An Altogether "Christmasy" Post

Time really does fly by! It's amazing to see how fast this year has gone! 2010 is just around the corner and I am so excited to see what the Lord has in store for our family this next year!!

This year, our family didn't do as much for Christmas as usual, but it was still a very special day! Or should I say set of days:)

Wednesday, Opa came out to visit us and stayed till Thursday evening! Mama and I spent the majority of the day, preparing the "Christmas Dinner" which was alot of work, consisting of a turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, yams, carrots, rolls and chocolate chip cookies! It was very tiring, but well enjoyed and worth all the preparation.

Opa

Enjoying our "Christmas Dinner" (Since Opa came Wednesday, we had it then instead of Friday)

After everyone had helped themselves to seconds, and we cleaned up. Daddy asked Katie and I to teach Dutch Blitz to Opa, who had never heard of or played it. We had a fun time playing against Daddy and Opa, who made quite a good team and caught on very quickly! Unfortunately, we didn't get any pictures.

In the morning, we opened our stockings, which Daddy always fills for us.(the flag is a random decoration put up by one of the children:)

Yes, this is what we look like in the morning:)

Mama got a new curling iron.

Ryan got some needed supplies

Sidewalk Chalk!

Katie had been asking for a purse for sometime...

plenty of candy to get sick on:)

Natey digging into his:)

"Thank you, Daddy!!"

Once the stockings were emptied and everyone was finished thanking Daddy, we sang some Christmas carols. Opa joined us for breakfast, which was scrambled eggs with turkey, sliced apples and oranges.(No suitable pictures due to the fact that the majority of us are still in pajamas, I thought I'd save us all the embarrassment!:)However, I just had to post the two below!)

Timmy's breakfast hat:)

His own idea:)

Later in the afternoon, Danny decided to try out his new chalk set. The little ones were all very interested and tried to help him when they could.:)

Danny is also learning to give the Gospel with playing cards

some playing cards...

For dinner Opa bought us pizza from Sam's Club!( Thank you, Opa!)He and Daddy went to pick it up so we could eat at home.

Natey, decorating our little Christmas tree.

"Ta-da!"

Eating dinner outside

Listening to Opa's stories about his childhood

Opa and his "Little Flock":)

the gentlemen

Daddy and Opa

Waving goodbye to Opa:)

Aunt Adriana stopped by on Christmas Eve to deliver some presents! We were surprised and delighted to see her! We always really appreciate her gifts as they are always very practical!!

Bubbles for Timmy:)

"What is it?"

Markers and drawing pad for Natey and Joshwee:)

Isaiah, thrilled with his new army tank and men:)

Sidewalk chalk for Katie

(This picture requires an explanation: Ryan started to unwrap his present and began to laugh really hard.......)

Just what he wanted.....a shaving kit:)

Mama got a tomato planter:)

What a special Christmas we had! We really enjoyed going to the Christmas Day service at church and having fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ there. We spent a quiet day at home and watched "Sergeant York." Mama and I also had a "Fudge Grudge." (Mama tried to make fudge the day before but, it did not turn out right. So Daddy, had a grudge:), because he wanted some "fudge" and so we figured between the two of us, one of us had to get it right!!) It was fun and provided plenty of time to talk! The Lord was gracious and allowed them both to turn out well!:)

Sometimes, it seems like the year has passed by and you haven't done a whole lot, but then when your Daddy asks you to put a slideshow together of the year in review....you realize it's been a year of the Lord's rich blessings!!

"Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God..." 1 John 3:1

"The blessing of the LORD it makes one rich and he adds no sorrow with it." Proverbs 10:22

Thanksgiving at the Johnsons

This year, our family was invited to spend Thanksgiving at the Johnson's (A dear couple from church). We were just thrilled, and looked forward to the day, till it came!

Since we were going to the Johnson's, this year, we didn't need to make hardly anything! Mrs. Johnson asked us if we could bring the cranberry sauce, bread, and mashed potatoes, which we quickly agreed to, as she was making the rest of the huge traditional meal!!

