december is . . .

the annual carriage ride

andrew and henry watching the christmas chapel

picking out a real tree for the first time

opening a special gift from your teacher (and getting glasses)

the christmas parade with dear friends

playing mary and joseph

reading books under the tree

decorating said tree with grammy and nanny

more decorating


all while we anxiously await celebrating the birth of our savior. what an exciting time!

shopping

I saw this post and it really hit home! It was posted on Life as Mom.

It’s been a crazy weekend, hasn’t it? I didn’t go shopping, but just a glance online showed me there was a lot of fiscal activity going on out there. While I heard voices saying, “Calm down, this won’t buy you happiness, ” I also sensed a lot of folks worrying about getting more stuff.

There are good reasons for shopping. And there are good reasons for staying home. And there are good reasons for spending less than you ever have, just as it is perfectly fine to spend more –provided you have money to spend.

Whatever you do, think on these things:

1. Christmas morning will be over in a blink of an eye. Disappointments are generally forgotten fairly quickly.

2. Little kids often prefer the cardboard box to the actual present inside. Be creative in how you approach gift giving. Enough is as good as a feast.

3. It’s okay if Little Susie at school has more than your child. It is okay. Sometimes love means not giving folks everything they think they want.

4. People are more important than things. Rejoice in time spent together.

5. Jesus is the WHY of all of this.

Merry Christmas!

Hoping you find yourself surrounded by God's glory this Christmas! Wishing you peace, love and joy.

sugar cookies

The finished products

Claire's creation

Henry's

We had a great time making sugar cookies yesterday. By 9:30 am my children were sucking the icing out of the decorating bags. I was told "It was the best cookie party ever!" Gingerbread men coming soon. . .

Train Show

This weekend we went to the Tidewater Train Show and had a great time. We met our cousins and friends there. It just so happened that Henry and Duncan had on matching outfits-too cute. Claire was a very brave girl and sat on Santa's lap while the boys watched apprehensively. We knew it was time to go when Henry was determined to grab the trains while lying on the floor under the rope.

Christmas Fun

Decorating cookies at school

Claire's first school program-so cute!!

Henry anxiously awaiting the cookie that Claire is decorating for him.

The VB Christmas parade

Watching the parade with our friends Tanner and Kai.