Christmas letter and pictures!

For the past couple of years, we Spricks have included with our Christmas card a Christmas letter filled with newsy notes, funny quips, and boring information. The letter was fun to write-- to reflect on the past year, to see if we had changed or grown at all during the past year. I enjoy reading other's letters. . . sometimes my kids even get ignored when I receive a Christmas card with a letter in it. Don't tell social services.

I didn't compose a letter this year. First of all, I'm not all here. It is discouraging to me to write that, but I'm not. I'm off. I keep forgetting things. For example, I invite my family over for brunch on Christmas day. I love making breakfast, Gary and I love to give out Christmas stockings to everyone (a tradition Gary grew up with and I've eagerly embraced), and I love seeing my family on Christmas day. Not everyone can come, I have brothers who married non-Michiganders so they are often out of town on Christmas day. It is fun, casual. . . it is Christmas. I bake a cake and we sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. I love it. This is what I forgot this year. First, I forgot to back a cake. I forgot that we sing to Jesus, so I didn't make a cake. We made doughnuts. Fun, but not our tradition. I forgot to put the pig-n-the-blankets into the oven. We ate them after breakfast was finished. I forgot to use my Christmas dishes from my friend Sandy. I use them every year: not this year. I forgot to check if I had enough syrup for the pancakes. Many thanks to my brother-in-law who went easy on the syrup (sorry Matt!). I forgot to buy powdered sugar for the doughnuts. Yup, I'm off. Another reason for no Christmas letter: I'm a little busy. I know I know: shocking. Also, with everything that has happened over the past couple of months, I figure that those who read this blog are pretty up-to-speed on what is a'goin' on at the Spricks.

So, here is a summary of our family and how we are doing. Enjoy!

Gary: Big job changes this year for my main squeeze. AT&T changed the way that techs work. Gary now gets orders about where to go rather than seeing all the problems and hitting the most important ones first. I keep saying that they took away his ability to think. He is adjusting well, complaining little, and so very thankful to have a job. Next year will bring more changes as he'll be all call more. We are glad for the income that this brings, but don't like the extra time that he has to be away from home. He (and I) continue to make more friends at church. We continue to love our small group. We also had a facebook church group party at our house in October with over thirty people in attendance. It was great. He continues to love hanging with the family, doing projects around the house, and finding a good deal.

Garrison: Our big guy is going to school. He likes it except for the crafts. He is in El Puente, a Spanish Immersion program at Zeeland Christian. He tries our patience at times, yet makes us laugh every day. He is very funny and extremely animated. I love the one on one times that I get with him because he loves to talk and I love to listen. He loves to help Gary with anything, especially in the workshop or outside. He graduated from the church nursery this spring and has adjusted to being in "big church". He especially likes greeting time and will often go up on stage to shake hands with Mr. and Mrs. Jones. He even called out to Mr. Jones in the middle of a song during the Christmas program. Yup, I keep laughing with my dear Garrison. He has adjusted quite well to having a little brother, though sometimes he wants a break. Simon loves him and wants to do and say everything that Garrison does. Garrison still loves basketball, and really any sport in general. He loves being outside as well and doesn't seem to get cold: just like his dad.

Simon: Our newest member of the Sprick crew. He is doing remarkably well considering he has been at our house for only six weeks. He can say well over one hundred words and can understand even more. I need to remind myself at times that he might not be able to understand what I'm saying to him. He is fascinated by trucks, jeeps, cars, trains, buses, and our dog Smokey. He was terrified of him when we came home from China, yet today he asks for kisses, cuddles with him, and chases him around the house. We are so thankful for this as we weren't sure there during the first week if we'd be able to keep Smokey around. He eats a ton, though some of this is slowing down. We are trying to teach him not to put so much food in his mouth at a time. He is fascinated with Diego and responds to the songs and what Diego asks of him. We are sad that he isn't singing in Chinese for us anymore. We do play the Chinese kids songs from the Back to God Hour for him. He loves this and seems to hum along. We know it is just a matter of time before we won't hear him speak Chinese anymore. We know it is coming, but I will miss it. We love his smile and laugh. He smiles just like his dad: his eyes close. It is very funny.

