Yesterday we decided to take it easy. We made a quick trip to the grocery first thing in the morning, and then enjoyed being home. I decided that since Christmas in now just a little over a month away, we would begin getting ready for Christmas! So, I read Grace Eloise at Christmas Time, and then watched the movie. We absolutely love Eloise! I think Grace enjoys that Eloise is more mischievous than she is.

The rest of the day we listened to Christmas music, cleaned, and cooked. For dinner I made the best homemade chicken pot pie I had ever had, along with mashed potatoes, my first attempt at making homemade gravy was a success, and a chocolate cream pie. I absolutely love cooking from scratch! It was nice because my mom came over for dinner. So, we enjoyed eating a great meal while listening to Christmas music.

Afterwards we decorated the Christmas tree. Grace could hardly contain herself, she was that excited.

I don't have a picture of the finished project, but she did not move from that spot on the tree. So, we are either going to have to buy a ton more ornaments or I am going to have to fix it during nap time today :)

This is the "time out chair." Lena has begun to hit when she gets angry, and when Grace hits she sits in the timeout chair. Well, last night Lena hit Erik because he told her no, so Grace said Lena should go in the timeout chair. This only makes sense to a 3 year old. Lena thought it was hilarious that she was sitting in the chair all by herself. I don't think she got the idea :)

Here is Lena putting on Minnie Mouse Ears. She was so proud of herself when she finally got them on.

Well, the girls are about to wake up, and we have a busy day ahead of us. Grace has her animal class and I have to work tonight. Here we go into another crazy busy weekend of work, kids, and church nursery!!

Quick Update

My mom just called and said that the results of the fluid that was removed from my dad's lung came back negative. This is an answer to prayer, in that if it came back positive there would be nothing that could be done for my dad. From here things are a little blurry. The oncologist is apprehensive of starting chemo right away, or in doing another major lung surgery right away since he has so much fluid on his lungs as it is. As a result, he is going to see a specialist at Indiana University. He will hopefully have an appointment soon, and we will go from there. Thank you for your continued prayers!

Fun Times with the Buskard Household

It seems like we have done a lot over the past couple of days. Saturday we met my parents to go see Madagascar 2. Grace loved watching the movie on the big screen. I enjoyed the first ten and the last ten minutes of the movie :) I was glad that we went to go see the movie at The Greene, because I took Lena and we walked around the shops to spy out some Christmas dresses.

The rest of Saturday before I went to work was chilly and rainy so we spent the afternoon inside, and this is the result of trying to find something fun for Grace to do.....

She had a blast painting the windows. I think I have learned over time that sometimes a little mess (or even a big mess) is worth it for a little fun!

Yesterday we went to the library for story time, and we were able to check out the movie WALL.E. Grace was so excited! Afterwards I took the girls to get their flu shots. Grace hasn't had a shot since she turned 1, so she didn't realize that they hurt. She was actually excited to go to the doctor to get a shot (I think her 3 year old mind thought it would be some sort of prize). Lena whimpered for a minute, but poor Grace was inconsolable. I had to reward her for doing so good, so we had her favorite for lunch- McDonald's.

The fun thing that we did yesteday was shop for and pack Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes. I explained to Grace earlier in the morning that there are some kids who don't get Christmas presents, and that we were going to get some for two little girls. It was little hard at first for her to understand that she was picking out toys for someone other than herself, but i think she got the idea.

Here's everything that we were able to get, luckily I had thought ahead and saved back art supplies from back to school sales! I have to admit, the only part I dislike about putting the boxes together, is actually wrapping the boxes. :) I have decided that wrapping shoe boxes is not in my skill set.

Grace putting one of the boxes together. She thought this part was great!

Lena had been eyeing the little white bears that we were going to pack, and when we weren't looking, she snagged one. SHe was definitely proud of herself.

The finished boxes! On Sunday Grace will get to take them to church and put them under the Christmas tree. It is so good for her, and for me as well, to take the time and give to someone other than ourselves. It is so easy to think that we don't have much, but in reality, the little that we have is so much more than the girls that will receive the boxes have. Now that Grace is old enough to understand, I think that we will make this a Christmas tradition.

Here's Lena with her bear. She has recently become attached to stuffed animals, and it is so cute!

Well, later today my dad will find out the results of his tests. Please continue to pray and I will keep you updated.

I have been attempting (and I will have to admit I have been not been doing a good job at it) to do my quiet time during naptime or before the girls get up in the morning. It always amazes me when God has already put into words what I need to hear at the exact time. How is it that words that were written thousands of years ago can bring everything into perspective for me, sitting in my living room today? Well, today I read Psalm 30:5 which says, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." God does not promise us an easy road, but He does give us the hope that the morning will be filled with joy. This was such and encouragement to me today!

Today has been a good day. I took Grace to her art class, where she got to paint. Afterwards we played at the park and went to the libray to check out some movies. It is such a gorgeous day that I think I am going to have to take the girls for a walk later this afternoon!

