Treasure Hunting

Port's "Treasure Map"

Yesterday in cluster we read through Luke 10 and were discussing the different ways we are called to go share the Good News.  One of the methods we discussed was called "Treasure Hunting."  This is where we pray and ask the Lord to give us clues leading us to people that He wants to demonstrate His love to.  We had Port participate in this by asking him to draw pictures of what the Lord was showing him.  Port's clues were the mall, airplane, squirrel, and hands.  Whitney also had airplane and I had a flagpole, so we took a group to Ozzies (the restaurant at the airport).  We were able to pray for our waitress.  She fit our clues of red shirt, heart necklace, hands (she was serving us).  She asked us to pray for patience and she left us in tears.  Our other encounter was with a family waiting to be seated. They fit our clues of brown hair and brown shirt and white jacket.  When we asked if we could pray for them they said yes!  We prayed for their grandfather, Bob (which was a clue), who was in the hospital with a heart condition (another clue).  It was not only exciting to see how faithful God is, but to see that He is using Port in powerful ways.  It was great watching Whitney and Shannon share Jesus with others, their boldness is truly a reflection of the heart of Jesus!   

Pink Eye

Well, it's official I have pink eye!  I woke up this morning to quickly realize that I couldn't open my eyes because they were sealed shut.  Brian quickly helped me get them open with warm wash clothes, and quickly proceeded to tell me to go to the ER.  As I got dressed he said, "You look cute!"  As I laughed out loud and tried to roll my eyes he quickly added, "I mean from your nose to your toes!"  

I write this blog just to brag on my sweet husband.  He not only got up to help me this morning at 4:00, but once I got home he took care of everything.  He did quiet times with the boys, fixed breakfast, got himself ready, and called for help.  We are super blessed by JuJu, who is watching the boys today so we don't spread this through our family.  Too many times things go unnoticed, I couldn't be more blessed by my sweet husband.  Thank you Jesus!

Our kids!

I started this blog so I could write down things about my kids that I would forget otherwise....Port is three years old and his ability to communicate scares me at times!  One of his favorite things is to comment on my hair.  He prefers it to be "down" always!  Anytime my hair is pulled up he wants to know when I am going to put it down.  The other day he was upset that I was putting him in his car seat instead of my mom.  He told me, "I don't like you"  which he quickly followed with "actually I just don't like your hair down."   Good quick recovery, but don't worry he didn't get away with "unkind words!"

Haynes is 20 months old and definitely keeps me on my toes!  He is starting to communicate more words each day.  We were laughing that his most clear word is "Sorry."  Obviously, we use that one quite often!  After he says sorry he proceeds to give a Papa Bear Hug (named by Brian) where he hugs the person (usually Port) and grunts three times, like he is squeezing them tighter with each grunt!

Don't think we forget about Ella around here, she just doesn't cause too much commotion right now!  She has been sleeping through the night for over a month.  She has a great smile and laugh!  She is growing daily, and such a blessing to us.  We are thankful for our healthy, beautiful baby girl!

As their mom I am thankful for teachable moments like these with my boys.  They are realizing that we are born in sin and that we need Jesus daily!  Some days look better than others, but we are thankful daily for the grace of Jesus!

Game Night at the Lollie & Champ's

Red Light Green Light

Ring around the Rosies

Duck Duck Goose

Poppy and Ella

Lollie and Champ took a week vacation to the Caymen Islands.  Although we were glad they got to relax and get away, they were really missed!  We had dinner on Sunday night to catch up, we hadn't seen Josh & Jenny since Christmas either.  After dinner Port demanded that we play some games!  Even Poppy joined in on "Duck Duck Goose!"  I am really  blessed by my brother and his wife, they love on my kids so well.  I don't think I've seen my boys laugh so hard!

Hartsock Bowling Night

Bowling Buddies

Hartsock Kids!

