New Year's Eve 2011

Tonight we joined 50 of our friends from church at the Gillen Home to ring in the new year. Of course since this was a family event, we counted down on the Eastern time (9pm on West Coast). The kids had a blast playing outside and running around while the adults enjoyed some great conversation and lots of laughter. There was even some spontaneous singing involved. All in all, it was a great way to end 2011!

Nathan!

Jason!

Melissa & Dan

Betsy Wilson & Melissa

Luke Wilson & Nathan

John Wilson & Jason

Happy 2011, you were an amazing year and Happy 2012, for the blessings that are yet to come!

"See You Later!"

Instead of goodbye, Julie and I have said "see you later". Who knows when that later will be, but I am prayerful that it won't be too long.

This morning we headed out bright and early for our last walk in California. Julie and I have been walking together for several years. It used to be as we pushed heavy strollers with young children and then it was as the children rode scooters or bikes. Eventually the kids were in school and we were able to do it alone. No matter how we did it, it was a special time.

Julie is my accountability partner- she asks hard questions and really makes me examine the choices I am making and whether they are honoring to God and my commitment to Him. I can do the same for her and it only grows us closer to each other as well as to Jesus. I will miss doing this face to face, but am thankful for the phone and Skype that will keep us close as the miles keep us apart.

After our final walk we headed to Lowe's to get the last few boxes they would need to finish packing up their home. There have been so many tears shed, but today we could say goodbye with smiles and the hope of our next meeting.

I love you dear friend, I love your family and will miss your physical presence here in California. Georgia is a lucky state to get you!!

Christmas Day 2011

The Crout Family 2011

In the afternoon we headed over to my mother-in-law's home for dinner and presents. Mary makes the best enchiladas. Along with yummy rice and beans from a local Mexican restaurant, it is a meal I look forward to every year! What a blessing it is to give and receive gifts with your family. The best gift of all is spending time together!

Everyone loved their gifts!

Steve, Mary, Jason, Melissa, Dan and Nathan-

an intimate Christmas Dinner!

Mary and her two youngest sons!

Melissa & Her Mother-in-Love, Mary

Christmas Pie

I was asked to bring dessert for Christmas so thanks to Trader Joe's, an apple pie was easy and delicious. Besides the jar of apple pie filling, I sliced three granny smith apples and added those to the pie. They were a nice addition to the apples, spices and other yummy stuff in the jar. The pie was a hit and even better the next day!

Christmas Morning 2011

Merry Christmas!! After walking the dog, I read an amazing book to the boys about the first Christmas. I like to start the day reminding us of the reason we celebrate this joyous day- Jesus Christ!!

After stockings were opened, we started in on the gifts. Everyone enjoyed giving and receiving gifts and even Chloe got in on the action. We had to be quick about it since were due at my brother's home for breakfast.

Nathan, Gracie, Gidget & Jason

Pajama Party-

Jason, Ryan, Nathan, Gracie & Gidget

We were in Costa Mesa by 9am and had a wonderful breakfast (thanks Curt & Sherry) and enjoyed hanging with family! Although the whole family wasn't there- we sure enjoyed being with Mom, Fred, Sherry, Curt, Gracie and Gidget (plus the 5 Crouts)

Christmas Eve 2011

Today was a super busy day. It started off with cleaning up at my dad's place and getting his paperwork in order (he is in a rehab right now and is unable to do it himself). Dan was an awesome help and we got it done quickly. Afterwards we headed over to Tustin Rehab to visit my dad and wish him Merry Christmas (not a fun place to be around the holidays- or any time for that matter).

Since the next few days would be full, I decided that the boys should open their big present from us a day early. It ended up being a good thing since it took about 2 hours to put together the Play Mobile sets they got. The got the Secret Agents and Robot Gang sets. They are the coolest sets and the boys were thrilled with them-right up their alley. We have to keep reminding them that it is a joint gift and that they have to play together, but for now it is working.

