Sledding-MN 2008

For Unto Us a Child is Born!

Isaiah 9:6
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."John 1:14 Christmas blessings! This is the time of year when we make our lists - "To-Do" lists, wish lists, shopping lists, etc. What better time of year to list our blessings, the first being the gift of salvation! Jesus came to earth, humbling Himself as a babe to be born in a manger - for us. We could make a list of His reasons for coming, too, but why did Jesus say He came? In John 18:37 Jesus says, "For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." What a statement! The truth must be awfully important for Jesus to have said that's why He came! It is our foundation, without which everything else becomes distorted and ultimately meaningless. May your home be filled with Truth and His love this Christmas season!

Things this year are a a bit simpler. We haven't focused on Christmas Shopping or Lists of things we want as possible gifts for ourselves or each other. We are thankful for our home, our newest member of the family (ALIZA) , and how God has provided our every need. We have enjoied seeing Him:

Keeping Dan busy at Work.

Keeping us all healthy and safe.

Providing new clothes and toys this year for Christmas without buying a single thing from a retail store.

Bringing our family closer together.

Giving us some great friendships this year.

Giving us a Church that teaches the WORD.

Giving us each other.

Giving us a great extended family on both sides.

We hope you all have as Merry a CHRISTmas as we are this year!

Frog and Toad / Henry and Mudge/ Amelia Bedelia

We took off! we can read several books a day! This was one of our goals for Christmas break. I am so proud of him. he is a great help now because he can read well enough to read to his sisters now!

We enter the age which entertainment means T-R-O-U-B-L-E !

Oh dear need I say more? you will be hearing alot of "Kids who left the bathroom door open?" :)

Am I Going to Remember?

Am I going to remember... doing Xander's phonograms with him and how ough says six different things?
...The way he remembers aw and au as "awwww that we may not use at the end of English words" and he says it with this terrible pout complete with his lip out and grin after
...And how today he was really getting all of them right and I said "I can't believe how smart you are!" And he held his sides laughing and said that he could see though my paper because I was sitting in front of the window! ? I am proud of him he is reading really smoothly now.


Am I going to remember.. How Aliza zooms around like a crab (sideways like) and we all jump out of her way (sometimes doing half splits) to prevent her from running over our feet or ankle tendon? .
...Her little shoes with the squeakers in?
... How she says "mom-ma" now... And how she smelled of chicken noodle soup all afternoon (we did take care of that with a bath after supper in the sink as we washed the kitchen up) :)?


Am I going to remember.. How these two have became good friends? ...How Josie wants to marry Xander when she is older? and Xander explains, "You can't marry cousins or sisters! because you will have weak babies."
...How Josie ALWAYS wants to do school too? and I am not ready to put the investment of time it takes to teach her Phonograms or to write in cursive. How I want to tell her you are only four! NEXT YEAR we will do spelling tests with you but not now.
... How they play animal kingdom and Xander is her Beaver.. or they build airplanes out of Lincoln Logs and for Army formations of regiments? How unlikely is that combination?

Oct trip to Grandparents & Train Depot

We took Grandma Terri to the Duluth Depot and the Children's Museum for her birthday at the end of October. It was a good time and Xander loved how huge the trains were and all the control panels! Aliza napped some in the baby B'Jorn.

Before we came back to Illinois, Grandpa gave the traditional Tractor ride to the girls. It was Aliza's first of what has become a coveted event... synonymous with the name "Grandpa Dean"

October trip to Zoo on Train!

We were invited by my friend to go to the zoo via the train. Starting in Aurora, I we bought our tickets and boarded, chugged past Downers Grove where Daddy sold at Farmer's Market and on to Brookfield Zoo.. the "Hollywood stop". We took quite a little treck to the back gate of the zoo!

What a great day! What a great time we had with our homeschool friends.

Aliza- What a Joy!

What a Nut!

Aliza is not quite 9 months.Since the beginning of Nov she has been crawling. and within days standing up against anything. At 7 months she was pulling herself up and standing in the laundry basket while I was taking a bath and periodically. Dan and I laughed at her as she shook a stool in the kitchen the other day to get it moving so she could slide it along and walk with it!

For a month now she stands in her crib and then hollars to get down. She has 4 teeth now as clearly seen in the photo. What a joy! What a nut! She is constantly looking for interaction with those around her. She hisses though her teeth when she is being silly or sort of snuffs at a person! So funny!

She was given the pink fuzzy jacket and seems to love how soft it is! Josie and I agree it is a Fancy Nancy type of jacket! we have been reading those books and all love it! her shoes also squeek.

