Blog posts

SCC posted a video you might like to see: http://chapmanchannel.typepad.com/scc/

Kerry Hasenbalg had some very convicting and neat blog posts recently. She works with her husband advocating for orphan care (husband is the executive director of Shaohannah's Hope): http://kerryhasenbalg.typepad.com/

Christmas trees and "snowman poop"

Well, here is a picture of our completed tree. Lily has been noticing all the trees around. I asked her if she would like to have a "trismas tree" at home. She got extremely excited about that! Lily helped to decorate it. It we had left it up to her, ALL of the ornaments would have ended up on the same branch! Now we have to convince her that she is done touching the tree and it is just looking time! The pic is a little fuzzy as I took it in the complete dark. I think our little flash didn't do too badly.

I need to explain the title and the video a bit. The first part of the video is just of Lily as I was putting up the lights on the tree by myself with a two-year old wanting and trying to help. The second part needs a little explanation. Someone gave me "snowman poop" one year. It was a bag of white cottonballs with a little poem in it. I kept it all these years, because I thought it was really funny. Lily found it in the ornament bag and asked what it was. I, obviously without thinking too much, answered her with "snowman poop."

She proceeded to repeat it incessantly. At the same time, she also found a snowman bell (had a small crack in the bottom to allow you to hear the snowman ring better). She started stuffing the "snowman poop" into the bottom of the snowman bell. It made me about roll on the floor! Which is a very good thing as this week has been an incredibly stressful week. Not because Steve's been home. In fact, having him home made it easier to handle the various stressors. Anyway, I digress . . . Suffice it to say that I NEEDED a good LAUGH!

We ended up putting the "snowman poop" on the Christmas tree. I think I see a tradition starting. Just one way to remember the hard times and how God provided laughter to get through it.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderfully relaxing, rambling day. Much like this post is going to end up like. We did NOTHING! Steve hasn't left the house at all and Lily and I didn't leave until about 6:30 to get Daddy some Sprite and Tylenol. Yes, he isn't really feeling like himself.

I had cooked most of the dinner yesterday (except for the Turkey). I made only smalls portions as I didn't want to have too much food left over. It worked out nicely. We will have enough turkey to feed us for awhile, but just enough other stuff for one more meal.

Lily surprised the both of us this afternoon. We were both sitting on the couch with a football game on the tv. Steve's gamecube was plugged in, but not being used. Lily proceeded to turn the tv to channel 3, take the game out that was in there, put the game in that she and Daddy have "played" together, and turned the gamecube's power on. Unfortunately, the console wasn't reading the game because the last time Lily had the disc out she got something sticky on the disc.

We told her to take the game to Daddy and he would clean it for her. She did so and then headed to the kitchen returning shortly with a wet washcloth which she insisted on using herself to clean the disc. She trotted off to the player and started to put it in still a little wet. Daddy told her to rub hard on her shirt and she did so with gusto. She put the disc in, turned the player off and then back on. What do you know - the game worked!

Lily does try my patience on a daily basis it seems, but . . . I am so thankful to have her! I was thinking specifically about her birthmom today. We were playing with her belly button and it got me thinking about the woman who chose to give her life. I know this day doesn't hold much significance in China, but I am thinking of her anyway . . .

Sharpie Markers

Now you see it . . .

Now you don't . . .

This happened awhile ago and I never got around to getting the pics posted. This is what happens when you let a two year old play in the living room while you lay in bed and talk to your husband. BTW, magic eraser is what got it all off!

Do you have and know how to use a . . .

FIRE EXTINGUISHER? We do. I balked at the idea on having to get one for our home study approval when we moved to VA. IN doesn't require one.

Last night, I was making my first batch of homemade granola. I went to check on it during the first 10 minute baking segment and found flames in our oven! Steve reminded me to not open the door and see if it would go out on its own, but no such luck. I noticed quickly the cause.

I used one of those gladware baking dishes. Someone had given us lasagna in it when we brought Lily home from China. Well, my only guess is that they are supposed to be one-time use only as the entire pan had melted completely and everything was sitting on the oven floor. The temperature in the oven was only 325F, a reasonable temperature for the dish.

At that point, I told Stephen that I thought we needed to get the extinguisher out. The granola had olive oil in it and I knew from experience that water isn't a good idea when oil is involved.

My advice:
#1 - Get one
#2 - Figure out how to use it before you need to

P.A.S.S.: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.
Pull the safety pin from the handle.
Aim the extinguisher nozzle at the base of the fire.
Squeeze the handle to discharge the agent.
Sweep side to side approximately 6' from the fire.

I thought about taking pics while we were cleaning up, but it was after 11 pm and we were both tired! I made a small batch today and used only my metal pans. Very tasty!

Thanksgiving Flowers

Thank you Grandpa and Grandma Woof for the American Thanksgiving flowers!

Maria: SIx months in heaven

Just a friendly reminder to keep praying for the Chapman family. Tomorrow is the 6 month anniversary of "the accident" and of Maria Chapman's passing. They need our prayers every day, but ESPECIALLY tomorrow!

Jen