The Nutcracker

Last Tuesday, we went to Rockford to see a ballet performance of the Nutcracker. Schools were able to go see to dress rehearsal for much cheaper than what tickets cost.

The peformance was at the Coronado Theatre.

waiting to get into the auditorium

The inside of the Coronado is very beautiful! It is supposed to look like a castle inside.

the stage

Insided the theatre, it looks like a you are in a castle, and the ceiling is a dark blue with lights that make it look like the night sky. When we first went in, Austin said, "Wow! This a big church!" lol ;)

waiting for the performance

Mr. Wang, Anthony and Aaron's string teacher, played in the orchestra.

The performance was very good, but we did get to see all of it because it was just a rehearsal. It was a lot of fun to go see it.

~Amber~

Making a Mess

Alec's specialty is getting into things he shouldn't be messing with, and the other night he really made a mess.

Alec loves to climb on the benches and get on the table. We hadn't cleaned up supper yet, so he climbed up and started getting into the spaghetti. Dad thought it was hilarious and started taking pictures (although he didn't want to clean up the mess later :).

That face says he knows he is the center of attention.

Notice what his shirt says! It is definitely true!!! It's kind of funny how he happened to be wearing that shirt.
What a stinker!

He knows he is cute!

Then he started getting into the lettuce, and Mom ended his fun.

~Amber~

Tis the Season

It is that time of year where we start practing for Christmas programs. This year we are doing five Christmas programs for nursing homes and retirement apartment buildings in Freeport with the Niesman and Ortega families. We did our last practice at First Baptist Church in Freeport so we could have more room. The program is really starting to come together nicely.

Mariah, me, Anthony, and Aaron playing "Carol of the Bells"

Mr. and Mrs. Ortega are the actors for the skit that is part of the program.

the choir

~Amber~

String Recital

Last Saturday, Anthony and Aaron had a recital at the Rockford Music Academy.

Anthony played "Symphonie Espagnole, Movement 1" by Eduardo Lalo.

Aaron played "Bourree" by Bach.

They did a great job!!

~Amber~

Austin's Birthday Party

Austin's birthday was last Thursday, so we had a special birthday supper for him.

He wanted homemade ham and pineapple pizza, breadsticks from Pizza Hut, corn, and mashed potatoes. We talked him out of the mashed potatoes! lol :)

playing with one of his birthday gifts
Austin and Aaron

Mom made the cake for Austin.
blowing out the candles
The book and sword that Mom and Dad got him went along with the cake.

We had a fun time celebrating Austin's birthday! Happy Birthday buddy!!!!

~Amber~

Happy Birthday Austin!

Today Austin turned 7! It's hard to believe that he is that old already!

Austin: "Venerable Lee: "Shelter"

Austin is always sure to give us a laugh with what he does or says. ;) We could have a book full of hilarious things he said. I remember a couple of years ago when Mom had just planted some flowers, she came back outside and found that Austin had pulled them all up (roots still intact!) because "Their feet were getting dirty." Austin always was one of those really intelligent little kids that knew more and were smarter than some adults. ;) Austin can be strong-willed at times, but he can also be very sweet. Our prayer for Austin is that he would God would draw him to Himself, and that Austin would become a mighty warrior for God. We love you Austy!!!

Happy Birthday!!!!

~Amber~

Piano Recital

Last Friday, Anthony had a piano recital at Harvard Bible Church. This was his first recital with his new teacher Jacob Bernhardt.

Anthony played "Nocturne in F Minor Op. 55, No. 1" by Frederic Chopin.

Anthony and Jacob played a duet of "My Faith Looks Up to Thee".

~Amber~

These Don't Fit Me!

Last Friday night, Anthony had a piano recital. Mom laid out Austin's and Alec's clothes on the couch and told Austin to get dressed.

A few minutes later, he came out to the kitchen and said, "Mom, do I have to wear these pants? They are really short and tight." We all turned to look at him and burst into laughter. He had put on Alec's pants (which are 18 months and Austin wears a boy's 8) because both of their clothes were sitting on the couch. Don't ask me how he managed to get them on! I had to grab the camera and get a picture quick! Austin is just so funny in the things he does and says!

~Amber~

You Are My All In All

You are my strength when I am weak

You are the treasure that I seek

You are my all in all

Seeking You as a precious jewel

Lord, to give up I'd be a fool

You are my all in all.

Chorus:

Jesus, Lamb of God

Worthy is Your name

Jesus, Lamb of God

Worthy is Your name.

Taking my sin, my cross, my shame

Rising again I bless Your name

You are my all in all

When I fall down, You pick me up

When I am dry, You fill my cup

You are my all in all.

Chorus

This is an awesome song to think on and sing throughout the week! My prayer is that God would be my all in all.

~Amber~

Father/Son Campout 2009

Last weekend, Dad the boys went to the Father/Son Campout (or Father/Son Freeze as they call it ;) hosted by the Miller family at a state park near Oakland, IL. The weather wasn't the best this year as it rained on Friday, but Saturday was nice enough to do the activities. Norm Wakefield and Roy Moore were the speakers, and they really enjoyed hearing them.

archery

Aaron shot the guns.

Austin liked playing in the muddy area of course. ;)

canoeing on the lake

their campsite
the big tent where the meeting were held

~Amber

Song of the Week

Stained Glass Masquerade

Is there anyone that fails?

Is there anyone that falls?

Am I the only one in church today, feeling so small?

Cause when I take a look around

Everybody seems so strong

I know they'll soon discover I don't belong

So I tuck it all away

Like everything's okay

If I make em all believe it

Maybe I'll believe it too

So with a painted grin

I play the part again

So everyone will see me the way that I see them.

Are we happy plastic people

Under shiny plastic steeples

With walls around our weakness

And smiles that hide our pain

But the invitation's open

To every heart that's been broken

Maybe then we close the curtain

On our stained glass masquerade.

Is there anyone who's been there?

Are there any hands raised?

Am I the only one who's traded

In the altar for a stage?

The performance is convincing

And we know every light in my heart

Only when no one is watching can we really fall apart

But would it set me free

If I dared to let you see

The truth behind the person

You imagine me to be

Or would your eyes be opened

Or would you walk away

Would the love of Jesus

Be enough to make you stay?

If the invitations open

To every heart that has been broken

Maybe then we close the curtain

On our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone that falls?

Is there anyone that fails?

Am I the only one in church today, feeling so small?

Casting Crowns

This song is so convicting! I have definitely been guilty of this many times! Everyone around me seems so spiritually strong, so I tuck away my struggles so you feel like you belong. Deep down inside, you know that you are living a show. Sadly, many churches today are full of people like this living a lie. Why can't we understand that being a Christian doesn't mean we don't have problems or sins we struggle with? Our brother and sisters in Christ are the ones we should feel the most free to share our struggles with without fear of condemnation, but what we often get if show our struggles is condemnation. We are not perfect people! Only Christ was perfect! As Christians, we will fall and fail, but praise God He has forgiven our sins in the past, present, and future! We can only imitate Christ when He lives through us! We can't do what is right; only Christ can accomplish that in us through the work of sanctification. This song is a conviction for me to share my struggles and not hide behind a stained glass masquerade so others will think good of me, and also, to encourage and not condemn other Christians when they share their struggles with me.

~Amber~