Family Celebration

This week has been a whirlwind. We had Patrick's sisters in town--Kristen from Michigan and Meghan from Arizona. We also had special guests at our house party from Penn State - Patrick's Aunt Bev and Uncle Paul. We have a lot of pictures to show you from the nine days, so I'll start with part I: the Family Celebration. Most of Patrick's extended family in the area were able to come visit with one another. And the snow that day just made it more of a winter wonderland.

With six children under 3 at the same house for a week, there's bound to be family squabbles. But, the dueling sword fight by a fierce dalmation and a ninja would often take care of things.

And if that didn't work, Caelan would settle it.

There were a lot of preparations to be made. All of Patrick's sisters and mom helped, and Patrick helped by tasting it.
Someone had to do it!

And there were important meetings in the playroom. Batman was trying to figure out if the fire chief or the firefighter-biker was right, or did the dalmation have a more convincing argument?



It was fun to see families get together, and
new generations forming.


Everyone brought food to share.
Those are the best parties to throw. :)


And we even had cheese fondue, but hands down the chocolate fondue fountain was a hit!

For the first time, I was able to host a party where 22 adults could sit, and I even had my own kid's table! There's a first.


It was really nice to celebrate with Patrick's side of the family, and also great because his birthday was the next day! That will be part of Part II. Stay tuned!

Micah's Birthday

Micah enjoyed his superhero birthday party. For some reason, he's been really into dressing up and his favorites have been superman, Buzz Light Year and Batman. This birthday, everything had to be Batman! So with that...Batman teams up with Supergirl.

Oh!...and Spiderman...


and cupcake-covered Ninjas...


Let's not forget the super princesses...


who run from the villain pirates...


Later that night, grandma and grandpa joined us for his birthday dinner. Micah asked for crunchy beef tacos, broccoli, and of course -- Batman cake.

Micah had a lot of fun opening his gifts too. Happy 3rd birthday Micah. We love you very much!

Our precious 3-year old

I don't know if I've experienced any greater joy than watching my kids grow up. And on Micah's third birthday, I get so weepy-sentimental at how much my little guy has grown.


We had his super hero birthday playdate & birthday dinner yesterday, and Patrick and I stand amazed at how much joy and delight he brings to our lives. Some of the recent funnies:

Right before bedtime
Micah: Daddy, I'm scared.
Daddy: Don't worry, Jesus will be with you tonight.
Micah: Will he hold me in his arms?
Daddy: (smiling) Yes.
Micah: (after a long pause) Will He play blocks with me?

Watching television from our flatscreen above the fireplace
Micah: Mommy, can I watch TV?
Mommy: No, not right now.
Micah: When?
Daddy: When you're this tall, you can watch TV.
Micah: When I'm this tall, I can turn on the TV by myself.

There's so many more, but I just forget to blog them. At three, Micah says good morning with big hugs, is found running from one end to another whenever he's home. He enjoys playing with robot-like toys. Loves batman and power rangers. He likes to bake with mommy and loves playing superheros & swords with daddy. He also practices kung fu with his black-belt daddy.

He can tell you bible stories better than I can, and sings Jesus Love Me at the sweetest times I need to hear it. He also can sing Mighty to Save - the entire chorus! He thrives in learning environments, and his teachers at Sunday school and CBS always have a fun comment to tell me about Micah. He is very inquisitive right now asking his dad and I numerous WHY questions and "Where does the sun sleep at night? Does he wear pajamas? and "Where does God live?" We are excited how his little mind works, and anticipate our future discussions together.

I'll update the blog further with his birthday pics, but wanted to share his 3rd year milestones. Happy birthday Micah!

What are we feeding our souls?

For the last two months, Patrick and I have been caught reading together in bed every night, usually with a pen in hand. I'm sure you're dying to know what we've been reading so I will tell you. Together, we are enjoying a wonderful book that our church is reading as a church family. It's called the Unexpected Adventure, by Lee Strobel (who wrote the Case for Christ) and Mark Mittelberg (former paster at Willowcreek church). The book has challenged us to share our faith more boldly with the community around us and pray for more people we can personally share Christ with. You'll have to ask me how powerful this can be, as I have some amazing stories to tell you! God answers prayer.

Every Wednesday morning, I attend a Community Bible Study (CBS International) where we read a book of the bible, line by line. Right now, we're doing the last book called Revelation, which contains descriptions of heaven, and fulfilled prophecies for the end times. In all honesty, it's a very scary, and challenging read. It is clear from the beginning that He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. It has given me assurance in my faith, and has excited me to continue my purpose here. Life-changing stuff.


Finally, my moms group is reading weekly "Finding Joy in All You Are" which discusses your unique role as a wife, mother, friend, and so many other hats we wear. It has reminded me about joyful submission to my husband, the value of inner beauty versus our fading outer beauty, and striving to have a more gentle and quiet spirit which is beautiful in God's eyes. Note, that doesn't mean you need to actually BE quiet. You can be quite boisterous, and still have a gentle and quiet spirit. Thank God! :)

A lot of people ask me how I have the time, while others wonder if I'm doing too much. My response is that I need to make the time or I won't be a good mother or wife, and if I'm not intentionally getting in the Word everyday, you don't understand, I am in the pit. I need it like the very air I breathe!

Fireman Micah

When Micah was asked what he wanted to be for Halloween, he immediately said, "A firefighter!" This new found obsession to be a firefighter was born when he visited the Sterling firehouse for Liam's third birthday.

Micah couldn't get enough of the trucks.

And he kept talking about the uniform and oxygen masks all the way home.

A really cool treat was Micah got to see John Bischoff (husband of Patrick's cousin) that day, as he was volunteering at the firehouse that weekend. John, Micah has got the bug to be just like you!

No Budget Decorating!

Sometimes, great ideas are born out of dire circumstances. The conversation between Patrick and I went like something like this:

Soryda: Honey, do we have any money that I can buy some thanksgiving decorations?
Patrick: No.
Soryda: But, what about....
Patrick: (Interrupting) NO.
End of conversation.

So, while he said that we didn't have any budget for harvest decor, he didn't say I couldn't be creative! Check it out:

Last year's Thanksgiving wreath for the front door, gets a new twist, by becoming the foyer table centerpiece. A large vase, and candle in the center, make the set complete.


This centerpiece isn't quite finished, maybe because everyone kept eating it! While he said there wasn't a budget for decorations, he didn't say I couldn't use our food budget? Bag of apples 3.99. Other ingredients: An old cake stand, pine cones and leaves from Lansdowne's autumn bounty. Free.

Asparagus and artichoke wrapped candles. Brilliant!
I had one wrapped with green beans too, but we ate those before I could take a photo of it. :)

Scary Cute!

Nothing spooky in our house for Halloween, only two children who were scary cute! When Micah decided to be a firefighter, I asked him what Caelan should be and he said, "My dalmation!" And so there you have it.

Oh, but the fun doesn't stop here...

Patrick didn't tell you his secret desire to be a gangster? Only kidding. It was so much fun to dress up. We're cool parents too.
Cool or embarrassing, one or the other.

The mustache was my favorite. Probably more scary, than cute. But, worth every moment!

We went to a "Hallo-lujah" party instead of trick or treating where Micah rode a pony, fun carnival rides and got a lot of candy!

his first ferris wheel ride...

It was a great Hallelujah party for the gangster, his flapper girl,
and the fire chief and his dalmation. This picture was on our way out...and you can tell Micah did not want to go home!