A very nice Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas. We got to spend Christmas Eve with Ralph's family and Christmas morning just as a family and Christmas afternoon with my family. It's always very busy driving down to Citrus Heights one day and Elk Grove the next, but we wouldn't want to miss any of it. The kids were spoiled rotten, and so was I by my sweet husband.

The last couple of days have just been spent playing new games, cleaning up a bit, being lazy, and now tonight we have our Colette here playing games, watching a silly old movie, etc. So life is good, and whatever tomorrow brings, we have the memories of another fun family Christmas.

God is good!!!

Christmas Baking--3 Days til Christmas!!!

Today we made truffles, fudge, m&m cookies, and gingerbread men.

Jackson was so helpful with the gingerbread men--he dumped out all the sprinkles, recut the gingerbread men into strange shapes, ate all the toppings......you know, just a real all around helper. :-)

Good thing we love him!!

Last Friday night we did our annual drive-around-and-look-at-Chistmas-lights trip. First we went to the drive through Nativity at the Nazarene church. Jackson's favorite scene was the one with the wise men. He really wanted to go back through again to see those wise men, but we had lights to see, so we went on.......As we drove around looking at lights, all I heard was, "Jackson, look over there, Jackson, look at those ones, Jackson this, Jackson that". And you know, I am so thankful we still have a little one to share our joys with. He is so much everyone's baby boy, and all the kids just love to show him new and interesting things. I am so glad we have every single one of our blessings and didn't stop after 1.7, or whatever the dwindling average is now! After we were all done with the lights, we went to McDonalds for Mcflurries. So another memory made.

The weekened was busy with the church Christmas musical. It was beautiful, but since I forgot my camera, I won't have any pictures to share.......

So far this week, we have had alot of snow play, and I do have a few pictures of that, thanks to Cara. (You don't think I went out in the cold to get these pictures?)

We also got down to my parents house on Wednesday, for a little visit. That was fun, as always. We are praying for my mom, for healing. Her leg that was shattered back in May was not healing, so they are trying a new treatment, called a bone stimulator. We are all praying this will do the trick, and also that the insurance we stop being dumb and pay for the machine.

And here is one more picture, just for fun:

A fun messy day!

Yesterday we had our sweet friends the Hoffmans over for lunch and playing and gingerbread house making! The kids worked so hard getting every ready. Nick and Cara made the best chocolate truffles on the planet! For lunch we had chicken rice casserole (called Samantha's casserole cause she loves it so much), homemade bread, and fruit salad. For dessert we had those awesome truffles, pumpkin pie squares, and delicious corn muffins made by the Hoffmans.

At first we couldn't get the gingerbread houses to stay together, but then when I got out of the way, Nick figured out how to make them more stable, and then all the kids were able to do so much better than I did. I always knew my kids are smarter than me.

So a lesson today was learned in patience and perserverance!

Of course we have pictures. :-)

Christmas Shopping

Yesterday I got to take Cara Christmas shopping for her friends. Just the 2 of us, spending time together. I try to take a different kiddo shopping with me every 2 weeks when I do my big shopping trip. This gives me a helper and them some one-on-one time. But yesterday we didn't have anything we had to do, just be together and take our time.

And then we split a Coffee-Toffee from our favorite Java-Drive-through on the way home.

Life is good!

What we do around here for fun....

The younger kids planned a little surprise for us--a Christmas concert. I think Samantha was inspired by the concert she went to Friday night with Danny and Cara (which she and Cara were in a couple of years back), the annual Festival of Chorals, or whatever it's called. :-) Anyway, Samantha directed Joey and Rebecca in about 8 or so Christmas songs, with Jackson joining in, whether they wanted him to or not. :-) Then Joey played his first piano song on the piano. He started lessons today and has already learned his first song, and could not be prouder of himself!

So of course I have a few pictures....

Please excuse Jackson's lack of attire. He doesn't think much of clothes. (He was at least wearing pants; you just can see them.)

Who will mourn for you?

I guess your mama doesn't want you
And your daddy doesn't care
And the world says you're a burden
Who would only cause despair.
The doctor says you're just some tissue
And that it won't hurt at all
When they take your life and throw you
In the dumpster down the hall.

