Decorating Our Tree

Fun Fun Fun! Okay so we are trying to spend less and with that we bought our family a little 8.99 Euro tree! Okay it is light enough that Kaija carries it around. The kids had a bright idea yesterday and decided to decorate the tree on their own as Mama doesn't have lights that work yet. So they decided to cover it with their most precious toys...it was so fun and creative to watch. Adelei even got into it...taking things off and then putting them back on.

The kids hard at work with the tree that is just their size!
Kaija trying to "smiling" for me as she thinks about where to put the next toy!
The lights was the measuring tape!
Here is Mikkai's section...
Kaija adds the final touch at the bottom!

Adelei plays with the final touches...

The group picture by the finished product....okay Adelei didn't want to be in it!

Notice the hat on the top....of course the hat should go on the "tree's head"!

Making Christmas Cookies

Monday was an awesome day, a holiday in Madeira. I got together with my Madeira family and made Christmas cookies in the old brick oven. So fun and so yummy! Now I am enjoying the goodies...here are some pics from our day!

Making the cookies...

Ready for the brick oven...

Putting them in...

Cooking...

The finished product...

Billy Graham's Prayer For Our Nation

THIS MAN SURE HAS A GOOD VIEW OF WHAT'S HAPPENING TO OUR COUNTRY!

'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen!'

Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, 'The Rest of the Story,' and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called 'One nation under God.'

Kristjan's Birthday Party!!

Tis the season of parties and special holidays! So yesterday was Kristjan's 33rd birthday! We had a nice little party with banana pancakes (something different for those here in Madeira) and surf videos. It was a fun and relaxing evening with a few friends. We watched some videos (home edited) of the locals surfing the big waves of Jardim do Mar. It was fun to see them remembering fun days. Here is a group picture that I took last night!

Movie Trailer About Our Village-Jardim do Mar

Only two minutes and it lets you see a bit more about the place that we live....Jardim to Mar!

Click Here to Watch

You can even buy it here!

Our Precious Adelei Turns ONE!

It is hard to believe that one year ago I was giving birth to Adelei in the hospital in Funchal, Madeira. It was a crazy experience but worth it all to have Adelei! Today we celebrated her life and birthday at the little school in our village with all the local kids. It was probably more exciting for Kaija and Mikkai to celebrate but Adelei did enjoy all the attention and the kids. I thank God for my precious little Adelei. She is already such a joy and a sweet blessing to our family. We can't imagine life without her.

We took these picture today after her party!

My parents said it all today in their e-card to our little Adelei...

Our dear little Adelei, You have come to us when our hearts were already so full with Kaija and Mikkai. We didn't know we were missing you until you came and now we can't see our world without you. You fit into the family so perfectly, you are an answer to Kaija's request for a little sister, you are beautiful and full of so many colorful emotions, we can already tell. Your love of your brother and sister make us so happy. It is fun to see you on pictures with your papa and mamma and family. You do observe alot, like your mama did when she was little. You are our little lamb and precious one, very cute and special. After one year, we can hardly believe how you have grown and now want to walk. You can already play alot with the others and even talk a little. One year ago, you were so little and scared even to take a bath and we were a little scared to give you one. You were so fragil and new but now, you are strong and healthy. Most of all, we praise God for your little life and all the ways already you are making people praise the Lord around you as you show His glory. Your papa and mama sacrifice for you with work and your mama with sleepless hours too. They love you so much. May you love the Lord with all your heart and come to salvation very early. Your Grandpa and Grandma.

Here are some other recent pictures of the kids!

Kids Choo Choo

Sister Love

Celebrating Birthdays!

That cute nose!

Adelei is so sweet when she cries-her face gets covered in red blotches.

My Mother's Birthday Present!