Ridiculous

Because that's currently how I'm feeling about this whole holiday (New Year's Eve/Day). Honestly, it seems a bit ridiculous to me. Well anyway, Sam and Ellie wish you a happy New Year (if you're into that sorta thing)

And yeah, if this photo is a sign of what's in store for the future... Lord help us all.

Favorite Gift

Hands down the coolest Christmas gift I got this year. It's a (very thoughtful) gift from my mom. An ornament from Etsy, shaped like Africa. That's where I'm going on a mission trip next summer. Honestly it's still hard to believe. In a little less than 6 months from now, I'll be in Uganda. Hugging orphans, telling them Bible stories, building relationships, making a difference. 

To you, it may be only an ornament. But to me, it's so much more than that.

Shattered...

Shatter: to be broken into fragments or become weak or insubstantial; to damage or destroy.

Rejoice!

O come O come Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! 

Emmanuel has come to thee O Israel.

Tree Decorating

"O holy night the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn."

My Gift

What can I give Him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, would I bring a lamb;

If I were a wise man, would I do my part;

Yet what can I give Him... give my heart.

                -Sarah Mclachlan, In a Bleak Mid Winter 

Song For A Winter's Night

If I could know within my heart

That you were lonely too

I would be happy just to hold the hands I love

On this winter's night with you

              -Sarah Mclachlan, Song For a Winter's Night

I Love It When He Plays

Because when his fingers touch those keys

It's the most beautiful thing I've ever heard.

For My Co-op Kiddos

Have a fun and safe Christmas break 

See you in two weeks!

Just Get Me Through December

"How pale is the sky that brings forth the rain

As the changing of season prepares me again

For the long bitter nights and the wild winter's stay

My heart has grown cold, my love stored away

My heart has grown cold, my love stored away...

Just get me through december

A promise I'll remember

Get me through december

So I can start again."

            -Alison Krauss, Get me Through December

Some Serious Snowball Throwing

Snowballing. 

It's no longer a fun game, it's a serious sport.

Shoeless Babe

With snow and ice covering the ground

I think shoeless days are over for now. 

But in this picture I see

Something quite so lovely:

A shoeless babe, with bare feet

A simple reminder of something oh-so-sweet.

On My Nose and Eyelashes

"Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes

Silver white winters that melt into springs

These are a few of my favorite things."

First Snowfall

Looking forward to the many more that will come.

Craziness, Hilarity, Family...

I love this photo for more reasons than I could list. You know that saying, a picture is worth a thousand words? 

I'm pretty sure that applies here. 

Bad Days

Apple-Cinnamon-Raisin Oatmeal:

it may not fix a bad day, but it doesn't hurt either.

Welcome December

"I heard a bird sing in the dark of December

A magical thing and sweet to remember.

'We are nearer to Spring than we were in September'

I heard a bird sing, in the dark of December."

-Oliver Herford