Week Rundown (11/20/2011-11/26/2011)

Sunday

After church services and vans, we had a nice afternoon at home.. Abigail joined us, and we ate lunch, watched some tv, and visited. The kids took some good naps, and fought over Abigail's attention before we headed back to church this evening.


Monday

Tonight was a restful one. We had a good supper, and watched tv. We also got some things done around the house..


Tuesday

Since the many are gearing up for Thanksgiving, and will be traveling tomorrow, our church moved Wednesday evening services to tonight. So when we all got home, we ate quick supper and headed to church. The services were simple, and the kids sat with us. It was nice to sit in the main auditorium and hear pastor preach for mid-week services.


Wednesday

Since I had the day off of work and Mysia didn't have school, Malachi stayed home from daycare as well. It was a sort of "daddy and kid day". Lydia got up early and went to work since she didn't have college classes due to the holiday weekend. The kids and I ate breakfast, cleaned rooms, and got played a bit. I let them watch some tv while I made a quick lunch. Lydia came home, ate, and then we all headed to a funeral.

A dear friend of the family had passed away on Saturday, Jack Paris. He was my Sunday School teacher when I was in 6th grade, and was the director of the juniors class as well. He and his wife, Betty, were dear to our hearts as we were kids. He had several battles due to his health, and I'm happy to know he is pain free right now! The funeral was good, and our kids behaved very well.

On the way home we picked up some ice cream cones for the kids. They both took naps (me too) while Lydia went back to work. After naps, we played with play-dough. Lydia brought home pizza, and Aunt Adria joined us later that evening. Lydia made two apple pies in preparation for tomorrow.


Thursday

Thanksgiving Day! The kid didn't sleep in, and neither did we! We got up and watched the parade, and got ready. Adria had spent the night, so she got to partake in our getting ready for thanksgiving.

We made it to Lydia's Aunt and Uncle's house by noon for the feast. Oh... it was delicious! We had turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, cheese ball, pies, cheese, crackers... and oh, so much more! We talked, visited, watched tv, and even enjoyed the outdoors! The kids got to play outside since the weather decided to cooperate and give us some warm temps!

We stayed until 6ish, and then headed home. We then decided to turn on some Christmas music and set up the tree. Even though we have an artificial one, it's not the easiest thing to set up and decorate. However, we did it. The kids did an awesome job hanging up the ornaments and getting all decked out. We then watched some tv specials before going to bed.


Friday

I had planned on 'starting the day' with hitting some 'black Friday' sales at midnight this morning, but gave it all up by falling asleep. Oh well! We spent the morning doing different things. The kids played, I got some projects done on the computer, and Lydia focused on some homework. I did the grocery shopping while the kids napped, and then we ate a late lunch. I was planning on taking them to Silver Dollar City to meet up with my folks and brother's family. But they were tired and getting ready to leave by the time we were getting ready to head on down there.

The kids and I ended up putting up the Nativity and Christmas village while watching some Christmas movie classics. After leaving Silver Dollar City, they all stopped by our house and visited for a bit. The cousins played nicely.


Saturday

We got up, got dressed, ate breakfast, and then went over to my parents' house. Today was my dad's birthday, so us guys went shooting. Unfortunately, it was raining, so we only got to shoot for about an hour before we gave up and headed back.

We then ate Cashew Chicken for lunch and visited. Us guys went to the mall so my dad could pick up a shirt and tie while the ladies went to the thrift store to do some shopping. Malachi was a very energetic, but well-behaved for me. Mysia did well for Lydia.

Back at my folk's, we ate cake and visited some more before saying our good-byes. We then did some shopping before heading home and going to bed.

~Matt

Forgetting Thanksgiving…?

Okay, it's now time for a rant. I've been working on this idea for the past month (or year?). A note of caution, this post is purely my personal opinion. If you don't agree, that's fine. If you do, thanks!

Always, at this time of year, we hear of people complaining about how Thanksgiving is being looked over. There are countless emails and status posts about "Christmas" starting too early, and how it gets earlier every year. Sure enough, stores bring out the decorations before October 31! In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they start shelving them right after the 4th of July.

The sad part is that we as costumers like or not, help with this push. We want to get a head start on things so that we aren't running around like idiots the closer Christmas day gets, but yet we always do. It's not always that we're forgetting Thanksgiving, but that we're trying to get a head on the planning. But is it worth it?

