In Defense of Disney Princesses

I recently read this article-In Defense of Disney Princesses, from The Scriptorium, and thought the author-John Mark Reynolds-perspective on the world of Princesses was worth pondering.  If you have girls take time to read it.  Our Katie LOVES any princess and it caused me to continue thinking about any redeeming values the stories offer.

Party like it is 1978 :)

 We celebrated Justin's birthday at Simple Crepes-in Layafette village (Thank you Nana/Papa for the birthday money!) ...a delicious restaurant that serves all their meals wrapped in crepes or with crepe chips.  It. Is. Yummmmmmy!  We had a great time with the kids eating a fancy (sit down) meal.  :)  They did great!  Definitely a place to go back to and try their other wonderful sounding entrees or their dessert!  

PS-that is Katie's Gingerbread Castle she decorated at her friend Catie Beth's birthday party.  She thought it looked festive on the table!

 Owen and Katie did some ordering...

 I love that they offered to take a family photo of us!

 Owen-what a cheese!  Every time I get out the camera he turns and gives me the most handsome smile ever.

 love. love. love. Katie's expression here while she tells Daddy about the gift he is opening - if could have been of the coffee single ceramic filter/paper filters or sweater (thanks Mom and Dad!) or the gloves from the kiddos.  I have no idea where she gets her facial expressions from....heheh...  :)

 Happy Happy Happy Birthday!  And we get to celebrate more when we attend a local cooking class later in January-wahhhhooooo!

Merry Merry Christmas! Love, the Hime kids

Number 6 or was it 7

It is a good day

...to wrap presents....you know mom, I like that you wrap our presents the days before Christmas.  It is the perfect day outside for you to wrap presents (it is 70 degrees here :)

Love that little girl and ALL her excitement and carefree personality about when to do things.

A Christmas present for our Princess

 For the past three years Katie has had the blessing of a special date night with Daddy for her Christmas present.  They have always gone to Disney on Ice and LOVED it.  This year was the same except a few extra special people were able to come as well.   Thanks Nana and Papa for loving our Katie at her special show!!  This wonderful memory continues to be the talk of her year.  

Katie-Merry Christmas!  

And little girl, next year we might change it up with the Nutcracker-which you are thrilled about!  :)  Love, Momma and Daddy

PS your Christmas dress looks beautiful on you!  You are our princess.

Journaling-a quiet house, a cup of warm vanilla milk and warm comfy Christmas Decorations

I finally sat down.  I've been meaning to.  I wanted to have some quiet time for the past week.  Me, my Bible, a cup of warm vanilla milk, the Christmas tree on and glowing, cuddled under a blanket.  But it hasn't happened...until today. Thankful for second or third or fourth chances...

I made myself sit down.  Oh I have a list of things to do. It seems to never end.  The house is never clean enough, or the laundry isn't all folded and put away, or all the emails returned or the letters opened and sorted.

I am glad I finally sat down.  I turned to the Psalms.  I've been reading the Psalms through-five Psalms at a time and this time I was reminded of a simple truth.

I have to wait upon the Lord. (Psalm 40) I have to choose Hope (Psalm 42).  I have to choose Joy in the Lord. (Psalm 43)  My faith has to be active.

I used to think that the older I got the easier it would be to walk with Jesus.  But that's not true.  It is harder to be consistent within the demands of life.  It is harder to hear God in the everyday unless I am quiet.  It is more difficult to carve out time to be quiet and sit and listen to my own thoughts and to challenge them with truth-turning them back to the author and perfecter of my faith.  The one that holds everything together.  The one that has numbered my days.  I realized that I have been trying to do things in my strength.  I've been trying to have joy mustered up by my willpower.  I have sought to love my kids by digging down deep and being patient.

But the scriptures tell me to wait patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry.  He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.  He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many will see and fear and will trust in the Lord.  (Psalm 40:1-3)

So as I finished up my reading I was thankful for these moments to realize it is not about me, or my power, or my abilities or talents.  It is about Him and me pursuing His character.  And in these times I will grasp onto His everlasting Hope, His Joy and His peace during His season.

Happy Birthday to Daddy...Happy Birthday to you!

You are still the cutest guy in the whole wide world to us!

Nana-any memories with this photo? -Love the outfit! :)

Daddy and Handsome, we LOVE you!  Happy 33rd Birthday.

Christmas on Dawnshire

One day it was cold...and so was Juniper the Reindeer. :) Thank you Katie and Owen for dressing our animals!

Justin did a great job putting together the table scape. Thank you love!

 After Katie asked if it was Christmas yet on November 30th...we made the traditional construction paper chain.  They LOVE tearing off a ring every morning and it has made the count down more exciting to 'see' the days.

I love the way the entry turned out!  I enjoy the fresh and simple welcome it brings for the holidays to our home.

Love, Justin, Gi, Katie, Owen.  

