Pictures...

No particular reason for this pic, just thought it was cute.

Caleb's "Gotcha Day"was in March so Andy & I, the kids and my parents celebrated by going to a Korean restaurant in Champaign. It was really good! Caleb LOVED it. I am not sure he really liked all the food but it seemed really important for him to try it. Here he is holding up kimchee which is pickled cabbage. He ate it and said he liked it but the look on his face said something different :-)

These two are always up to something!



Travor's feelings about Korean food. Not a fan. He is your pizza, taco, basic kind of guy.

Hope liked the food.

Since Travor had built the Sears Tower (now called the Willis Tower) for his Valentine's project, we thought it would be fitting to go up to Chicago and visit it over Spring Break since the kids have never been there.

Riding the Metra in from the burbs.

Hope looking over Chicago from the Willis Tower.

Standing 108 stories over the city of Chicago in the "ledge" which is a glass enclosed overhang on the side of the Willis Tower. Kind of a weird feeling when walking on it.

A Perspective of Women from Grade School Boys...

Travor had some of his friends over from school this afternoon. I listened in to their conversation at lunch and thought it was too cute!

One of the boys: "(name of a girl at school) likes me."

Another boy: "That is the problem with girls, why do they have to like us!? Why didn't God just make boys?"

A more compassionate boy: "Well, God did make them from part of the man"

Boy: "Too bad they came from us! I wonder why God did not just go 'poof' and make them instead of from us."

Another boy: "Have you ever noticed that all the names of girls come from a man's name? Like

'woman,' man is on the end and 'female,' male is on the end?"

That is when I interjected and said, "Do you know what man said when he saw the woman after God had created her?"

Boys: all ears

Jill: "WOO! MAN! WOO! MAN! WOO! MAN! Get it? Woman. That is how women got their name. He thought she was beautiful!"

Boys: {bitterly disappointed at the thought} said"oh brother." and "awkward!

I will *gladly* remind these boys of this conversation when they are 16! I would guess the perspective will be a bit different ;-)

A few happenings....

Travor and Haley's school has a Valentine's party every year where the kids build their V-day mailboxes. Travor's planning started early. He wanted to make the Sears Tower. He sketched his idea back in December and built a really good small-scale model and then, with dad's help, they build the real deal. It was taller than 8 feet! He won the "most effort" award.

Haley decided to build our town's water tower since we got a new one this year and, in a small town, that is a big deal! She received the "most creative award." She did not want her picture taken :-{

Miss Hope received a tutu from Grandma Lehman (thanks mom!) and she loved it! She is striking her ballerina pose!

Two Great Recipes

My mom gave me a new cookbook for Christmas and I am loving having some new ideas. Thanks mom! Quite a few of my friends have recipes in the cookbook so it is extra fun to try them. We had two delicious dinners tonight and last night. We are calling it "Rumbold girl week" since both recipes are from two of my friends who also happen to be sisters :-) Jamie S., you are next! Here they are:

Mexican Chicken Penne (Mindy Anliker) *my kids really liked this one & they are a tough crowd*

1 pkg penne pasta
2c. chicken, cooked and cubed
1 1/2 c. salsa con queso dip
1/2 c. milk
1/4 t. salt
1 (15oz) can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 lg. tomato, chopped
4 green onions, sliced
1/2 c. shredded Cheddar cheese (best if you use a brick of cheese and shred it yourself)

Cook pasta according to the package directions. Heat milk and salsa con queso separately in micro so each are hot. Then, in a large bowl, combine the chicken, salsa con queso dip, milk and salt. Drain pasta and add chicken mixture; toss to coat. Serve immediately. Top with black beans, tomatoes, onions and cheese.




Crock-Pot Taco Soup ( Lisa Schwarz) *I love crock pot recipes for days when I am running errands*

1 lb. ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 (15oz) can black beans with liquid
1 (15oz) can pinto beans with liquid
1 (15oz) can whole kernel corn with liquid
1 (15oz) can creamed corn
1 (28oz) can peeled & diced tomatoes
2 pkg. taco seasoning mix
1 pkg. Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix
2 c. water
8 oz. shredded Cheddar cheese (opt)
Fritos or tortilla chips (opt)
4 oz. sour cream (opt)

Brown ground beef and onion in skillet. Combine all ingredients, except optional ones, in crock-pot. Cook on low 8 hours or high for 4 hours. Serve with cheese, sour cream and chips.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

We are so glad you came!

For unto us a child is born, a son is given:...and His name shall be called WONDERFUL, COUNSELLOR, the MIGHTY GOD, the EVERLASTING FATHER, the PRINCE OF PEACE. Isaiah 9:6

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. Mt.1:21


Praising God for the greatest gift of all ~ JESUS! Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

kids caring for kids/ Prairie Christian School

Check out this Lifesong for Orphans blog post. Our kids have been attending Prairie Christian School for 4 years now. The school, families and, especially, the teachers have been such a blessing to us. It was really fun to see the kids "get" Christmas this year.

Praise God for working in the PCS students' hearts for the children in Zambia and for reminding me that He is pleased with childlike faith!

Merry Christmas!

http://lifesong.squarespace.com/home/2009/12/18/kids-caring-for-kids-prairie-christian-school.html

Happy 2nd Birthday Hope!

Time goes so fast. Our baby is turning 2! If I could freeze our family right now, I would. I love the mix of elementary age kids and the cute cuddly pre-k/toddlers.

Hope getting a smooch from daddy while in Ethiopia.

Home from Ethiopia.

We often comment on what a different girl she is now. She was so quiet and non-expressive for a long time but now she is SO expressive and loves to "talk." She said 3 new words today.

Is this picture a prophecy of future phone bills to come?!?! :-}

Happy Birthday Hope Tizita. You are a special gift from God! We love you.