Morning came faster that we would have liked it to and it was quite an adventure! Mama and I pulled ourselves out of bed and headed for the kitchen. Mama started heating the cooked potatoes, while I started the Bosch and added the needed ingredients for the bread. I quickly prayed over my bread, before setting it in the loaf pans to rise in the oven. They rose and baked beautifully, and I was quite pleased with myself until I tried to take the loaves out of the pans to set them to cool. They wouldn't budge, and it hit me! I had forgotten to spray the pans!! Now, I was sitting there ruining those lovely loaves, trying to get them out!

If that wasn't bad enough, my next job was to mash and flavor the potatoes. I guess they didn't get wholly cooked, cause they were not mashing well, and were rather clumpy. After several attempts I finally decided my arms didn't have the power to mash those potatoes and so I resorted to using the blender. That worked splendidly but, it took a long time to get that huge pan done. I had to do it in batches, and could only fill the blender half way. It worked, but it took about an hour and a half! (A lesson in patience perhaps?)

This year, our church picked Thanksgiving as "Old Fashioned Sunday" to dress up, for the Thanksgiving service. Our family decided to try for a mix in between western/country. We didn't have much of a selection, but Mama got creative and we did our best, and got out the door.
We went to the Thanksgiving service at church, visited just a bit, and then headed off for the Johnson home. We didn't know what a wonderful house the Johnson's have, until we got there! (One of Isaiah's friends at church had told him a little bit about it.)

Their home was simply adorable, like a cottage right out of a storybook! There were flowers, hedges, and trees, everywhere. It was like being in the country, and it was very refreshing!
Part of what made their home so wonderful, was the love, and warmth of fellow believers. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson welcomed us with bear hugs and huge smiles. Their hospitality was a huge blessing to our family and we had an absolutely wonderful visit!

Mr. Johnson did an excellent job cutting the turkey for us, this year. Mrs. Johnson is in the process of taking a leg off for the platter, but it wasn't quite cooperating!

While the food was being prepared, Joshy and Natey enjoyed playing cowboys, which is something they are almost always doing!!

When the meal was finally ready we all sat down to eat. Mrs. Johnson decorated the table, and everything was lovely. The food was delicious, and we had lemonade from the Johnson's tree, which was very yummy. We all enjoyed the meal, and had a wonderful time of fellowship!

Mrs. Johnson managed to get us all around the table and it was very snug. We made sure to take this picture before we started eating. You can see everyone, except Joshy, who was sitting next to me.

After we finished our meal, the boys went outside to play, while the dishes were being finished up by us ladies. Mr. Johnson and Daddy played a game with the others, while Timmy enjoyed the tree swing.

Natey was walking around with one of the rackets, strumming on it. When I asked him what he was doing, he told me that he was "playing his guitar."
When the clean-up was finished, Mrs. Johnson suggested a walk, and everybody agreed that it was a good idea. ( I was sleeping when they went but, I heard it was lots of fun.) Mama and Mrs. Johnson got a nice opportunity to visit more, and the boys got their energy out...or at least some of it!

Ryan and Katie decided to tackle "Monopoly" while Daddy and Mr. Johnson talked and observe the game.

Toys are in abundance at the Johnson home, and Natey and Joshy played to their heart's content!

Mr. Johnson thought we might enjoy watching something, so we headed upstairs and watched two cartoons, and a video Mr. Johnson had taken while he was in an airplane, lift-off and all!(That was pretty neat!!)

We had a very special time with the Johnsons, and thank the Lord for their friendship and fellowship! The Lord has given our family so much to be thankful for, and even in my personal life He blesses me continually!! "Thank you Lord, for all the many blessings you have given us!!"

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth forever. O give thanks unto the LORD of lords: for his mercy endureth forever. Psalm 136:1-3

Happy 15th Birthday Ryan!

(This is quite late, but better posted late than never.)

Ryan Michael Sebo
November 23, 2009

Ryan is a great brother! He's such a blessing, and we all really appreciate his gentle spirit. He enjoys working with little ones, and has great leadership skills. He also really enjoys, putting together movies, and has a great talent for cinematography. He is quick to help with computer problems, heavy lifting, and babysitting his siblings. He enjoys being outdoors and loves to go hiking, camping, and filming. He almost always has his "trusty" video camera, velbon tripod and pan dolly, and laptop. He does a great deal of reading and researching on his computer. He likes to discuss doctrinal/scriptural issues and has a firm conviction on what he believes is right and true! He enjoys listening to good music and Godly speakers. He enjoys spending time with friends, but he really likes to be with his family!

