Christmas Pics

We had a wonderful time in Des Moines with my extended family. My grandparents & aunt & uncle from Florida joined my mom, my sister's family and us. We had a great time catching up and opening TONS of presents and eating lots of yummy food.

I think this is the funniest picture of the entire day. CocoPuff was "holding up" Granddaddy. Uncle Buck & Aunt Laura got all of the kiddos sheriff's sets and they spent most of the morning handcuffing and arresting people.

Baby sis got a vacuum from Santa and if it really worked Uncle Buck & Aunt Laura's floor would have been VERY clean.

Coco & Baby sis are talking about something VERY serious....

Life is to be Lived...

Life is to be lived...not scripted. As the mother of 2 young children, I often have to remind myself of these VERY true words. We've been trying to truly remember this year what the ONE AND ONLY meaning of this very special season is. To celebrate and rejoice at the birth of our Savior. Praise GOD for His Son!

I recently read this paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13 by Sharon Jaynes and it seems to say it well:
If I decorate my house perfectly with lovely plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights, and shiny glass balls, but do not show love to my family - I’m just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals, and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family - I’m just another cook.
If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family - It profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn’t envy another home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way.
Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
Love never fails. Video games will break; pearl necklaces will be lost; golf clubs will rust. But giving the gift of love will endure.

Snow and Sick

Those have been the most used words around the house lately. We're in the middle of a big snowstorm and more is expected this weekend and next week. My family who is coming from Florida for Christmas probably isn't thrilled at the prospect :). And the other word...which just HAPPENS to be a four-letter one ;). Both Will and Morgan have been sick with the stomach flu and poor Will had strep too! I can hope (right??) that they're done for the year, knowing that's probably not the case. Oh well, we've had some good times cuddling under the covers and watching lots of movies (Will) and Mickey Mouse (Morgan).

We're excited to head to Des Moines next week for Christmas. My extended family from Florida will be in town along with my sister and her family. Will can't wait to spend time with his cousins, eat Jesus birthday cake and see what Santa has in store. I"m looking forward to relaxing during the nearly 2 week shutdown at work!

Merry Christmas - Praise God for His Son!

Snow Snow Snow

I really hope this winter isn't going to turn out like last winter with record-breaking amounts of snow, two ice storms, and lots of cold temperatures. However, living in the Midwest and Iowa, it's part of the story with winter! So, we'll do our best to enjoy it. Will's already anxious to make a twin for Frosty and asked when we could buy him a new sled. It's snowing as I type (I'm glad I'm INSIDE!) so I'm thinking that he's going to get the sledding wish soon. Oh, I need to stock up on hot chocolate too....now why can't I make it taste like Starbuck's Peppermint Hot Chocolate at home? Is that why it's $3/cup?