Christmas pics

Xander and his buddy Zachary at their Christmas party at school.

They made gingerbread houses. This is Xander's masterpiece before he ate it!

Christmas beauty

Note to Santa 

Santa's response

I loved our tree this year! We finally got a taller one that looks better in our living room.

Twins :)

Ready to go downstairs

Amelia Jayne playing in the "stable" at Grandma's house

Amelia Jayne started getting sick on Christmas Eve and by Christmas night she had a fever and didn't feel so hot.

While we were celebrating at Mimi's she put herself down for a nap. She doesn't even take naps anymore! She was still recovering from being sick + all the excitement and fun of Christmas.

That pretty little bird...

“Hope” is the thing with feathers -

That perches in the soul -

And sings the tune without the words -

And never stops - at all -

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -

And sore must be the storm -

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm -

I’ve heard it in the chillest land -

And on the strangest Sea -

Yet - never - in Extremity,

It asked a crumb - of me.
by Emily Dickinson

I share this poem with you today because it has stayed with me over the past few months. I am hopeful, I am filled with faith, I believe in the good that God has done and will continue to do for this world.

There are some things going on in my heart lately. Things I can't exactly talk about right now, but things that are new and beautiful and scary and unknown.
And hope, that pretty little bird, is paramount. It's what keeps me going.

Attitude of Gratitude

I am really resting in this idea of being grateful through it all.


God said it best:

There have been so many little nudgings toward this lately - from the Holy Spirit, for sure. Here are just a few of the things that have encouraged me and spurred me on lately.

As you know, I've been participating in the Thanksgiving 30 day scripture writing plan. It has been a huge blessing and given me so much to think about.

I'm looking into some devotionals by Naptime Diaries. I got their advent devotional last year and LOVED it. My friend, Rachael Kincaid, shared some of her writing for it. I'm excited to see what they have in store this year. For some reason I didn't think to look at any of their other devotionals last year, but have gotten inspired to check it out recently.

Rachael had a pretty stinking awesome post lately about gratitude also, reminding me to ask who I'm thanking. #getaftergrateful

And then, of course, there's always Ann Voskamp. I still refer back to her amazing book.

I've seen this quote a lot lately:

So, go with joy and thanksgiving into this beautiful holiday, remembering to love through it all.

Close to my heart

I am so torn over the new information about refugees.

You see, over the past 10 weeks I've been working very closely with a local agency that supports refugees. I've seen firsthand some of the people who have been forced out of their homes due to war, persecution, and natural disasters. It's not a pretty sight. These sweet families have very little. They do not know our country, our customs or our laws.  In many cases they have lost everything except the clothes on their backs.

A friend of mine posted this on his Facebook page:

Isaiah 1:17
"Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow." 

We reject Jesus everyday we turn a blind eye to those suffering. *off soapbox*

I agree.  Let us not turn away from those who are suffering. Let us be careful and thoughtful about this, but not to the point that we lose our hearts and forget the ones who are most important.

Thankful

As the thanksgiving holiday approaches I am reminded over and over of the many things I have to be thankful for.




November is full of opportunities to give thanks. Not only do we have a holiday solely dedicated to that, but Veteran's Day is also part of this month. My kids and I spent Veteran's Day with my Dad and Karen this year. It was nice to see them and get to spend an uninterrupted day away from all the cares of this world. And the reason we were able to do that is thanks to our Veterans and current military personnel. With all the events that occurred in France, I am more thankful than ever for our soldiers this year. #peaceforparis





I started a wonderful practice that I plan to continue until these verses are written on my heart!! It will definitely be part of my new year and beyond. Anyway, I found a blog that offers monthly scripture writing. You can find the one for this month here. Even though I have been a Christian for many years now I still struggle to know what to read in my Bible if I'm not in the middle of a study. I have to say that I've gone back to these scriptures a half dozen times to share with friends who are hurting, saddened or rejoicing over happy things over the past couple of weeks and even referred back to them for myself - and today is only the 17th! What a great blessing this has been already. Here's the link for every month. So thankful for this!




David and I celebrate 11 years next Friday. Black Friday for everyone else will be golden to me. This might possibly be one of my favorite days of the whole year. I love my man and I love having the opportunity to remember committing my life to him. This year we will be taking the kids to Mom's house and I get to hang with my hubby for a full 24 hours, uninterrupted by anyone except the love of my life. #thankful #inlove




I'm looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving day with my dad, Karen, my aunt Karen and aunt Cheryl, my sister and her family, and of course my man and little ones. I'm determined to make the most out of every moment. I keep seeing it more and more each day, but my kids are getting big and time with them is short. I can't wait to have them home with me and enjoy time with family.




I received a sweet and thoughtful package from my bestie yesterday. She is amazing. Not only did she send something for me, but for every member of my family! She color-coded the box and the wrapping, wrote such loving and beautiful things to each of us, and reminded me that we met approximately 20 years ago (August 1995). How is that even possible? What a blessing she is!!