Nicknames: "Ry-Guy", "Ry-Ky", "Kyky","Ky", or "Ry"

Hobbies and Interests: making movies with his family, Lower Light Productions, SACIFF, Vision Forum, cinematography, editing software, spending time with family, DHP work, Camping, hiking, climbing, shooting, fishing, New Testament Greek, Calvinism vs. Arminianism, Creation vs. Evolution

Favorite Verse:

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (KJV) Matthew 28:19

A Fun Afternoon!

Last Friday, Mama took all the children (with the exception of Ryan and I) to the park.

It was a lovely afternoon for them. The children played in the forest-like area of the park, until someone heard a strange noise. Crack! That quickly ended the adventure, and the children were soon sitting close at Mama's side. She had just been thinking about gathering them up to read a bit of Scripture, but how do you get an adventuresome, energy-filled group of children to come sit down? The Lord has it all taken care of before we even think to ask. It was a really special time!

After the reading, Mama spied several, piles of colorful leaves, strewn around the park. "Let's play Jack In The Box," she exclaimed. (This game was one of my favorites, when I was a little girl.) A great game for fall!

Pretending to be statues. (We discovered that Joshua is afraid of heights!)

Katie, Natey and Joshwee, hanging out with the trees.

Playing "Jack In The Box"

Natey

Katie

Danny



The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. (KJV)
Psalms 19:1

~Remembering Omie~

Today we honor the birth of a very dear and special woman, who made a huge impact on our Daddy's life as a young boy. This woman was his grandma, whom he affectionately called "Omie" (a name derived from the dutch word Oma, which means grandma).

"Omie" and Hank (her son and our "Opa")

Marie "Omie" Sebo

Nov 11, 1898 - May 24, 1980

(Daddy's Memory)

"She loved Roses. She had rose bushes at her apartment, and then when she moved in with us in Whittier, she cared for the roses in our front yard. She also used to sit in her room watching John Wayne movies (her favorite) and reading her Bible. She would talk to me about Jesus while I rubbed her feet (and she kept a jar of Jolly Rancher Fire Sticks * cinnamon* in her room, her favorite and mine!). She told me that I should always go to Jesus in prayer daily and ask for his guidance. I knew her not only as a loving grandmother, but a Godly woman as well... For that, I am truly thankful! (I still miss her dearly)"

"Omie" and her youngest son, Hank, or as we grandchildren call him: "Opa"

Standing in the backyard of her apartment in La Habra

Holding a baby. The lady beside her is Corrie, my Opa's Aunt, who he called "Tante Corrie" ( "Tante", dutch for "Aunt").

Holding another baby, in Holland

13 years later, though she would never be there to meet her, a great-grand daughter was born (me), and she was named, Ashley "Marie" (like my Aunt Diane), in honor of this dear woman... and I am honored to carry on her name!

***

The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness... teachers of good things; (KJV)

Unicycle Ride

Of Unicylces, and Highchairs!!

Daniel, our most adventurous child, who has climbed everything from fences to buildings, has recently taken an interest in mastering the unicycle. He spent much time researching unicycles and the cost, and discovered that they start at about $100.

So, you can imagine our great surprise, when we stopped by a local Salvation Army, to donate some items, and lo and behold, there in the lot sat a unicycle!! (It had just arrived that morning.) Daniel and I got out to check the price. It was only $35 dollars! A great deal!!! With a quick call to Daddy, we obtained the needed permission, for the purchase. We noticed, on the door, a coupon for 50% off! We excitedly asked the employee if there were anymore coupons inside. He cheerfully assured us there were. We quickly stepped inside, and there, was the wooden highchair I had been wanting!!

With the two desired items, we headed to the checkout, with the coupons, a few feet away. Closer examination of the flyer revealed a "Buy one, get one free!' coupon as well! Now we were really excited!!! My strong boys, loaded the unicycle and highchair in the car, and then we were off, in the van. Contentedly headed for home, eager to use our treasured items, totalling only...............$40!

