December to remember

We were so excited to see my sis-in-law to celebrate her big 30th birthday & have some much over due play time.  With our move this past summer, we have missed out on seeing our sweet nieces/cousins.  The little girls&boys had so much fun playing together.  It was so fun to see!  Ages: 6, 4, 2, & 1.

Playing big bad wolf (played by Roosevelt Prose).  The 4 pigs house was sturdy enough to withstand! haha

Madeline reading to James all tucked in - all 4 in the theater watching Monster's Inc.  Love Madeline's face. ;-)

Good bye hugs.  Sweet girls.

We stayed around at Grammy & Papa's for the weekend.  Hayden adopted Curious George as his favorite - he showed his affection by walk/running around the house carrying his by the ear.

End of the loop was a crash landing on Grammy's lap.  She didn't mind a bit.

Little James who refused to nap had to play trains while resting his head on the floor.  haha, silly guy.
not tired at all.

Papa's church had Christmas carols in the city 'circle' that we stayed for.  It was so sweet to start the Christmas season off with some hymns & carols - lights - and family.

Little James played just a bit too hard & ended up making his first ER appearance.  Fell, bumped his head and then got sick = needed a Dr check-up.  mild concussion but was such a champ.  Tough night for James but may have been tougher for his poor Daddy&Mommy.

Still grateful for a very smooth recovery for James & the mild nature of the injury.  Grace grace.

kick-off to Christmas

doing a Christmas-in-review this year is a bit daunting but such a precious reminder of all that has been celebrated & decorated & created & enjoyed.  Our boys had such a big time celebrating Christmas this year that I would love to cement all the little details down in time as they are so easily forgotten in the river of days.

Our little guys excited to see the tree all set up (mind you it took several days for Matt&I to get the time/energy to actually get out the ornaments, haha).  They celebrated by sitting next to the tree in their little chairs & reading some books. ;-)

Christmas is exciting!! or maybe just jumpin' on the chair...

cheese.

This face. priceless.

Naked little guys reading Toy Story from the library.

James singing - Daddy conducting - Hayden covering his ears = dinner time.  love.

Christmas cookie attempt #1 - meltaways & cream cheese icing.  not my favorite.  Thank goodness for the peppermint sprinkles for some flavor, haha.

more reading & snuggles with Daddy.  Why still naked??  It seems I never know what causes these incidents.  Maybe a cookie snack gone terribly wrong. haha

Finally got out the ornaments & only broke half a dozen while the boys helped decorate the tree.  James hung them all at the bottom of the tree in a row & Hayden just thought they were a bunch of toys and broke a few with a bit too much enthusiasm.  

Little decorator & little wrecking crew - my favorite the Little People Nativity! - the bottom of our tree. haha

 Loved my view from my couch that evening.  5 stockings were hung by the chimney with care. ;-)

perspective.

In this busy season of holidays&family&friends so many things can make our lives feel busy or stressful or frustrating or stressful.  Feelings of wanting to do more or have more or give more can ache & leave the spirit tired and empty.

So GRATEFUL to have this little kick in the pants during some quiet time at my house = nap time = re-coup time for momma.  Giving thanks to the Lord for what I have & what I have to give makes it enough.  Being ungrateful or unsatisfied or only seeing what isn't will leave me empty.  Saying thank you and meaning it fills the my heart & leaves me to quietly push past feelings of inadequacy.  Just for what I have.  and it is enough.

Thanks Ann.  ;-)  expert from: One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.  check her out... http://www.aholyexperience.com/