Merry Christmas!

The blessing of family.

The greatest Gift.

(yes, that is a baby Jesus duck in the manger)

Cupcakes to celebrate His birth.

The Christ candle...lit at last!

A white Christmas brought many happy faces :)

And the reason for it all...

For unto us a child is born, a Son is given...Joy to the world!

Enough

Plugging away until Christmas day :) I can hardly believe it's already here. This is such a wonderful season. I feel like I've been trying to work so hard at not being distracted this year, not being overwhelmed. But this week, I decided to stop trying. Maybe that's my problem. Stop trying. Just BE! That's what the kids do. They just are. They are themselves. They love big, they cry big, they play hard, they rest even harder (when they finally give in). I want to take a lesson from them as we experience Christmas this week. All it is. All it brings. I just want to be in it, in Him. Not trying so hard to make it perfect, or control circumstances, or even trying so hard to be at peace. Just focusing on the Lord. Allowing my heart to truly be the place where He dwells, no matter what may be swirling around me. Loving big. Playing hard. And resting harder. He is enough.

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Counting up 1000 gifts...
137. just enough time

138. just enough to occupy us for an icy day at home

139. the little one who woke up with a joyful song in his heart

140. another lesson in how to love a child better

141. just enough of a nap

142. a good book and a warm mug

143. lessons from the Jesse tree

144. Happy birthday Jesus (the song)

145. a hot shower

146. that the imperfect gingerbread house making was lots of fun :)

147. surviving the store trip with a long list and 3 "helpers"

148. anticipation of the coming of our King

He is the One

Monday, shmonday. With things being busy these days and with some unforeseen things that went on, Monday came and went. But I still count them up. The multitude of blessings. Working my way to 1000...and more.

This week I have been overwhelmed by the fact that He is enough. He really is the One.

The Reason for the Season.

All we ever need. All sufficient. All consuming. Truly Just. Truly Holy. Truly Merciful. Fully God. All in One person. His Spirit guides. His hand protects. His love comforts. His very nature restores, repairs, heals. Everything is not holly, jolly and perfect during the Christmas season. But He is bigger. And He is over it all. For that, I give thanks.

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#126-136

126. Luke's (gentle) tackles

127. early morning cuddles by the Christmas tree~because it's just too cold to start the day

128. patience granted while baking with little ones (after a moment of not-so-much patience, and a quiet prayer for help)

129. the gift of (is it a gift?) multitasking

130. healthy children in this house~not even a runny nose!

131. a lesson from a child who couldn't be thankful for what he had, but always wanted what everyone else had~"oh. i do that too." (sigh)

132. friends who love being with our children & babysit for free!!

133. holiday baking & making...& eating :)

134. the little one's cutest scowl face

135. brothers talking & laughing with each other by the light of their mini Christmas tree

136. the Restorer, Repairer of all things broken~Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

Linking up with...

Christmas Fun

The Advent Wreath

A Christmas Parade
(which David slept through most of!)

A Winter Wonderland :)

Still trying to be still...

Keeping this short this week, because I am still seeming to be grasping for air during this hectic time, even though many would say my calendar doesn't seem that "full." There's just always something in the clutter of my mind. So I'm really trying to guard my moments of quiet (no matter how short they may be). This is a season of Joy. And this past week has brought no less than a multitude of things I can be thankful for, despite the ups & downs that this life brings.

Therefore, you do not lack any spiritual gift, as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 1 Cor. 1:7

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#113-125

113. Parenting reminds me of my persistent need for Grace

114. a moment

115. painted fingernails

116. a long overdue dinner with the sissies ~ senza bambini :)
117. a friend's smiling face

118. it is better to give than to recieve

119. Hope

120. unexpected snowstorm

121. the glorious white that covers over all

122. the story of the candy cane

123. "Joy to the world"

124. Peace ~ being still inside my body (as defined by a certain 4 yr. old)

125. the good work God is doing in him

Goats.

I don't know what kind of "following" my blog really has, or who actually takes the time to read. But today I feel led to share something that has impacted our life as a family, a charity we truly believe in and love, something that has now become a Christmas tradition.

If even just one person has never heard of giving a goat for Christmas, then this has not been for nought.

Check it out. You will be blessed to see how you can make a difference :)

Click here!

Multitude Monday

As I sit here right now, after hustling around the house frantically trying to get things picked up & put away before my precious nap time ends for today, I'm reminded of what it means to be still. I'm reminded of how easily my life can get extremely busy...before I even realize it...especially at this time of year. And it's most of the time for the sake of "good things." Busily decorating to celebrate the birth of our Savior, busily trying to make sure our kids can do all the crafts and baking and making they can so that they can get the most out of the season & it all will truly sink in; busily trying to get all the perfect gifts bought and made and wrapped and given. All good things. But I am reminded what it means to be still. To truly seek that which Christmas is all about. To bask in the awe & wonder. A Savior. Our Savior. Our desperately needed Savior. Was born. Died. Rose again. Lives. Amazing!

There is so much for which to be truly grateful. I am amazed at the multitude, the big and the little. In this season I hope and pray that we can find time to slow down, be still...and know that HE is God.

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On Mondays, I join with Ann Voskamp in counting up the multitude of blessings the Lord has bestowed. I'm working my way to 1000...and beyond. The gifts are endless.

93. our community

94. opportunities for our children to grow in the Lord as they learn

95. Starbucks with my hubby

96. excitement over AWANA

97. cooking with my Ma

98. hearing the many "thankfuls" of others

99. restless boys in church, eager to hold the hymnals

100. Thanksgiving turkey (of course!)

101. beginning to hear the heart of our oldest boy as he prays~a simply precious gift

102. made-up songs by Lukey

103. bunked beds

104. de-bunked beds...learning and growing on this parental journey (yes, someone fell, and thankfully he was okay!)

105. a crisp, cold morning in the mountains

106. a gracious family & a Christmas tree farm

107. my very able husband

108. that he gets the tree from the top of the car to the inside of the house, with lights on it, and all I have to to is wait & watch

109. peppermint mocha

110. the chaos of Christmas decorating

111. two helpful boys so excited to decorate...and one so eager to touch it all

112. the feel of bed at the end of a full day :)