said Caleb is realizing that when he does the right thing the other kids tend to follow him. That is an answer to prayer!

Isaac is liking school now. When we ask what the best part of his day is he says, "going to school." Yay! He's been tracing letters at school and talking to us about what letters are at the beginning of words. Isaac and Julia play pretty well together. Isaac definitely tries to boss her around. I hear alot of "Juyia, Juyia do this!" Julia does well at telling him "No!"

Julia still asks questions non-stop. She'll ask me what noises different animals make. It drives her CRAZY when I tell her a certain animal doesn't make noise. Deer, for example. I'll tell her deer are quiet and they don't make noise. She gets so mad and asks repeatedly and more loudly, "What do deer say?!" It's like she can't fathom the concept that something wouldn't make noise or talk. My little verbal daughter. :)

Last weekend Nate and I went to an orphan conference in Chicago. It was put on by Lifesong for Orphans. Lifesong helped our church get an adoption fund started. This was the first conference Nate and I have attended together. The conference highlighted different ways people are caring for orphans. There are so many creative ideas out there! We left the conference feeling slightly overwhelmed at the many ways we can get involved. But, we'll keep praying that God will direct us how to use our gifts/abilities to best help orphans.

Orphan Sunday

This past Sunday was Orphan Sunday. This Sunday was observed in churches across America and across the world. This year our church didn't focus the whole service around orphans, but the pastor gave me about 7 minutes to speak. http://vimeo.com/13048953 This is the video that was shown. I reminded people that many non-Christians care for orphans and do a great job, so how is Christian orphan care different? Our motivation is different. We care for orphans because God mandates it in the Bible, but also because God loved and reached out to us when we were orphans. God reached into our messiness and adopted us. We love because He first loved us. Ultimately we care for orphans to bring glory to God. I also highlighted upcoming events at our church. The deacons told me that the Thanksgiving offering will go towards the church adoption fund. I was floored when I heard that, I hadn't even asked! It's exciting because I think some families will start their own adoption process soon and we'll have some funds to help them. Awesome! In December an international children's choir, His Little Feet, will perform at our church. The choir members are children ages 6-11 yrs old and they come from orphanages in Ethiopia, Honduras, and India. I think these children will amaze people. I'm very excited about the choir!

On Sunday afternoon Nate and I went to an Orphan Sunday event in Holland. The event featured great speakers and a wide array of topics were covered. We felt the event was put together really well. We went to a break-out session about honoring birthparents. The speaker gave some good insights and advice for us to think about.

I love hearing stories about how God moves his people thru Orphan Sunday. If I hear some great stuff, I'll let you know!

Halloween

Slimy pumpkin insides- so cool!
Digging away
Caleb named his pumpkin Fred- no real reason, just seemed like a Fred I guess.
The "I love chocolate! Can I have more chocolate?!" face
They're so cute!
Rugged Daniel Boone
Ferocious leopard
One cuddly bunny