Now We Are Six

We had a great party yesterday to celebrate the twins turning 6. 

 Our pirate theme party was a hit, most literally when it was time to do the pinata.   It held up surprisingly well, allowing 7 children to cycle through 3 times before the twins took off their blindfolds and went to town.

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We're  looking forward to what this next year has in store.  Love my Wonder Twins!

Advent in 2 Minutes

Advent begins this Sunday!  Time to start getting things ready.

Hallelujah

I had heard Rufus Wainwright's song by this title and was immediatley struck by the beauty of the music. I struggle with the lyrics though. Some of the verses seem to be speaking about the struggles of living a Christian life, but others are a bit confusing, and as a result I always feel conflicted when I listen to it.  So I was very happy when I found this version, written to reflect the Passion and Resurrection of Christ.

If you would rather skip the intro, the song begins at 1:36.  Lyrics below the video.



A crown of thorns placed on his head

He knew that he would soon be dead

He said, did you forget me, Father, did you?

They nailed him to a wooden cross

Soon all the world would feel the loss

Of Christ the King before us, Hallelujah.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

He hung his head and prepared to die

Then lifted his face up to the sky

Said, I am coming home now, Father, to you.

A reed which held his final sip

Was gently lifted to his lips

He drank his last and gave His soul to glory

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

The soldier who had used his sword

To pierce the body of our Lord

Said, truly this was Jesus Christ our savior.

He looked with fear upon his sword

Then turned to face his Christ, the Lord,

Fell to his knees crying, Hallelujah.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

Took from His head the thorny crown

And wrapped Him in a linen gown

And laid Him down to rest inside the tomb.

The holes in His hands, His feet, His side

Now in our hearts we know He died

To save us from ourselves, Oh, Hallelujah.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

Three days went by, again they came

To move the stone, to bless the slain

With oil and spice anointing, Hallelujah.

But as they went to move the stone

They saw that they were not alone

The Jesus Christ is risen, Hallelujah!

Oh, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Halleluah!

Ana Tells a Story

During lunch today we went around the table, taking turns making up stories to share.  Gabe's stories mostly involved robots, and Deceptacons crushing them.  Addie talked about princess and towers, and Juliana stuck with her favorite character, Dora. 

 (Translation provided below the video.)

"And she was * unintelligible* like Boots. And she was all alone with Boots.  And she was all alone!  And she was not... and she was alone with ponies.  And with rainbow on the sky, and it was sunny day, and she... and she waked up in the morning.  In she's house.  And she was not dead forever!  And... and Boots, he was not, too!   And, and, and she, and he was not, and they were sleeping.  And Ana, and Daddy, and Mommy, and Gabriel, and Addie, was was was sawed a bad witch.  And she was bad. And she was all alone. And she was... Mommy was dead forever!  And she was go in the TV with Dora and Boots.  And she was, she likes Dora.  And, and Ana, too.  And she likes Dora.  And she has the sparkles with a cake on it like me. I was doing it by myself when I woke up, for I make the castle made of, uh uh, of a cake.  With Nutella.  It was a new one with a tent.  The End!"

Happy Birthday, Aunt Jenny!

The kids made a birthday banner for one of their beloved Aunts today. We wish we could have given it to you in person! Much love from us all!!

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It's a...

Steve couldn't be with me for the ultrasound appointment so I had the technician write the sex of our baby on a piece of paper and put it in an envelope. Later, I dropped it off at a local bakery and asked them to make me a special cake. A simple two layer, round cake, frosted all in white... but hiding a surprise, blue frosting between the layers if our baby is a boy or pink if the baby is a girl! We met our family at our restaurant the next day for the cake cutting. This was such a fun way to find out and celebrate!

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How Great Thou Art

The most powerful rendition of this song that I've ever heard

Spontaneous Acts of Affection

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Mary Video

A wonderful explanation of devotion to Mary!

This Day God Gives Me

A beautiful way to begin our day! (lyrics below)


This day God gives me strength of high heaven,
sun and moon shining, flame in my hearth,
flashing of lightning, wind in its swiftness,
deeps of the ocean, firmness of earth.

This day God sends me strength as my guardian,
might to uphold me, wisdom as guide.
Your eyes are watchful, Your ears are listening,
Your lips are speaking, friend at my side.

God’s way is my way, God’s shield is round me,
God’s host defends me, saving from ill.
Angels of heaven, drive from me always
all that would harm me, stand by me still.

Rising, I thank Thee, mighty and strong One,
King of creation, Giver of rest.
Firmly confessing God in three Persons,
Oneness of Godhead, Trinity blest.

Firmly confessing God in three Persons,
Oneness of Godhead, Trinity blest.

Nick Vujicic: Life Without Limbs

This is truly inspiring. You may need to keep the tissues handy.

The New HP Movie

Oh yes, we will be seeing this in the theaters.  Oh yes.

Play Time!

*Click on the slide show to watch at Picasa and view the videos.

She walks!

Ana decided to skip right over cruising the furniture. One minute, she was bopping up and down holding on to the couch, and the next, she crawled over to the wagon, pulled herself up and off she went!

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Being Artsy

And some random pictures around the house...
Thanks to the aunts for the awesome easel and art supplies!!!
(watch at the picasa site to see a few videos, too)

Cupcake Carnage

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Voyage of the Dawn Treader Trailer

I am looking forward to seeing this installment in the Narnia series. I do hope that the plot is stuck to more than with Prince Caspian, though. These stories don't need embellishing.

It's the Little Things

I came across this beautiful reflection on being a mother while blog-hopping.  Though, I would caution to have some kleenex nearby.  (I say as I sit here blowing my nose and dabbing my eyes only moments before the kids come downstairs.  Extra kisses this morning.)

Beautiful

This short video shows a wooded area through a years worth of changing seasons. I enjoyed the change from winter to spring the most. That dismal rain washed away the snow and bought forth a lush green.

One year in 120 seconds from Eirik Solheim on Vimeo.

A Reminder

Take some time, remember what Advent is about.