Pumpkin Cheesecake

Need a super fast, super easy, but still yummy dessert?

Try this no bake, pumpkin cheesecake.
8 oz cream cheese, softened (I used fat free)
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or cinnamon, ginger and cloves to taste)
8 oz cool whip, thawed (I used fat free)
1 graham cracker crust (I bought it, but you could whip it together yourself)

Mix all but cool whip together on medium speed until creamy. Fold in cool whip by hand. You can reserve some to garnish if you like. Pour it into the crust and keep refrigerated.

Joshua and I made this in less than 10 min. yesterday! I love that! Chad asked me to make another soon, so my family truly liked it. (Versus telling me it was good, but hoping that I forget the recipe - not that that ever happens here =) )

Enjoy!

PS This recipe came from the wiphan cookbook. You can order your copy here and the money will go to help orphans and widows in Zambia, Africa!

Happy Birthday to You, Jesus (Part 1)

This morning as I got our of the shower I could hear Joshua and daddy snuggled up in bed - without me! Yeah Joshua! They were talking about the day. Chad was telling Joshua that he was going to get to open a present. He was describing how Joshua would be able to tear open the paper and that what was inside would be for him AND he would like it! Joshua responded with joy and excitement, "Joshua see it! Joshua say I like it! THANK YOU!"

It was a great start to a great day... our first Christmas as a family of 7!

As my Grandma used to say, "My cup runneth over!"

This is our Joshua Gebeyehu opening his very first Christmas present ever! We were all much more excited than he was! He kept one hand on daddy as he began to carefully tear paper.

Look at his grin as he waits for daddy to get it out of the box. Daddy and Joshua share an absolute LOVE for equipment. So the very first gift of Christmas was the skidsteer that Daddy chose for Joshua. It is just like the one Daddy used to move snow this week. Just like the one that Joshua played in at the shop... and quickly figured out how to beep the horn and turn on the radio all by himself.

Think he likes it? Oh yeah!

Daddy so loves that Joshua shares his love for motors.

Krissy had Brenna's name. She bought her earrings.

Joshua had Sierra's name. She received a chemistry set.

Brenna had Jamison's name. Think she was hoping he liked the gift she chose? He did! It was a balance bracelet.

I had Krissy's name. I bought her a shirt and earrings she had pointed out.

I sat down by Chad and Joshua came running. He said, "Joshua 'nuggle mommy, daddy too!"

Sierra had my name. She chose this snugly robe for me. I love it Sierra! Thank You!

Jamison had his Dad's name. He bought him a t-shirt that says "There is a place for all God's creatures... right next to the potatoes and gravy." Chad loved it! Jamison does not have much interest in motors but he does share his dad's love for hunting!

Joshua's gift from Chad and I was the biggest box under the tree. That always makes everyone curious. Oh, Joshua was so sweet climbing all over the big box to make sure he had ALL the paper off before looking inside.

So what was it? A scooter and helmet! You can tell I have mellowed with age, my little guy is riding a scooter UPSTAIRS! Oh, my! I would never have allowed that years ago. But Joshua HAS to keep moving and this mommy does not like to play in the snow! So because our basement has a large open area for him to ride in, a scooter for Christmas was the perfect gift.

Think he liked the helmet? By the way... could he possible be any cuter? I tell him all the time that God made him beautiful.

God also created Joshua with a very special heart. After all the excitement of opening gifts and playing with new toys, the very first thing my son thanked God for as we prayed tonight was being able to blow out the candle on baby Jesus' birthday cake.

Joshua helped me mix this easy and yummy no bake pumpkin cheese cake. (I should post the recipe because it was yummy and easy!) He asked all evening about WHEN we were going to sing to baby Jesus. He kept our focus on Jesus. (and it was not because he wanted to eat the cake, Joshua does not like sweet desserts. He did not eat a bite.)

Our family's favorite snack is popcorn. Chad and the kids bought me this fun popcorn popper. Brenna and Joshua were so excited to watch the popcorn pop. What fun it was to make and eat!

Chad likes to buy the kids a gift to share. This year he chose the Kinnect system for our Xbox 360. I have to admit it is fun! I can hear my family laughing hysterically as I type! I am not a fan of video games but this one has the kids moving, laughing, and connecting! You did good babe!

Daddy getting into the action. He just came upstairs all sweaty, telling me he feels like he just ran a marathon.

Brenna and Sierra getting some big air on the rafting game.

I wish you could hear the laughter downstairs. Absolutely precious memories being made in our home all week. (We have 2 Christmas and 2 birthday celebrations that will happen in the next 7 days - so many more memories are waiting to be made.) I am so thankful for these simply joyful moments!

