Lately . . .

Every year, since I was a kid, my mom would have a little gift for my five brothers and I for St. Nick Night. My grandma always added to it a little something, along with an ornament for each of us. Every year, my brothers and I hang our ornaments from Grandma on the tree and they are a reminder of the special years we shared with her while she was alive. When Sophi was born, my mom decided to start her own "ornament every year from Grandma" tradition. So this year, Sophi got a little St. Nick treat, along with "ornament #2" from Grandma and Grandpa Ullmer. Thanks, Mom, for continuing this special tradition with your grandkids.

My friend Lori and I are enjoying being pregnant together. She's due just 6 weeks before me.

Last week, Jason and I had our leadership team from Water City over for a Christmas Dinner (not everyone made this particular photo - busy playing the Wii, I think).



After dinner, I forced/ strongly encouraged everyone to join me in a very fun and creative project - making our own ornaments. Here you can see the how much everyone enjoyed the 2 hour process of shoving tiny pins into styrofoam balls after threading them with beads and sequins.

We love you, Sophster!

from Madeleine L'Engle

I picked up a book of L'Engle's poetry (The Ordering of Love) for a couple bucks a few weeks back. Best find of the season... (sorry Bebo).

“The Risk of Birth, Christmas, 1973”
Madeleine L’Engle

This is no time for a child to be born,

With the earth betrayed by war & hate

And a comet slashing the sky to warn

That time runs out & the sun burns late

That was no time for a child to be born,

In a land in the crushing grip of Rome;

Honor & truth were trampled by scorn –

Yet here did the Saviour make his home.

When is the time for love to be born?

The inn is full on planet earth,

And by a comet the sky is torn –

Yet Love still takes the risk of birth.

Christmas tree . . .

Two weekends ago, we took advantage of a semi-warm day and went to cut down a tree. We found a great little farm that had a horse-drawn wagon, cookies, cider . . . all the essentials. We all had a great time. And yes, the tree may be slightly crooked. :)

More from November . . .

Daddy and Sophi playing - what they do best together.



Thanksgiving at my parents' - buffet style to accommodate the Packers/ Lions game.

The annual Ullmer family photo.

Christmas baking the day after Thanksgiving with my mom and sister in law.

just some pics of the little lady

Lately Sophi has gotten into lounging on the couch. Who doesn't love to curl up with a good picture book?


We all have our temptations... the clock is Sophi's. I think it's those little numbers.


Finally, a prayer that the Lions would turn things around.