2015.

2015.

A new year.

A fresh start.

It can be so intimidating... yet inviting.

So may hopes and dreams as one looks ahead.

So many prayers and requests lifted before Him.

What will this year hold?

Only the One who holds all things together knows.

He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Colossians 1:17

Asking Him...

For more moments with Him

To change the duty to delight

To open my eyes to see how He sees

For wisdom to guide the four little hearts He's given to me

For the walls of my heart to be soft and changed by Him

For a deeper trust and faith tomorrow than I have today

Longing for...

More joy

More patience

More smiles

More love

More wisdom

More trust

More hope

More Him

Wanting...

to read more books

to write more blog posts

to take more pictures

to laugh with friends

to delight in each day

to study and memorize His Word

to run more than I do now

to have more date nights

to follow my heart

to soak in each moment He gives

to see His gifts 

and

to feel Him near every day.

2015.

A new year.

A fresh start.

Speaking his love language...

For Christmas, Kallan's aunt got him a map of the United States.

He was beyond delighted.

It made my heart smile to watch him.  

It made my heart smile to know she was speaking his love language.

A friend has us over to play, and had made a "match the state and capital" game for Kallan to do while at her house.  Just because that's her... and she loves well.  Again, his love language spoken to him by others, and my heart can't help but be thankful.  When a mama's children are loved well by others, it is one of the best ways to love that mama.  Because aren't our children little extensions of our heart?  I'm so thankful for the people God has put in our lives this last year who have loved us well.  I'm also thankful for the hearts He has put in our lives that we have been able to love well.

Looking and thinking about ways to do this more in the year ahead.  Because to show God's love others truly does amazing things.  And it is always good to love... and love well.

We love because He first loved us.  1 John 4:19

Merry Christmas...

From this crew!

Love,

All of Us

For unto you is born this day, a SAVIOR... He is CHRIST THE LORD!

Christmas.

Rejoicing and celebrating our Savior's birth!

What a glorious day to celebrate and remember God's great love for us!

Opening stockings!

He really just wanted the box...

My crew!  These are my people!

A special gift just from his sister...

He loved it.  I love her thoughtfulness.

Another gift from Ainsley made especially by her just for him... a World Coloring Book.

Our gift of books to them... for her, "How to Draw Horses".

More books... A world Atlas and some books about the states for this one.

Their "big" gift... 

A horse! (this was as real as I could get...) 

The snowboard he desperately wanted... but was told he couldn't have.

*wink*

His reaction... priceless!

Yes, this is what would be the "pre-teen" dance all around the house afterwards.

:)

A foam USA puzzle.

"Just what I always wanted!!!"

The quiet moments after the presents that a mama cherishes...

I can't think of any better way to celebrate the Savior I love 

than spending a day with the people I love most.

Happy Christmas Day!

Our Christmas Eve 2014

Soup before church...

Blessed.

After our Christmas Eve service, it is our tradition to come home and

open one "Christmas Eve" present.

Baylor's first present...

Inside each gift are three things.  

First, a new Christmas ornament that really 

reflects "them" for that year.  This year Liam received a piano, 

Ainsley a horse, Kallan a globe, and Baylor a "1st Christmas" ornament.

Next, they each get a new Christmas book.

My hope is that one day when they have their own families, 

they will have their own collection of Christmas books from us

that they remember reading from their childhood and then can read to their family.

The last gift in the bag is a new pair of pajamas to put on

so they will have fun new jammies that they will be wearing on Christmas morning!

I love this simple, little tradition of ours,

and these gifts are one of my favorite gifts to put together each year.

I love this night with my family.  Christmas Eve is definitely one of my favorite parts of Christmas.

Cookies with them...

It's our Christmas tradition to make cookies before Christmas.  I grew up with my mom always making frosted sugar cookies at Christmas time.  For some reason these little traditions are what help make Christmas so special.

We have two favorite cookies we like to make before Christmas time.  Frosted Sugar cookies and Gingerbread men. I have to smile as the last two or three years this event has taken place at the very last possible minute before our Christmas celebrations begin.  Even though it can feel like "one more thing" on my Christmas to-do list, it is one thing that I'm always glad we do together... because I just like making Christmas cookie with them.

My artist...

I let him be "professional" this year.

He just had fun with the sprinkles!

Works of art!

Him...

Things I don't want to forget...

The way you love to pick up "big things"!

Your determination and delight...

Your amazing balance even though you won't take steps yet.

Those legs....

Your famous "hurdler" way to sit.

You have done this for months, and it is your favorite way to

sit or just hang out.

One leg out... one knee bent.

All. The. Time.

The way you will play contently when no one is around to bother you.

Remember Always...

I love you!

A Little Preschool Celebration

Our favorite little shepherd and his friend waiting to go on stage.

You should have seen their faces at the part of...
"and they were so frightened!!!!!"

Afterwards, the kids were able to decorate gingerbread houses.

They were amazed at the spread of candy to choose from!

What a fun time celebrating Jesus' Birthday!