Noel: How do I being to describe our Noel? She is a delight. We love almost every minute with her. She prances around the house, she laughs, she cuddles, she loves books, she talks so much. . . she is a hoot. It has become challenging to get a good picture of her as she makes so many crazy faces. She wears her emotions on her face, so we always know what she is thinking. She does give Smokey open mouth kisses which Gary loves and makes me a little ill. She loves to bug Simon and of course plays the martyr when anything goes wrong. She is one smart cookie. She wishes she could join in with Garrison at school, but she'll have to wait at least one more year. She doesn't really have a toy that she enjoys playing with, she just really enjoys being. If I had to choose, I'd say that books are her favorite.

Smokey: Smokey has finally grown up. He still loves to play, but that crazy puppy behaviour that drove me nuts has passed. Amen and Amen.

Shanda: Well, you already know that I'm losing my mind. I am a strong candidate for What not to Wear. My house was clean when we returned from China and hasn't been since. I was hoping to lose weight while in China, but gained instead: such good food! All in all I'm so very happy. I'm so blessed by God with a wonderful relationship with Him (though getting up early lately has been a challenge!). I have a wonderful husband whom I love so very much. I can't believe that I'm a mom of three--three kids that I really like. I love my church and look forward to going and learning. I especially enjoy my Bible Study. We are doing a Beth Moore Bible Study and I'm challenged and encouraged in many ways. My friendships are great. I have some tried and true friends and I'm even making new friends, something difficult to do at my age. I wouldn't trade my life for another.

May God bless you as well over the next year. May you have eyes to see all the wonderful ways that God shows Himself to you each day. Feel free to share your prayer requests and celebrations with us. We enjoy praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas. Yes, I do mean it. May you have a very Merry Christmas. May you smile about, celebrate, and rejoice in the gift of God--His precious Son.

I'm sitting in our living room enjoying the lights of the Christmas tree. I don't really enjoy getting out of my warm bed early each morning, but once I make it to the living room, I really like it. I like the time spent with just God and I, I like the quiet, and during Christmas I really like the lights. Gary has programmed the tree to be on every morning when I get up. Thanks honey.

So I'm here, all alone, and more tired than usual. Something happened last night, during the night, that was unusual in our house. There are very few nights where I get to sleep all night long. There is at least one child who seems to wake up and alert us to their presence at least once every night. Sometimes we need to get up to address to problem, sometimes they can fall back asleep on their own. (pause pause pause)

As I was writing, I heard the bedroom door open and there stood my dear son Garrison. I quickly put away the computer as he ran to me and we snuggled together in the chair. Let me share with you the conversation that followed.
Mommy (that's me): "Garrison, do you know what day it is today?"
Garrison: "What is it?"
Mommy: "Today is Christmas. Today we celebrate Jesus' birthday. Happy Birthday Jesus!"
Garrison: "Yeah, and I'm going to give Jesus my clock book as a present." Know that Garrison's clock book is a favorite!
Mommy: "Really, that is a very nice thing to do for Jesus."
Garrison: "Yeah, and He can play with it and I will help him do it, just like this (and he proceeds to turn the hands of the clock)"
Mommy: "Garrison, I love you and I know that Jesus loves you so very much."
Garrison: "Yup."

So, now that the stockings have been opened, I'll get back to my early morning thoughts.

So, last night things were different. Noel started putting up a fuss a little after one. Gary got up with her (we have a deal that he does the little things and if they get longer, then I take over. I have a difficult time getting back to sleep if I get up, so I do the longer ones since I'd be up anyway. If you have questions about our system, feel free to e-mail me or leave a comment.) and changed her diaper. She had more to drink than usual, so I suggested that this might solve the problem. Gary changed her, came back to bed, and fell asleep within five breaths--I counted. I continued to listen to her moan and cry. After fifteen minutes, I decided that something was amiss. I went into her room and discovered that I had neglected to turn on her heater and it was quite cold. Not only that, but I had not put her pajamas on at night. She was in such a comfy outfit and I thought that she would be able to wear part of it again in the morning. . . .so she wasn't wearing her super warm pajamas. My little girl was cold. It took several more trips, some rocking, and finally a glass of milk to get our little girl back to sleep. I was up for over two hours. One hour later, I was awakened to Garrison crying in the bathroom. I stumbled in and there he stands without his pajama top on crying. "What's wrong?" "I'm all wet." "What?!?" "I have to go potty, I'm all wet. . . I can't get my pants off." I bend over and discover that he is indeed covered with pee. I take off his pants and see that we forgot to remind him to put on his nighttime underwear (pull-up) before bed. He had wet everything. Just as I am going to his room to change his sheets, get new pajamas, and nighttime underwear, Simon wakes up and says, "Simon potty. Simon potty. Simon potty." I wake up Gary and ask for help. Minutes later, everyone is warm and dry. Twenty minutes later, everyone except me is asleep. What a night.

