Christmas Every Day

We were quite busy with Christmases and family gatherings these past few weeks.    
I was pretty much Christmased out halfway through.   There is only so much sitting, eating, late nights, and time away from home that I can take.    For a few days there we were barely home at all.  We'd drop the presents by the tree, sleep, and head to another Christmas in the morning.

The Saturday before Christmas we went to the Big Martin Christmas (Nathan's second cousins).   It was a full day of the typical Christmas activities, eating singing, and more eating.  

Sunday followed with church and the evening at the Leman's. The Aunt's thought that having a Sunday evening supper and only a partial day on Monday would be easier on everyone, especially grandpa and grandma. But, of course, Grandma wasn't ok with that. :)  So, Monday was returned to a full day of festivities.  

Kacie with Boden and William...sporting green pants :)

Christmas had barely begun! 

Monday morning Breakfast

Red light, green light...

Karen arrived and her grand-kids stormed her. 

All the greats

waiting for presents.

This year I made spoons for each of the ladies. 

playing games

Emmy! 

We were besties :)

Nathan and I kept Tyler and Abby Sunday and Monday nights.  It was fun to have them and Boden. :)  Monday night, Austin and Kray delivered our new living room chairs.  

Tuesday evening, instead of relaxing as we should of, I decided we needed to find the perfect place to put the chairs.  After, drilling a few holes in the wall and repainting a small patch, we finally decided on an arrangement. 

I like them a lot :)

Christmas Eve, Nathan and I had our little Christmas. He got me some books, an adult coloring book, and a sweater. He did good. He even wrapped them in lots of packages, which I love.  

lasagna 

Nathan's favorite and our traditional Christmas dish:)

It's so pretty.

Christmas day, we went to church and after a short stop at home, went to the farm for my family's Christmas. 

packages! 

We gave Emmy an umbrella

My dad used it as a shade...

the aftermath

the boys playing a game

Christmas dinner

Saturday after Christmas, we spent the day with the smaller Martin family(Nathan's cousins). 

The "pound exchange"

Isaiah was the center of attention. 

Apples to Apples. 

Sunday evening, after a small "too much Christmas" meltdown from me, we headed off to Princeville again, for the Braker family Christmas.  

Isaiah wasn't so sure about the hat.

We gave Nathan's dad this plasma ball for his class room.

I think he liked it. :)

Monday, our power went off before we left for work.    Work is really slow around the holidays and so I didn't have much to do to begin with, but after the power started flickering, we lost the intranet (children's home stuff) and then the internet.  Once that went down we really couldn't do any work, so they let us out at 2:00.   Nathan texted me while I was on the road (I didn't look so he ended up calling) his work was going to let him leave at 3:00, so I turned around and picked him up.  The roads weren't too bad but I guess the wind and ice had knocked out power all over.  Our was still out when we got home, so I read a book by candle light. :)

ice covered trees

our tree lost a branch

hot tea, cookies, and a good book by candle light...

:)

We were planning to head out to Gridley for the Schlipf Christmas, but their power had been out all day too.  I felt only slightly guilty that I was relieved. We'll reschedule and I had a much needed break. 

My parents power came on and they willingly had us over for supper. So, I didn't eve have to cook! :)  Our power came back on around 5:00, so we came home to a warm house.

Thankfully, despite all the water, our basement stayed relatively dry.

In the end, we made it to 6 out of 8 Christmases (9 if you count the Drayer Christmas in November) and if you include the pre-Wyss we spent 6 nights away from home (7 with plans) in the past 10 days.  Throw in working every day except for Christmas day, and a few other external stressors, and you'll understand why I am done with Christmases and ready to just stay home. 


There is a Christmas story that is a family favorite called Christmas Every Day.  The little girl wishes for Christmas every day and this is what follows:
"About the beginning of October the little girl took to sitting down on dolls wherever she found them--she hated the sight of them so, and by Thanksgiving she just slammed her presents across the room. By that time people didn't carry presents around nicely anymore. They flung them over the fence or through the window, and, instead of taking great pains to write "For dear Papa," or "Mama " or "Brother," or "Sister," they used to write, "Take it, you horrid old thing!"

