Merry Christmas!! Completely amazing that Christmas is nearly here and that we are closing out another year that feels like it just began.
Leading up to this week and including Sunday was just head-spinning craziness, but after Sunday we were able to take things just a little slower and catch up on life while enjoying the anticipation of Christmas.
As this Project closes out, I just want to thank you for following our family throughout the year. It means so much that you care enough to stop by here every once in a while to check in on us.
Blessings to your family this Christmas season!! This is a little video of our family in pictures this past year...
December 18
We made the family decision to skip church and instead go out to breakfast together....desperately needed!
We had our annual cookie bake night...its been about 10 years now.
Shaun got his truck running again so he was able to pick up some wood that had been waiting from the October storm. We believe in child labor around here. :)
The little guys were out for the morning shopping with Kiki. They got back at exactly the time I needed to be on a conference call....so I whisked them upstairs and popped in Barbie Nutcracker. An hour later when I checked on them I found this.
Now THIS is the way to bring in Winter! 58, dry and sunny definitely lessens the blow.
Shaun's hard work throughout the year...
The night before as I was putting the girls to bed, we were talking about Avery's upcoming vacation and how she doesn't have to go to school for 10 days. We were all very excited, but I think Amanda was the MOST excited....so sweet.
Avery had a half day filled with gift exchanging, pizza party and a special prayer service. When she got home, she changed and got to work painting a tea set she'd gotten for Christmas. The kids were so happy to be together and they played restaurant for hours with the newly painted set...in the only room that was completely cleaned and company-ready. I let them play without saying anything, remembering this poem I've seen this year.....
If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.
If I work at a soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity; but do not how love to my family, it profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.
Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.
Love bears all things. Believes all things. Hopes all things. Endures all things. Love never fails.
Video games will break. Pearl necklaces will be lost. Golf clubs will rust. But giving the gift of love will endure."
glad things finally slowed down for you. Such precious pictures of the year!!!
ReplyDeletemine will be up this afternoon.
Many blessings to you and your sweet family!!
I too look forward to a slow week next week.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed watching your children grow this past year and all of their fun activities.
Also, so glad we all met this summer. Ment so much to us.
Christmas Blessings to you and your family !!!! Hugs LuAnn
Merry xmas!
ReplyDeleteMore great pictures this week. I think Amanda was pouting becuase there wasn't any more wood to fling :) I love that poem!
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