in the present

Had a good reminder from my cousin today of Christmas and its full meaning. The hope of Christ in the midst of all that life brings; joy and sadness, brokenness and redemption, pain and healing.  I am no stranger to the juxtaposition of these opposites during Christmas.  I can remember how God has worked in real ways in my life during this time of awaiting his birth and I'm looking for that hope again this year.  It's reminders like these that keep us focused on Christ this season.

And then I am a mom of 2 toddlers.
And then there's monkeys like these that keep you chuckling and bring you right to the present.
Here we have Dave egging Asher on:


And the kids reaction to the Christmas lights:


And well, a little Christmas dancing thrown in there:


We have the present, we have our life, we have the reality of Christ here and now and we have joy.  What more can we ask for?

What a week-- Happy Thanksgiving!

and it isn't over yet.  Five delicious dinners with friends this week!  We just finished up a community potluck this evening.  Can't go wrong with 5 neighbors and 6 different countries and cultures represented (and foods!)
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well with friends coming up from Seattle and neighbors.  Before that, a hot pot meal with our Alpha group, and small group dinner.  Lets just say we won't be needing to eat for some time!
Between all the cooking and fellowship time, I had the treat of being a guest at a 5 year old's birthday party to lead a jewelry making activity.

 

I think everyone enjoyed their time!

Have you seen this?

We've lost it.  Our beloved Nativity set.  Somewhere in the move between New York and Vancouver it's gone missing.  We've been searching for a couple years, but no luck.   Along with the Christmas ornaments we've gathered in China through the years.  We'll made do of course, and it's just a "thing", but a thing we loved.  I guess it's time to get carving and make one of our own!?

*** I'm currently searching for a child friendly nativity set for our Sunday school classroom, and not coming up with too many options.  Let me know if you have any!

Evening entertainment

Ever wondered what the bedtime hour is like at our house?




** no need to put yourself through watching these if you don't want to hear baby squeals and silly dancing!

A little help here and there

Love this Photo.

Smiling, cute and almost on time.  Our friend Joanne took it last week as she was helping me get to a friend's house for a babysitting afternoon.

That's why I look forward to having friends like Joanne come over and help out in the Coons house every once in a while.  And cook for us, and love on our kids.  She and her sister are very good at that!

 She taught Sunday school today, she babysat last Wednesday, and even made supplies for class.  And excepted a hand made headband as payment.

but if I do say so myself, it's a pretty cool headband.  And I'm knitting like crazy to get ready for this Regent Artisan Fair coming up in 9 or so days!  Maybe Joanne can come over again sometime soon?  What do you think?

Morning snow

When it snows here, you never know how fast the rain will start. We made it outside in time to enjoy the first snow this morning bright and early! These pictures were taken shortly after 8 am.

I got a book out of the library about a first snow so Josie understood what was going on. "It's winter in the trees" she said

Asher on the other hand....

a totally new experience all together!

This is definitely a genetic quality-- but is it an ability or disorder?

I seem to have acquired the gene from both sides of my family to start many projects simultaneously and keep working on them all. Have you seen my Dad's garage? My grandmother's workshop? My mom's kitchen? You'd understand. To be honest though, a lot of wonderful things have come from all those places, even if by chance things get a little chaotic. And it seems like we're making do with this space at the moment.

(My dinner table)

My living room/dining room/play room/work room has exploded, even with the recent organizational strategies. An Artisan fair is coming up, Sunday school lesson creation is in full swing, Advent is fast approaching, Christmas cards being made, arts and crafts activities being thought up for my job.... not to mention dinner, cleanup and a desire for a peaceful place of reading and study.

My own rendition of the Ark and Tablernacle for our lesson this past Sunday. Note to self, modeling clay will not withstand 2 and 3 year olds playing with it.

Time to find some better building materials for Tabernacle artifacts! But, they did have fun playing with it!

The Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Calendar is getting to the final stages. Looking forward to beginning this tradition in a couple weeks!!

Josie helped me create a Christmas card this year. I realized that we haven't sent out cards or family photos for Christmas as a family .... ever. The last photo I've sent people was an engagement photo. Let me know if you want one! (And send me your address!)

And jewelry and the "Mommy and Me" and "Daddy and Me" hats for the upcoming Regent Artisan Fair. Let me know if you want any. I'll especially be taking orders after December 1st! (Or, at least, I'll get to making them!)

