Christmas Blessings

We are so blessed this Christmas season with the addition of our new little man. He is such a sweet boy. I don't have to return to work until mid January which allows me lots of bonding time with Micah. Not to fool you, things are pretty busy in our household. We are still pressing forward with the basement. I have high hopes that we will be mostly done by the end of January. Also, Kindergarten isn't as easy as it sounds. It keeps all of us pretty occupied. Elijah is very active and will be joining some kind of sports team this spring to help him burn some energy. He likes to jump, run, climb and generally get into trouble.

Micah cuddling with Dad in bed.

Micah and Elijah

My three babes

Chloe loves to be a part of everything mom does to care for Micah.

Elijah making a wreath.

Chloe and her wreath

Elijah in the Joseph costume I made.

We made caramel popcorn balls this year. Yum!

Ben and Chloe all ready for the Nutcracker Ballet. Chloe loves this tradition. This year, Ben took her to dinner beforehand at Maggiano's. They shared a large bowl of spaghetti, Chloe's pick.

Elijah ready for his preschool Christmas program. He looks adorable in the bow tie.

Merry Christmas!

Potpourri of Pictures

Micah sleeping in the sling I made. He almost looks like a baby doll.

Here I am trying to catch some of his first smiles on camera. He smiles so briefly, the camera distorts the image a bit.

Chloe and Elijah looking sharp for Thanksgiving service at our church.

Micah is sleeping while on our walk at the Wheat Ridge greenbelt.

Baby Thoughts

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

- The Book of Psalms

Parents of Three

Children are the hand by which we take hold of heaven. - Henry Ward Beecher

All is Well
Timing is a funny thing. I am not always sure I can find the lessons hidden in life's adversity. A couple of weeks ago I came down with a pesky cough that I just couldn't kick. Last weekend, Laura brought our son, Micah, into the world. By then I was quarantined in my house to make sure to the wife and kids were safe. I was able to muster the strength to drive to the hospital, watch Laura give birth (she was amazing) and head back home. Later that day I found out that I had the H1N1 flu virus. The first week of Micah's life was spent at my family's house while I hovered back and forth between a 100 and 103 degree fever.
I got to talk to my family over the phone and occasionally see him over video chat or through a window. I felt like one moment I was witnessing a beautiful miracle and the next I was struggling with one of the worst illnesses I've ever had. I missed a lot: my kids' first reaction to their baby brother, holding him close in my arms, and all the family celebration over him. Anyway, God finds a way to get my attention despite (or, because of) my circumstances. I come out of this knowing that He is good; not just good...amazing! I am so thankful to Him for a healthy son...take a look:

We have much to be thankful for!

It's official, I am Overdue... Again

I have been carrying my third child for more than 40 weeks now. After many weeks of being told, "you'll come early" or "it's your third child. There is no way you'll be over due." It has happened. I think, for the most part, I knew it would happen. I had a small glimmer of hope that I might actually come early, but God had other plans. Because my body grows so much during pregnancy, I think those around me couldn't possibly imagine me any bigger or more uncomfortable. Ben, of course, has seen me like this twice before and has no expectations.

I am going to have to face the office, overdue, again this week. For those of you who run into me: please don't mention how huge I am or how uncomfortable I look. The obvious doesn't need to be stated again and again. No, I don't want to go to the zoo, or on a hike. No, I don't want to meet for coffee, or go shopping. I want to go into labor, and if you can't offer me that, it is best to stay away.

A Few Things Chloe Said Last Night

To Ben during dinner:

"Why is Mommy laughing? Is it because she's fat?"

To Ben as I was preparing to take them to Grammy and Papa's house:

"Is Mommy safe to drive?"

To Grammy after she and Elijah both coughed:

"We are a bit under the wetter."

Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

Lesson #3

"Wow Mom! This illustrator did a really good job. Look at these illustrations!"

- Said by my 5 year old, looking at a book, after only a few weeks in kindergarten.

Spirit Day

This week is homecoming week for Chloe's school. Today, the kids were instructed to wear school colors. Uncle Scott airbrushed this T-shirt for Chloe. On the front is the FCA eagle.
On the back is "Chloe" and "class of '22".

I was laughing on the way home after Uncle Scott gave Chloe the T-shirt because it finally dawned on her that Uncle Scott actually painted the shirt. She kept asking how he stayed in the lines. She mentioned that she is 5 and can't color nearly as good as he can.

Elijah Turns 3

Elijah's camera grin

Uncle Scott with Seth, Ethan and Elijah

Playin' the drums

Ethan, Seth, Elijah, Tirzah and Chaeli

Opening birthday presents

We had a jungle themed birthday party. Ben and I strung Christmas lights (blue and white) from the ceiling along with yellow and green streamers. The kids made animal headbands, played animal charades and had a dance off.

Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

Lesson #2

When a boy hits you on the bottom with his lunch bag, it doesn't necessarily mean he is being rude to you.

Everything I need to know I learned in Kindergarten

Lesson #1

When you hit your classmate, stop, pray to Jesus and ask Him to take away your sin.

Forgive one another and stop sinning.

First Day of School and a Rockies Game

Chloe had her first day of kindergarten this past Friday. She did great and loves her teacher, Mrs. Johnsen. The day started with tears and lots of hugs and kisses and ended with excitement for her next day in kindergarten. Ben and I both feel so relieved that Chloe is loving school.

Chloe sitting at her desk with her water bottle, lunch bag and back pack.

Elijah and Chloe at the Rockies game. We had a great time sitting in the Rockpile.

Ben, Elijah and Chloe

I think the kids watched about 20 seconds of the game. The rest of the time was filled with nachos, cotton candy and lots of clapping and dancing.

See you next year, Rockies!

Hiking Hessie Trail

Last week we did about a 2 mile hike, one mile in and one mile back, to a beautiful water fall. The hike is called Hessie Trail, near Nederland. This is a great hike for kids. They were able to do the walking on their own, much to our delight.

Elijah is taking a breather. He loves to hike but wasn't feeling so good this day.

Chloe and her walking stick

Mike, Meghan, Ethan, Avery and Honor.

Aunt Jenny and Avery

Chloe, Elijah and me

Hearing God's Voice

Chloe is attending a seminar today for kids that teaches children to hear His voice. When I told Chloe about it, her eyes got huge. She was so excited, she couldn't sit still and asked if she really was going to hear Him speak to her. I told her we need to learn and practice listening to our Father.

WOW, I am really far behind

Here is a quick catch up for weeks 25, 26 and 27:

Week 25

Mon: jog 3 miles

Tues: jog 3 miles

Fri: jog 3 miles

Week 26

Mon: jog 3 miles

Fri: jog 3 miles

Week 27

Mon: jog 3 miles

Fri: jog 3 miles

Notice how the run has turned to jog? Weight gain for this pregnancy is currently at 31 pounds. Amazing, isn't it! I still have 12 more weeks to go. I won't be the least surprised to gain my usual 50 pounds like the other two. I must admit that I am not being oh so restrictive on my diet but on the other hand, I am not eating everything in front of me either. Scratch that, I am eating everything in front of me and then some. My appetite is HUGE.

A Shout Out to All the Parent Helpers


I don’t know how anyone can raise a child without family, including a church family, there to help. It seems like every week there some situation where I need to ask for assistance from someone. Take yesterday for example. Grammie went to pick up Chloe and Elijah from childcare and take Chloe to swimming lessons. Ben and I were busy working. When Helen got in her car, she realized she was driving the car without the car seats. She called Aunt Jenny to go and check Chloe and Elijah out of childcare so they would be waiting there, ready. Helen went to the mechanic to grab the car seats from her other car and when she arrived, had no key to open it. She called the day care and asked them to leave a message for Aunt Jenny telling her to only check out Chloe and then take her to swimming. Grammie had to run back to the office, grab the key, go back to the mechanic, grab the car seats, pick up Elijah at childcare and then go to swimming lessons.

Big Summer Project

We decided it was time to finish the basement with the third babe soon arriving. Without our friends, we would never be able to accomplish this monstrous task. Ben is so grateful for his friends willingness to commit time, talent and tools. He mentioned last night that he has only had to buy 1 - $20 tool. I am grateful to all of my pregnant friends who are "allowing" their husbands to come over for hours on end. What a sacrifice for them as well!

Craig framing a bathroom and laundry room.
Justin and Aaron doing a little demo work.

Ben punching down a few boards.

Week 23 and Week 24

Life is getting very hectic in the Strait household. We started the major task of finishing our basement. Not only will this require time and effort but it will also require quite a bit of finances during these unsure economic times. Currently we live in the upper floor of our condo in a 2 bedroom, one bath home and really need the extra finished space. Ben and I feel like this is one of those times where you get to trust in the Lord's provision and go for it. If you are ever looking for something to do on a Saturday and want to burn some extra calories, give us a call. We can use lots of help!

Week 23 exercise
Sat: 3 miles
Mon: 3 miles
Tues: 3 miles
Fri: 3 miles

Week 24 exercise
Mon: 3 miles
Thurs: 3 miles
Fri: moving boxes around in the basement
and taking loads up and down the stairs.

I was off this week with the kids and decided to take advantage of an actual week off of work. To prove my point, I just polished off an entire milk chocolate bunny with a caramel center. Yes, I did find this in the basement while going through junk. No, it did not bother me that this has been in the basement since Easter. On the bright side, at least I am not eating paint chips.

Chloe

"Isn't it amazing? God is so strong and He doesn't eat anything! Isn't it amazing! I want to be God!"