Joren

When I grow up I want to be a centaur.

I'm intelligent.

Joren: "Mom, I'm intelligent. That means I'm flexible."

Thanksgiving

 

We got to celebrate Thanksgiving this year at the Balmforth's house with some of our favorite people.  The Walkers, Davis's and the Miners.  There were lots of children, games and plenty to eat.  Paul and I brought 2 deserts, appetizers and a veggie platter.  It was a little strange to not cook all day before and during thanksgiving this year.  It was almost like it was way too easy.  It was a good break after getting ready for Joren's birthday.  It was relaxing and fun.  Paul did an amazing rendition of a Queen song on Rock Band.  Seriously, he was incredible! 

Reflecting on what I am thankful for this year makes me awe struck.  It's remarkable to think about all the luxuries we enjoy that literally most of the world throughout history has not enjoyed.  Just the basics of health, freedom and safety make me overwhelmed with gratitude.  At a time when many countries have displaced civilians, bombing, and constant anxiety for the future day to day, we enjoy warmth and comfort and constant entertainment with abundance.  I know how easily it can be taken away and with that knowledge I am so aware of the fragility of our blessed circumstances.  I thank the Lord for giving us all we have and pray we work to not be slothful servants in His sight.

My Joren is 5 years old

 

Joren made planning his birthday really easy this year.  He told us exactly what he likes: mountain men, Native American stuff, fishing, hunting, trapping, weapons, outdoor adventures, Teepees.. you get the idea. 

  

 

I ordered Joren a new costume and Paul and I made him a teepee to play in.  His friends came dressed in western gear.  Paul took them out back to learn to fish in our pond, set snares in the forest and start a fire in our fire pit.  It was really cold so we enjoyed that fire for a few minutes and then ran in to get warmer.  We decorated and made our own headdresses with out own Indian names, and then made little paper teepees. While the kids carved things out of ivory soap with plastic knives, we taught them about people in the old west. 
For our "cakes, I stuffed cake in ice cream cones decorated like teepees and then served them with big scoops of ice cream on top.  The boys liked making the frosting indian villiage with me. 

Joren loved his new mess kit, tomahawk, dream catcher, davy Crocket book and teepee.  We ended the day by reading the last chapter of "Where the Red Fern Grows".  It was a big book for our littles, but we think they were ready for it.  Eirik had a lot of trouble with the end and sobbed for a long time about those poor dogs.  Joren doesn't sprout tears, but he ruminates over things in other ways.  We had a lot of discussion about life and death and how things work in life. 
It was a pretty special day and Joren felt like a king.  He kept saying, "It's my birthday!"  It was fun to spoil him and try to show him just how special he is to us.

Tae Kwon Do Tournament

The boys get to participate in a Tae Kwon Do Tournament for charity every Christmastime.  We donate one toy per kid and then the kids get to beat up on instructor Bill and earn trophies.  Each boy did a teriffic job learning all their moves and testing in front of a big crowd.  I loved seeing their proud faces, especially when it came time for them to kick a board in half. Eirik did a jump snap kick and broke two boards at once.  He was the only kid in his group to choose to break two at a time and he was competing against blue belts, which is the rank above him.  He was clearly the first place winner and the crowd loved him.  Their instructors don't want our boys to move because they are great students.  Eirik and Joren think their trophies are the best things they own! 

 here's this weird guy in the back polishing all the trophies.