From Roller Coasters to Reality

One year ago today we were returning from "the Great American Dream Vacation." A trip to Magic Kingdom was the gift we gave our kids for Christmas last year. It was a great trip. We have never played so hard with our kids! We have never laughed (or screamed) as much. It was WONDERFUL!

On the very same day as we were flying home from our amazing family vacation our Gebeyehu was also traveling. His destination was not one of dreams though. His destination was an orphanage in a BIG city far from the sights and sounds of home.

When we received Joshua Gebeyehu's referral paperwork and I read that he arrived at Sele Enat on the very day we were flying home from our dream vacation, I felt sucker punched. While we were on top of the mountain, he was in a deep valley. I am told he was not happy when he first arrived in Addis. Sister told me it would have broken my heart to see him so sad and weak. It also breaks my heart that I did not see him then. It brings tears to my eyes that my arms could not hold him and comfort him in that terrifying transition.

It is sobering to realize that in the midst of our joy, someone is hurting. Someone is desperate. Someone is alone. And while I have not been called to change the lives of many, I am honored to play a small part in changing the life of this one. I am also indebted to this one for changing me, for growing my vision, for giving me joy, for daring to love me so much.

Joshua Gebeyehu Chad D. you are an amazing gift!

Thank you for trusting and loving us. It is such a privelege to watch you "emerge"

Oh how we love you! How thankful we are that this Dec. 21st you are in our arms, full of giggles and hugs!

A year ago my heart was totally broken for this son I had yet to meet or even see. Today I am in awe that he is HERE. That he is safe. That he is loved! That he is silly! That he is loving! That he is growing! That he is my son!

Today I went to get my haircut, while Daddy and Joshua went out for lunch. Joshua was so proud to tell me that he had "DIET COKE" with Daddy. Chad told him mommy would say no, no, no and Joshua told him "Daddy diet coke please!" Joshua won! And I am glad! Because daddy's and son's are supposed to bond over "safe" wildness that mommy does not allow.

While they were eating lunch, Chad bumped into a business associate. As this man was walking away he said, "Merry Christmas!" Joshua said, "Christmas... happy birthday to you Jesus!"

It makes me cry to type this because I am so thankful that what excited Joshua about Christmas is that it is Jesus' birthday! He has not interest in Santa. He does not understand that there are presents with things he will LOVE under the Christmas tree. He just knows that the story of angels and shepherds and a mommy and a baby Jesus is what it is all about. He loves to play with my nativity scenes. He loves to read books about the baby born in the barn. He loves to pretend he is baby Jesus "mah tah mah tah" in the hay. Jesus is absolutely the focus of his Christmas. It is so pure and so beautiful!

AS is Joshua Gebeyehu's love for his family

Joshua LOVES this picture. He squeals every time he sees it. He yells "FAMILY PICTURE! JOSHUA, MOMMY, DADDY, KRISSY, JAMISON, SIERRA, BRENNA...FAMILY!"

Every time I hear him proudly name our family, I am so grateful. I am grateful that he loves to be a part of our family. I am grateful that he makes me remember what a treasure it is to be a part of a family.

"The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy." Psalm 126:3

I know family can be hard. I know that family can hurt us more than any friend or stranger. I know that those hurts are hard to let go of - they are hurts I have not been immune from. But I challenge each of us to be thankful for the family ties that we have this Christmas season. To forgive and accept and to love more fully - not just for the week, but for the years to come.

I also challenge each of us to have a pure heart this Christmas. To remember that it is not about a clean house, perfect gifts, yummy food, all the family being in the right place at the right time - but that it is simply (and complexly) Jesus Birthday!

Thank you Lord Jesus for all the great things You have done for us. We choose joy. Joy in You. May you be honored and glorified in the way we celebrate your birthday this week.

First Christmas Memories

I was feeling very nostalgic today thinking about ALL the great first Christmases we have experienced as a family.

Want to walk with me down memory lane?

This is a picture of Chad in front of our very first Christmas tree in 1994. It was real and really beautiful and WAY more expensive than we could afford. We did not have a truck, but a buddy of Chad's from work volunteered to take Chad with him when he went to pick up his tree. (Chad later figured out what this "buddy" really wanted was help hauling the monster tree he had special ordered from the nursery.) Anyway, Chad surprised me with our first tree and surprised himself at how much a tree could cost! We totally enjoyed this beautiful tree that took up more than half of our very tiny living room. We also enjoyed making sugar cookies and listening to our favorite Christmas album at the time by "Sammy Kershaw" during our very first Christmas as husband and wife. I was so happy to find a picture of it today!