:) hehe

In Christ
~Michelle

December

Lena, Jenny and I got together one evening a couple weeks ago to put together college care packages for Kacie and Ned.   The end of the semester at college is always hectic so, we decided to send them some fun goodies. 

The goodies :)

We decorated for Christmas last week.  So now all the house is missing is the wonderful smell of baked goods. :) That will come though.

My manger scene. :) 

I love it. 

   

I had some fun with paint and made my shutter look a little more festive. 

    

The tree! 

I love how cozy it makes the room feel. 

I had an extra canvas from a project gone wrong a couple years back, so I decided to repaint it and turn it into something Christmas-y. 

I'm not completely satisfied with it.  But it works. 

The manger scene at the bottom....I just couldn't figure out what to do with that space. 

And of course, I can't leave out: On December 2nd, I became an aunt for the fourth time. :)   He's the cutest little guy.

Jack

Since I work about two blocks from the hospital I asked Matt and Lena if I could come by to see him They said I could so I got the honor of being the first one to see him! :) (They could have said no)

December 4th,  Nathan had his work Christmas party, so we went.  It was boring. The new CEO talked and I think all CEOs learn the same speech. Just a lot of "this is the group of people that are going to make this company great" and "everyone and every division is the best" blah, blah, blah, money, profit...  

hehe. anyway. It was a free meal. 

Last Sunday, we went Christmas caroling with the church. My favorite part is the meal afterwords. Sloppy Joes.  Something about 20 different recipes mixed together in roasters just makes them the best sloppy joes ever. When I was a kid, I'd eat 2-3 on caroling night. :) I cut down to two this year. 

(Jenny, I know you think they are gross, but you are wrong :)) 

Wednesday night, Ed and Barb got married.  The church was packed, which was odd for a Wednesday night. It was such a sweet wedding. 

Last night, Nathan had the Body Builders (5th-8th grade Sunday School boys) over for a game night. I hid upstairs most of the night but they seemed to have a good time. At least from the volume level. :)

Today is one of the last quiet days before the holiday madness begins. I'm soaking it in. 

In Christ

~Michelle

Christmas Music

December first marked the first day that I allow myself to listen to Christmas music. :)
 I am extremely opinionated when it comes to Christmas music. 
My criteria is as follows:
1. Must be in some way directly discussing the birth of Christ
2. Must be sung/played in a manner consistent with the original context of the song
3. Must show a depth more than "oh yay! it's Jesus's birthday"

Violation of #1- While I enjoy songs from the 30s, 40s, and 50s, in moderation, most are not Christmas songs in the purest sense. These include: "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "Winter Wonderland," "Sleigh Ride," "Let it Snow,"  "Chestnuts Roasting," etc.   I actually really dislike these songs, mainly because they are over played and not really Christmas-y, and I get frustrated every time I hear them. 
And, don't get me started on "I saw Santa kissing mommy" or "all I want for Christmas is you" *gag*

Violation of #2 - Jazzed up, rocked up, popped up, versions of any song written in a different style. For example "Joy to the World" should be sung as a choral piece, not as a pop song by a male with a nasally voice and background bass.  See how quick I will switch that song.

Violation of #3-  Sadly, there are a lot that violate #3. 

Given these criteria, I strongly dislike much of the music played on the radio, in stores, and other public places.   

Why am I so particular? 

I was raised to love music and  I know good music when I hear it. And, I know poor music when I hear it too.   
Music and emotion are strongly linked and the music dedicated to the season should evoke emotion consistent with  Christ's birth (Joy, Hope, Peace, Awe, and Wonder, with a dash of Triumph and Holiness.) Far too many "Christmas" songs lack emotion or display the weak version of the emotions. ( Joy- temporary happiness, Hope- party-like excitement, Awe- "Aww it's a baby")  The melody and words should match in depth and beauty.  Which is my primary frustration with newer versions of old hymns.  The very popular "O Holy Night" loses so much when sung in a modern style.  
The third verse reads:

Truly He taught us to love one another

His law is love and His gospel is peace

Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother

And in His name all oppression shall cease

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy name

There is so much more to this song than the fact that it is a good song for belting.  
(compare this version to this.)

