Sweet Snapshots

Pictures just don't do her justice. She makes me melt!

Pink Pieces

Little pink feet! It has been so fun to see tiny pink girly accessories here and there.

Boys Being Boys

Great Grandpa's NSP hard hat gets a large amount of attention from Brennan. Slightly big, but that seems to be the fun of it;o) Kevin, on the other hand, seems to think that he looks rather intelligent with an envelope as a hat. Oh dear!

Lots of Love

We are all enjoying Natalie so much! She will not lack for attention.

Bathtime Bundle

There is nothing quite so snuggly as a freshly bathed baby girl! Makayla assured me that Natalie needed a pink bow;o) Girl after my own heart!

Natalie News

Natalie LaVon Streblow, born December 26, 2012 at 3:48 a.m.

She weighed 7lbs 1oz, and was 20" long.

Christmas day was full of wonder - the wonder of God's precious gift as well as wondering if it would be the day we would meet our little one. We enjoyed a pleasant day as a family and by 11:30 we were at the hospital in Montevideo (once again our Doctor in Granite Falls was away). Labor went very well. Now I am realizing how grateful I should have been for all of those Braxton contractions weeks before. By 3:48 I was holding our precious Natalie in my arms. She has been such a delight over these past several days, and we all are taken by her soft dark hair and sweet tininess. Her siblings are thrilled to finally see who the mysterious baby in my tummy was. Kevin likes to talk to her and see how she's doing, Makayla is always ready to help me mother her, and Brennan, well, he just loves her - a LOT. We praise God for his protection and grace through this time and are so thankful. This New Year's Eve we look forward to a very, very happy new year as a family of six!

Christmas Card 2012

Dear Family and Friends,                                                        December 2012

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”What a wonderful assurance we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ! He came and conquered death with its strength and sting. Not only that, but he also gave us the victory over death through his incomprehensible sacrifice. Such love is beyond our feeble understanding. All we can do is willingly and lovingly offer him our lives in return, yet why would he want them? Even for him to accept us in our filthy wretched state speaks of his amazing love and grace. “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” I Corinthians 15:57-58 (ESV) May we strive to be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord in this forthcoming year. May our love of his great love for us stir us to action in humble adoration of our King of Kings.

Another year comes to a close and hints of another year just ahead. It has been a blessed year for the Seth Streblow family with a variety of happenings that whether seemingly good or bad, have culminated to bring us where we are today – alive and well.

 

Seth remains our faithful leader and provider, as well as our source of many happy times together. He has taken up reading chapter books to the children in the evenings which they all seem to enjoy with much enthusiasm once they settle down from the excitement of “Papa's home!” It has been wonderful to have him home a little more often and before the children are in bed.

 

Charity is very close to delivering baby number four, due on the twenty-seventh of December. We are all looking forward to our new arrival, and anticipate some happy adjustments as we add another little one to the clan. School has been a more aggressive learning experience this year since we have graduated from just letters and numbers. Having a schedule helps keep the home running smoothly.

 

Kevin is our first grader this year, and enjoys history and music. He has enjoyed being able to “help” Papa from time to time on Saturdays with various projects such as clearing snow, or working at the shop. His siblings look to him for ideas, and he is good about watching out for them.

 

Makayla is her mama's little helper – always ready to help do homemaking things. She enjoys her dolls and is very excited to hold her new baby brother or sister! Letters are still her primary hurdle in school, though she has just started to put them together to form words.

 

Brennan is our enthusiastic two year old who enjoys using a growly voice to express himself to others. He makes us all laugh and can get a bit carried away with it at times. His mama enjoys his snuggles and company throughout the day.

Happy holidays to you all! We rejoice with you as we celebrate the birth of our Savior and look forward to the beginning of a new year.

Love from,

Seth, Charity,

Kevin, Makayla, Brennan, & Baby

Streblow

(I plan to post pictures of the new baby on my blog at www.charity-s.blogspot.com. You will have to send me your email address at charityd8@yahoo.com if you are not able to view them.)

Broken Belts

Are my children the only ones that can't seem to keep belts in one piece, but need them desperately to keep their pants up? We'll see how long this crocheted one lasts!

Baking and Bolts

Kevin and I made some yummy peppermint chocolate chip cookies together. It is always such a very different experience than baking with Makayla. He told me he was pretending that the cookie scoop was a wrench getting out a bolt. Such a boy!

Chip Challenge

Homemade potato chips are not something I would want to make all the time, but Kevin and I had a great time trying it out. They actually turned out fairly well considering they were made in the microwave. It took a few attempts and adjustments to get them crispy and not burnt, but I think we may have figured it out. Someday I may try the messy deep-fry version, but that is for another adventuresome day;)

Random Rumblebuffin

Brennan was being a clown yet again. The hat and cozy polar bear jammas somehow caused him to steal the show.

Comfy Clothes

I try not to lounge around all day looking like I just crawled out of bed, but given that my due date is about 13 days away and I don't do the whole pedicure/haircut/massage/outing thing, comfy clothes are the way to go! Somehow the whole day seems more manageable that way! Excited to meet our newborn!

Sock Savings

A certain boy in our household is rather particular about his socks, and I must say I have been a bit on edge about how particular. So, I decided there must be a pattern out there somewhere that can rival the thread-bare kind that get holes by looking at them. We scored! A simple pattern that crochets up rather quickly using the worsted weight yarn that I have a plethora of. They are warm and fit this 'certain' boy really well - and he likes them! Now for a whole day where I could just crochet socks! Ha!!!.........

Culinary Candids

 My mother-in-law did this in her cupboard and I finally did it in mine! It is so much handier than trying to dig them out of a drawer or cupboard, and having the measuring spoons individually is way nicer than cluttering around with them on a ring! Eventually I'll put material under them so they don't bang against the doors. Why didn't I do this sooner!

Almost ready for Christmas time now;) Pies, bread, and cookies in the freezer... now just some last minute details - like when is the baby coming?

Christmas Cactus

It is too bad that Christmas Cacti bloom so seldom. They are so pretty. This specific plant started out as a tiny sprig off of a friend's cactus. Had to take a picture since it could be another year before it blooms again!

Schooling Successes

 Kevin decided he wanted to write his own piano song. His enthusiasm was so encouraging to see. When he sets his mind to it he enjoys piano.

It has been fun to see Kevin be able to read to the children. Having them listen to his stories motivates him to want to read more. I find it reassuring as his teacher that perhaps we are doing okay!

Baby's Bed

Oh, the anticipation!

Candle Copies

More homemade candles! I always feel guilty buying a big expensive candle until I do this and realize I just gave myself a bunch of free ones.