Christmas Cookies

Today we spent the day at my Mom's baking and decorating Christmas cut-out cookies. My mom was so kind and patient with the two littlest helpers. They each got to roll out and help decorate. It took a lot longer because of our two little helpers and we had a few interruptions...like Kaiya telling me she had to pee in the potty every five minutes (almost). I think her motivation is the fact that she gets a little reward...usually something full of sugar, after she goes. She has been doing so well with staying dry, but today was not her day...two pairs of wet panties and one full of poo...you would think going every five minutes would prevent any accidents. Her newest phrase after going potty is "I'm excited"...probably knowing that a treat is coming. Caedmon made a football cookie...doesn't really go with the Christmas theme, but it seems like that is all he talks about lately. Frequently when he wakes up in the morning we will ask him what he dreamed about...you guessed it...football players every night. I guess we'll be having a football birthday party for him coming up real soon. My mom watched the kids while I left to get my hair cut during nap time and sent chili home with us for supper along with two sugar-filled kids. Thanks for a fun day, Mom.

Pay It Backward

My husband called my attention to todays Daily Bread devotional and thought it would be fun to try sometime.


If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? —Luke 6:33

Would you pay the bill for the people in the car behind you at a fast-food drive-thru—even if you didn’t know them?
That was the challenge given by a local Christian radio station to change their community. It was called “The Drive-Thru Difference.” The goal was to do a Christlike act of kindness for people who didn’t expect it and to leave a note saying you did it because of your love for Christ.
Why do this? Why spend money for someone else’s food—especially someone we don’t know and who may be hostile to the faith? Why give without any hope of return? It sounds countercultural, but the idea has strong biblical basis.
Notice what Jesus said as He addressed a large crowd: “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you?” (Luke 6:32-33). Clearly, Jesus wants us to do good to people who can in no way pay us back.
Whether we’re paying someone’s bill at Taco Bell or dropping change into the Salvation Army kettle, our concern should be selfless giving—whether we get credit for it or not. In Jesus’ name, who can you bless today?

Be a servant of the Lord
And do not look for a reward;
Not for glory or for fame,
Just give freely in His name. —Roworth

The motive of giving reveals the character of the giver more than the gift itself.

Nativity Play Time

I've been looking for a Nativity play set for the kids for the past couple of years and finally bought one recently. This is the first Nativity set ever for our family...I've felt a little guilty over the past couple of years not having even one displayed in our house over the Christmas season. I guess I wanted to find just the right one at just the right price. I really love the Willow Tree Nativity Set that I've seen in stores recently, but wanted something the kids could touch. This one came in the mail this past Saturday and while the kids were napping I had fun taking all the pieces out of the box and setting it up under the Christmas tree. It was fun to see them discover it when they woke up. Caedmon asked if it was a toy and wanted to make sure it was ok that he play with it. They've been playing with it all week. I've been finding baby Jesus all over the house now...once inside Kaiya's potty chair. I love teaching them about the greatest story ever told.

Chocolate & Vanilla

Four years ago, as we were waiting for our first child to be born, so much excitement filled my heart. His birth mother was Hispanic and his birth father was black so he came out with the most beautiful skin color I had ever laid eyes on. I knew that someday we would probably entertain questions from him about looking different than us and to be honest I worried about that a bit at the time. I think the older he gets, the less I worry about it and actually welcome those questions. We have decided to always be very open with our children and want them to always feel free to ask as many questions as they want about their adoptions. Just the other day, Caedmon looked at me and said "You're vanilla, mom and I'm chocolate". I said "Yeah, you're right". Then he went off playing again like it was no big deal. I'm sure more questions will come and we will answer them as they come. I'm including a couple pictures of Caedmon when he was born. Seems like yesterday...so hard to believe he will be four on the 31st of this month. Caedmon, you have brought so much joy to us. We are privileged to call you our son.

First Snow

Caedmon came running out of his room this morning and said "It's snowing, Mom, It's snowing, Mom!". I'm personally not a huge snow and cold weather fan. As long as I don't have to drive in it and can stay warm and cozy in my house, bring it on. Hearing the excitement from the kids this morning when they woke up to snow covering the ground couldn't help but put a smile on my face. It was truly beautiful outside.

All I heard the rest of the morning was "Can we go outside, Mom?". OK, sure...haul out the boots, hats, mittens, coats and here we go. The best part of playing in the snow is that it is self entertaining. You don't need toys, buckets or shovels...just two hands and two feet...throw it, eat it, fall in it, run in it, make a snow angel, make a snow fort, make a snowman...hours of entertainment. We didn't do all those things today, but certainly got two little kiddos worn out and ready for their naps this afternoon. And on the way back in to the house Caedmon asked "Can we play outside again tomorrow?". Absolutely! We just may make some snow ice cream for dessert tonight.

Gingerich Family Christmas

Yesterday marked the official beginning of our Christmas celebrations. We traveled to Sturgis, Michigan to attend the Gingerich Family Christmas held at Calvary Chapel Mennonite Church. This was my first outing since surgery on Thursday and I didn't quite feel like myself, but was so glad to be there. Today I'm exhausted and thankfully my wonderful mom stopped by and helped with the laundry.

Suzy Gingerich and Kaiya

Gingerich Family Christmas Traditions:

*Delicious home-cooked food including mashed potatoes

*All the men sing "The Star & the Wise men"

*Grandpa & Grandma hand out candy bars

*Homemade candies & cookies

*Some Aunts & Heather :) hand out fun little gifts to all families attending

*Group Games & Fellowship

"The Star & the Wise men" Men's Choir

My favorite part of the Gingerich Family Christmas this year was Grandma's Caramel Apple Dessert...mmmm!

Cousins - Kaiya & Karis

Grandpa & Grandma Gingerich and Ella June & Eldon Miller

Post Surgery

Everything went well on Thursday for my surgery. I was a little weepy when I had to tell Kevin goodbye right before they wheeled me back to the ice cold surgery room. It seemed like we waited forever for the Anesthesiologist to get there, but as soon as he did, I was in la-la land. This time has been the hardest for me in the recovery area. I woke up with my whole body shaking and with a lot of pain. I remember thanking God that it was over at that time. The nurse gave me something for the shakes and morphine for the pain...then onto the next recovery room where Kevin would be allowed to see me finally. I threw up a couple of times in that room. Before I could leave the hospital, I had to drink something, have my pain at a tolerable level and use the restroom. I was guessing that we would be home somewhere between 5 and 6, but it wasn't until 9pm when we arrived home because of my inability to use the restroom. I was finally able to go when they threatened to use a catheter...scared the pee right out of me. :) Thanks a ton to my sister for keeping the kids a few extra hours for us. My mom was here yesterday and cleaned my house. Thanks mom! Thanks also to all who prayed, called, sent cards & brought meals. What a blessing my friends & family are to me!