Our next first Christmas came when Krissy was born in 1996. Oh, we were all so excited to celebrate Christmas with our baby! She was such a joy, just look at that smile! I also remember that she learned to sit up all by herself just in time for Christmas.

In 1997 we celebrated the birth of Jesus along with the birth of our Jamison. He was only 3 weeks old his first Christmas. He spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day eating. He was in the midst of his 3 week growth spurt and truly nursed every hour! I spent the entire Christmas in the back of the room trying to discreetly feed him AND watch Krissy open gifts. Even in the moment it was a sweet memory. I felt somehow connected to Mary and the infant Savior as I held and cared for my own infant son. He was such a tiny sweet blessing!

Our next first Christmas came in 1999 when Sierra was 6 weeks old. At that point in our family we had a 3.5 year old, a 2 year old, and a 6 week old. I remember LOVING every minute of it! But our Christmas album is almost bare that year! This is seriously the only picture I have of either baby Sierra or me in it! I suspect that between feeding the baby and chasing the toddlers my camera never left the diaper bag!

This is a fake picture! It was taken in January, but it does give you a glimpse of our gorgeous kids in 1999! Can you even stand all that blond cuteness?!? I just want to scoop them off the picture and kiss them one more time!

It took a few year before we were ready for another first Christmas, but in 2003 we were SO EXCITED to celebrate our first Christmas as a family of 6! Brenna Joy was 8 mo. old. She was "slap-sliding" around the floor and SO FUN! It was a blast to have a baby again! Don't you just want to pinch her cheeks and kiss her bald head?

I have had so much fun thinking about all of our family's first Christmas memories. Today as I sifted through pictures I laughed and cried. We have been so very blessed. I am so very thankful for each memory.

I can not even begin to imagine how many more first Christmases we will have as a family. Have you ever stopped to think what your family picture will look like in 15 years? I know 15 years ago when I took the picture of Chad by our first tree we never dreamed our life would be filled with all the amazing blessings (or the difficult trials) it has been filled with. We were just happy to be together! I am so thankful that we are still happy to be together. I am so thankful that I adore my husband. That, along with our desire to follow Jesus, has been the one unchanging factor in an ever-changing life.

This Christmas, I am totally overjoyed to be together as a family of seven! I am cherishing the memories past, present, and future in my heart, and trusting God to grow our family as He sees fit. (Chad and I were just discussing with dread - I mean joy - that in the next 15 years we will be in-laws! and maybe - ok probably - grandparents! How does time pass so quickly? and yet so slowly at the same time?)

Coping with Christmas

For the last year I have been dreaming of Joshua's first Christmas! But as it approaches I have had to really think about how to make Joshua's first Christmas in our family really fun for HIM. You see Christmas is yet another unknown for Joshua. We tell him all about it, but to him all the hype is a bit overwhelming.


Our family's schedule (just like your family's schedule) is CRAZY this Christmas week! It is packed full of family, fun, food, gifts, games, photos, etc... While I love it, I also have realized over the last week that all that we have planned will be more than Joshua can cope with. I realized that I need to plan ahead to give him breaks from the constant activity so that he can have a fun first Christmas.

I fought this idea some because planning breaks for him means I will "miss out" on some of the action. I do not really want to miss out! I argued with myself that he IS almost 3 and skipping naps a couple times and a few late nights will be OK. And it might be... but add to missed naps and late nights a CRAZY amount of stimulation and I was putting him on a path that just might "send him over the edge."

Still, I told myself that it would not be "fair" to our family to expect them to plan in nap breaks and quiet evenings. I kept trying to convince myself that he is 3, he can handle this. I was totally stressing myself out, because I (deep down) knew what my son needed but instead of embracing it I kept making excuses about why it would be impossible to meet his needs.

Yesterday I received this article in my inbox from Empowered to Connect and I was finally able to embrace the fact that in order for ALL of us to have a super Christmas, I need to plan down time for Joshua.

On a daily basis Joshua and I come together to rock, cuddle, read, or some other really quiet activity about every other hour. This meets his 6 to 7 mo old "family age" need to connect with mom and take a break from all of the stimulation coming at him. When the older kids were 7 mo. old I was nursing them so these breaks were very natural. About every 2 to 3 hours my baby would be fussy and need to be fed. At that point, we would go somewhere quiet to nurse and snuggle. Joshua has the same need, but because he is older I have to work to meet that need in different ways. Some days I forget and wonder why he has become so clingy or sad or wild. Many times these quiet times have to be initiated by me. When he begins to be out of sorts (or on my best mommy days before he is out of sorts), it is my job to recognize that what he needs is less stimulation and a time of reconnection. It is amazing what a few minutes in the rocking chair or snuggle dancing or reading a book can do.



