Monday, December 13, 2010

Happenings in the DeWitz Household

Kyra told me the other day, "Mom, I think we have the most beautiful Christmas tree in the whole world."  I love that she takes such joy in the "little things" in life.
Gavin playing in our first big snow of the year.
Kyra just trying to get out of the house in the first big snow of the year.
Reagan and Carley playing choo-choo.
I was working on the computer one afternoon and all of a sudden I heard this thud right outside the window.  The cat had jumped onto our screen.  She just kept climbinb to the top.  Not sure what she was after?
Reagan was so proud when she got her hat and gloves on all by herself.
Enjoying a popcorn snack - on top of the table?!
Carley, Reagan, Jed and Gavin snuggling. 
The kids enjoying some Daddy time!
Gavin had his Christmas Concert at school last week.  (third row on the end).

So, if you read two posts ago, you know that we were hit with a blizzard this past weekend.  Not even sure how much snow we got (not sure how you'd measure it with the way the wind whipped the snow all over).  We actually had ice before we had snow and it pulled my wreath right off the hook and froze it to our screen door.  It's still there, I can't pry it off without wrecking my wreath, so it will stay that way until it decides to warm up a bit...okay, a lot!
Santa Reagan!
Some more pictures of the blizzard.  The first day none of us went outside so pictures were taken from the nice, warm, cozy comfort of our house.  The second day Jed ventured out and took some outside pictures.


Allo four windows looked like this - ice with a nice layer of snow on top of the ice, so for two days we saw absolutely nothing out of any of our windows except our kitchen window.
Gavin's window (which happens to be the newest window in our house) obviously has some sealing issues.  He kept saying, "it's cold in my room, there's snow in my room."  Personally, I think he was pretty proud.




You can see the roof of Jed's car behind that big snow drift.  Needless to say we had to call the neighbors to bring the snow blower down and get him set to go for work this morning.
Sunday afternoon we finally were able to make it the mile to Grandma's house.  We were all a little stir crazy from being stuck in our house for 2 days and not able to play outside or go anyway, so the outting was a much needed one!  The kids made lanterns and gingerbread men and snowflake ornaments.  It was a busy couple of hours of crafting!

All Jason wanted to do was play ring around the rosie. :-)







She somehow can make any hat look good!

Letter from Jesus

Letter from Jesus about Christmas --



It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.


How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa's and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.


If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:


1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.


2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.


3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It will be nice hearing from you again.


4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.


5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.


6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.


7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families


8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.


9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.


10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.


Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember


I LOVE YOU,
JESUS

Friday, December 10, 2010

Ahh...Winter in Minnesota :-(

Here is our forcast from the Nationa Weather Service for the next three days.  Just wondering if anyone would like to come for a visit?!  :-( 

Tonight: Snow, possibly mixed with freezing rain, mainly after 9pm. Low around 24. East wind between 10 and 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total nighttime ice accumulation of less than a 0.1 of an inch possible. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.


Saturday: Snow and areas of blowing snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Temperature falling to around 13 by 5pm. Wind chill values as low as -8. Windy, with a north wind between 26 and 29 mph. Winds could gust as high as 44 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 10 to 14 inches possible.

Saturday Night: Snow likely and areas of blowing snow before midnight, then patchy blowing snow after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around -11. Wind chill values as low as -33. Windy, with a north wind between 22 and 31 mph, with gusts as high as 47 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inch possible.

Sunday: Patchy blowing snow before 4pm. Mostly sunny and cold, with a high near -2. Wind chill values as low as -37. Blustery, with a north wind between 16 and 22 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around -17.  Windchill values -35. Blustery, with a north wind between 17 and 22 mph.

Monday: Mostly sunny and cold, with a high near -3.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around -11.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Help Our Military Celebrate the Season

Here is a really simple and small way to say thank you to our military men and women for their service and sacrifice.
 
When filling out your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to this address:
 
A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20307-5001
 
If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these soldiers could get to bring up their spirits!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Thanksgiving in Nebraska

We spent Thanksgiving weekend in Nebraska - a first for us!  We went to Jed's sister & family's new home there.  The kids enjoyed 4 days of non stop play and fun (except for Kyra who was sick for 3 of the 4 days).
Say cheese!  We were trying to get two piles of kids but Hayden and Reagan were having none of it and this was about the 6th attempt at a pile, seems that when they get too many kids piled on top of each other, they topple over.  Can't imagine why.
 The girls had a slumber party each night on the living room floor.  On the way home Kyra asked if they could sleep on our living room floor.  We finally talked her into ther comfy bed.
 Hayden, Reagan and Carley playing piano.
 Carley found the perfect hiding place for hide and seek - no one found her until she finally popped her head out.
 Jed and Hayden snuggling.

Not very often that you can get 9 kids to look in the same direction with their eyes open and smiles on their faces.
Jacson and Gavin have such a good time together whenever they see each other.  Two peas in a pod!
Zonked out after a busy day of playing and eating!
The whole gang! 
Hayden and Reagan playing with bath toys.
Carley and Jacson hanging out in the corner - no we did not put them in the corner, it just happened to be warm and cozy there - a prime spot for all of the kids.
Papa and Carley having quiet time together.
Carley & Brittin, who I think could be twins.  What buds!
The two quiet ones - Reagan and Hayden.
All of the kids waiting for "food"!
 Brittin, Carley, Keetyn, Jacson and Gavin hanging out.
Keetyn, Jed, Carley, Nana and Brittin.