We decided that we should take all the kids bowling before Blake and Marci went back to Waco.  The kids were really excited about their cool shoes.  They did pretty good, it was really fun watching them cheer for each other.  Haynes and Jade were not real excited that they weren't able to play.  Their favorite toys are balls, and couldn't understand why they couldn't pick a bowling ball up by themselves!  We didn't actually last a whole game, but one day!  We are so blessed by our great family!

Cookies with Lollie & Champ

Lolli & Champ decided to make cookies with the help of Port and Haynes.  We let the boys choose the kind of cookies...chocolate chipe instead of chocolate chocolate chip cookies!  We might have found our little chef this night though...  Haynes LOVED cooking!  Actually, I'm not sure if it was cooking or eating all the dough.  He made such a mess (as usual) but loved baking!  He spilled the flour and would try and add it by hand, and did the same with rolling the dough.  We decided you should eat the cookies at your own risk!  We had a great night!

Happy New Year!

The Three Musketeers

Sweet Preslee Love

Happy Jade David

Crazy Haynes!

The Cousin's Table

Well, I still haven't finished blogging about all our fun Christmas activities!  I finally decided to move forward and if I get time we will add more about Christmas....

January 1st, 2009

We got to spend the day with all our family, it was so much fun!  Jake and Kourtney had all of us over for lunch and a day of playing.  They kids have so much fun together and have really reached an age that they can play together...safely:-)  We had great weather so all the cousins were able to play outside on their four-wheelers.  

We are so excited to see what God has in store for our family in 2009!  The last year we were abundantly blessed through friends, family, our church community, and a precious little girl.  We have learned that God has great plans for us and we just want to be obedient to what He has called us to!  Happy 2009!

Hartsock Christmas

 Cinnamon Roll Breakfast

It's time!!!

Ella Rose & Daddy 

on her first Christmas

The boys and kids

The Cousins

I love traditions, if you can't already tell by reading our blog.  The Hartsock Christmas is another one of my favorites.  We started it about 3 years ago, where we celebrate Christmas on December 23rd.  That night we all come to JuJu & Grandad's to spend the night...it's a crowded house!  JuJu always has matching pj's for kids and adults, this year might be my favorite.  We all exchange gifts that night- the kids have a great time.  After a lot of creativity, we finally find a place for all 9 kids and 6 adults to sleep within the Hartsock house.  The next morning we wake up and eat cinnamon rolls together.  Then we get to go to The Courts to see what JuJu & Grandad have for the kids...and us.  We get to spend usually the rest of the morning together just enjoying family time.  It is one of my favorite parts of Christmas because it's not rushed and we really enjoy each other.  We always take a picture of all the boys with the kids, it's amazing to see how much we grow each year!  Next year there will be another little one, thanks to Blake and Marci!

After the kids are in bed, we usually get a little time to just enjoy being together...the brothers and their wives.  With so many kids now that seems to be a rare occurance!  I walk away this Christmas realizing how much God has blessed our family!  God is moving in all of our lives and it is exciting to see Him work in the lives of people we love the most.  We are blessed abundantly by Bob and Judi who love Jesus and have a strong influence on our children.  Jake and Kourtney's family will be starting a new church in Norman this year, and it's exciting to see God's passion in their family.  Blake and Marci are in Waco working for Antioch in all different forms, and it's super fun that they are within driving distance.  I am overwhelmed by God's faithfulness!  My family is abundantly blessed because of these adults and their children!   

Gingerbread Christmas Party

Santa and Port

Snack time!

Emma and Port

Port goes to Gingerbread Preschool two mornings a week and LOVES it!  When you ask him what his favorite thing about school is, the answer is always the same....playing outside! I got to help with the Christmas party, we were assigned to bring "Protein."  So after much thought, we decided to bring sausage balls.  My mom and Port helped mixed them up and I baked them the morning of the party, the kids loved them.  That day at school Port was in charge of feeding the rabbits during playtime.  After the kids played outside, they had a special visitor, Santa, who brought each of them some bubbles.  They got to have snack time and then opened their stockings.  It was a great day!  Port loves his teachers, so he got to give them their Christmas gifts too.  We are super thankful for Gingerbread!

