Only in Michigan!

We went to our churches Snow Carnival yesterday, and this is one activity the kids found incredibly delightful! Ice fishing!! Being from the NW we know all about fishing... you can't live on the coast and not enjoy seafood or other forms of fish - but ICE fishing is something we've never encountered before. The kids got a total kick out of the wholes in the ice, and there was also an underwater camera to show the fish swimming...






Jadon got excited - "Look Dad, I caught a worm!" He didn't quite get that the worm was the bait for a fish:o)...
Elie and her friend Bethany enjoyed taking turns fishing and scooping out the ice, and Bryce enjoyed chatting with other dads.

Sledding!

Here are a few pictures from our weekend!




Last Saturday we took the kids to "Highpoint Hill" to sled. It's a soccer field behind a school that makes some great sledding hills in the winter - and tons of people go there. Saturday was REALLY cold, so it wasn't very busy and we got a ton of runs in that way:o).
Elie is independant enough this year that she would sled all on her own. Jadon's not quite there yet, but did say later that soon he will want to practice going down alone:o).
We had a few races and did a couple of "train" rides together and basically just had a ton of fun!

Favorite Mornings

Getting up for school has proven to be a challenge for my amazing kids who used to stay in their room/beds until 8:30am. Now the alarm is set for 7 sharp, and until this week I've had to go in and gently wake them up after the alarm has given up on them:o)... Breakfast was a solemn affair with sleepy kids. Now, though, it's so fun!


We have sweet smiles...

A lot of laughs...

Even cuddles and affection!

One of the many positive things we have noticed about the kids being in school is that their time at home is sweeter, less fighting, less arguing and way more grins and giggles... even more cooperation in getting into trouble quietly. They genuinely miss each other and look forward to their times together. I love how this comes out at breakfast time!!

Coffee Business is Up and Running!

Bryce and I had a dream from years ago that has now taken life!! Along with our friend, Brett Elder and his wife, we have launched givehalfcafe.com, a website selling free trade coffee that every time you purchase half the profit goes toward building wells in Ethiopia.

We are teaming up with Senai Global to make this possible. Drew Harding grew up in Ethiopia and continues to make trips back. Check out his website (linked above) to find out more about his amazing ministry.

Our coffee is roasted right here in Grand Rapids by people we've come to know through this adventure and who we feel share our same values concerning how the farmers are treated, as well as our love of excellent coffee:o)!

Please visit us and check out our product - every time you buy your coffee from us you're a part of changing lives on the other side of the world, by investing in clean drinking water!

I apologize for the sporadic way posts have been put up lately... I'm not sure what's going on with my blog, but it's been extremely difficult to post.

Anyway, we recently made the leap from homeschool to "big" school as the kids call it:o). Here are a few pictures of our first days...







After finishing Kindergarten with Elie in December we decided to go a different route for January. Both kids have been enrolled at Countryside Elementary and are just loving it! Jadon is in school twice a week for two hours at a time, and I have to admit, I really enjoy the break:o). He absolutely loves being a big kid, and his teacher is amazing with her class. Both kids have excellent teacher that we feel so grateful to have them with.
Elie is thoroughly loving her time too! She is at the top of her class and whips out homework in no time. She's made several friends already and begs to be aloud to take the bus:o) - however, we live literally two minutes from school, so mom drives. We may even walk when the weather gets warmer.
We're in our 3rd week, and still adjusting to the new schedule. The kids have been pretty tired out at the end of each day. Getting up before the sun makes them feel like they are up in the middle of the night:o)... even though it's only 7am! Elie's class starts at 8:25 each morning, which means that with all the gear (snow pants, boots, indoor shoes, gym shoes (not to be confused with the indoor ones), hat, mittens, backpack and homework) she needs to be there by 8:15 to change and unload. Jadon's class doesn't require so much, as they don't go out on recess, and he doesn't start until 9am. The extra time with him has been a treat. I am enjoying this chance to focus so much attention on him alone.
We feel extremely blessed to be where we are. The school is very conservative, and while it's a public school and has to adhere to State standards regarding religion and prayer, the teachers open talk of praying for students and encourage them to share what they're learning in church if it's brought up. It seems like everyone here goes to church, so I guess that makes sense! They are very big on expecting and teaching Biblical principles regarding behavior and conduct, even in they can't spell out where it comes from.
This change was a huge one for us, but we feel like God led the way and opened doors for each step. It's been wonderful!

Oh, and yes! I would still homeschool!!! It was an excellent experience and we feel it gave the kids a head start. We are very open to homeschooling in the future as well. We feel pretty privileged to live in a place that has ample positive resources for both choices of schooling.

From Homeschool to "Big" school!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Playing with our new camera

I'm trying a few new things out. Below is a post with a new program we're trying... let me know if you like it:o). I'm also using our new camera, just testing what it can do and having fun... so the pictures are all scenery, nothing spectacular... but hopefully fun.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Christmas Fun

Our camera finally went kaput, so most of our pictures are on my phone, which I have yet to figure out how to download... so pictures will come later.