Thanksgiving gets pushed back in peoples mind. It's more of a milestone on the calendar that shows us the start of the Christmas hype, than a day of true thankfulness. There is one thing good though, it's one holiday that hasn't been totally commercialized. However, it's just not celebrated properly anymore.

This year, something has taken place that makes me upset... Black Friday has been pushed up to Thanksgiving Day!  I think it's a shame for people to have to work on Thursday, and I feel sorry for them. I'm not shaming the employees, but the companies themselves. The almighty dollar, or the 'love' of it. Many people agree that no one should work on Thursday, and that those working should be home with family. However, I'm guessing many will partake in the early 'Black Friday' sales that evening. If we really believe workers should be home with their families, how about the customers stay home too? I'd like to make a push for all who hold dear to the true meaning of Thanksgiving to boycott the 'Black Friday' sales starting on that day!

There are so many thoughts on keeping this day a true day of Thankfulness. What will be your part?

 
~Matt

Week Rundown (11/13/2011-11/19/2011)

Sunday

A pretty busy day... We spent the afternoon with Lydia's siblings at Lycia's appartment. We all  had a fun time visiting with Silas and Kristi.


Monday

Tonight was a good night, we just spent the evening together as a family.


Tuesday

Today was a busy day for me, I didn't have quartet practice... Instead, I ran the board at the station during the BBC Basketball game. It was a new thing to me and a pretty interesting experience.

By the time I got home, Lydia had fed, bathed, and put the kids to bed. She was working on homework.


Wednesday

Today was pretty good. After work/school, we ate a quick supper and headed to church. The kids behaved, and the children's services went well. Our kids were tired when we got home, so it was to bed for them. Lydia made pumpkin pies, and we waited until they were done baking before heading off to bed.


Thursday

Lydia had a ladies meeting, so I made a quick supper before she left. The kids and I watched some shows on NetFlix before I had them get ready for bed. When Lydia came home, she worked on some homework until bedtime.


Friday

Today was to be Father and Son Day... however, I went into work for half a day to call businesses hoping to make some underwriting sales for the station. In the meantime, Malachi spent the morning with Aunt Abigail.

After lunch, I picked up Malachi and we spent some time over at Grandma Taylor's before heading to McDonalds. I let him play in the play-area for about an hour, then we got ice-cream cones and headed home. Once at the house, we played Wii. He did very well with the games, and can aim and shoot pretty good with the controller.

Around 4pm, I was getting tired, and he hadn't had a nap, so I turned on 'Bob the Builder'. He sat with me on the couch and we watched it until Lydia and Mysia came home. We ate a quick supper and then rushed to church.

Tonight, Lydia's brother Moses had his high-school graduation ceremony. Since he was homeschooled, it was just for him. We stayed for the reception afterwards, and then helped clean up before heading home to bed.


Saturday

We had nothing planned today. Lydia left to go workout with some of the ladies at the church. The kids and I ate breakfast, and then I made them tidy up their rooms. The activity of the day was getting the house straightened up.

During their naps, Lydia and I worked on the 'office' part of our bedroom. I also took the opportunity to 'digitalize' some old children's Christmas videos from VHS to my computer. These were some videos I grew up watching. It was pretty neat. I also took our first 'home-video' we had made back in 2004, and digitalized it too! It's amazing how time flies, and it was fun watching in the background as we did things around the house for the evening.

~Matt

Week Rundown (11/6/2011-11/12/2011)

Sunday

Vans were good for church, and the day went by smoothly. And we got a little rest!


Monday

Today was good, but a little hectic for me. Back to work with a ton to do... good thing I love my job!

I had a "Doctor's appointment" that was a follow-up. The Doctor didn't even see me! After spending 40+ minutes in the waiting-room and getting mixed up with another patient named Matthew, the nurse finally took me back, checked my blood pressure, assured me that all was good, and sent me out. That was it!

This evening, we had parent/teacher conference. Mysia's teacher revealed to us that Mysia was at the top of her class, and an all-around-angel. There were no complaints, no problems, nothing to be addressed. She did recommend that if we get anything for home, that we get 2nd grade material, and raise the bar for Mysia!

Boy, did we walk away as proud parents. Her teacher said that she hopes to get Malachi when he gets to 1st grade. If she only knew how active he is! ;)


Tuesday

We came home in a rush and made goolash for supper. Lydia headed out to a PTA meeting, only to find out it was cancelled. She came back home and I headed to quartet practice. We again practiced Christmas songs. Perhaps this year we'll have a CD available?