Parental error. That is what happened last night. It is a very unusual occurance. During the day--all the time, but I have nighttime routine pretty down pat. Perhaps we would have had a full night of sleep without parental error, but who knows. I didn't turn on the heater. I didn't put on her warm pajamas. I didn't remember nighttime underwear. I missed out on about three hours of sleep last night.

I'm thankful that my Heavenly Father didn't make a parental error when He sent Christ to earth. Now that I'm the mom of two sons, I don't think I'd give them up for anyone, let alone crazy selfish sinners. As I was laying in bed last night trying to get asleep for the third time, I thanked God for doing the right thing and not forgetting anything. He never slumbers, never sleeps, has so many children and isn't losing His mind (unlike me). Happy Birthday Jesus and thank you Heavenly Father.

Food Network

I'm sitting in a comfy chair in the living room while the kids nap. Food Network is on and I'm being inspired, and encouraged, and taught, and . . . I'm also getting hungry (not really, but I'm telling myself that I am) and thinking that I could just let myself go for the holidays. I can count my points again. . .after Christmas, or my New's Year's party that I'm attending, or after the Koeman Family Christmas in January.

I had a discussion last week with some friends about the food network. Jodi mentioned that her husband watches and then expects her to produce dinners to impress: after all, it only takes 30 minutes. Yeah right, and I'm a size 11--just my feet are. All the prep, all the planning. . . more that what you would think. She wishes that her husband wouldn't watch so much.

I have learned a lot from the cooking shows. I love to cook. I love to experiment in the kitchen. I've only recently returned to the kitchen after our travels. We relied very heavily on meals that friends gave us and now I'm enjoying my return. Years ago I gave away my food chopper because I love to chop veggies. I mostly do o.k. with cooking, but there are flops. This week-end a batch of chicken noodle soup found its way into the garbage. How do you mess up Chicken Noodle Soup?

This spring, my sister and I were talking and we happened to mention a particular bar that we saw Ina Garden bake on Barefoot Contessa. We affectionately named them the naughty bars and would joke about them. It finally got to the point where we decided that we needed to make them, so we got together and enjoyed our time in the kitchen laughing and baking together (I don't think we've baked together since we were living in Graafschap!) The bars were amazing and they were indeed naughty.

Just watching the Food Network doesn't make me an expert, just like watching CSI doesn't make me able to solve every crime. Yet, haven't all these shows that we watch made us a little overconfident sometimes? There were times in China like I felt I was in the Amazing Race. There are days when I know I could give the Dog Whisperer a run for his money. I do know that I couldn't hold a candle to Les the Survivorman (what a great show!). If I want to succeed in the kitchen, I need to work, to experiment, try a new variation, do it again.

I've been struggling with knowledge/performance in regards to my spiritual life as of late. I'm easily able to identify areas in which God has blessed me, or gifted to me. I'm easily able to identify areas in which I need to work. Yet, some things aren't working that way I'd like. I think that it should only take 30 minutes right? Yet, I need to remember that there is a ton that goes on behind the scenes, it'll get better with time, with my practicing to be the woman that He wants me to be. . . I need to continue to tweak myself until I am holy before Him. I'm so thankful that He isn't giving up on me. I won't give up on being more like Him either. Now, about that chicken noodle soup.