While Port and I were coloring together another Mom came and sat with us.  She told me that Emma asks how to spell Port's name at home when they are coloring together.  Later Port asked me to take a picture of him with Emma, we might have our first crush! :-)

*I don't know if I was more surprised that her daughter could write out names or if she was asking about Port?!?

A Christmas Party

The Girls

The Boys

This year Allison, Brooke, and I decided to plan a Christmas party.  We always want to get together with friends around the holidays, but we never seem to make time because of obligations to family first.  We thought it would be fun to have a Progressive Christmas Dinner.  As you can see the dress was Cheesy Christmas Apparel!

Appetizers at the Ray's

Dinner at the Benton's

Dessert and Games at the Hartsock's

We all played Dirty Santa with a variety of good to bad gifts.  It was a fun night enjoying friends, traveling all over Norman, and playing games.  I definitely think we will have to do it again next year!  

The North Pole

Waiting to see Santa

Santa telling the Christmas Story

The Train ride

I decided to take the kids to the North Pole to see Santa.  My mom, Lolli, came with me to enjoy the experience.  We got there right as the doors opened and were there for two hours!  The boys got to ride the train, which they loved!  We walked around and looked at all the Christmas decorations and then got to go sit and listen to Santa tell the story of the first Christmas.  Haynes got a little restless, Ella never made a sound, and Port loved it!  When Santa got to the part in the story about the Wise Men bringing gifts, Port said, "We talked about that this morning...it's gold!"  

When it was our turn to go talk to Santa, Port asked for a guitar for Christmas.  Next was picture time...Haynes wasn't real sure about sitting on Santa's lap.  My description is that "little angels/helpers" came out and distracted Haynes, so that I have the greatest Christmas picture of all my kids with Santa.  It was a great morning, enjoying Santa but remembering that we are celebrating Jesus this season!

Liddell Christmas

Cousins watching "The Tail of Despereaux"

Uncle Mickey always does fun gifts!

Team Liddell

Haynes loved playing on the deer...not too interested in gifts

Ella Rose's Christmas dress

We celebrate Christmas with all of Brian's Liddell cousins the Sunday before Christmas.  Each year we seem to grow, this year there were 48 people there!  (47 actually, Luci's little girl Finley decided to hold out being born until the 26th)  It is SO much fun!  Mama & Papa decided a long time ago that it was best to celebrate early and make sure everyone could be there.  Uncle Mickey comes in from L.A, the Bobbett's and Hartsock's from Waco, Jesse from Seattle, Callie from Colorado, and everyone else from Oklahoma all get together.  

The last few years the little cousins have been acting out the Christmas story together and then we sing a few songs of worship.  We have so many little ones that there are lots of shepherds, sheep, and angels wandering the stage!  Ellie read the Christmas story this year and did a great job.  Kooper lead us in our songs too!  Next comes presents....the kids favorites!

We all draw names (thanks to Jeannie who assigns names since the Hartsock's have so many kids) and buy our favorite gift for the cousin we chose.  We got gifts for Finley, Barrett, Avery, Nate and Todd this year.  We always love sitting and hearing all the favorite gifts.  Dan and Nancy bought all the cousins jerseys, footballs, and/or pom poms.  Their shirts say Team Liddell and have their birth order on the back...even Ella has a shirt.  Uncle Mickey gets all the kids a fun gift each year, this year it was chairs and the kids love them!  Uncle Mickey also brought some movies for kids and adults to enjoy that are still out at the movies, so we let the kids watch a movie while adults opened gifts.  That was probably the best idea ever!

  

The Liddell Christmas is probably one of my favorite traditions.  I love getting to talk to all the cousins and hear what God is doing in their lives.  It's so amazing to see how God is faithfully working through His children.  We are so thankful for the standard Mama and Papa set for our families to love Jesus with all our hearts...We are so blessed!