Train trip to Chicago

Yesterday we went to Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry.  We traveled by commuter train from Michigan City, IN, to Chicago and went to the museum for the day.  Here's our whole group minus Karsten.  Still happy at the end of the day!  And play "Where's Andrew?"  He's hiding.

Aaron's 4th Birthday

My little boy turned 4 on June 1!  Hard to believe, he still seems like a baby to me.

Aaron can be very cheerful and happy, but for some reason, he wasn't quite sure about opening gifts, which is plain to see by the scowl on his face.

After a little prodding, he soon got in to the spirit of things.  He was quite impressed with his Herbie car.

And a train table!  We had one when Andrew and Noah were younger, but they never played with it so we got rid of it.  Aaron loves trains, and he loves his train table.  Unfortunately, he and his younger brother aren't very good about keeping the pieces together, so I plan on hot gluing them down.

Pretty pleased!  Tunnels, hills, noises and all!

Luke was ecstatic to have his own cupcake.  He's never noticed when I've given the boys dessert after dinner before, but when we were eating the leftovers the next day, he made certain to let it be known that he wanted one too!

4 is a big milestone in our house because when you turn 4, you don't get a pacifier when you go to bed anymore.  He put himself to bed for a nap a few days after he turned 4 and I went to check on him and found this!  He didn't get to keep it.  

Magical Coffee

Andrew and Noah are at art camp every morning this week so the 3 youngest and I ran errands this morning.  I was sorely tempted to make a trip to Bigby, but suppressed the urge and instead drank some magic coffee I had in my fridge.  I've tried many iced coffee recipes at home and this is by far my favorite.  And bonus, it isn't full of sugar.

Magical Coffee

2/3 cup coarsely ground coffee (I've used coffee I've ground at Meijer, but this time all I had was Folger's Black Silk and I'm enjoying it just as much as the coarsely ground Meijer Gold coffee.)
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
3 Tablespoons of brown sugar

Pour ingredients into quart size mason jar and fill to the brim with water.  Screw the lid on and shake ingredients around a bit.  Place in refrigerator overnight.
The next day, strain the coffee through a filter or paper towel (Make sure you put a bowl under the strainer so you don't lose any coffee!).  Pour over ice cubes (frozen coffee ice cubes if you think ahead.) so the cup is 2/3 to 3/4 of the way full.  Fill up the rest with milk or cream (whole milk tastes wonderful).

I go through mine in about 2 days.  I may have to start doubling the recipe!

Long time no see

So it's been a long time since I've had a new post.

But I have a good excuse.  I've been busy.




Busy growing a baby!  We hope to welcome #6 in October, Lord willing.

And Can It Be That I Should Gain?

 And Can It Be That I Should Gain?

 And can it be that I should gain 
 an interest in the Savior's blood! 
 Died he for me? who caused his pain! 
 For me? who him to death pursued? 
 Amazing love! How can it be 
 that thou, my God, shouldst die for me? 
 Amazing love! How can it be 
 that thou, my God, shouldst die for me? 

 'Tis mystery all: th' Immortal dies! 
 Who can explore his strange design? 
 In vain the firstborn seraph tries 
 to sound the depths of love divine. 
 'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore; 
 let angel minds inquire no more. 
 'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore; 
 let angel minds inquire no more. 

 He left his Father's throne above 
 (so free, so infinite his grace!), 
 emptied himself of all but love, 
 and bled for Adam's helpless race. 
 'Tis mercy all, immense and free, 
 for O my God, it found out me! 
 'Tis mercy all, immense and free, 
 for O my God, it found out me! 

 Long my imprisoned spirit lay, 
 fast bound in sin and nature's night; 
 thine eye diffused a quickening ray; 
 I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; 
 my chains fell off, my heart was free, 
 I rose, went forth, and followed thee. 
 My chains fell off, my heart was free, 
 I rose, went forth, and followed thee. 

 No condemnation now I dread; 
 Jesus, and all in him, is mine; 
 alive in him, my living Head, 
 and clothed in righteousness divine, 
 bold I approach th' eternal throne, 
 and claim the crown, through Christ my own. 
 Bold I approach th' eternal throne, 
 and claim the crown, through Christ my own. 

Charles Wesley, 1707-1788

How Deep the Father's Love for Us!

How Deep the Father's Love For Us

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch his treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the man upon a cross,
My sin upon his shoulder
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished!

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom!

What's Cookin'

Wed~Beef and Mushrooms over egg noodles, green beans
(When I showed Chris what I was making for dinner, he said, "You go, gurl.  I think that's a compliment.)
Thurs~Ham, mashed potatoes, broccoli, applesauce
Fri~Pizza, salad (You must try this pizza dough recipe.  I have tried tons of them and this is by far the best.)
Sat~Tomato soup with orzo, grilled cheese

What's Cookin'

Menu planning is making a come-back!

Thurs~Crockpot pork chops, cheesy potatoes, beans
Fri~Pizza, salad
Sat~Oatmeal pancakes, bacon, fruit
Sun~Chicken chili, brown rice, corn bread
Mon~Hillbilly Spaghetti Pie, bread, carrots

Aaron

Aaron's lyrics to "Bringing in the Sheaves" :

"Bringing in the cheese, bringing in the cheese..."

And when cheese isn't appealing enough...

"Bringing in the donuts, bringing in the donuts..."