After putting those together we headed for church for an early service (3:30pm). As I looked around the filled sanctuary I saw my family members sitting all around me. I appreciate our little body of believers and I love seeing their faces full of joy and their hearts full of worship- especially on this special day- truly a gift!!

We headed home for a home made meal by me (can you believe it?) We had lasagna, salad and garlic bread (oh, don't forget the sparkling apple cider). This year Ryan was with us for Christmas Eve and we didn't have any place to go.

After dinner, baths and more playing- the boys watched "Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas" while Dan and I played a 18 holes of Wii Resort Golf. It was a great evening and I look forward to tomorrow!!

Christmas Decorations

Here are some pictures around the house of our decorations- enjoy!

My mother made this advent calendar 40 some years ago. It was a favorite tradition of mine growing up and I enjoy doing it with my children too!

Every year our Christmas cards get put up on the mirror in our living room. It is always fun to see how families change, kids grow and how people are blessed!

My mother also made these stockings. Mine is original from 40 years ago (Missy). She has since made them for the other members of my family as well as my siblings, their spouses and all the grandchildren. It is something that we all have in common- we can't say that about a lot of things these days!

Pictures with Santa are a fun tradition. Here are 5 years worth with Jason and Nathan. We didn't get to take one in 2010 or 2011, but I just love seeing my little babies and how they have grown!!

Our tree!! I got it a month ago and have learned my lesson. The tree is now dry and brittle. I am taking it down as soon as Christmas day is over. I do appreciate the fragrant smell a real tree offers vs. an artificial one!!

A Walk With Friends

Today we were able to walk with our dear friends, The Kruseiwicz Family. It has been 4 months since we had seen each other last (we used to see each other weekly) and it was a special reunion!

Christina and I have known each other for over 10 years now, we were married with in 2 months of each other and we both have two sons each who are the same age. When we get together it is lots of fun and craziness. Add to the mix, two energetic dogs and it is chaos!!

Joshua and Nathan

Samuel & Jason

Chloe & Finnegan saying "hello"

Christina lives in Lake Forest and right behind her home is a wooded area and path. It is a great place for boys to explore, create traps, tell stories and have adventures. It is also a great place for two friends to catch up and for two dogs to run free and wild! Everyone wins!

Here is to good friends!!

Side Note: It was a year ago today that I had Lasik done on my eyes- what an amazing year of good vision and thankfulness for modern medicine and technology!!

The Blessing of Baptism

Romans 6:4

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Today was Baptism Sunday at The Journey Christian Church. The boys have been asking to be baptized, but I didn't have my act together to do it today (or so I thought). I had really wanted to make it a family event, but who defines family?

I felt very deeply that the boys be baptized by Rob Conatser. Rob dedicated them as young toddlers and I felt like it would be very special to have him do this very important step in their faith journey. Rob and his family are leaving next week to go to Georgia to continue the work God has called them to do- so it was now or never!

After their goodbye celebration, the boys prepared to be baptized. The more Jason got closer to it, the more excited he became- he kept bugging Rob all afternoon to do it NOW (sorry Rob). Of course Nathan was the opposite- he was not keen on doing it in front of others, but I (strongly) encouraged him to do it today with his brother. I knew he was ready and just needed to get over his fears.

The few "family" members (including our pastoral staff) that were still there at church witnessed the baptism of Nathan James and Jason Daniel. It was a beautiful sight to see my children being asked the questions,"Do you believe that Jesus is the son of God?" and "Do you believe that Jesus died for your sins?" and for the to answer in the affirmative. As he fully submerged them into the water and pronounced as he brought them up that they "were dead to their old life and like Christ, raised to a new life."

Before the "Dunk"

Jason is excited to be baptized

(and have everyone watching him)

Jason :: Before & After

Nathan :: Before & After

What a precious moment in all of our lives!! Welcome to the Lord's family my sweet, precious sons!!