Christmastime

So we are trying to do all the holiday traditions for the kids, the fun stuff anyway at Christmastime. we made cut out cookies the other day and we had so much fun decorating them. it is a blast to have kids, because you stop for a moment at being an adult and be crazy, funny like a kid. I just think they enjoy LIFE so much more than us adults. Anyways, so Dylan was constantly, and I mean constantly eating the frosting and then when I would catch him, he would laugh really loud and it was hard not to laugh at him. Zach was pretty much just eating the red and green sugars. Which poses a question, am I contributing to them getting diabetes? Oh well! Well, the WHOLE batch lasted about 2 and a half days, which had something to do with a little thing called "Todd". Well, the Brodie household has Christmas 3 days in a row this year starting Saturday. So that will be fun with family. We will be bringing the Christmas program video from church to our Christmas, it is hysterical!!!!!!!! Let's just say it would have been boring without my 2 little terrors! Hope you all are having fun this week. See most of you on Sunday! I had to post this picture to get us all in the winter wonderland mood, WE HAVE NO SNOW!!!!!!! Last time I checked, this was WISCONSIN. Remember when we used to have inches and inches of snow and have snow days and make forts and igloos? By the time Emma gets into school it will probably by like 60 degees during winter!!! Poor kids......

Love,
Vicki


P.S. Emma update: She says DaDaDaDa now. SHE IS THE CUTEST THING EVER! I bet she is EVEN cuter than I was. So if you ask her, Emma say MaMa, she stops, looks at you and goes, "Uh, Da Da Da" while bouncing up and down, smiling. It's so funny! Oh and if you really want to see her go bananas, put her on your shoulders, she absolutely loves it!

Dylan and Zach's 4th Birthday!

Well, we had the boys' 4th birthday, they are getting to be so old! We took them to Chucky Cheese, played many games, Skeeball being their favorite, Uncle Larry would be so proud, had some pizza and then had the family over for cake and ice cream on their Birthday. They are so blessed to have everyone in their lives. By the way, Larry this is for you: the boys would take the other people's tickets next to them and say, Look Mom, see how many tickets I got, Dylan would sometimes throw overhanded and Zach seemed to always get his ball in the next lane! :) It was quite the experience

Ponderings by Vicki

When you grow up in the church in the Jess/Vicki world you are totally oblivious to what really goes on in the real "adult" version of the church. All life was about was making up code names for the people we loved or, usually, made fun of. Now, that we are adults we see what really goes on behind the scenes, more so probably for Jess than of me, but, you realize how much CRAP goes on and most being meaningless shines of the "human-ness" people are. People you have looked up to all these years, you realize that they just have the wrong aspect of thinking and views and what not. Most of the time, I look to the wisdom of what is called "Louis". But, I thought I would share with you, all you pastor's and wives my heart very much goes out to you. It's like can't we just put all this off and be like Jesus and just minister? Normally if you minister to church people, that is what you are doing is looking to satisfy Christians. Shouldn't our focus be of worldly people. Sometimes I get sick of ministering to lazy christians in the church. It's said 20% of the people do 80% of the work in the church. I'm asking you, why do we have 80% lazy christians in church? Or giving to Missions, there is a very, and I stress very, small percentage of people who support the majority of our Missionaries. WHY IS THAT THE CASE? Because isn't that what we are called to do? Spread the Gospel? No, we all like our 3 cars, big house, directv, TIVO, cell phone and DSL. How spoiled and soft we have gotten. Where is our focus? We all need to be less "us" and more of "Him". What have you done for God lately? Is He getting good use out of you? I hope so. I'll leave you with this: 1 Corin 12:27, "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." You are a part of God's plan, His work NEEDS to be done, so DO IT!!!!

These are pictures of the kiddos taken at Aunt Carol's. Nothing much new, just enjoying life together with our family. October is turning out to be a busy month. We had a Missions Convention at church with Vic Hedman, John Koeshall and Rick Nanez. It was a BLAST listening to all of what they are doing for God around the world is truly inspiring. I believe Victor Hedman is my ULTIMATE favorite missionary---EVER!!!!!!!!! Next week, Larry is coming home and we are having a get together at our house, hopefully everyone will make it. Family is very important, especially this time of year. The boys are turning 4 next month, cannot believe that. It brings me to a thought. Listen to the song "He's my Son" by Mark Schultz, I think that best describes what I and Todd went thru with them when they were born. A lot of people think I was strong or brave or whatever, but I know it is only by God literally carrying me thru that situation as to how I ever got thru it. People say God never gives you anything you can't handle, but I think God puts too much faith in me. Anyway, Listen to the song. It's a good cry.