The style of newer songs doesn't bother me but much of today's Christmas music feels like a quickly thrown together song in an attempt to fill a Christmas CD. 

I know most of this is musical preference, and purely my opinion, however, there is a part of all of this that I think is truly concerning. The definition of what is considered Christmas music has broadened to include anything remotely related to winter. Also, the songs seem to portray such a lighthearted, bland version of the birth of Christ  that they lose the deep spiritual significance of our God coming as man for the purpose of redeeming us all through his death.  I know there is no way we can really capture that in words or song, but I prefer to listen to what I consider "good" music. :)

Good (by my definition) Music:
Handel's Messiah (though technically not Christmas music, includes some wonderful pieces about Christ's Birth)
Traditional hymns and carols sung or played by Orchestras, choirs, boys choirs etc
Old English and Celtic Carols
Madrigal 
Instrumental  (Canadian Brass is a favorite)


So, enjoy your listening. Merry Christmas and all that. But, please, don't make me listen to "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" ever again.

~Michelle

Thanksgiving, Family, and Thanksmas

I got a bit crafty the other week and made a Fall/Thanksgiving painting.  I had fun. 

I think it looks quite nice.:)

 Wednesday evening, I did some baking for Thanksgiving. 

Apple pie.:)

Two pumpkin pies.  :)

The leftovers made small pies. 

The apple pies ended up boiling over into the oven.  I put a cookie sheet down, which didn't hold the juice, which ran over and down into the oven. The house filled with smoke and the smoke alarms went off. The joys of a gas oven with actual flames. 

We went to the Braker's (Martin's) for Thanksgiving day.  We went with them to church and then back to their house for the day. There was more than enough really good food. :) 

Turkey, stuffing, squash casserole, potatoes....

Pie!

Mr. Isaiah was also present.

 He enjoyed accidentally taking selfies with my phone. 

Friday, I spent the day cleaning and baking some more.  
I stepped out on to the porch and heard a crash. I looked over and this guy was sitting in my yard:

He stuck around for a bit, but ran off when I tried to catch him. 

Apple cider doughnut cake. 

Attemp #1 flopped. 

I didn't dust the pan in flour first. 

Attempt #2 was much better. 

And I got to eat attempt #1.  :)

Friday evening, Nathan's siblings came over for the night as a midway point for Saturday's Thanksgiving/Christmas Drayer reunion. 

Nathan read children's books to his siblings...:) like the old days. lol

They all spent the night.  We don't have enough beds so some slept on the floors. Ten people in the house, is not quiet either.  There was plenty of piano playing and other noisy activities. It was quite the house party.  :)

Saturday, all ten of us loaded up and headed to the reunion.  There was once again tons of food that stayed out all day. The main meal was lunch and the rest of the day everyone just scavenged. 
We played a long game of bingo with tons of prices for the winners. Every one one at least once. I think I got a lucky card because I got 4 Bingos.

The awesome old fashioned bingo card. 

After the reunion, Nathan and I went home and crashed. I think I had met my limit of socializing. :)

It was nice to have a long weekend away from work, but I'm wishing I had another day or two. Or maybe a whole week. :)

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18

In Christ
~Michelle

The Messiah

Last week we went over to the farm for a meat-ing... Haha. I don't get the credit for that ridiculous pun, Nathan does.  Anyway, my parents had a hog butchered and Noah gave them half a cow so after splitting it all four ways, we still got plenty of meat for really cheap. :)

Pork chips, roasts, T-bone steaks, ground beef, sausage, bacon.... 