~Mama~

Daniel trying to master his unicycle. It took him about half a day to get the hang of it.

Good job, Danny!!!

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (KJV)
James 1:17

Sebo Infirmary

(Getting sick is always the last thing on one's mind! Especially in large families, when one gets sick the whole clan usually gets it!!

I ( Ashley) felt somewhat of a connection to Florence Nightingale, as I bustled around the house attending to the five weary patients. Of course, I didn't have the "white apron and cap", but I think a cap might have gotten in the way, while I worked.)

The Sebo Infirmary-Mama's version

"How many patients do we have, today, Nurse Ashbrown?", Doctor Joshua Sebo asks.

"Five, Doctor. Shall I administer the orange juice?"

"Yes, Thank you, Nurse. I'll follow up with the garlic pills."

"I'd better write out their prescriptions, while you attend to the patients."

"Take two, and call me in the morning."

"This one doesn't look sick to me, Nurse."

"No, Sir, just a little fatigued, perhaps?"

"Now let's sterilize the instruments, Nurse."

"Right away, Sir."

"Just a few more, Nurse, and then we're all done."

"Now for a well deserved break."

Trusting the Great Physician for complete healing.

........for I am the LORD that healeth thee. (KJV) Exodus 15:2

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. (KJV) Psalm 50:15

Timmy's First Haircut!~

About two weeks ago, Timothy got his first haircut! Mama had been putting it off for as long as she could, but now it was time!!

The hair cutting supplies were pulled out and Mama, after praying, began to cut the curls. She did an excellent job, and he still looks so cute!!! Good Job Mama!

Just before the haircut.......it was early in the morning.

Getting it cut....

His curls.....

Hold still little guy!!

A Before and After Shot........

Doth not even nature itself teach you, that if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?

1 Corinthians 11:14 (KJV)

One Way To Redeem the Time....

Each day as part of our schooling we combine the little boys naptime with our reading practice. As homeschoolers we are frightfully aware of how fast our days seem to fly by. So in an effort to "redeem the time......"

We all go into the boys room where we sit on the floor in a snug circle and do our daily "Bible Reading" (along with a few other school books.) That's the same room and bunk where we sang "Jesus and Me."

Joshua, jumping into his bottom bunk, pulls the covers over himself and tucks his few "playmobile men" under his pillow and lays his head down. Ryan seats himself in the corner next to the crib, and I (Ashley) decide that next to the doorway is my seat. Natey sits atop the middle bunk, happily, and Timmy "hanging out" in the "Johhny Jumper," (which we refer to as the "Timmy Tucker" ) waits patiently. Next comes Daniel beside Ryan, then Mama and Isaiah, seated in front of the closet, Katie sits with her back to the bunk, and the reading begins.

Mama reads a story from the "Parables" storybook we have, and then hands a Science book "Letting God Create Your Day" to Daniel and Ryan, who read in that order.

Psalm 19 started the Bible reading section, today, which Mama reads, clear and steady. (We always enjoy the way she reads.) Next came Psalm 49, which was assigned to Ryan, who reads it as best he can, due to a canker sore. He did really well in spite of it! (Well Done, Ryan!) Daniel reads Psalm 79, loud and strong. Psalm 109 was read to us very precisely by Katie, and then I finished with 139.

Now to the Proverbs of the day, we all turn. This is read by Mama and Isaiah, each taking turns at every other verse. At this point, Timmy, who had started crying, and was very tired, had been transfered from the jumper to the crib. This was not at all what he wanted, and therefore began to cry even louder, to let us know of his discontentment. Mama pulled him out, and fed him, as the last chapter of the "reading" Leviticus 27, was being completed by persevering Ryan.

Character Sketches was the last book, and it's contents for the day were enjoyed....somewhat. You see, reading about "Determination", a fine character quality, was very nice, but the shrew is quite a ferocious little animal, and finding out that it practices cannabalism, was a bit distasteful, nontheless, still very enjoyable to read about its other habits!

We praise God for the wisdom and creativity He has given us in getting our many daily tasks done. We seem find ourselves oftentimes terribly behind the schedule posted on our wall. The Lord is always so faithful to keep us right on track and by the end of the week all the important things have gotten done. Praise God!

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (KJV)

Ephesians 5:16