Dave was the master-mind behind the site and Tyler designed the logo and graphics for the site, as well as shot the photography! I'm so glad Tyler is artistic...I hope our kids get that trait!  Send one yourself!

 

With such large families, it's hard to get everyone together - even for Christmas. In the end it all worked out...we just had to celebrate Christmas for a full week. On Christmas Eve (Monday) we celebrated with my siblings at my sister Sunshine's house, Christmas morning (Tuesday) we celebrated with our kids. Christmas afternoon we went to Tyler's parent's house, and Friday we drove up to my parents in Show Low, AZ and celebrated Christmas with them that same evening. That's Christmas x 4! OK - so it wasn't a full week, but close enough.

 

Still, in all the shuffling around and driving to and fro, Tyler and I came to a conclusion. Christmas has become so over-the-top. Everyone's frantically running around in an attempt to find the perfect Christmas gifts while trying to out-do what they did the year before. And, for what?  A one-hour high tearing open gifts and "ooing" and "aahing" over everyone else's? Don't get me wrong...I'm no Scrooge, and I love getting presents; but don't you think it's sad that Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, the real "reason for the season," is forgotten more with each passing year?

 

Believe it or not, this was the first year since Tyler and I have been married that I did any holiday baking. I'm not really into baking, I guess - I would much rather cook. Anyway, my friend Chrissy and I got together a couple days before Christmas and did a ton of baking - and a ton of talking! I had a great time - probably because there was someone else to keep me company. Looking at the pictures, I'd say Ashtynn and David enjoyed it, too!

 

 

 

 

On Monday, Ashtynn, Zephaniah, and Gavin helped Grandpa and Grandma Rausch pick out their Christmas tree. Actually, when they weren't playing with the kitty that was there, Ashtynn was crying - she was 2 1/2 hours past nap time. I'm sure it would have been a great time if she would have gotten a nap beforehand.

 

They also played on the trampoline. It was Ashtynn's first time on one - it was hilarious watching her try to keep her balance while running and jumping. Needless to say, she spent most of the time on her bottom or belly.

 

I posted pics of these events as well as some random pics from the past few weeks. It's always crazy in the Rausch house, but much more with all the business of the Christmas season. Still, it's our favorite time of year!

 

Congratulations to our good friends David and Hope Levin - their 2nd daughter, Olivia Noelle, was born this afternoon.  She weighed 9 lbs 1 oz! Here's to hoping for good sleep (when you get it) and for a quick and full recovery!

 

You can see pictures of Olivia here.

 

Tyler and I hosted our first Thanksgiving this year. My parents weren't able to come down from Show Low and my sister Hollie was hosting her in-laws, so we had a small crowd. I really enjoyed cooking all the food and setting the table. Who knows...maybe I'll do it again next year!

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789.

G. Washington

 

A woman was asked by a co-worker, "What is it like to be a Christian?"

 

The co-worker replied, "It's a lot like being a pumpkin. God picks you from the muddy pumpkin patch, carries you in, and washes all the dirt and mud off. Then he cuts off the top and removes all the seeds of pride and doubt and the gooey, yucky stuff - hatred, lying, and greed. He carves you a new, smiling face and puts His light, the Holy Spirit, inside of you to shine for all the world to see."

 

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see you good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

 

One of Ashtynn's favorite things to do is help me in the kitchen. Washing dishes is probably her absolute favorite "chore" - what kid doesn't love playing in the water? I'd say her second favorite way to help is cooking, especially when it calls for mixing. This past saturday we made apple pancakes. I gave Ashtynn her own bowl with flour, water, and cinnamon in it and she did the rest. I have to say, I love it when we can spend time together doing one of the things I love to do!

 

 

We've had a lot going on this past month - that is why I haven't been blogging. Of course, when I do get around to blogging, I can't remember all the details about what we've been doing. It's a vicious cycle.

 

 

 

Ashtynn, like most kids her age, is fascinated with lights. She often plays with the light switches, getting excited when the lights come on. Last night when we were getting ready to start Bibe time she got excited because the light in her room was already on. She ran to it saying "Light, light!" Tyler asked her, "Do you know WHO is light?" and he told her "God is Light." Now whenever Ashtynn sees a light on she points to it and says, "God is Light."

 

What a privilege to be able to teach her God's Truths at such a young age...what a joy she's learning God's Truth at such a young age.

 

OK! Maybe I'm just forgetting how old Ashtynn was when she first did things - like smiling, making sounds, and rolling over for the first time. Gavin has been smiling for a couple weeks now, and a few days ago he rolled over onto his back from his tummy. I'm pretty sure Ashtynn was more than 7 weeks old when she rolled from her tummy to her back. Yesterday I laid Gavin on his tummy while I was cleaning up the house. The next time I looked over at him, he was on his back. I wasn't sure if he had done that on his own or if sister had "helped" him, so I put him on his tummy again, and I watched to see if he would roll over. Well, he did - 2 more times! This morning, I went to check on him because he was fussing in hes crib. He had rolled over again!

 

It's crazy how time goes by so quickly. Before you know it, Ashtynn will be a mommy herself and Gavin...well I don't want to think about all that just now. I'll just hold on to them while they're still mine to hold.