We did, however, have a fantastic Christmas with my parents. The 10 days they were with us flew by. Starting with a quick day in Chicago, where we picked my parents up from their train trip. My Mom then took Elie, Kaya and I to lunch at the American Girl Place - an experience that is SO worth having!!! To see Elie's little face fill with delight when her doll, Kaya, was presented with a plate and cup was priceless. She also got to take Kaya to the salon and got her little hair styled exquisitely. The people were so incredible with Elie, from the doll hair stylist to our waiter and the shop helpers, all talking to her as if she were in charge and making her feel important.
My Dad took the guys to the Lego store and out for some Chicago style pizza, before meeting us back at the American Girl Place. Because of impending blizzard-like snow storms we chose to leave Chicago early and headed back home.
We made a quick trip to Shipshewana to eat at the Blue Gate restaurant and see the lights when the weather broke. After that we pretty much just holed up at home, creating and baking all sorts of treats. Elie got sick and my mom had to make a quick trip to the urgent care on Christmas Eve, but Christmas day everyone was pretty much back to normal and we basically spent the day playing with presents and eating in between making dinner and napping. For dinner we had ham, creamy poletna, potatoes fontina, corn pudding, Christmas salad, and stuffing - it was a feast!
While my parents were here we also took them to Frankenmuth on the Eastern side of Michigan. There we took them to see Bronners CHRISTmas Wonderland, which is a monstrous sized store full of everything Christmas. And then we ate at the Bavarian Inn - an incredibly yummy place to get Bavarian food (and shop)!

The 30th came way to quickly. We packed up my parents and headed back to Chicago to get them on the train for their 3 day journey back to Portland, Oregon. There were lots of tears on the car ride home to Grand Rapids.

Thanks for coming Mom and Dad! We miss you!!

Cofee and Parents

This is just a short, brief blog.

Tonight we are impatiently waiting for my parents to arrive. They are on a train somewhere in Montana, fighting through the snowy weather and already 11 hours behind schedule. They are joining us for Christmas this year and we are all SO EXCITED we can hardly stand it!!

We are also cupping... or "professionally" taste-testing coffee blends, as we get ready to sell them online. It's a very unique process and experience! And tons of fun:o). Our house smells amazingly good right now, and I'm enjoying the chance to experience the very prominent differences between coffee beans. So far my favorite is the Sumatran. Rich, dark and bold, but not burnt. (although brewed, I prefer the Porto Rican with it's smooth nutty taste:o)

Happy Birthday Elie!

My daughter turned 6 yesterday!
Here is a glimpse of her day...

The traditional Paulson birthday dough nut wake-up song & present...
Thanks Aunt Ali! She loved her winter set for Kaya!!Birthday hug from her brother.
(and yes, at 8am it is still that dark out!)

Bryce also had to leave for a business trip yesterday, but not until the afternoon. So, we had a birthday breakfast instead of the traditional dinner:o)... Elie chose Bob Evans and ordered the fruit plate - I guess six years old means she is now health conscious??

We then went home to enjoy hot chocolates & decorate gingerbread houses that Aunt Sheila made, especially for the occasion. Bryce was able to hang out for this too, and it was quite the party:o)!

The very last present Elie opened yesterday was a birthday dress from American Girl Doll collection, from Nonnie! Complete with a matching purse and tiara. She is so in love with the dress that when she came out this morning she was wearing it! I wouldn't be surprised if she tried to sleep in it:o) - Mom, amazing pick!!

We will have the official Birthday dinner when Nonnie and Grampa arrive on the 20th - to which Elie will of course be wearing the whole ensemble.

My little girl is growing up!

Our Friend Brian

Once again my pictures loaded in revers. I have no idea why! But here is a glimpse of the time we shared with our latest house guest - our friend Brian from Newberg, Oregon.

Bryce and Bryce met in a men's group at our home church and have been good friends ever since. His wife, Becky, and I are friends as well, and they have four girls.

Brian helping hang lights on our 30 ft tree.
Brian taking the kids for a sled ride through the neighborhood!

Jadon's new best buddy... look out Daddy!
(Elie munching on some of the homemade jerky Brian brought)Bryce hanging the rest of the lights between snow storms, so they would all be ready for Brian's arrival:o) ... what a stud!

Brian, we had so much fun with you!! Thanks for coming and sharing life with us. The house is a bit emptier with you gone home. Becky - thanks for sharing him:o)!

Wintry Moments

Here are some random wintry pictures.

Mom, the snow boots finally came in handy:o)!
(only as we were getting him ready, he REALLY wanted to wear his crocks! go figure:o)

The kids got to spend close to two hours playing outside in the snow today... They came in and warmed up with hotcoco & a snack. Our Advent wreath... I'm so proud - and excited to be able to actually follow this through. We're using Jotham's Journey as our story base. The kids love it so far!

Our beautifully happy house that is halfway decorated:o)! Bryce got as far as he could before the snow storm really got bad. We also have yard ornaments:o)... such fun!
And you really can't see them in this picture, but we have at bell ornamental light hanging in our front window.

Otherwise we are busy with daily life. Elie has three more weeks of Kindergarten, and Jadon is begging me to do school with him more each day. Elie has a ballet recital this week too - which we are all looking forward to!

One more cute/funny thing I'll leave you with. This conversation took place in the back of the car today as we were driving...

Elie: God spoke "Let their be an Elie" and then I was in mommy's tummy and He breathed life into me so that I would come out and cry.
Jadon: Oh. Well how did I get made?
Elie: God spoke "Let their be a Jadon" but mommy didn't hear Him. Well, she did, but He whispered so it was harder.
Jadon: Oh. Then what?
Elie: Then you were in mommy's tummy too.
Jadon: Then the angles came and got me out?
Elie: No, God yelled at mom that it was time. You came out a little while after that.
Jadon: No, I think He would send angles, not yell at me.
Elie: Okay, but you cried a lot.
Jadon: Well... God doesn't have teeth, so how does He eat?
Elie: He spoke "Let everything have teeth, and let me have them too" and then he had teeth.
Jadon: Well, but He doesn't have a table, so where does He eat?
Elie: Jadon! God spoke, "Let there be my table." That's how. Please stop asking so many questions. My head is spinning.
Jadon: Okay, sissy. You're beautiful.