Emma and her Bear

Here's Emma and her bear from Uncle Louis!

Little Miss Piggy

We have a new nickname for Emma now: Miss Piggy. She LOVES her cereal!!! Inbetween spoonfuls she cries. She kicks her legs and waves her arms, mostly knocking the spoon out of Mommy's. And when she sees the spoon coming she opens wide and turns her head from side to side like a little bird waiting to be fed and of course when she finally gets that bite she's been waiting for it is followed by, "uuummmm". Total Satisfaction!

July 4th

We all had a wonderful 4th this year. We went to the parade in Columbus, which the boys just loved getting a bunch of candy! Then we went back to our house to grill out and stopped over to the Lubenau's to visit with Aaron and Jess. The boys made a new friend, Jake, as Levi was "flirting" with Emma. They had popsicles thanks to Grandma Gloria and then were just being boys, playing swords or light sabers, whichever. Jess and I were talking about how surreal life is, seeing your kids playing together in the backyard. Well, Jess, we always said it would be cool to have our kids together. :) It's so much fun to see your kids grow and teach them. I just LOVE being a parent and a Mom. God has Truly blessed me with such wonderful kids. We ended the night with fireworks at Columbus with everyone. It was a great day.

Emma's Dedication

We had Emma's Dedication on Sunday, May 21st. It's a great feeling to have the support of the church family, knowing they will help to encourage, support, train and pray for our daughter. We had a nice gathering at our house afterwards, thank you to all who came. I'll leave you with Proverbs 22:6 says "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." That is my prayer for Emma and all my children. What wonderful blessings God has given me!!!

Brodie... Party of Five

I thought I would post some new pictures for everyone to see. Life is CRAZY and busy. Getting used to another little one in the house. For some reason when she cries, it isn't as annoying as a 3-year old crying. Emma is starting to smile and coo and she is growing like mad crazy! Pretty soon they'll all be in school, growing up, making friends, ok I'm gonna cry now! They grow up way too fast. P.S. Dylan is SPIDERMAN!!!!

Easter Egg Hunt

We had our 5th Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Bruce and Patti's house last Saturday. There were a ton of kids! We helped the boys get all of their eggs and then had something to eat. It was good to see everyone there and the kids loved playing with all of their cousins. Uncle Pat gave all the kids rides on the ATV. Dylan and Zach absolutely loved that! We ended the day at Grandma and Grandpa Brodie's house with some key lime pie. The kids also got a chance to jump on the trampoline. On Easter Sunday we all went to church and then had dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Vans house and also got to see Uncle Len and Aunt Carol and of course Uncle Lou. The kids are so blessed to have both Grandparents in their lives. Todd and I didn't have that luxury. At the Easter Egg hunt I was talking to someone about time going by so fast. It seemed just like yesterday we were all in youth group and going out every Friday night, blowing our paychecks on anything we wanted and discussing Saturday Night Live (when it was actually funny) every Sunday morning at church. Now we all have like 3 kids, a house and responsibilities! Where did the last 10 years go? All in all, I would say we had a wonderful Easter holiday. Having so much family close to you is such a blessing we take for granted. We love you all!

Eating sand

We spent most of the afternoon outside today, putting the climbing gym/slide together for the boys and bringing out the turtle sandbox--of which 1/2 the sand is already on the ground or in Dylan's stomach! Emma loves to be outside-the fresh wind, although Grandma Brodie would probably shoot me for not covering her up! :) It's funny as you go from kid to parent how you do the same things that your parents did for you, but when "Grandma" or "Grandpa" finds out, they freak out. I guess that's okay though, if they worry, I won't have to.

Blogger Mania

So I've decided to join in the "blogger craze". Don't know what exactly this will amount to, so you'll just have to keep coming back to check us out.
Here's our beautiful kids.