Merry Christmas!!

Everyone else in the house is tucked snug in bed as I tie the last of the ribbons, place the gifts under the tree, and make sure the camera is ready to capture the sweet moments of waking up Christmas morning.  The girls are so excited to finally let the secrets of the gifts they picked for each other turn into excitement of bringing joy to each other.  Before I head up the steps for a few hours of sleep, I wanted to share this really sweet video that our church showed in "Fellowship Kids" as part of the Christmas series.  I hope it blesses your day as it has blessed many of ours.

Merry Christmas!! 

A Quick Overview

I can't believe I haven't posted since Thanksgiving!  We have been doing a lot of "Christmas-ing" and I want to capture it all.  The problem is we have been "Christmas-ing" so much there hasn't been time to stop and get it all recorded.  So, here is a quick snippet of what the last few weeks have looked like...  

(hopefully each will have an expanded version in a post soon to come...sometime in January ;)

we've decorated...

 

  

we've baked...

  

we've rocked the recitals...

 

one turned a year older...

 

we've tried to find ways to pass on blessings... 

we've been blessed ...

(look, it's our family in gingerbread cookies!!)

 

This weekend was one of the best!!  We had nothing scheduled, just lots of family time taking in the neat city we live in and some sweet friends we laugh with!! 

 

 Knowing it will be a bit before there is another pause to post again...

May you all have a sweet Christmas with family and friends.  Of coarse, remembering to pause and soak in Him, our Rescuer, Christ who came in flesh to save us!!

Merry Christmas!!

Cookin' It Up

Last week we had the opportunity to cook a lot!   One dinner was shared with our sweet small group family, some dishes went out to others, and Saturday we feasted as a family with some dear friends.

In the past, Haleigh has been my "turkey girl."  This year Sophie and Mackenzie took a stab at the turkey prep too.  (Check Sophie's face when she touched the turkey for the first time!  Before it was all said and done she was elbow deep just like Haleigh.)

Mackenzie is my self-proclaimed "best kitchen helper."  Sophie and Haleigh would come and go, lending a hand with one or two dishes, but Mackenzie was there for almost every dish prepared.

Saturday finally came, Mark was off the work clock and settled in for some quality family time.  We slipped out to see the Muppet movie, finished up the last touches necessary to complete the Thanksgiving meal, welcomed our friends in and...

filled our plates!

Thanksgiving Feast with CC

Last weekend we headed out to Paris Mountain for a Thanksgiving feast with our coop.  There was lots of food, hiking, and even a flag presentation.

 Once all the scheduled events were over the kids just played and played, soaking in nature and friendship.

Next thing we knew, boots and jewelry came off... and the adults were playing too.  We had an absolute BLAST!

Thanking God for...

*the sinless life of Christ sacrificed for my sinful heart
*our church that preaches the Truth of the Gospel
*our church's children's team that teaches our kiddos Truth
*my husband, who strives to be Christ-like more and more each day
*my husband, who is crazy, fun, and simply my best friend
*my 3 precious miracles I was told I would never have
    *Sophie, her curiosity and excitement to gain knowledge of Christ, progressing beautifully on her violin, conquering fears, and gaining victory over struggles
    *Haleigh, her excitement for life, constantly praising God as she goes about her day to day, her giving heart that is counting down the days until her baptism
    *Mackenzie, her unique mix of strong will (that allowed her to grow without much food) with sweet and funny-it makes such an endearing personality, her prayers to love Jesus more, and how well she fits into the role of "baby of the family"
*Jesus opening our eyes to needs and a growing compassion to help
*Mark's job and partners
*precious friends new and old
*family able to stay close even though the miles stretch far
*our small group family, which walks life's joys and struggles together - what a ride
*our CC group who walks this homeschooling road together, bumps and all
*the men in Mark's life that keep him accountable and pressing closer to our Rescuer
*my AM2PM journey of blessings, challenges, growth, and friendships
*my roots and memories that "take me to the farm" on days I long to be with extended family and all kinds of family familiar traditional food as we linger around the table for hours
*the example of 3 ladies cooking and serving up holiday feasts that I now try to mimic in my own home
*our home, filled with love, laughter, and healthy life
*a pack of three little girls whose friendship mirrors my best friendships of sisterhood
*time to sit and soak in all the blessings seen and unseen and say "Thank You to God for this sweet life!"

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name.” Psalms 100:4

Rainy days...

are much less dreary with these