Wednesday

Today was cold and wet... made for a day that you just want to stay in bed! Anyway, while I was getting ready this morning, Malachi and Mysia were colored with markers. Sure enough, before we headed out the door, Malachi had taken a pink marker to his eyelids.

After work/school, we met at home and ate sandwiches before heading toward church.


Thursday

This evening we had Discipleship. For supper we had potato soup... it was delicious! The kids worked on posters for their Uncle Silas who made it back from overseas!


Friday

I had the day off from work, and Mysia was off of school since it was Veteran's Day. So I had a "Daddy & Daughter day" with Mysia. I had asked her where she wanted to go and what she wanted to do. I thought of the mall, but she wanted to go to the library... truly our daughter! She loves books. The public libraries were closed due to it being a holiday, so we went to the college's library. Since my mom works there, it made it even more special!

We spent several hours at the library and then headed to a few stores to look around. She enjoyed spending the time to look at all the neat Christmas decorations and toys at both shops. For lunch, we visited Grandma Taylor and spent the rest of the afternoon there before heading home.

We met Lydia and Malachi at home and got ready for Silver Dollar City. We picked up Abigail and got to the amusement park by the time darkness fell. The whole 'city' was decorated with lights and filled with music. Oh... and people too! It was pretty crowded. We made sure to hit all the 'main' stops like the tree, the parade, the train, and Santa.
By the time we got home, we were tired!


Saturday

We didn't sleep in. Lydia had the CAAP test to take... basically the college version of the ACT. She wasn't too happy about taking it, but had to so that she could get her transcripts.

I got up and got the kids ready. We picked up Abigail and headed to the theaters to see the free showing of VeggieTales: Little Drummer-boy. I must say, it's my favorite version of the story. Oh, and I loved the Star Wars references!

We came home, ate lunch, and took naps. Lydia worked on homework, we made supper, and watched "Gnomeo and Juliet" before bed.

~Matt

Reading this on Facebook

Yesterday, it was announced on my newsfeed on facebook, that what I post here on my blog won't be posted on my facebook notes in the near future. That means that I'll have make a status post on facebook that a blog post has been made, or you'll just have to keep checking this blog site!

My suggestion… use something like ‘google reader’ and subscribe to my blog feed, so that you may easily know when I post.

I plan on another post today, but we’ll see how things go! (I love the ability to schedule posts!)

~Matt

Week Rundown (10/30/2011-11/05/2011)

Sunday

I brought Malachi to church with me for the Men's Prayer Breakfast. He enjoyed being with me and the other guys. He also behaved! Those who rode my van called in saying they couldn't ride, so Malachi and I rode with our Associate Pastor on his route.

We had a nice afternoon, and great evenings services.


Monday

This week was guaranteed to be a very busy one for me. This Friday is one of the station's big concerts, featuring the Perrys. There are many things to do, and my 'to-do list' is growing fast.


Tuesday

As part of my work, I got to go see Daniel O'Donnell (the Irish singer) in Branson. It was an interesting show.

WE met for supper with my parents and siblings at Hong Kong Inn to celebrate Abigail's birthday. Afterwards, we headed over to my folks' to visit before quartet practice.


Wednesday

This evening was 'fun night' for our childrens' services at church. A bit hectic, but enjoyable!


Thursday

Tonight we Lydia and I had our discipleship class. Like always, it was great and led to interesting conversations! Mysia and Malachi enjoyed watching cartoons for the evening before bed.


Friday

Today was the day of the big KWFC Fall Finale Concert featuring the Perrys. A VERY busy day. I was in charge of the media (power-point), lights, and anything that needed attention. I probably had the best seat in the church too! ;)

Lydia stayed home with the kids and worked on homework. She's trying hard to make sure on her grades!


Saturday

Since it was a late night, we slept in while allowing the kids watch a VeggieTales movie!

Once we got up, we got moving. Chores and things were taken care of, and I even made a grocery run while the kids took naps!

For the evening, we attended a bonfire/event with our Sunday School Class. We had hot dogs, chili, roasted marsh-mellows, and hot chocolate. We had a great time visiting with our friends. Mysia and Malachi had a blast playing and running around. As it got darker, Mysia was ready to go home. She had curled up in a blanket and was about to fall asleep.

Sure enough, both kids were quickly asleep once we got in the van on our way home.


~Matt

What a week!

Yes, I'll will be posting a "Week Run-Down".... but it will be delayed! Last week was very hectic, and I'm still trying to catch up! I know I haven't posted since the last update, so I figured that I'd better write something for an explanation.

On another note, I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving in a few weeks! How about you?

~Matt