Moving to a different Country!? Election 2008

Xander was sitting on the couch at 8:30pm and watching the votes come in… I could hear his dad say “Now Son we have to have a good attitude… it's not going to do any good to pout about it”… and then I could hear Xander say “Well -if that Obama gets in I am just going to move to a different Country!” (he mentioned somewhere in South America at supper) His dad assured him that no one was going to move anywhere. But when Grandma Betty was on the phone and I told her with a chuckle and she said ” You grab that sweet boy and give him a hug and tell him 'Grandma is moving with him!' ”
I asked Dan, “You are going to stay home till Xander is awake tomorrow, announce who one and what our attitudes needed to be right?! It was more of a statement than a question.

So tomorrow is here now and we told him... he took it better than I imaginned but Josie who was listening said "Did the 'BLUE guys' win?" I explained to her the Blue guys did win but we as a family wanted the RED guys to win... and she said "No- I didn't! I wanted the BLUE Guys to win!" and ran away saying, "I won! I won! "
Dan then told me IT WAS A FACT... as she sat there and she and Xander discussed the election and Xander's Preferences on the next president of the US... she informed him if he was voting for RED she was voting for BLUE! you see she had to pick the opposite of the rest of the family. What Children I have! :) :)

Well Obama You had one supporter in this household.. I hope you don't let your 4 yr old supporter down!

Apple Sauce! (manna from heaven)

Just a quick note to say Thakn You God for all the apples this year. Ginger and I took ALL 10 Kids Apple Picking in yards around Dwight.. We were quite a sight... Aliza in a walker.. Will in a pack and play.. Kids eating apples and shaking trees and(when they weren't distracted by the boundless bugs and interesting sticks and such) carrying bushels of bruised, Asian beetle infested apples with rotting spots in! But as we loaded the pick up I kept saying "Manna From Heaven! Thank You Lord for this Manna from Heaven! (and Thank You Ginger for sharing your bounty! ) After a day of picking we spent two seperate days making apple sauce... the washing station was set up (.. Josie and smaller kids... )the cranking station with the squeezo strainer was set up and in constant motion (Rob, Liz, John, Xander and smaller kids), 3 or 4 of the burners were in constant use... the table was full of the rotten and buggie parts of apples... This is whre Ginger and I spent most of our time. 3 days later (almost) the whole Pick up load of apples were made into the 20 gallons of sauce ! Ginger and I are exausted and so glad its over!
This is what famliy is all about right? it is good to pull together and get huge feats done like this. I am not ready to do it again anytime Really soon:) but really thankful for another year of applesauce making... AS Liz puts it : "It is Almost as important to the Rosenquist family as Thanksgiving!" Picture soon to come!

We are "Tight" but we have so much! We would be considered rich elsewhere.

Well things are tight here (with the buisness we're in and the economy... )and I believe to say tight is the most optimistic way I can say it :) . We were presented an oppertunity to help out a reefugee family from the Congo who has been residing in a refugee camp until a few weeks ago. I gave my kids the assignment to think of what our new friends might need or enjoy. It was a good for them. And Good for mommy when Josie Picked one of my favorite baby dolls to share with them. I bit my touge because I knew she loved this doll too and realized I might be robbing her of the truest blessing of giving it up to someone else to love. (They had no dolls.)

We hussled though the house making packages of Oatmeal, toys, stationary, office supplies, Stroller, baby items, sippie cups, jackets, vitamins, shakes, and other stuff the kids wanted to add. We got blessed this family with all this by bringing it to them with other homeschool friends and helping them set up house.. it was fun. Things we weren't sure it they understood like setting the alarm clock /shower curtain hanging/ all the hand me down dishes were washed/ and staples were organized in the cupboards. It was a good day.

I had to put aliza down a few times and I turned around to find either the mom Flor(Floor) sp? having my pale baby on one hip and her dark baby on the other.. the babies would smile at each other and it was precious. The Daughter age 7 Flom (Flome) SP? also held her. As we help in the bed rooms we could find only an out fit or two for our french speaking friends. When we got home we split Aliza's stuff in half since she and Liddy are the same size and sent it to them via other friends. The kids played memory and other non verbal games on the floor. Xander and Flome wresteld and laughed with each other. We prayed and talked about God with them too. It was a Blessed time and and a Blessed oppertunity to teach my kids that we have so much... even if "we choose not to stop at McDonalds because we have to use our money for something else today." :)

Boards (and Kids) by Dan (+ a few extra kids)

Well this is the final product. I can't believe how beautifully done they are!The Birch Plywood is so clean looking and the construction... well... let's just say "a stair man" built them! He stands on them to demonstrate how sturdy they are. I am so proud of his workmanship, entrepreneur skills and his gumption to "get 'er done"! The built in returns and the beverage holders are a BIG HIT. THe girls had to go see the boys at Farmer's Market this afternoon. (Xander flew out of bed 5:45am when I awoke him and promptly turned the light on 100% to searched for his pants which were already laid out for him. The whole family has been up since 5:45 this morning with the exception of Dan who never went to bed again. He is "COM-A-TOASTED" (my new word for being burnt out and in a semi coma) on the couch right now. :) Poor guy has not had much rest lately. He was pushing for a big deadline in the Stair Business last night.