So last night I started thinking through the schedule for the week. We will celebrate Christmas with our family of 7 on the 22nd. We have all of Chad's siblings coming over for family pictures and pizza on the evening of the 23rd. On the 24th we have all of Chad's mom's side of the family coming over for lunch, gift exchange, and FUN! On the 25th we are to be with my family at my mom's house. I began to think what all that will feel like to a little guy who has never experienced opening a Christmas gift. (Actually, Joshua has not ripped the paper off a single box to discover a great surprise inside. How totally exciting and over-stimulating will opening several gifts in one day be! How will he even begin to choose what to play with? Who to share with? Etc...) A little guy who needs a lot of his mommy's one on one attention, stuck in a constant crowd. While I felt his excitement, I also felt his stress.



Ultimately I began to put together a plan that will hopefully help to make his holiday (and mine) filled with joy! I plan to practice taking our snuggle breaks in my room the beginning of this week so that when our house is filled and I sneak away with Joshua to read or snuggle in the quiet and privacy of my bedroom it will feel "right." (We do use my room for this purpose sometimes so it is not a totally new idea. I will need to move some books and things in so that it is easy for us to sneak away when our house is full though.)



I also plan to talk through the events of each day in the morning of THAT day and not try to tell Joshua about ALL the things that will happen this week. That way he only has one day to think through at a time. When I talk through the day I plan to tell him that there will be times that he and mommy leave the activity to snuggle. (Although I know he needs these breaks HE does not always think they are a good idea in the moment, but by knowing it will happen I think it will feel like special mommy time instead of punishment.) I also plan to let him know if he will need to nap or go to bed when there is company over. He does not enjoy missing anything, but does MUCH better when I warn him a head of time so he is prepared.



We also plan to drive 2 vehicles to my parent's home on Christmas day. I will bring Joshua home to nap after lunch and then return to my mom and dad's for the afternoon. With a second car there I will also be able to get him home for bath and regular bedtime if need be and the older kids will not have their party ended early.



I know to many of you I may sound like a total control freak. But to me planning is power. We may not need many breaks - and if so WONDERFUL! If we do - I am mentally prepared to meet Joshua's needs in the midst of the excitement of the season. Chad is prepared to be Super-Dad and man the older kids, our guests, and the camera so I do not feel sad in the event that I have to "miss out." For me the result of all this planning is that I am feeling MORE excited about Christmas than ever!


In the end, my carefully though out plan may not work. I may have to punt and I am OK with that. The ultimate "plan" is for me to be flexible and meet Joshua's needs was they emerge. (While Chad is ready to really focus on the older kids! We have not forgotton them!) By realizing that he will have needs, I believe I will be able to keep my focus on supporting him with a joyful heart!


I encourage you to think about the needs of your friends and family members in the midst of meal and gift planning this week. Maybe there is someone on your guest list who could use a little extra love and support as well!

***To my in-laws: Do not be concerned that hanging at our house is causing me stress or Joshua stress! You have been so gracious and supportive, I am thrilled to have you here! In many ways it is easier here than away. And I always know that you are more than happy to help out in any way! Thank you, Thank you! I love you guys!

Riding in Style

This year we decided that instead of exchanging gifts with my brother's family we would do a fun family activity. So after a dinner of pizza and yummy cake, we went on a limo ride!

The kids were REALLY excited!

Above is my sister in law, Emily, and niece Alexa

Adrianna, Brenna, and Sierra

Krissy, myself, and Joshua

What is a limo ride without champagne... or in our case "Sparkling cider?"

The girls kept asking for more wine. My sister in law was quick to remind them that it was NOT wine, but sparkling cider. There was NO under-age-drinking in our limo! =)

Gotta love this guy!

Most of the gang!

Joshua got a little wiggly by then end and (woke up daddy who just might have dozed off) to play musical laps!

Daddy's girl!

Caught in the act! Only a guy who got up at 3AM to move snow could sleep through all the action of 7 kids in a limo! I surely appreciate how hard my husband works so we can do silly things like limo rides!

24/7

Have you ever seen a more beautiful picture?

I stand in awe of Him.

**Thank you for your continued prayers for our Joshua Gebeyehu. Each one is a priceless gift.