Baby Got Bible

Pause the music player on the left side of the screen and then enjoy this video!

Early Christmas

We traveled back to Missouri today to start our family Christmas festivities, so we decided to let the kids open their presents from us last night. We went to an early dinner and then we drove around to look at Christmas lights. Let me just tell you that the lights in Dallas were A-MAZ-ING! I can't even put into words how cool these people did their displays. Obviously most of them pay people to do it, but regardless it is an amazing site...one I have never seen before. Things really are bigger in Texas! There were carriage rides through the neighborhoods and lots of traffic. It is a MUST see! We then headed home and did our advent devotional. We then surprised the kids and let them open the gifts. They get one gift from us and three gifts from Santa. Now, compared to my childhood that amount of gifts seem ridiculously not enough. (That was not a grammatically correct sentence but just roll with me.) However, our kids are used to it, it doesn't phase them, they know no different. And, this year due to a restricted budget the one gift from us wasn't anything extravagant, but I must say that it was the best reaction I have seen from the kids ever. Bubby opened first and he got an Armor of God dress up set. Sword, breast plate, shield, helmet, etc. Him and TW love to wrestle and fight each other so when we saw this we knew it was right up his alley...and we were right on! AKP opened next. For months now she has been asking for footed pajamas. So, we bought her a set. You would have thought she won a million dollars by her response. Pure joy! She thanked us continuously for the next hour. It has been her favorite thing. Addisyn opened last. She got a pair of furry clog type shoes. One of her friends at school has them. Uggs makes them but she got the off brand. :) And, she loved them. She hasn't taken them off since. Again, a total hit! What I learned is, its the simple things! Seeing the joy in their eyes melted my heart!

Need I Say More

Please Remain Seated For The Entire Performance

It IS the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I had the idea to do a blog post titled this and since I had the idea I have seriously heard that song so many times. So, here we go!

I love this time of year so much. From September through the end of December is definitely my favorite time of the year. I love the changing of the seasons, the different holidays, all of the traditions, and of course all of the food! I love it so much so that on the day after Christmas I kind of have a post-Christmas blues. The let down that you have to wait so many months to hit that season again. I am cherishing everyday leading up to Christmas. This Christmas is different. So many things about our life are different right now. But, I am embracing the different better then I was before and I am so grateful for the place that God has us in our lives at this very moment. Although so many things have been taken away from us (friends and family because of distance), job security, financial freedom, our home (adjusting to a smaller home), comfort, and routine, I can definitely say that there is no other place I would rather be then right in the will of God. He has blessed us in so many ways during this transition. Not ways of the world, but His ways...and His ways are always better. I used to read that and think, "yep His ways are better," but now I fully understand what that means. And, for that reason this Christmas is different for me. I am celebrating the true meaning of the season with a full heart.

Christmas Music

I have added a couple of my favorite Christmas songs. The first song is by Michael W. Smith. When I was younger I went to Kanakuk kamp in the summer. They always played a lot of his songs and one summer he even came in concert to the term I was there. It was super cool. So, now whenever I hear one of his songs it takes me back to a happy place. :) The other two are by Chris Tomlin; he is one of TW and I's favorite artist. His lyrics are always so touching and I love how he incorporates the audience in on his songs. Enjoy!!

Wordless Wednesday

I came in to Bubby's room last night to kiss him, this was around 10:20pm, and I saw this...

He must have gotten out of bed and put his hat on and then fell asleep with it on. How cute!