It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

What a beautiful time of year it is! It is a holy, exciting season filled with anticipation as we await the celebration of the birth of Jesus and the salvation He provided for you and me and the nations. Enjoy it! The family moments may be sprinkled with awkwardness and uncomfortable moments, and maybe your dream gift is still at the store, but I pray we can each keep our eyes on the main thing, the main person! This can be hard when our culture tells us that joy is found in the best gift, the best holiday meal, the best traditions. These are all good things, but true joy is not there. I have to remind myself of this A LOT! I hope our children start to catch a little bit of that each year as they grow and mature. And I hope they also just enjoy this season. Fun is good, loving others is good and Jesus is good! Much love from our family to yours.


Black Friday shopping fun!

We couldn't resist trying on these massive earmuffs. 


Opening a package from Japan filled with fun goodies. 


These kids love decorating. They love talking about the stories behind the ornaments and creating snowflakes and paper chains and Christmas signs. So fun. 


The tree topper!


Our first snow storm resulted in 4 days of missed school and Daddy enjoying his first winter not snowplowing. Woohoo! He's plowed every winter for 20+ years, so this was such a treat. 


Snow fun=so many smiles and so many wet clothes. But hey, Daddy is now home, so I have help. 


Leila had her first basketball game for her school in early December. She was aggressive and played hard. Her coach had to tell her to stop stealing the ball!


We were blessed and honored to participate in the annual Arlington Cemetery Wreath Laying. We arrived early and were able to place a wreath on my grandfather's grave, which meant so much to me. 


Thank you to the men, women and their families that sacrificed so we can have the freedoms we do. 


After Arlington, we thoroughly enjoyed a Christmas show celebrating many nations represented at McLean Bible Church in Northern Virginia with our friends Philip and Erica. The kids learned the unique ways people from different countries celebrate, what they eat at Christmas and other interesting facts. And the music and talent was beautiful! One of my favorite Christmas events this year. 


Momma, can I please go home and take a nap?