So who will mourn for you
When your short life is through?
When you take your final ragged breath
In a cruel and heartless death
Who will mourn, who will mourn for you?

Well, I know that Jesus loves you
And he'll take you in His arms
But it was never in His plan
For this world to cause you harm.
And you could make a difference
If you only had the chance
But this lost and blinded world
Chooses not to understand.

Who will mourn for you
When your short life is through?
When you take your final ragged breath
In a cruel and heartless death
Who will mourn, who will mourn for you?

You've got tiny hands and feet
And sometimes you suck your thumb
And your little heart is beating.
I wonder who you'd have become?
Well, you might have been a hero
Or just an ordinary soul
Who lived a quiet life for Jesus
But I guess we'll never know.

So I will mourn for you
And the life you never led
Though I know you'll go to Jesus,
And He'll dry the tears you shed
Still I will mourn, I will mourn for you.
And I will speak, I will speak for you.

You know, I understand why a "lost and blinded world" would choose to vote for a man who is the most pro-abortion president we have ever had (they're lost and blinded!), but I really and truly do NOT understand how those who claim the name of Jesus voted for a man who voted (more than once) against saving the life of a precious baby who was still alive after a botched abortion.

I never will understand.

~~~~~

End of depressing post........

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas around here.

Yesterday we decorated for Christmas. All the nativity scenes and snowmen are scattered throughout the house, and the tree is up! First we had to clean out the shed and see if the skunk that was living in there for a while did any damage to the Christmas stuff that was in "his" corner. But everything is ok, the shed is cleaner than it has been in years, we got rid of tons of stuff, and got all the Christmas stuff out. Then we went down to get our Christmas tree. We got it at True Value this year 'cause Danny as an employee could get it for cost. That is not our tradition, but it works this year. Traditionally we go to fast food for lunch on the way to Apple Hill to cut our own tree down, then to High Hill Ranch for cider and shopping, then to the Fudge Factory for everyone to pick out a candy, then whatever else we decide to do. But, it is an expensive trip, and Danny wouldn't have been able to go (can't spare a day away from homework til after school lets out the 15th), so we decided to forgo tradition this year. So this year it was True Value tree and Papa Murphy's pizza and milkshakes at home. It was still fun. Then after decorating, the kids watched "A Boy Named Charlie Brown".

So that was our Saturday.

Happy Thanksgiving

I sit here in my quiet house, with my dear husband and seven blessings tucked into bed after a day of Thanksgiving. And I think of all the things I have to be thankful for. I am thankful for this wonderful day, spent in Elk Grove with most of my family (about 34 people in all!). We had more food than we could eat--turkey, ham, 3 types of potatoes, green beans, jello salad, rolls, etc. , 20 bazillion pies, all kinds of chips and dips and candies. There was laughing, hugging, lots of eating, a little football watching, playing on the Wi, pingpong in the garage. Just a wonderful day with a wonderful family that God has given to me. I took not one single picture, but hopefully sis-in-love Lynn will email me a few........

So yeah, there is so much I have to be thankful for. I have a healthy family, a Christian husband who works so hard for us, children who love the Lord, sweet hugs and snuggles every day, plenty of food, clothes to wear, a bed to lay down in at night, a car to drive where I want/need to go. As if that wasn't enough, I have a closet full of Christmas surprises just waiting to be wrapped, and CHRISTMAS IS COMING! I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!! So tonight I don't worry about the state of the country, or what may happen next year or next month or tomorrow. I just thank my Heavenly Father for His sweet blessings and the sweetest gift he gave us, salvation.

~

Psalm 107:1

O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

~

Psalm 100

"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."

Yes, we're still alive, just busy

Last Wednesday night was the Awana Grand Prix. The Schow clan ended up taking 3 trophies home. Samantha got 3rd place for speed in her division, Nick got 3rd place for design in his division, and Rebecca got 1st place! for designing her "Daddy's nap" car. Here are some not great pictures of the masterpieces. My camera isn't taking good pictures lately, and I know it's something I messed up in the settings, but do you think I have taken the time to read the manual and figure out the problem? Obviously not looking at these pictures. But here goes anyway:

Cara's Flying Rooster

