Never underestimate their understanding

I'll start with the story...

Today is snowing yet again!! Mike has been working crazy hours up at 4am returns at 7am has to go back in an hour. So I decide while Mike is home I'll make the kids Pancakes and Eggs... And Mike and I omelets. Now don't think this is any great breakfast cause the pancakes were the frozen kind and Mike got a cheese omelet. Well I serve the kids the pancakes and Fruit cups then go prepare the scrambles Eggs. Well Mike tells Cameron to say "thank you" and of course Grumpy Cameron responds with a "No I don't want to". Naturally Mike tells Cameron to go sit in Time out for the obvious reasons disobeying, being disrespectful, etc. The second Cameron goes to Time out Sadie immediately says, "tank you mommy, tank you". Cameron continues to be fresh in time out so now he is sent to his bed and he starts to cry. (our children know that if you are crying in time out you cannot get out). So Cameron is left to cry for a bit up on his bed and when he stops Mike goes to speak to him. Poor little Sadie is sitting alone in the dining room eating her pancakes. I go into the Dining room to put Cameron's eggs on his plate and Sadie says, "Camwon done cryin... He no say Thank You"
I was shocked. She knew exactly why Cameron had been sent to time out.

Then after church walking to the Gym Cameron was Holding hands with his cousin Ella. Well he kept holding her back by picking up the snow. So I told him to stop holding her hand. Well he let go for a minute and then ran right back to hold her hand. Well again Sadie Observed the happenings and Says, "uh oh, hoddin hands." (I know totally ratting him out, but shocking she understood what I had said)

So what have I learned about my baby girl today... First off she is aware of dynamics in the situation, she is able to observe, learn, and apply what others do to her own choices (have no fear she doesn't always follow in the right direction) and she clearly understands what Mike and I say when we say it.

However The Biggest thing I take away from today's encounter is....















My baby is NOT a baby any more. :-(

Holiday Letter '08

This is the Holiday Letter I wrote... Some got it in the mail... Some will get in there church mail boxes and for all you internet friends I post this here for you. Know that we love you all.

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you

is faithful and he will do it.
1 Thessalonians 5: 23-24

Dear Family and Friends,

Another year has flown by. This year brought big change as well as many milestone celebrations for our family and loved ones.

February was the start of those milestone celebrations. On February 6^th our baby Sadie turned 1 and My mother turned 50 (I’m sure she’ll love that I shared that with all of you) For my mother we were able to pull off the surprise of a lifetime. At her birthday dinner she was greeted by her 5 sisters (yes 5), her father, and the 4 of us. It was a very special time for my family.

March we took a much needed vacation to visit Nana and Pop-pop in Florida. We enjoyed a road trip to Orlando and had a wonderful day at Disney World. Cameron’s first ride he looked at me and said, “Oh thank you mommy, thank you” And even still Cameron will tell you all about the light parade.

April and May brought the biggest change of the year. We sadly left the 2 bedroom apartment that we had called home for 5 years, but happily moved into a 3 bedroom house owned by the
college. Mike worked very hard with his crew to make some much needed repairs in the kitchen and bathroom and they finished the already existing hardwood floors. The BEST part of this house is the porch off Cameron’s room. It serves as our PLAY ROOM. It holds all there toys. I LOVE IT!!!

After moving we traveled to Kansas City, MO to celebrate the wedding of my life long best friend Jenny Nielson. Cameron and Sadie were the cutest ring bearer and flower girl ever. (I know I’m bias) I was overjoyed to see them gladly walk down the isle smile on occasion and there were no tears. FEW!!! Jenny was a beautiful bride and It was so wonderful to spend this time with her and see how happy she was.

Summer came and I directed Vacation Bible School where we had record breaking numbers for our church, 150 kids on the 1^st day of registration. We enjoyed visiting Nana and Pop-pop in Maine. Cameron got his first fishing poll and spent hours with Mike fishing. (Little did he know there was no hook, it was the safest way to teach him how to cast) Summer was also spent pool side (Thanks Auntie Anne and Uncle Dave) and of course we couldn’t go the summer with out going to the beach (Life as a stay at home mom pays off in the summer)

August through November we cheered on Mike as he coached the ENC Women’s volleyball team. We said our good-byes and celebrated the careers of his 4 Seniors, who were freshman his 1^st year as head coach. During this time we also began actively participating in our church’s new contemporary service. The fall was a busy season.

After looking back at this year all I can say is, “WOW no wonder I’m so tired.”(Just kidding).Through-out celebrations and the hardships of change we have witnessed God’s faithfulness. He has provided us with strength when we were weary, peace when worry set in, security when things were unstable, and comfort when we wondered if we would make it through. God is always with us. This year brought many different seasons of life I look forward to seeing what God has in store for the seasons ahead.

May you find the Peace of Christ this Holiday Season.

Love, Mike, Megan, Cameron, & Sadie