We are gearing up for Christmas with our Kansas family now and I couldn't be more excited! Usually we drive down there either Christmas day or the following day but this year my man had to work. So we decided to leave after he's done working tomorrow, and it's given me just the time that I needed. Christmas with my family is always wonderful but oh so busy. It starts on the 23rd and ends on the afternoon of the 25th with not much of a break in between. I'm not complaining. I love it all, each and every minute of it, but it's busy.
So having a break this year has been really nice. A couple of days to settle into our regular routine again. A couple days of eating normal again instead of overeating. A couple of days of quiet time in our own space.
And then Kansas. We'll get to celebrate all over again with Dan's family and we are so excited! Plus, we'll be down there for the annual New Year's Eve Party we love to attend.
The theme this year is "Come as your favorite SNL character". Dan and I have something really great in the works. Let's just say if you're at the party you'll be sick of hearing us "cheer" all night long!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Jesus is in my heart
Merry Christmas!
It's officially the middle of the night and I can't sleep. This happens every year. I seriously get so excited about all the activities we have going on that I can't sleep. Even though I need to. So, I get up, and blog now!
Two really sweet things have happened in the past few days as we are gearing up for Christmas. We talk an awful lot about Jesus in this house. He really is the reason we celebrate during this time of year and He gets so lost in the midst of all the gift giving and holiday gatherings. So, Greta (and Audrey of course) and I have been talking about why Christmas is so special.
The other day, while crafting with a great friend, Greta was asked if she was going to see Santa this year. To which I quickly replied, "oh- she thinks Santa is Noah. Like from Noah's Ark". You see, my darling Greta thinks they are the same person and both her father and I don't have the heart to tell her that they are not. And really, what does it matter? I kind of love it anyway!
So then, out of nowhere, Greta stops both of us and says, "Jesus is in my heart". To which I quickly said, "what, Greta?" Thinking that I had heard her correctly but wanting to be sure that she did, just in fact, declare that Jesus Christ dwells in her little 2 year old soul. And again, she pointed to her chest, well, kind of her neck but we're working on anatomy, and said, "Jesus, He is in my heart".
Tears welled up for both me and my friend. It was beautiful. My precious lamb loves The Precious Lamb.
Then last night, as we were reading before bed, I decided to pull Greta's Bible off the nighstand and read the story of Jesus' birth, just to bring it all home. She's heard it before but somehow last night meant more. So as I was reading from the Jesus Storybook Bible (a truly great Bible with beautiful illustrations for little ones) we got to the page where it shows Jesus in the manger with Mary and Joseph around him. Greta just placed her sweet little hand on the picture of Jesus and held it there. I was ready to turn the page and continue reading but she wasn't. She just held her hand there and said, "baby Jesus" over and over again.
There is absolutely nothing like watching your little one light up at the sound of His name.
"For a child has been born- for Us!
the gift of a son- for us!
He'll take over the running of the world.
His names will be:
Amazing Counselor,
Strong God,
Eternal Father,
Prince of Wholeness."
Isaiah 9:6, The Message
It's officially the middle of the night and I can't sleep. This happens every year. I seriously get so excited about all the activities we have going on that I can't sleep. Even though I need to. So, I get up, and blog now!
Two really sweet things have happened in the past few days as we are gearing up for Christmas. We talk an awful lot about Jesus in this house. He really is the reason we celebrate during this time of year and He gets so lost in the midst of all the gift giving and holiday gatherings. So, Greta (and Audrey of course) and I have been talking about why Christmas is so special.
The other day, while crafting with a great friend, Greta was asked if she was going to see Santa this year. To which I quickly replied, "oh- she thinks Santa is Noah. Like from Noah's Ark". You see, my darling Greta thinks they are the same person and both her father and I don't have the heart to tell her that they are not. And really, what does it matter? I kind of love it anyway!
So then, out of nowhere, Greta stops both of us and says, "Jesus is in my heart". To which I quickly said, "what, Greta?" Thinking that I had heard her correctly but wanting to be sure that she did, just in fact, declare that Jesus Christ dwells in her little 2 year old soul. And again, she pointed to her chest, well, kind of her neck but we're working on anatomy, and said, "Jesus, He is in my heart".
Tears welled up for both me and my friend. It was beautiful. My precious lamb loves The Precious Lamb.
Then last night, as we were reading before bed, I decided to pull Greta's Bible off the nighstand and read the story of Jesus' birth, just to bring it all home. She's heard it before but somehow last night meant more. So as I was reading from the Jesus Storybook Bible (a truly great Bible with beautiful illustrations for little ones) we got to the page where it shows Jesus in the manger with Mary and Joseph around him. Greta just placed her sweet little hand on the picture of Jesus and held it there. I was ready to turn the page and continue reading but she wasn't. She just held her hand there and said, "baby Jesus" over and over again.
There is absolutely nothing like watching your little one light up at the sound of His name.
"For a child has been born- for Us!
the gift of a son- for us!
He'll take over the running of the world.
His names will be:
Amazing Counselor,
Strong God,
Eternal Father,
Prince of Wholeness."
Isaiah 9:6, The Message
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Audrey Lou
Well, it's official. My baby is one! You heard right, 1! Exactly one year ago today, almost to the minute, I gave birth to my second daughter, Audrey Louise, right in this very house. It was such a beautiful morning. Cold like today but I'm pretty sure there was about a foot or so more of snow on the ground. We were so excited for her arrival!
I don't think words can truly express how I feel about this little one.
First of all- she's the chubby baby I've dreamed of all my life.
Second of all- she was completely unexpected. Completely. And yet, she couldn't fit more perfectly with the rest of us.
Third- she has a smile that will melt your heart. Seriously. Melt it.
Fourth- Growing up without a sister I always dreamed of what it would be like. I LOVE that I'm getting to witness the relationship between sisters first hand. Audrey adores Greta. They are like playmates. It's a precious relationship I hope to foster well.
The list could go on and on but the moral is this-
our family has been blessed by Audrey Lou and we thank God for her constantly!
Happy, happy birthday my little Lou-
Mama
I don't think words can truly express how I feel about this little one.
First of all- she's the chubby baby I've dreamed of all my life.
Second of all- she was completely unexpected. Completely. And yet, she couldn't fit more perfectly with the rest of us.
Third- she has a smile that will melt your heart. Seriously. Melt it.
Fourth- Growing up without a sister I always dreamed of what it would be like. I LOVE that I'm getting to witness the relationship between sisters first hand. Audrey adores Greta. They are like playmates. It's a precious relationship I hope to foster well.
The list could go on and on but the moral is this-
our family has been blessed by Audrey Lou and we thank God for her constantly!
Happy, happy birthday my little Lou-
Mama
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