Nick's Sea Monster

Samantha's American Flag car

Joey's race car

Rebecca's "Daddy's Nap" bed

Today we went to the local park after lunch. The bigger kids played some tennis (they may not play so well, but it's really good entertainment-hehe), and the little ones played in the playground. Jackson has discovered the really high slide. The one that if he fell from the top he would most certainly break bones.........But he does really well and Mommy just has to be quiet and let him be a big boy and do it....

In case anyone is wondering, Thanksgiving is 6 days away and Christmas less than 5 weeks! I have been busy with some Christmas surprises that I can't mention here, and I love it! Christmas is my favorite time of year. What's not to love? I get to spend time with my kids baking cookies, decorating gingerbread men, making candies, listening to Christmas music, taking a little time off of school, decorating.......ok, you get the picture. We just have alot of fun around here this time of year. And if I throw myself into Christmas, I don't have time to think about what January may bring.....(But I know God is still God and He has things all under control, so that's all I need to know for now.)

Gotta go for now.

Jackson has new shoes......

And he won't take them off! Last night, I made him take them off to sleep. He was not amused. This morning, before he was even all the way awake, the first thing he did was jump up and put them back on. Then a few mintues ago, after bath, back on again. Guess bedtime will be fun getting them off again. :-)

Happy 13th Birthday, Nick!

Ok, so I'm still here. I don't know for how much longer, but.......

Nick had a birthday on Saturday! The big 13. Another teenager. But the good thing is, that I love teenagers! I love littles, middles, and olders. They're all fun. They're all blessings from God.

So anyway, we went down to Grandma and Grandpa's for the celebration. Omi, Uncle Scott, and Aunt Lynn came too. We had a smashing time!

Today Cara had to go back again to the oral surgeon, but finally he is satisfied that she is healing! So praise the Lord, that's over.

Today I'm thankful for:

the way God supplies ALL our needs, including new shoes for 3 kiddos today,

Cara's mouth finally healing,

and a warm cozy fire in the wood stove and a family to enjoy it with.

Today I'm praying for:

My mom to heal and get out of that CHAIR!

Danny to find God's plan for his life,

and for a spiritual revival in our country.

The End.....I think.......

I think.......I'm pretty sure......I'm gonna shut my blog down. As much as I have enjoyed keeping a record of our lives, I think now is the time to take my thoughts (and pictures) out of cyberspace. In the spirit of protecting my family, I just don't want to be "out there" with the way things are......

So probably in a few days, it will be gone.

Thanks to those who took the time to share a little of our life.

God bless!

Happy Reformation Day!!

Oh yes, I know there's that *other* holiday today, but we just don't really like all the evil associated with it. So we usually don't acknowledge it, except we do go to the annual Harvest Party, so I guess in a way we do, but we don't do the trick or treating stuff. Anyway, we had so much fun today and made memories in a different way. Today is Reformation Day. What's Reformation Day? Well, since you asked, on October 31st, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg, Germany; this is what is considered to be the beginning of the Reformation. So since I love an excuse to have a party with my kiddos, we thought it would be fun to celebrate this year.

Some of the kids dressed up in middle ages costumes:

First, we played games. We played pin the theses on the castle door:

And the winner was: Then, we had sack races. Nick was declared the champion:

Followed by hot potato (not sure if this would be a medieval game, but it sounded like it could? Rebecca won!):

And finally a 3-legged race, but no picture. You'll just have to take my word, it was hilarious. Nick and Joey won that one.

Then, after that, I opened up a "shop". The kids have been earning "points" for the past month, for getting chores done in time, and getting school work done, and extra jobs. So they got to spend their points on candy, soda, little toys, nail polish, etc. After that, we watched a movie on the life of Martin Luther. Oh, and at dinner time they will all be getting a faith-building gift (either a Christian book or a new Bible).

So that was our Reformation Day celebration. Life is short and I only get these kids for a short time, so we just gotta have some fun sometimes!

Fall Festival

Last night was the annual Fall Festival. There were lots of carnival games, music, bounce houses, obstical courses, animals to pet, candy of course--you name it. A good time was had by all.

Cara Nick the ninja

The soldiers (Samantha and Joey)

Rebecca

Jackson the dinosour

The whole group

"Marianne and Elinor Dashwood"