Hodge-Podge of Photos...

Isn't that what it's always called? A "hodge-podge" of things? I wonder where that term comes from...

Anyway...

Moving on...

Maybe I'll look it up later...

So! This is just a collection of photos from November. It's hard to believe that so much time has already lapsed since October, but... oh well!

The above photo was taken as the boys were in quiet, docile, non-energetic moods one night... ;)

Aunt Paula bought these Kansas tees for the kidlets and so we had to have a photo shoot; just ask the kids which state in the U.S. is the best and you'll have a sure reply... ;)

We were all sitting outside one Sunday afternoon before supper and Aaron figured out that his seat would fall forward and "smash" him if he rocked it just enough... :)

I think he looks like a crab!

A team from Milford, Indiana came down to CVE and we had the pleasure of meeting Jesus & Norma for the first time! My kids really bonded with this neat couple, and it was such a blessing to be able to spend a little bit of time with them both... and for all our kids here to see not only a committed Christian couple, but a committed Christian Mexican couple! Praise the Lord!

I think Candi would have let Jesus carry her around the entire week... :)

We now have an official "dress-up clothes" basket [which amazingly manages to have lots of "good" clothes in it, too... hmmm... laziness, I think?!?] which resides in our living room. Aaron & Diego decided that they needed to put on a dancing show...

I was uploading these photos and Diego saw the picture and said, "Ha! Aaron, you're the girl!" To which Aaron, lovingly, responded, "Uh-uh, Diego. Don't talk about me like that!" To which Diego then replied, "But you were..."

And it starts.

You get the picture.

Ay, no.

Mom, did we argue this much?

[I have a feeling we did... ;)]

I love, love, love it when kids fall asleep reading... they're seriously so adorable. Diego even had his place "saved" with his fingers... cute little booger.

[Somehow it's probably not as "cute" when I fall asleep in the rocking chair, mouth open, book flapped open across my chest... etc. :) Yep, 27 is right around the corner, and if my reading and inevitable sleeping habits are to be believed, I am 27 going-on 57!]

We generally have an afternoon rest time on Sundays where the kids have the option of reading or sleeping. They always start by reading and then... fall asleep. Sounds familiar. :)

We had the blessing of Ryan taking our family photos again this year for Christmas; he told me he was going to photo-shop the tractor to red, Dad, but it didn't happen... ;)

I just praise God for another year, more experiences, more growth, more lessons, more pain, more joy... and a deeper knowledge of Him. You are good, Lord... so good.

Please pray for CVE as the holiday season is upon us! We have visitors coming and the kids are excited about all the activities... but pray that we can keep a clear focus upon that which is most important: JESUS! And please pray for clarity and His strength as focus, mission, and calling for each of us as workers is examined.. that He will lead and guide!

AND JUST IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING...

“Hodgepodge” in the English language evolved from the French word “hotchpotch” or “hochepot.” A few online references alluded to Germanic and/or Latin origins, but the clearest evidence points to old French. The Online Etymology Dictionary explains the origins of hodgepodge:“1426 (hogpoch), alteration of hotchpotch (late 14c.), from a legal term in Anglo-Fr. (attested from 1292) for collecting of property in a common pot before dividing it, from O.Fr. hochepot "stew, soup," first element from hocher "to shake," from a Gmc. source (cf. M.H.G. hotzen "shake").”

Source: http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=hodgepodge The abbreviations above have the following meanings: O.Fr. = old French, Gmc. = Germanic. The Merriam-Webster online dictionary also traces the origin to hotchpotch:http://www.aolsvc.merriam-webster.aol.com/dictionary/hodgepodge

I think the clearest explanation comes from Word Central: “Hodgepodge and its older form hotchpotch are part of a group of words that rhyme all by themselves. Hobnob and willy-nilly are others. In the case of hodgepodge and hotchpotch, the rhyme is not an accident. These words came to English from early French in the form hochepot. The spelling was changed to make the second half of the word rhyme with the first. In French hochepot was a stew of many foods cooked together in a pot. Perhaps the pot was shaken instead of stirred since hochepot was formed from hochier, meaning "to shake," and pot, which had the same meaning in early French as it does in English now. Before long hotchpotch and hodgepodge were used not just for a mixture of foods cooking in a pot but for any mixture of different things.”

Interesting... :)