His first communion

 

 

 

Christmas Eve service was an unexpected delight. I always love Christmas Eve and the service we attend. We've loved being at Ridge church on Christmas Eve for the past three years that they've offered services. And I knew this year wouldn't disappoint. What I didn't know was how emotional and meaningful this particular Christmas Eve service would be.

My boy took his first communion.

It took me a minute after our pastor told us we would be sharing in communion to realize that Xander would actually be able to partake this time. So as the elements came around, I whispered in Xander's ear what we were doing and why. He asked me when he needed to stand up and what was expected of him, and I told him just to follow me and daddy. I told him about the bread and that it represents Christ's body, and the juice that represents His blood. I talked quietly to him about this opportunity we have to remember Christ and what He did for us.

I used to think the gospel message was a bit too overwhelming or perhaps too gruesome for young kids. I was wrong. Xander had no problems with it whatsoever.

I usually take the time before we receive the elements to pray, ask God for forgiveness and thank Him for Jesus. But this time? All I could do was thank God that my son knows His Son. They are in a beautiful relationship with one another. I cried as I prayed and spoke to my own son. It was a special and significant moment that I won't soon forget.

Merry Christmas to you and yours

 

I think this was my favorite pic from Christmas :)

 

There's a blog I follow called chatting at the sky.

Emily Freeman is amazing. 

I get so much encouragement and joy from reading her words. 

And it seems she always has just the words that I need in the very moment I read them.

Check out her latest article - and I hope it brings joy to your soul.

Agreed

Done entirely on his own :)

Translated:
Christmas List
Xander
big Olaf
Robbie Keen LA jersey
Liverpool Steven Gerard jersey
Messi Barcelona jersey

Xander's baptism

My boy got baptized last month! I am so proud of him! I'm so excited that my sweet boy has a relationship with Jesus Christ and that he has publicly pronounced his faith. What a sweet day. I loved when Patrick, our Family Ministries Director, said that on the day these kids accepted Jesus the angels celebrated in heaven. And November 16th was our day to celebrate together on earth.

I felt so incredibly loved and I know my boy did, too. We had so many people there to celebrate with us and show their love and support for sweet Xander. It was a day I'll remember forever.


Xander Little - Family Birthday Celebration from Ridge Church on Vimeo.

Ms. Alanna - Xander's preschool teacher last year.

Here are some of my favorite photos from that night:

Man, I love this kid. He has stolen my heart.

Ten beautiful years

I love my husband. More than I ever thought it possible to love another human being. He is my heart.
I continue to be amazed by him. He makes me so proud and so honored. He truly loves me well.

We had a fantastic anniversary. It was a big one - 10 whole years. Sometimes I am astounded at how much God has done in our lives over the last 10 years. Both of us have grown and changed in countless ways.

It hasn't always been fun. It isn't ever perfect. It's been down right hard more times than I can count.
But it's been incredible. And beautiful. I am so blessed to do life with my best friend.

We spent our actual anniversary, Thanksgiving day this year, and some days before and after in Savannah, Georgia. We had no plans, no expectations, and therefore, no stress! We ate Thanksgiving dinner on a river boat. We stayed out late and slept in. We saw that one of my favorite movies (Gone with the Wind) was playing in a local theater for one night, so we went. We enjoyed hanging at a chocolate bar, ate at local restaurants including Paula Deen's restaurant, The Lady and Sons and historic Belford's. We did some shopping, lots of walking, and the perfect amount of talking. We spent almost every second together...and loved every minute of it. Honestly. It was like a dream :)

The love of my life

Happy anniversary and Happy Thanksgiving!

75th anniversary of GWtW...amazing!

 

At the Lucas theatre

 

Lulu's Chocolate Bar. My new favorite thing. We have a chocolate bar in Charlotte that I must try out!

David's Irish coffee and my chocolate martini...OMG...delicious!

Chocolate martini...yum! I need to work on my food photography, though...

Peanut butter pie...as if we needed anything else after those drinks!

 

Lovely restaurant, lovely view

Beautiful anniversary flowers.

Friendsgiving

 

Our small group had a great time celebrating "Friendsgiving" just before Thanksgiving. I am so incredibly blessed by each of the people in that group. God has given us so much through their friendships!

Home videos

The kids and I couldn't stop watching home videos the other day.
This is one of my faves.
I just loved watching Amelia Jayne watch herself. It was so cute! And her laugh is completely infectious and genuine. Love her!

Check this one out, too. Guaranteed to make you smile. :)

And who could forget the Xander dancing vids:

Dancing in the rain

Totally inappropriate music that you can't help but capture on video since your kid is so darn cute dancing to it...

Sweet words

I told Amelia Jayne that Cinderella was in the attic. She said, "That's not the ackit, that's her room!"

Me: Amelia Jayne! Look! You got a magazine in the mail!
AJ: I got a mazagine??
Me: A what?
AJ: A mazagine?
Xander: It's not a mazagine. It's a -
Me: Aw, don't correct her, buddy. That's just too cute.
Xander: But it's not mazagine.
Me: I know, but it's just like you've always said calapitter. I just think it's so cute, I don't want to correct it yet.
X: It's not calapitter?
Me: No, you always say calapitter, but it's caterpillar.
X: Oh, I see. It's not calapitter, it's cal-a-pitter.
Me, laughing hysterically: Yeah, bud. Just like that.

Me: Do you want to read this story?
AJ: Yes, let's read the story about Picoconos and how his nose grows.

Me: I love you, Xander.
X: I love you more.
Me: I love you most.
X: I love you most-er.
Me: Well, I love you most-est.
X: I love you moster-est-est!

AJ - third birthday interview

When Xander was 3 I interviewed him.

Here's his from this year.

And here's my baby girl's first interview - 3 years old:

Favorites-

TV show - Sophia

Movie - Frozen

Song - Let it Go

Musician - Vado (took me awhile to figure out she meant Demi Lovato, much to my chagrin)

Food - strawberries

Candy - chocolate

Toy - Sophia doll

Activity - play games

Cereal - chocolate cereal bar (Not sure what she's talking about…)

Vegetable - carrots

Drink - milk

Game - soccer

Book - Noah's Ark

Restaurant - Chick-Fil-A

Holiday - Christmas

Animal - zebra

Color - pink

Vacation - the mountains

If you could change your name to anything, what would it be? Kate-Kate

If you could have anything you want this year, what would it be? frozen heart (it's a song from Frozen, but really I have no idea what she means)

What do you love most about Mommy? go on walks together

What do you love most about Daddy? hides under blankets with me

What do you love most about Xander? he shares his toys with me

Here's a comparison of those two, both at 3 years old.

Three! Tres! Trois!

This makes me nervous...
But that's where we are.
We are three.

It came around so quickly. Wasn't she just born? I can remember holding her in my arms, snuggling her against my chest, tickling her little toes to see that sweet smile. I remember looking into her eyes for the first time and knowing her even then.

Now she's three.
We had a wonderful time celebrating sweet Amelia Jayne. I'm behind in posting, but I didn't want to leave out this momentous occasion on the blog.

She was so excited when she woke up!

Celebration at school, complete with cupcakes!

She got this hat for her birthday and needed to wear it while she colored.

Excited about her gifts from Xander. He picked them out himself!

We had a Sophia party at my mom's house where we played games (like pin the amulet on Sophia), decorated cookies, made crowns and enjoyed yummy foods. What a blast!

A Mommy/Mimi original :)

These four. Be still my heart.

That face…:)

Blurry but worth it!!