Well, I'm still working out whether this is an ability or disorder, but it sure is fun. Here's to crafting!

Yet another plug for the Chariot

Here we are in a hailstorm. 20 minutes previous I had stepped out of the house to meet a friend for a run. It was overcast, but not bad. We got to the trail head and it started to downpour and thunder. As we got further into the forest the gargantuan trees around us began not only to sway, but cracks and thuds of branches were heard coming down around us. Talk about an adrenaline rush and sprint to open skies!!! This picture was taken just as we got to the road and heavy hail came down on us.

The kids however, were not phased. Just another day in the park. Have I mentioned just how much we love our Chariot?

The hickey sweater and other real life stories

Dave has always been a thoughtful giver of gifts, especially during the early part of our dating. Right after we got engaged he went to Shanghai with his mom and brother who were visiting China. He came back with a special coat that was from an upscale shop which was unique and beautiful. Size medium. I can generally get away with a medium in the states, but never ever does that work for me in China. I remember trying it on, again, totally embarrassed because it didn't look good on me, my arms barely fit into the sleeves and I couldn't really button it without looking like I was going to totally bust out of the coat. In China, it's not uncommon for me to wear a XXXL. But, this coat was given to me by someone I loved, who I was going to marry, but really had only been dating for 4 months at the time and only really known for 6 months. To highlight the fact that these clothes were totally unflattering, seemed ungrateful and again, embarrassing. The truth is I rarely ever go shopping with people in general because it's a difficult thing for me to find clothes that fit well and look good, and I'd rather spare others the pain of the try-on process. I tend to avoid shopping until necessary.

This sweater is one of the more unflattering pieces of clothing I own. But I keep it, more for the sake of the memory and its meaning. It's my hickey sweater.

That's right, hickey. When Dave and I were dating, we might have even just gotten engaged, he gave me a big hickey on my neck, it might have even been two. I was so embarrassed, for at the time I was a high school teacher, under scrutiny of every student and fellow teachers every day. I tried to keep it a secret, even from my roommate Jenn, though walking around our apartment from the bathroom to my bedrooom in a towel didn't help that secret keep too well.

Because of this unsightly black and blue spot on my neck, I planned my wardrobe accordingly, and wore scarves or turtlenecks every day. That can only go on for so long though, especially in the sweltering heat of the school at the time. My after school kickboxing class gave me away, my partner noticed these marks right away and called me on it "Katie, is that a hickey??" TOTALLY embarrassing. When I told Dave, I think he was pretty sheepish, and went about finding a peace offering, and thus bought me this sweater. He worked hard to find the right size, an XL, and what looked like colors I would like.

I took out the hickey sweater last night and put it on. Same balloon effect. Maybe even more now. I think it has something to do with the yellow horizontal stripes across the hip and bust areas. Last night I told Dave (I think for the first time) that this sweater was totally not working for me.

He never even noticed. And apparently, doesn't even care. I wish the same were true for me. But I might just ammend the sweater. My tailoring ideas include removing the turtleneck part. It would not longer be a hickey sweater. But I guess I don't need one of those now, do I? That is the beauty of real life love. It's celebrating funny real life moments, together with the good, the bad, the embarrassing, the relaxing.Last night I sat in the living room to knit and watch the kids play. And guess what? They played-- together. That is a new phenomonen that is beginning to happen in our home. The "real life" and normal experience is that there are generally tears and fighting over toys, but last night, well, it was different (for a little while). I could relax in the same room with my kids, knit, read books, play, dance, talk. Real life moments celebrated. Not trying to be anything other than who we are. Even a little goofy at times. And this too, a celebration of the real, and good, in life.

Lamentations of the Father

This past Sunday in our Young Children and Worship class we told the story of, and wondered about Moses going up Mt. Sinai and receiving the "Ten best ways to live"

The kids loved that we had a real piece of the desert in our room, and that they could play and interact with it-- as most 2 year olds do. Getting the message across that it was very important to love God and love people because God loves us, well, I think at least they understood the words. I have loved doing this curriculum and am in fact going to work on it right now as the kids are both sleeping. But because this little sarcastic article always leaves me laughing, I thought I would share it. I'm even tempted to add it to our Sunday curriculum! It's a bit of a take on the laws of Moses. Enjoy.