Here's the girls with their matching skirts on. Darla the doll came too with her skirt too. I redid Aliza's at 1am last night. :) we all might go to bed at 7pm tonight!

(top)My dear nephew and Nieces (minus John and Will who were not in the picture) posed as I attempted to sew and play referee. We did not get much done:) oh well! Liz is holding the two colors I haven't yet accomplished yet.

We are now on our 3rd -50# bag of corn! phew!

Volenteer Help WANTED- No height requirement. :)

Josie heard the sewing machine at 11pm, got up and helped me finish for Daddy. She (dressed in her brothers Pj's) stacked in perfect order the Bears colors. We printed a sign too trying to be helpful.


So this is my view as I sew "bags".
As you can see the sewing machine in the for-ground and the corn weighing station in the background. Grandma Betty came the first night as we crammed for the 1st Farmers Market. She and Josie weighed and measured 32 bags out for me. We used almost a 50 # bag of corn! I sewed for all I was worth till 2am and set the bags at the door for Dan as he never did get to bed that night in his last minute push to be ready by 5:45am Sat morning. Its sorta fun because his brother (who is referred to as "Goose" or "Uncle Greg" in our house) is there selling kettle corn, meat, honey, cookies and bread. He has done this market for years in Downers Grove.
Dan did really good and sold 3 sets of boards I think.

Pet Cicadias, Projects, School and "Phileo" or Brotherly Love

Just another morning.
I am sewing the last of the skirts.
Xander wants to know if this was a scrap and if he could have it.
Could I help a bit with a pouch he wanted to make.
His first sewing on the machine.
Josie sitting with her pet Cicada watching him sew.
A broken Glass jar all over the floor.
"Josie please go give Liza a toy."
"Xander I really like that.. could I have one?" (Josie to Xander)
"Sure Josie! I can make another one!"
"Mom, you know what I was thinking I would 'pres-in-tate' (instead of present) at CC this week? then he sings "Children Obey Your parents in the Lord..."
After your done please get back at your Cursive First and it is not time to read your Bible Please finish your paper. (Xander)"but Mom, I wanted to spend time with God."
Aliza kicking her chubby legs in the bouncy seat.
Hungry Kids...
Salad with dressing (garlic, Olive oil, and Vinigar) , Chicken, and cheese.
Picinic outside with Liza laying watching the clouds and picking grass with her fists.
"Josie, Please eat up now and put your pet Cicada down, yes I am sure he appreciates your tea (mint) leaves. Yes he is cute and you do a very good job holding him but you need to eat. "
Aliza eating (3rd day of raw pear after her tooth appeared on Mon) from her mush bag.
Pear juice running down her chin and into her neck.
Stickie, HAPPY baby.
"Josie, please come and eat! You may chase that Butterfly later."
Xander making roads and police stations on the sidewalk with chalk.
Riding his bike on the driveway as Aliza is in the walker and Josie is on her trike.

What a grand day it was!
How nice it is to see my son phileo his sister! What a good kid you are Xander!
ps BTW they did catch that butterfly!

Just to see "That" Smile

I sewed last night after the kids went to bed, until my husband came home. I was so happy there was just enough time to complete my surprise before we went to bed. When Josie came to crawl in bed with me this morning I had a surprise waiting for her. I found scraps in the closet and sewed my first little skirt. No pattern, no trips to the store for the perfect touch, and NO PINS. I was shocked that I pulled the last item off! Her eyes lit up and she twirled around in true girl fashion with it tight to her chest. I had a the shirt there too and told her to slip it on! She Said "Oh Mommy it is Beautiful! just Beautiful!" I snapped the first shots you see.