The benefits of being a farmer's daughter. :)

Friday night, Nathan and I went out to princeville. We decided it was about time that we get together with Tristan and Larissa.  We took them pizza and got a tour of the house. Their house is going to be cool. It's old and looks like they will have plenty of work. But the potential. Beautiful wood floors, woodwork, and a brick chimney and fire place. :) I've always wanted to build but now I'm wondering if I'd rather fix up an old house. You just can't build character. 

We stopped at Nathan's parents for a few hours afterwords.  They now have a loom, so I'm hoping sometime in the future they can teach me how to make my own wool blanket. :)

I woke up to this Saturday morning. 

Saturday morning began our weekend of singing.  We had dress rehearsal for the Messiah that morning. It was the first time singing with an orchestra. 

Saturday, afternoon I was actually really productive. I cleaned the house a little, did laundry, and tried out a few fudge recipes. The coffee fudge was not very good. The peanut butter chocolate, though, was amazing. I have a whole 9x13 of it in my refrigerator... Next time you see me I may have gained a few pounds :) hehe.

Saturday evening we went to Ed and Barb's singing shower.  I sang alto most of the time to spare my voice. Although, some hymns are just too good and I had to switch back to soprano. :)

Sunday, after church (more singing, of course) we went straight to Morton for the Messiah.  It was wonderful.  The words, mainly scripture, and the music tell the beautiful story of the gospel from man's sin to our redemption in Christ's death to His glory and power in heaven. It is kind of sad that the Hallelujah chorus is really the only well know chorus from the whole piece. 

 The performance that afternoon was actually the first time we had sung the Messiah beginning to end with the soloists.  I think it went well though.:)

"For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." ~I Cor. 15:21,22

In Christ

~Michelle

weather and work things

Cold, blustery, wet, and grey
October, you are not my favorite month. 

Alas, it will be some time before I see perfect weather again. :)

Since the temperature has dropped outside, getting dressed in the morning becomes increasingly more difficult.  Mainly, because the temperature in my office is more unpredictable than the Illinois weather forecast.  One week,  I don't think I took my coat off at work all week. I have a corn heat bag that I heat in the microwave and keep in my lap all day. I warm my fingers up in between bouts of typing.  Then, the maintenance man finally got the boilers working.  And the radiators were on full blast. I of course was loving the temperature, a nice 85, but my coworkers however, were not.  I eventually conceded and allowed them to open windows. That lasts for a few hours until the school (on the other side of the building), complains and off go the boilers, on goes the coat. 

I've been spending a lot of time at ICC these days with my clients.  If I haven't said it before: just because the opportunity is there does not mean everyone has the same opportunities in place to get there.
 When I went to ICC, I signed up online, completed my FAFSA, took out a loan, scheduled a time to register for classes, and I was in. 
That is not how it works for people whose parents, socioeconomic status, family background etc. are different than the typical middle class family.  
I literally feel like pulling my hair out trying to get these kids enrolled. It's exhausting just thinking about every way the system is so much harder for them.  
Transcripts- most ICC students come straight out of high school, and maybe even sign up and send their transcripts in school, before they even graduate.  My clients- lacking the stable family, being tossed around through DCFS, they have to call their high school, mail them paperwork and money, and wait, and wait, and wait for their transcripts to arrive after classes start.

Residency- most ICC students live at home with parents, or at least they can give their parent's address at the start of school. Most of them have their driver's license since the age of 16, and can provide that as proof of residency.  My clients- no one ever went driving with them. At the age of 18,19, and 20 most of them still can't drive.  A state ID is the alternative, but like with the transcripts the chances of them living in one place long enough to collect the paperwork to get an ID placing them in district is slim to none.  This becomes a problem how? Cost of tuition. My clients, if I don't spend ridiculous amount of time with them gathering documents and running back and forth from ICC to the DMV,  get charged a higher rate. 