Laws Concerning Food and Drink; Household Principles; Lamentations of the Father

By IAN FRAZIER

Of the beasts of the field, and of the fishes of the sea, and of all foods that are acceptable in my sight you may eat, but not in the living room. Of the hoofed animals, broiled or ground into burgers, you may eat, but not in the living room. Of the cloven-hoofed animal, plain or with cheese, you may eat, but not in the living room. Of the cereal grains, of the corn and of the wheat and of the oats, and of all the cereals that are of bright color and unknown provenance you may eat, but not in the living room. Of the quiescently frozen dessert and of all frozen after-meal treats you may eat, but absolutely not in the living room. Of the juices and other beverages, yes, even of those in sippy-cups, you may drink, but not in the living room, neither may you carry such therein. Indeed, when you reach the place where the living room carpet begins, of any food or beverage there you may not eat, neither may you drink.

But if you are sick, and are lying down and watching something, then may you eat in the living room.

And if you are seated in your high chair, or in a chair such as a greater person might use, keep your legs and feet below you as they were. Neither raise up your knees, nor place your feet upon the table, for that is an abomination to me. Yes, even when you have an interesting bandage to show, your feet upon the table are an abomination, and worthy of rebuke. Drink your milk as it is given you, neither use on it any utensils, nor fork, nor knife, nor spoon, for that is not what they are for; if you will dip your blocks in the milk, and lick it off, you will be sent away. When you have drunk, let the empty cup then remain upon the table, and do not bite it upon its edge and by your teeth hold it to your face in order to make noises in it sounding like a duck; for you will be sent away.

When you chew your food, keep your mouth closed until you have swallowed, and do not open it to show your brother or your sister what is within; I say to you, do not so, even if your brother or your sister has done the same to you. Eat your food only; do not eat that which is not food; neither seize the table between your jaws, nor use the raiment of the table to wipe your lips. I say again to you, do not touch it, but leave it as it is. And though your stick of carrot does indeed resemble a marker, draw not with it upon the table, even in pretend, for we do not do that, that is why. And though the pieces of broccoli are very like small trees, do not stand them upright to make a forest, because we do not do that, that is why. Sit just as I have told you, and do not lean to one side or the other, nor slide down until you are nearly slid away. Heed me; for if you sit like that, your hair will go into the syrup. And now behold, even as I have said, it has come to pass.

Laws Pertaining to Dessert

For we judge between the plate that is unclean and the plate that is clean, saying first, if the plate is clean, then you shall have dessert. But of the unclean plate, the laws are these: If you have eaten most of your meat, and two bites of your peas with each bite consisting of not less than three peas each, or in total six peas, eaten where I can see, and you have also eaten enough of your potatoes to fill two forks, both forkfuls eaten where I can see, then you shall have dessert. But if you eat a lesser number of peas, and yet you eat the potatoes, still you shall not have dessert; and if you eat the peas, yet leave the potatoes uneaten, you shall not have dessert, no, not even a small portion thereof. And if you try to deceive by moving the potatoes or peas around with a fork, that it may appear you have eaten what you have not, you will fall into iniquity. And I will know, and you shall have no dessert.

On Screaming

Do not scream; for it is as if you scream all the time. If you are given a plate on which two foods you do not wish to touch each other are touching each other, your voice rises up even to the ceiling, while you point to the offense with the finger of your right hand; but I say to you, scream not, only remonstrate gently with the server, that the server may correct the fault. Likewise if you receive a portion of fish from which every piece of herbal seasoning has not been scraped off, and the herbal seasoning is loathsome to you, and steeped in vileness, again I say, refrain from screaming. Though the vileness overwhelm you, and cause you a faint unto death, make not that sound from within your throat, neither cover your face, nor press your fingers to your nose. For even now I have made the fish as it should be; behold, I eat of it myself, yet do not die.

Concerning Face and Hands

Cast your countenance upward to the light, and lift your eyes to the hills, that I may more easily wash you off. For the stains are upon you; even to the very back of your head, there is rice thereon. And in the breast pocket of your garment, and upon the tie of your shoe, rice and other fragments are distributed in a manner wonderful to see. Only hold yourself still; hold still, I say. Give each finger in its turn for my examination thereof, and also each thumb. Lo, how iniquitous they appear. What I do is as it must be; and you shall not go hence until I have done.