This is where she says, "I think its morning time Mom, Lets geg(t) up" as she usually does and we go downstairs. We have (Uncle Greg's) WW Toast drizzled with honey and Mandarin Orange Tea. Josie always helps me make it and this morning we grinned at each other as we sat there and said how nice it was to drink tea and have toast in the morning with each other. Josie has been finishing her whole cup lately and told me, "I n-n-(l)ike Tea!" She tasted her toast and said it was "W(R)eally GOOG!" and gave me the thumbs up thing... I had her redo it so I could get a picture. She does this often- only you can't see how she closes one eye and moves her one thumb in and out.. it cracks me up every time.

Then we had to sew Darla a matching skirt. She can't wait to go to Farmer's Market in it on Sat. We (almost successfully) made Aliza one also. FUN ! I could have gotten many other things done this morning and last night but then I wouldn't have gotten to see "that" Smile this morning. I am the lucky one. How fun it is to have the sweet daughter I have!

Always Bright Eyes ... Always a Smile!

Aliza- You are such a smiley baby. You are a joy. Your bright eyes and open mouth smile. Almost everyone says you look like your brother Xander. I love being your mom and am so glad God gave us (another)perfect child for our family.

You have grown up a bit different. Xander was 8 or 9 months, Josie was 5 or 6, and you were about 2 months sleeping in our bed at night.You get lots of baths in the sink like allmy babies... you get changed maybe even more often because of cloth diapers. You are the first to love your Thumb and your tummy to sleep. This makes you wake up in the car and stroller often. You are now rolling all over the floor. Josie loves to give you a spoon of herbal tea in the morning. You love your walker and now can actually go almost where you want to now. You are a squealer! You haven't started with the drool or the teeth yet but it is coming I know. You haven't ever been sick yet. PTL. You are staring to be a bit of a mommy girl.. Xander tries to hold you but you just fuss as he apologizes and carries you to me. He is quite good at this. Josie says "nuffing to cry about Liza .. nuffing wrong. " clic clic cloc cloc... she goes with her tongue. and you usually stop and look at her puzzled. She said the other day "Mommy, that would be so so sad if "Liza died and we had no more baby sister. I would cry and you would cry and daddy would cry.. and xan'er! " She also has the cutest way of saying "A LI-za".

Daddy comes down and usually says "Why did we get such a 'smiley, happy baby'?" he also says "Hi" with an emphatic single nod and you grin... sometimes you look and look at him just waiting for him to smile at you and then you always return the favor. There are times when Daddy is taking a nap and I tell him you are searching his face.. he smiles really big (with his eyes still closed) and waves at you and you grin at him so BIG and I laugh.

Sometimes it seems to us like you were never an infant.. you have always looked at the world with such curiosity and were so into your surroundings.. also you have always been so strong.. wanting to stand and hold your head since birth. You are not even 6 months yet and you are about to sit in the middle of the floor!

Anyway I wanted to quick take 10 min and write you a note that lets you know YOU are adored by us all!

Aliza- Oh how we love you!

Josie just said to me this morning.. "Momma..only thing wrong is -we just need another baby!" Oh ? Why is that Josie? "Well Auntie Ginger is having another baby and we just need another one too!"

No baby could fill the spot that our whole family has in our hearts for our Aliza Jane. She is fun, sweet, and so CUTE in our opinion. She now loves to SQUEAL! She loves her THUMB! and She loves her MOMMY! Lucky me!... she is at the stage now that if she is in her exer-saucer and she catches a glimpse of me run past the doorway (because now I try to avoid this happening) she squeals and starts to cry with those chubby lil hands in the air. She rolls front to back and back to front and grabs anything you are eating or drinking. I have taught her to sip my herbal tea and water from a glass. This was a bad idea I know. She has tasted Cucumber and raw apple or watermelon. She sucked the watermelon to half its size before I took it away. She went to the Shaklee Convention in New Orleans with me and both Grandmas... this above was her makeshift bed at the hotel ... two chairs pushed together and her sound machine.

I am loving every stage she has been through and I can't help but hope that I have at least one more opportunity to do this all over again. (I share your opinion Josie!)

Dog sitting a Puppy named Sofie

Our puppy for 1 week. Josie and Xander loved her. They are waiting to get another dog sometime, but in the mean time its nice to borrow one every once in a while. :)

We End the Summer with a Fish Story

Here's the last big Fish story of the summer. Xander caught one of the big cat fish that hang out at the neighbors dock... they love bread that we feed them and hot dogs we use for bait! Anyway this one weighed 6 pounds. Dan was called because he was so big the reel that Xander has on his rod would keep slipping and not reel him in. he was sorta hard to land on the rocks but soon everyone got a close look at him. A few min later Josie caught this lil bass. Fun! We were glad Daddy was home to see Xander's big catch. He also caught the 6 pound bass too this summer. (It broke his rod.)