UP

We got Nolan the movie UP for Christmas this year.  I watched it with the kids on Christmas afternoon.  Parts of it were really sad but it had a really good message.  I had one of those "Aha" moments when I saw this one. 

This is not something that generally occurs with me when watching an animated film but it was an important lesson I needed to understand.  I'm not going to go into it and, if you watch the film, the lesson may not have as much of an impact on you because it's one you probably understood a long time ago! 

This is Carl Fredrickson.  He is the main character in UP. 

Christmas 2009

We sure enjoyed our Christmas.  We spent the day at home opening gifts when the kids woke up.  It's one of the most fun moments of the year with the kids.  We all enjoyed our gifts and then enjoyed a good breakfast together.  It's rare for us to share breakfast together as a family so that's a treat. 

We spent the rest of the day setting up Legos, playing games, reading and watching movies.  Heather's parents came over in the evening for dinner.  We are so thankful for God sending His Son!

Fourth Advent Sunday

We didn't get to our Advent night until Monday of this week due to our being out of town.  But it was worth the wait.  The text from the Bible was out of Luke 2:8-20.  It was the the Shepherds' story of their being told about the birth of Jesus.

The theme for the night was 'hope.'

Our final project was a jingle bell bracelet!

Mom, Nolan and Emma modeling the bracelets!

Eleven

Alex turns 11 years old today.  Time just keeps tickin'.  It's so amazing to look back over the years at how he's grown.  This year in particular seemed to be a big jump for him.  He seems to have grown a lot more from 10 to 11 than he did from 9 to 10.  Not as much physically but in his maturity.  I think that has to do with experiences he's had over the past year. 

He's a great kid and I'm glad he's ours.  I'm excited to see what the Lord does with his life as he continues to grow spiritually. 

We love you Alex!

We celebrated with Grandma and Grandpa Steffen on Sunday night.  He got a scooter, a Rubik's cube and a new NIV Bible.  He also got a Wilderness Survival book (not shown).

Juggling

I had an all day retreat at work yesterday.  We had a consultant in to work with us on some things.  Part of our day was spent learning how to juggle.  I thought it was a blast so I brought it home to show the kids.  Alex has spent some time practicing and is catching on pretty well!

Third Advent Sunday

We spent today's time of Advent focusing on JOY.  It is the third candle that we "lit".  (We actually don't have candles but rather, magnets on the fridge.)  We shared in a rousing rendition of "Joy to the World."  Our craft tonight was a snoman bookmark. 

Nolan is working hard on his.

It's a Wonderful Life

One of my favorite movies of all time is It's a Wonderful Life.  It takes place in the small town of Bedford Falls and tells the story of an man, George Bailey, who aspires to do "big" things and "see the world".  Well, he is hardly able to step foot outside Bedford Falls due to circumstances life presents him but he is no less influential.  I like the film because it is a great story.

I also like the film because it reminds me of my grandpa, running a small-town bank, perhaps not too unlike the Bailey Building and Loan in the film.  The actor, Jimmy Stewart, who plays George in the movie was born about the same time as my Grandpa Bauer was, just eight months apart.  My grandpa was a banker for over 60 years and I like to imagine what his experiences might have been like as I watch the movie. 

If you've never seen this movie, I highly recommend it.  Heather and I make it a tradition to watch it every year on Christmas Eve.  George Bailey is probably my favorite movie character of all time and I'm fond of Jimmy Stewart's acting. 

This image of George Bailey is taken from a scene in the movie.  My favorite shot from the movie.

I guess if I had to sum up the film in one sentence it would be, you don't have to do big things to make a big difference. So make yourself a cup of hot chocolate and curl up in the blanket with It's a Wonderful Life sometime this season.

Come On, Ring Those Bells!

One of my childhood memories was listening to a Christmas tape by Evie. One of the songs on it was called "Come on, Ring Those Bells." The chorus line goes:

Come on ring those bells

Light the Christmas Tree

Jesus is the King

Born for you and me

Come on ring those bells

Everybody say

Jesus we remember this Your birthday

I just remember it being a catchy tune and we'd play it over and over. Maybe we didn't have too many Christmas tape beside Evie and the Chipmunks Christmas!

Last night Alex, Emma and I rang those bells for the Salvation Army. If there's anything I want my kids to learn this Christmas season is that there is joy in serving. There is joy in giving and showing love. We had a great time. We took along a couple CDs of our own to play during the hour we spent in the chilly air (no, Evie was not among those selected). We had fun together wishing people "Merry Christmas" as they walked by and thanking them for their donations.

Alex and Emma had huge grins on their faces standing there ringing bells and serving. It was a blessed experience and perhaps the beginning of a family tradition!

Second Advent Sunday

We celebrated the second Sunday of Advent today.  We read Luke 1:1-56 about Zacharias and Elizabeth being of old age and bearing a son, whom the angel told them to call 'John'.  An angel also spoke to Mary about her conceiving a Son as well, Jesus, the Messiah.  Then Mary visits Elizabeth. 

Our craft tonight was a snowflake ornament.  It contained a little story called The Legend of the Snowflake:

Long ago, a gleaming star

led the way to a Child born in a Manger.

Today it is believed

that Snowflakes are little pieces of

that special Star that leads us

to the Light of the World, Jesus.

Alex displays the finished product.

Christmas Baking

Every year Heather does a bunch of baking for our family  Christmas gatherings.  Our families have come to appreciate the cookies, fudge and other treats she brings.  Since she helps out with the family business the week before Christmas, she has to get the baking done early. 

Carrie, Maddie and Jude came over on Friday to have a baking day with  Heather and Nolan.  The girls had fun baking and the kids had fun decorating the cookies!

This cat always steals my chair.

Classic picture of Heather...always a hot cup of coffee nearby.

Our Christmas Tree all lit up!

According to His Purpose

After some consideration I decided it was time to move from the phillinois.com website.  It was fun while it lasted but it's time to move on.  I had originally started that site with the intention of doing more with web programming but as the years wore on, I found myself primarily using the site for the blog.  So I figured I would just move it to a free site and not pay for it every year anymore. 

With the move of the blog also comes a name change.  While "phillinois" is a fun nickname, I wanted this blog to be about His purpose, not mine.  Our purpose on earth is to glorify God and that's what I want my life to be about.  That's what I want my family to be about. 

Exodus 9:16 says, "But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth." 

I love that verse.  That's why we're here.  To declare His name, that His power may be revealed to the world.

Thanks for your faithful readership!  God Bless.

Illini Comeback

Last night, Illinois scored its biggest comeback in team history. Down 20 points at halftime, Illinois got down as much as 23 points early in the second half before staging their amazing rally. Illinois was on the road at #19 Clemson playing in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Last year, Illinois lost to Clemson at the Assembly Hall 76-74. This year, Illinois came back to win it 76-74.

It was a much needed win as the Illini were coming off a pair of losses in Vegas. Those were both close games that came down to the final minute but still games that Illinois should have won.

The win helped the Big Ten defeat the ACC in the challenge for the first time in its 11 year history, six games to five.

Miss the game? Check it out on ESPN360 if your internet provider offers it!