Christmas is here!

Christmas is here! 

What a crazy fast month this has been. 

This week could slow down and move at snails pace now and I'd be happy. 

Saturday we had our first celebration with my brother Jordan. 

I hate it that he will be the only one of my brothers that I see this Christmas. 

This is unchartered territory for us and its not easy. 

Not one bit. 

But we had the best night with Jordan. 

Starting with some bowling! 

Once a 7 year old boy…always a 7 year old boy. 

My kids kind of love him. 

We are thankful that he lives so close.

sick day

I've got two sickies today. 

Well one that is actually sick and one that is a faker. 

It rearranged our day...and it ended up being just what we needed. 

Catching up on advent devotions, crafts and gifts. 

And singing REALLY loud to Frozen. 

Stay this age please...like, forever. 

'Welcome, Christmas, bring your cheer. 

Cheer to all Whos far and near. 

Christmas Day is in our grasp, so long as we have hands to clasp.

Christmas Day will always be just as long as we have we.'

-The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

Catch up

How did almost 1 week pass so quickly? 

A few catch up pics and stories...

Last week Jordan and Sullivan were able to attend an ISU basketball game together. 

They were both very excited and had a fun boys night out!

Contessa had her first music concert. 

Kindergarten concerts are hands down my favorite. 

Honestly...

With cousin Adele. 

Friday morning of last week I received a rather frantic prayer request from Rosanna. 

She was supposed to be on a plane to Peru with Isaiah as part of the start of their mission work there. 

Long story short...passport issues and she was left in Iowa!

Another long story short...Rosanna and I made a flying trip to Chicago to fix said passport problems. 

We left at 3 am and returned at 5 pm that same day. 

It was more fun for me than for Rosanna. 

Rosanna had things to accomplish...I got to ride with a friend and listen about her mission work and her pregnancy and her life. :)

We had fun. 

And in the end we left with her passport in hand!

(side note...she thinks Im slightly crazy)

Once we arrived back home Rosanna headed back to Ankeny and I showered and headed to Prices for a night of food and cookie decorating. 

Lauren kind of loves Frankie...and followed him taking pics.

Yesterday's gift was making gingerbread houses...always one of their favorites! 

We had a little cousin help this time!

Seriously..stay 4. 

I beg you. 

December third

When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden, they hid. 

Like children afraid of being punished. 

God went looking for them, 

He called, 'Where are you?'

Genesis 3:9

He never stops looking for us. 

Just like a loving father...even when we've gone astray, He is seeking us. 

HE IS SEEKING US!

Sometime later a group of Wise Men were seeking HIM!

(adapted from Unwrapping the Greatest Gift, by Ann Voskamp)

I pray that my children and I never stop seeking for HIM 

And I am so thankful that HE never stops seeking me.

December Second

This morning's devotion had us learning about how God made us differently than the rest of creation. 

I had never really thought of that before. 

About how all of creation was made with such majesty and artistry, yet He saved His best for last when He molded and breathed life into His greatest love. 

If you are needing to feel loved in an awesome way today go read: 

Genesis 1:1-5, 26-27

Doing our coloring page that goes along with the devotion each day. 

And today's gift was giant pencils and winter window clings.

Because obviously, giant pencils make school much more fun!! 

Christmas Season

We started our Advent devotions tonight. 

I've been so excited about these two books that I'm using. 

I want our focus this year to be on the JOY of the season. 

Last year was really just about getting by for me. 

It was hard. 

This year I am acutely aware that we only get a few Christmases

with our kids as little ones. A few where they are in wide eyed wonder about everything!

A few where they want us close and beg us to be there with them for every moment. 

I want to make the most of each second of this Christmas Season. 

I want to help my kids to see that Jesus came into this world, not only to save them...but to give them a life more abundant, a life of JOY! 

A life where they can choose each day to choose JOY or despair.

They can choose JOY rather than a life that just gets by. 

A life where they can choose to spread His JOY or hide it. 

JOY is the message of Christmas

Luke 2:10

'...do not be afraid, I bring you good news that will cause great JOY for all the people.'

Jesus is JOY. 

As part of that JOY spreading...we also started our 24 gifts tonight. 

Tonight's gift was something brand new...one of the few that is. 

A Christmas train for under our tree. 

Couldn't be more fun. 

(minus the real smoke that smells of an electrical fire)

I think they liked it.