Paul's confidence in Christ

"I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.  I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.  I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead."

Philippians 3:7-11

Joely

Joel went to an eye specialist last week to make sure that his eyes were healthy.  Yup, eyes look perfectly healthy, he just needs some thick glasses to fix his farsightedness.  Apparently, since he got such a strong prescription at a young age, his eyes had trouble adjusting and he didn't have the right prescription (since its kind of hard to test kids who aren't confident in their letters).  So now he is getting a stronger prescription and we will take him back to the specialist in a few months to see if his eyes are doing better.  If not, the dr will try some patches, etc, to train his eyes.  I'm thankful that his eyes are healthy and that he just needs a little help to see better.

(Pic by Aunt Alice)

Joel has the unique position of being in the exact middle of five boys. I have found that he doesn't always get all the attention he wants lately so I've been trying to do more things with just him.  He does say some pretty funny things to make sure he gets some attention.  He told me yesterday, "I am feeling ill."  I think that had more to do with the fact that it was clean-up time, because when I suggested that he lay down in his bed, he perked right up.  This morning at breakfast he declared that he was going to be the biggest pig ever, which is funny because we joke that he is our "fat" child.  He totally isn't fat, he is just a tad sturdier than all of our other boys.  Luke might push him out of this position.

Being Taught, That We May Teach

Remember that I mentioned that Chris actually keeps his New Year's resolutions?  Last year, he resolved to get up at 5 AM every Monday morning to do some extra work.  On January 1, he unveiled the project he has been working on, the website, "Being Taught, That We May Teach."  This website is built around the teachings of Pastor Albert Martin, a Reformed preacher who has been teaching for over 50 years.  Many have been blessed by his preaching and teaching and this website is designed so that you can enroll in a class (free!), listen to his teachings, and then take a quiz on what you've learned.  Right now, the only classes available are "Calling" and "Regeneration," but more will be added over time.  When you click on these links, they will bring you to a course website where you can enroll (Did I mention that it's free??), listen to the lectures and then take the quiz.    

Family picture

Taken December 27, 2013~opening gifts with my family.

A Quiet Activity!

I recently discovered that the boys really enjoy listening to audiobooks.  On the way home from Canada, they spent about 3 hours listening to a Hardy boys book.

 

After lunch today, they spent almost an hour listening to "Little House in the Big Woods" while they colored pictures.

Lukey learned how to move!

Luke, 10 months.  

Aaron singing "Angels We Have Heard On High"

Aaron loves to sing.  He doesn't quite have all the words right, but he does have enthusiasm!

Age 3 1/2

A blessed New Year to all of you!

We started 2014 in church and heard an excellent sermon on Psalm 37 on how God will satisfy the desires of your heart when you delight in Him.  After church, we went to the annual Engelsma family potluck.  It was a small group, the potlucking die-hards.  We enjoyed watching a rousing game of Jenga between Chris's Dad and his Uncle Paul.  So funny!  Then we ended the day eating dinner with my family at our home and Andrew opened the last of his birthday gifts (He's 9!  But that's another post.).  And now I am starting tomorrow's chores from my new homemaking calendar (found for free here), because tomorrow's chores involve the master bedroom which is a disaster!  Whew, full but fun day!

New Year, New Start

I love the idea of resolutions.  I even love making the resolutions.  What I don't love and what I don't do well is actually keeping my resolutions.  So last year I skipped the uncomfortable feeling of failing in my resolutions by just not making any.  Except I saw my husband keeping his resolutions and his feeling of accomplishment, so now I want to make some of my own this year, and actually keep them.  That's the tricky part.

I read this article over on Tim Challies' blog and I really liked what Jon Bloom had to say about resolutions.  First, resolutions are Biblical:

That by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith (2 Thessalonians 1:11).

I love how the NIV translates that verse,"your every desire for goodness."  I think that's such a great way to define the word resolution.  The ESV translates it "every resolve for good."

Second, Bloom says, "Resolves are intentions with strategies attached to them."  It's great to make a long list of worthy resolutions, but how likely are you to keep them if you don't plan how you are going to do it. 

But most importantly, Bloom exhorts us not to "pursue selfish ambitions but to pursue love."  Look at I Corinthians 14:1 which says, "Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy."  And then verse 3 says, "But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort."  Our resolutions should be for others' benefit, as well as ourselves.  Read Bloom's whole article here.

I think Paul's words in I Corinthians 9:24-27 speak to resolutions also:

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

So this year I will make resolutions with a plan.  How about you?  Let's keep each other accountable this year as we run the race that God has set before us.

 

What Child Is This!

Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,

The cross be borne for me, for you.

Hail, hail the Word made flesh,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

             ~What Child Is This

Guess who loves broccoli??

Hmm, green stuff.  Guess we can try that.

I like it, Mom!  I really do!

Luke totally skipped the pureed baby food stage and plunged whole heartedly into solid food.  He is eating two meals a day now, plus 3-4 bottles.  His favorites are string cheese, banana, bread, gold fish, turkey, and now we can add broccoli and roast beef.  He has started doing a little army crawl to reach things he really wants, like Aunt Aimee's iphone.  At his 9 month appointment today (yes, technically he's about 10 months but we are a little behind around here), he weighed almost 19 lbs and was on the longer end of the spectrum of height.  He's a healthy, growing boy, except in the hair department!