LEna is officially walking!!! She made it all the way down the hall and is now standing up on her own without holding on to anything. She is still being selective about when she shows off her new skills, but it is so much fun to watch. Now for some pictures.

A picture of Grace and the medal she received at her last soccer game!! She is wearing the goalie jersey- definitely made her day!

Erik and Lena at the game. It was definitely cold for 3 year olds to be playing!

Sweet Grace! She is so funny- she is actually sitting in the bouncy seat in this picture.

Lena making her funny face!

My last picture for the day is my deal finding picture of the week. I went to Kroger, Walgreens, and CVS. Guess how much I spent on everything here..........

............. $20. God has definitely been good to us! He even provided us with enough pepperoni for at least a dozen pizzas, which makes my husband happy. Thank you God for your unending blessings!

Quick Update

We have had another busy week, but I wanted to update on my dad. Yesterday he went to the oncologist to find out the results of the PETscan he had last week. They determinied he has a large lump in his lung, but another area of concern is an excessive amount of fluid on his lungs. They have to now determine if the fluid is post operative or if it is cancerous fluid around his lungs. This morning he went in to get some of the fluid removed in order for it to be tested. He will find out the results next Wednesday. If the fluid is non-cancerous he will have to go in for another major lung surgery, but if the fluid does have cancer cells it is inoperable and there is nothing the dpctprs are able to do. Please pray that, though it is one of the most painful surgeries a person can have, that my dad will be able to have it. We are trying to remain prayerful and hopeful as we wait and see what is in store. Please continue to pray!
On a little more encouraging note, Lena has started taking her first steps. Last night she took 10 steps, and was incredibly proud of herself.
Grace had her last soccer games this past weekend. They didn't go that great, as it was cold, and she didn't want to play.
Hopefully we will be heading to Kroger to get some great deals on groceries before heading to work tonight.

There are a few things on my mind this morning. Last night Erik and I watched a couple of movies instead of watching the news, as we knew that we would only get frustrated and upset if we tuned in to the election results. I have always followed politics and if you know my husband, it is in his blood, but this is the first time that I have absolutely dreaded an election or its outcome. As a Christian I must view politics through my biblical worldview (oh yeah, Cornerstoners, that one is for you) and I am severely disheartened at the direction in which Americans are heading. I have a feeling that as a Christian I am going to have to take a more delibrate and outspoken stand for what I believe, in the years to come. There's my soap box for the day!
My dad goes in for his PETScan tomorrow and will find out the results next tuesday. Please continue to pray for him, my mom, and for the doctor's wisdom and guidance.
So, I have decided that I hate daylight savings time. The girls are still waking up at 6am, as opposed to 7am, and are completely out of sorts. It is amazing how children thrive on some semblance of a schedule. Well this morning, since we were already showered, dressed, and fed by 8am we did some bargain shopping. We made it to CVS, Walgreens, and Kroger, and were home within an hour. Here's a picture of all that I was able to buy for only $14.

God is definitely good to us!

Picture Post

We had a good time on our trip to Michigan. We were able to get in a ton of visiting and catching up with family and friends. Our trips back are always bittersweet because they remind us of what we miss about living in Michigan. We drove to Uncle Matt's restaurant in Livonia on Thursday night and had the best time eating out since we had kids! It was so nice to be able to relax and to catch up with him.

Friday we headed to the rumley's house where we had so much fun catching up and watching the kids play.

Here's a picture of us at the park.

The Rumley's and the Buskards. We had such a good time catching up with them. It is so much fun to see our kids grow up together!

Minnie mOuse, Daisy Duck, a Mad Scientist, and a Beauty Queen. The girls went trick or treating at the Genther's and we had fun spending the night with them.

Here is a picture of my adorable daisy duck!Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck- unfortunately this is the best picture we have of the two of them together.
Before we headed to our next stop we took some pictures with the Genthers. Here's a pic of the girls with their cousins. My girls absolutely adore them!

Here is a picture of both of our families. We used the timer on my camera- it turned out pretty good! We miss them SO much!

A picture of Erik and I!

Saturday we stopped at Brett's house and visited with family. Here is a picture of the girls, cousin Cole, and Grandma Buskard. It was nice to get to know some of the Buskard's better.

Our Family and Erik's Parents

Lena Playing in the leaves!

It was a busy but good long weekend.

Please pray!

We had a good trip to michigan and I will post pictures and details later, but for now more pressing concerns have confronted my family once again. My dad went to the oncologist today to find out the results of a recent catscan. The scan found several spots on his right lung and one on his left lung. From here he has to go for a petscan to figure out a course of action. Please keep him and my mom in your prayers. My dad has already battled and beat cancer twice, but each time it takes a little more out of him, and disheartens my mom and the rest of us. I will keep you updated as we find out more in the coming weeks. It is times like these that it is hard to trust that God is truly in control, but it is times like these that your faith has to triumph over the fairness.