Christmas Cards

I love Christmas cards. I should rephrase that, I love getting Christmas cards, especially the ones with pictures. At the beginning of this month, I begin getting the mail. Usually it isn't that big of a deal to me. Gary always picks it up when he comes home from work: not during December! I find myself glancing outside hoping for the postman, post officer, employee of the United States Post Office, . . . what are they called these days? I find myself glancing outside for the individual who delivers our mail on a regular basis. If I happen to miss the delivery and Gary gets the mail first, I greet him at the door with a kiss (always first!) and then, "Did we get any good mail?" He willingly lets me open the envelopes with handwriting on the outside. I love seeing the pictures, I love reading Christmas letters, I love putting all the cards on my cupboards so I can look at them each day. I keep them all, every year, so that many years from now I can pull them out and remember how young my niece and nephew were, how the styles have changed, and how far Christmas cards have come. Remember when it was a big deal to pick out the card. . . and it was just a card. Which message? Which picture? What are you going to write to the cute boy that you have a crush on. . . don't be direct, but perhaps a hint or two? Then, the pictures began. First, folks began including a 4x6 photo. Are you serious? It was wonderful. Will I or won't I include a photo? Soon, the madness began. Karen (my best friend besides Jesus and Gary) and I sent out pictures of the two of us for many years. We lived together for six, so we took a family photo. We had to find the negative, submit it long in advance. . . you remember. One year we went lobstering in the Keys and had a great picture of us, our lobsters, and Russel. . . the former student who took us lobstering. Since we wanted that photo (we both looked great!) we had it made into a card with "Feliz Navidad" (after all, we were living in Miami). I sent mine out as is, and Karen cut Russel off the end of the card. Her cards looked oddly shaped, but Russel wasn't in them. I had to answer the question of "who is that boy?" In the months following, I found pictures of Russel hidden in my bedroom and classroom.
Last night we took our Christmas card photo: our three kids. Getting them dressed was an event. Having them stand together was an event. Trying to get them to all look at the same time was an event. Getting three smiles at the same time was an event. Sorting through twenty photos was an event. Choosing the card from Samsclub.com was an event. . .so we decided to show the event on our card. There is one main picture, and three smaller pictures of the event that was. When Gary returns home (he is gone on business for a few days: pray for me!) I'll try and post some event pictures. I will say that at one point, both boys fell into the tree. Gary and I loved it and laughed over and over again. See, perhaps the reason why I love the Christmas card isn't just because I get to see pictures of my family and friends, it isn't just because it is fun to get mail, it isn't just because I get caught up with far away friends, but because it is another fun event in my life. If you didn't know, I love celebrating events.

Playing trucks

There has been a change in my house since we came home after 16 days away in China with another 2 and 1/2 year old child. I know, shocking. It hasn't been that I've gained some weight (thanks for the great meals by the way!) or that I don't leave my house at least once every day (boy do I miss that) or that I'm drinking more diet mountain dew than ever (I'm not going to post my daily consumption-but I'm drinking my fifth can of the day at the moment). It isn't that the boys are sharing a room, there is more laundry, our grocery bill is higher (yup, Simon is still an eater) and getting ready to go anywhere takes so much time. There are many more, but I digress.

The change I'm talking about is the way that my kids play together. Pre-Simon, Garrison and Noel pretty much playing independently of each other. Garrison did his thing, Noel hers. She would pester him at times, but she generally was interested in very different toys than Garrison. He ignored her most of the time except when she was in his way. The times they are a'changin'.

I can't exactly explain why things are different, but they are. First, Garrison is interested in cars and trucks, something which he hasn't really been excited about before. He has done the occasional vroom vroom, but give the boy a ball and he is happy. Simon loves cars. Since we have been home, so has Garrison, and to an extent Noel--I'll get to that in a minute. It has been really cool for Garrison and Noel to get excited about something new through Simon. Garrison saw Simon's love of cars, and running around with them, and pushing them, and crashing them--that he now loves cars. This can be good especially when they are both racing around the house laughing together, but they also both have a favorite truck which happens to be the same one. This has created numerous conflicts between the boys. Noel loves cars, not any one in particular, but any one that is in the hands of one of her brothers. She loves to find a neglected car and entice her brothers that they might want it--and when they do, she gleefully runs away with the said vehicle. She loves to try to take a car away from them, she loves to get in the way and get "hurt". She tries to do all these things while we aren't watching, but she lets us know if her brothers have abused her in any way, even though she is little miss instigator. Simon seems to feel as if any car he has played with during the past hour is still his, even if he is done. He protests very loudly when someone takes "his" toy. Garrison is the fastest, strongest, and most coordinated and can come very close (sometimes too close) to hitting something or someone with his vehicle. When they all play together: oh, the smile on this mama's face. More often than not, I'm a ref. I call penalties and time-outs. It is a new hat that I'm wearing.