Financial aid-  Now most middle class kids just take out a loan, pay out of pocket, or have their parents pay. My clients-  most are eligible for a grant through the state. However, if they are registered as out of district. Financial aid will only pay the amount up to the in district cost.  This leaves my clients with upwards of $1000 in debt each semester.  That may sound like nothing, but to them, that is a huge set back.  In one case, Financial Aid wouldn't pay at all, and my client had to drop all of his classes halfway through the semester.  
I can hear the middle-class person inside of me saying "well they should just work." Ha.   Note above where I said they can't drive.  They have to take the bus. Which means an extra one to two hours, depending on the bus schedule, to and from class.  Add an hour to and from work.  And, that equals 25 hours a week spent on transportation alone. They can work yes, but not enough to cover tuition. 

So, no, not everyone has the same opportunity to go to college. If I wasn't there doing all the leg work, some of my clients would have given up long ago, like many young adults in the community, and worked a McDonald's for the rest of their lives. 

So from now until January 16th, the start of Spring semester, I will get to spend more time than I would like haggling with the financial aid office and the enrollment office. 


On another cheerier note, last Saturday night, Wendi and I carpooled out to Larissa's personal shower.  I barely get to see Wendi anymore so that was awesome to begin with.  Then, I got to hang out with Larissa for the first time since she was engaged!:)    There were a bunch of other good friends from various times in my life and it was wonderful to see them again too.  
I'm so excited for Tristan and Larissa. Not only is she my good friend, Nathan and Tristan and great friends. :)  

I hear snow is on the way this weekend. While I am not a fan of all most things cold, pretty white fluffy snow does sound much better than this dreary rain. 

In Christ
~Michelle

Duncan Manor

Last Sunday evening, Aaron and Kendra invited us over for pizza with Wendi and Henry. William and Henry were pretty much the center of attention.:) 

Last Tuesday, I had to stay late at work to take my parenting clients to a parenting class. So, while they were in class I went shopping.  I didn't get anything but I gathered Christmas ideas. I've been in a search ever since we got married, for a painting or picture for above our couch.  I haven't been impressed with anything I've seen so far. I think I'm too picky. We've been in our house over a year, and I still have random fabric covering the windows in our bedroom. I just can't decide on curtains. 

Friday night, Nathan and I planned to go to Timber Ridge for a singing with the residents. Nathan listened to my terrible suggestion and we decided to take the interstate.  We left home at 6:45 and didn't make it to Morton until 7:30. Apparently they have started closing the interstate to one lane at night. We didn't make it to the singing. 

the traffic backed up for miles.

Saturday, I had an extremely productive day. We cleaned the gutters and finished raking some of the leaves, cleaned the house,  and I baked bread for potluck in the morning.  In the afternoon,  Jenny, the girls, mom, and I went to Duncan Manor.

Duncan Manor is near Towanda, IL not far outside of Bloomington. It was built by the William Duncan in 1869. It was for sale for a few years and was pretty run down. Someone recently bought it and they are fixing it up. They have open house tours to raise money to restore it. 

Duncan Manor :)

sigh. just look at those beautiful windows.

servant's stair case

the view from the front porch. 

Emmy liked the couch.

beautiful exposed brick.

this was the children's room on the 3rd floor.

the attic 

the full grand stair case. 

The door to the basement. 

 It would have been such a cute picture, but Cecily didn't feel like posing. 

The back...maybe technically the front. 

Emmy enjoyed being outside.

Attempt at another picture

:)

If only...:) 

It is such a beautiful house. I'm glad someone is fixing it up.

The inside of the original barn.

Saturday evening, we  went to Max and Mary's for potluck.  Ed and Barb were there and they told their engagement story. It was a wonderful testimony of God's faithfulness. It was also quite humorous at times:) 

This afternoon (Sunday), we went over to the farm. Kay and Larry, my relatives, were in town so my parents had an open house for the family to stop by and see them.  I don't see that side of the family very often, but it was good.  Us "kids" have grown up a bit and it makes it easier to connect on an adult level. Where, when we were kids we didn't have much in common and being shy, I didn't really want to get to know them. 

In Christ

~Michelle