November & December Review

I think this was the first year the kids were actually helpful in raking leaves.

Serving together at the Community Open House at Africa's Child.

Watching the first snowfall.  Classic Henry atop Joe's back.

A great visit with Henry's surgeon.  No surgery needed for the immediate future.  We'll check in again next year, but he was happy with Henry's progress.

This is Hugh, and he is our realtor.  Yes, that's right.

We made the gut-wrenching decision to move.  The decision was beyond difficult, but to our amazement, the process has gone seamlessly.  We bought a new home just a few miles north of where we currently are.  It's a charming fixer upper, so we will take the next two months to begin renovations before moving in.  

Hugh has been an answer to prayer, easing our fears along the way.  Quite the pianist, he blessed us by playing "Great is Thy Faithfulness" after we finalized our offer on the new home.

And another sign of God's faithfulness

Our family was also blessed by Claire's performance with her "Lil' Worshipers" Dance Class at a local church. 

Claire is in the red shirt on the right.

And also, quite endearing, is Henry singing his version of Claire's dance song "Welcome to our World".

Claire's class, along with another class from her school, on a field trip to the Children's Museum.

My little Queen Bee studying the hive.

Claire and Izzy

Also this past month, I enjoyed a fun afternoon volunteering at Henry's school for their Holiday House program.

The following week, Joe chaperoned Claire's class on her second field trip - this time to the Frederick Meijer Gardens.

Christmas Break

Seeing the trains at Breton Village Mall

Claire and Henry kept busy with the "I Spy" Game, but George was more obsessed with the mall surroundings.  He loved these ball statues.

And he especially loved the fish.

Santa's little helpers

These funny kids keep their imagination active.

You never know where their adventures will take them.

Thankful for the life and influence of Ed Dobson.  Sorry to see him go, but we are glad he is no longer struggling and he is with his Savior.

This picture was taken nearly 10 years ago when Joe lived in community with Ed and Lorna.  

Go George Go

George is a wonderful child.  No longer a baby, for sure.  He is smart and funny and oh so active.  So much, in fact, that I thought it would be entertaining to take an hour of an evening and document his happenings.  So here it is...one hour with George on the go.  I tried to take a picture every 5-7 minutes to track his course of action.

Rolling around on the floor

Whatcha doin' Mom?

Truly, his favorite place to be

Time for a 2-second cuddle

Not sure how to caption this, but it sure does make me smile

Climbing...again

Fun with canned goods

Time for a snack

After watching me take so many pictures of George, Henry asked that I also take his picture.   Of course, I need a picture of my Henry too.

After I took his picture, he wanted to see it and upon examination, said, "Just a minute Mom.  I have to clean my face and then you take another picture."

Yes, I love being a mom.

October Round-Up

"A Bad Case of the Stripes"

The "Sternberg" girls all together last month to celebrate Grandma's life.  

We got a good laugh over our unplanned matching striped shirts.

Along with "our" other adopted animals - Anna Love "our" stray cat and Sam & Susie "our" ducks - we have been enjoying "our" new Turkey who visits several times a week. We've named him Buoy.We've grown rather fond of him.

Henry's First Field Trip

Going to The Country Basket with best buddy, Gryffin.

Both the morning and afternoon class together.

Henry's favorite part: holding the bunny

Cute Cowboys

  

Our little Pumpkin

A quick visit to Chicago to visit our friends, the Kruis family.

Walking to the Museum of Science and Industry

A great day with friends and family.  

17 Months Old!