Phil 4:7

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

A Guest Post - Melissa Clift

Good Evening!

Tonight is a recipe post. I (Melissa) just finished dinner for the Himies. We had...*bumbuhbum* EGG ROLLS!

They turned out quite nicely. And I was able to fry them in Peanut Oil - which is a first for me. It was FANTASTIC! I will have to tell my mom about it cuz we all know this is her recipe not mine :)

*Insert picture of mouth-watering, golden brown, asian awesomeness*



Eggrolls

Ingredients:
2 bags cole slaw mix
1-2 cups of cooked and shredded chicken
1/4 cup soy sauce (or until the mix is lightly browned)
1 package egg roll wrappers (usually found in the produce section near the cole slaw mix)
2-3 cups of peanut oil

Directions:
Cook slaw mix and soy sauce in large sauce pan until soft - approx 40 min
Add the chicken to heat it up as well.
Drain the juices
Use a spoonful or two of the mix and roll your egg roll.
        TO ROLL: Lay the wrapper out diagonally. Put mix in the middle or a little lower. Fold up the          bottom corner. Fold in the two side corners. Roll once tightly making sure the corners are closed. Place your finger in a small thing of water and swipe across the top corner. Fold and press the corner. The water should keep it sealed sufficiently.
Fry the egg rolls in a medium/small sauce pan or deep fryer until golden brown.
Place eggrolls on a plate with a paper towel on it. Stand the egg rolls up leaning against one another so the excess oil drains out.

Makes approx 20 eggrolls.

ENJOY

They came and we had a blast...

It was fun.  It was busy. We'd do it again in a heart beat!

Thanks for coming to NC Nana, Papa and Drew.  We LOVED it.

They also came for Uncle Dorians game, which I will blog about soon, but we considered it an early Christmas present to see family.  :)

Please come back soon!

 Uncle Drew, you did an amazing job with our kiddos.  They loved you-so do we!  Thanks for being a wonderfully neat 16 year old.  We SO appreciated your playing, helping cook, cheering for your brother, hugs and loud fun voices.  Thanks for the rides on your shoulders and the IPad games.  Seriously. we loved having you here-the door is always open at our house for you!

 Nana-Please come back!  Katie told Owen not to be to sad because Nana was coming back in January.  Not sure where she heard that, but, yes come back soon!  Many thanks for the toys, walks, hugs, letting me run errands, seeing your support of Uncle Do, Starbucks, Disney on Ice and tucking in our little ones.  We LOVED it!  It was such a treat to have you here and Please know we LOVE you tons!

 Drew was a constant source of fun. Is he the coolest uncle or what?!  The kids jumped all over him for three days.  Good thing he plays football...he got tackled a lot.  :)

 Enjoying the warmer weather.  I heard it was snowing with temps in the teens with they left to fly here....I think they liked our weather.

 Papa-Thanks for coming too!  We SOOOOOooo enjoyed your company!  Thanks for the loud yelling in funny voices, caring the kiddos everywhere, admiring the dance moves, the hugs, the walk to Harris Teeter, Disney on Ice, and listening to the constant chatter and 'watch me' comments. Please come back soon!  You have a special place in our heart too dear Papa. :)  Love you!

Finding the famous Christmas jambes from N & P...Oh So cute!

 Working on computers.   I didn't have much to offer to this...but Owen thought he did!

 Abusing  Using Nana's IPad for games with Uncle Drew.

And I love these next photos.  So sweet and precious to capture family smiles!

Love you all!

Imagine with me

a four year old, talking in a whining, sorta babyish voice...

K-But Daddy, I am being gooder then my brother!

D-Gooder?

K-Yes, I want to watch the movie (Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer), but Owen is just being gooder.  And I am falling apart. :(  boo hoo hoo  - tears staring to pool in her eyes

D-Falling Apart?  What does that mean?

K-I am getting to wound up. But I really want to watch the movie...I am so sad.

:)  *Little girl you are falling apart and getting wound up...sounds a little bit crazy in your little world, sweet girl!  :)

_______________________________________

walking through the store smelling candles with a very grown up four year old.

K-Wow, Mommy and Daddy this candle has a good 'romenya'.

M- Romenya?

K-I mean to say, aroma.  :)

The Advent Conspiracy

Advent Conspiracy from International Justice Mission on Vimeo.

A December lunch

 It's been SO warm and beautiful here.  

I do miss the holiday season when there is snow and Christmas spirit shines through in hot cocoa and warm snuggly coats, but as I get older I don't miss the bitter cold.  So with 70 degrees we are taking full advantage of our warm sunshine.  We've been outside every day we can and I've never regretted getting the kids out over my house chores.  :)

 And like today, the cooler weather will come as will the clouds.  And then my desire for a house that is clean and organized has its place.  

We think December lunches outside are wonderful-how about you?!