I've also thought: I'm glad that I'm beyond that, I know how to share, how to treat family and friends with kindness. . . .then God knocks on my heart and asks me to really look at myself. I enjoy being exposed to new things: recipes, television shows, stores, products, thoughts, people. It can really open me up to avenues I hadn't really explored. I also fall into the same traps as my kids: I can take credit for stuff that isn't mine. I can think that just because I began something, no one else has a right to use it. Sometimes I think that I can use something better than someone else, so I try to show off in front of them. . . just to see how they'll react. I can do these things when no one is looking, then put up a fuss when someone wrongs me. Now--I don't do these things all the time, but God is showing me that I have. . . and can do them.

My devotions this morning centered around the ten commandments and how they serve as a boundary stone for my life. Sometimes, I try to move the stones, to get away with more, to do it more my way. . . . and this can be passed on to my kids. Lord, protect my kids by changing me when I need it. Continue to open my eyes and thanks for using my kids to teach me.

Facebook

Are you on facebook? I am. Yup, I said it, and now I'm even saying it proudly. There was a time when I was almost apologetic for being on facebook. I fought joining for quite awhile. I'd get an e-mail stating that someone wanted to be my friend. Yeah! Guess what, they are already my friend. My limit was five requests, and when it came to number five, I joined.

I love it. I love it that I've reconnected with classmates from high school. I love it that I've reconnected with friends and roommates from college. I love it that I get little snippets, pictures, and updates from the friends that I see occasionally as well as the friends that I see and talk with often. I feel connected. I feel like I'm aware. I'm able to pray for my friends. I'm able to laugh with my friends. I am in "the know" baby.

I am not addicted. I know there are those who have a hard time getting away from facebook, who need to give eighteen updates a day, who need to comment on every picture that one of their friends post. I don't need to do that. Sometimes I just don't want to communicate. Guess what? That's o.k.

Gary and I have been having facebook discussions lately. Why do I want to be on it? Why doesn't he want to be on it? He can tease me about it, but he is also very supportive of my being on facebook--just make sure the kids are safe at all times. He enjoys, for the most part, when I share some info that I've gleaned from my time spent at the computer. I don't always share with him where my friends are at--Debbie--I still like the frosting on the cupcake. Gary doesn't need to be in on that. Is my time spent wisely?

Yes and no. No-there are times when I do spend too much time. I should have cleaned the bathroom. I should have read Dr. Suess again. I should have walked on the treadmill. I should have gone to bed. I'm learning, but aren't we learning all the time? The key is if you do something with the learning. Yes--I have relationships that I have been lacking with my being at home with three kids full time. I feel closer to the heart of many of my friends. I am walking (via computer) with some folks who may be going through hard times. I am having fun. It is fun. Fun fun fun. I enjoy having fun during my day, in a variety of ways.

If you are reading this and aren't on facebook, do you want to be my friend?

The doctor was in.

Yes. We went to see our family doctor today for an evaluation for Simon. He is doing great! (and by great, I mean great.) He is in the 25% for height and weight. That means that he is not our biological son, in case any of you were curious, and that he and Noel might be able to be in the same weight class for wrestling. We'll let you know when we get the ring set up. I think she might take him.

We were referred to a pediatric plastic surgeon to get his leg and back looked at. There may be some scar tissue and the stitch up/staple job that was done wasn't done very well. We'll let you know what happens.

When Simon and I returned home from the doctor, my mom was here with Garrison and Noel. I asked her to stay for awhile and soon we were laughing together. Why? Well, all three kids were crying. Garrison: Simon ran into him with a truck. Simon: upset that he had to say he was sorry. Noel: upset because I wouldn't pick her up because I was dealing with Simon and Garrison. It was so comical. I'm glad that I'm laughing about it. God continues to give me Mich's patience.

Chicken Noodle Soup and Grilled Cheese for supper. Thanks small group!