Various Other Laws, Statutes, and Ordinances

Bite not, lest you be cast into quiet time. Neither drink of your own bath water, nor of bath water of any kind; nor rub your feet on bread, even if it be in the package; nor rub yourself against cars, nor against any building; nor eat sand.

Leave the cat alone, for what has the cat done, that you should so afflict it with tape? And hum not that humming in your nose as I read, nor stand between the light and the book. Indeed, you will drive me to madness. Nor forget what I said about the tape.

Complaints and Lamentations

O my children, you are disobedient. For when I tell you what you must do, you argue and dispute hotly even to the littlest detail; and when I do not accede, you cry out, and hit and kick. Yes, and even sometimes do you spit, and shout "stupid-head" and other blasphemies, and hit and kick the wall and the molding thereof when you are sent to the corner. And though the law teaches that no one shall be sent to the corner for more minutes than he has years of age, yet I would leave you there all day, so mighty am I in anger. But upon being sent to the corner you ask straightaway, "Can I come out?" and I reply, "No, you may not come out." And again you ask, and again I give the same reply. But when you ask again a third time, then you may come out.

Hear me, O my children, for the bills they kill me. I pay and pay again, even to the twelfth time in a year, and yet again they mount higher than before. For our health, that we may be covered, I give six hundred and twenty talents twelve times in a year; but even this covers not the fifteen hundred deductible for each member of the family within a calendar year. And yet for ordinary visits we still are not covered, nor for many medicines, nor for the teeth within our mouths. Guess not at what rage is in my mind, for surely you cannot know.

For I will come to you at the first of the month and at the fifteenth of the month with the bills and a great whining and moan. And when the month of taxes comes, I will decry the wrong and unfairness of it, and mourn with wine and ashtrays, and rend my receipts. And you shall remember that I am that I am: before, after, and until you are twenty-one. Hear me then, and avoid me in my wrath, O children of me.

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1997/02/laws-concerning-food-and-drink-household-principles-lamentations-of-the-father/5013/

The after-crochet party

This past week has been a full one. The fullness of fall and all that it entails has happened this week. Last Wednesday, I facilitated a pumpkin carving party-- 27 pumpkins carved, 26 pumpkins' seeds baked! Whew! What an afternoon.

Yesterday we had a Halloween hot chocolate event at our little community center that was the grand finale to the community trick-or-treat extravaganza. The hundreds of little plastic toys bagged and given to the kids seemed to be a great success. (And hundreds of kids and families came!)

But, for me, the cold air and reminder of the need for warm things brings up the idea of something warm and soft. What I really like getting out this time of year is a cup of coffee and my wool yarn with a crochet hook or knitting needle. My grandmother taught me the art of making a granny square when I was probably around 10 years old. I remember loving to just sit in our living room chair and make lots and lots of them, so excited about the beautiful thing that was coming from the hook and soft yarn in my hands. On a bit of a whim (and for my own enjoyment) I decided that I was going to try and teach the community kids just how to crochet. On top of the other events I held with the community children, we had a "crochet club" on Friday night. I had no idea that this was going to be such a popular event. A friend helped me teach, and 2 other moms showed up wanting to join in. And probably around 15 kids-- from all over the world-- both girls and boys! (a big deal) Anyway, we had a lot of fun, and though I thought that I was a little overzealous in trying to teach the kids how to make a hat or a scarf, we did succeed for the most part in teaching them how to do the chain stitch. The part that made me realize that they actually enjoyed the event was the desire for me to cancel all my hiking events and replace them with crocheting. They tell me it's too cold outside to go hiking-- they'd rather sit inside, warm, with a hook and yarn in hand.

I can't say that I blame them. I might just have to reschedule a couple things. Here the kids are 30 minutes after we finished class. They sat in the lobby late into the evening crocheting chains. They are way cool. Speaking of projects, I would have to say that this is one of my favorite times of the day. Asher sleeping, and Josie and I at the table doing our morning "art time". Art time for Josie usually includes paper and drawing tools, or maybe paint. Art time for me could be anything. Today, I was working on Advent supplies for our Sunday school class, an Advent Calendar, a jewelry photo shoot, and cloth pads. A productive day with the sewing, a not so productive day with keeping the house clean. But all things considered, enjoyable.