my little valentines

Last week the children had their school Valentine parties. As we did the past three years (you can see them here, here, and here), I used photos to make Valentines for Hannah and Joseph to hand out. With scissors, a hole punch, and ribbon I got to work.

This year we attached gummies, their absolute favorite things. We've done M&Ms and lollipops in the past.

When I showed Hannah the two photos I picked out for her so she could choose…well, she couldn't decide. So we went with both.

I took two pictures of Joseph playing in the backyard and one was perfect for this purpose.

When Hannah got home from school, she wrote the names of her classmates on the back of each photo (and added a heart sticker).

Thursday was a busy day. It was show-and-tell day for the letter of the week: X. I can think of two things that begin with X. It was either printing out a picture of an X-ray of Daddy's leg or taking the xylophone from the playroom. We went with the latter.

As previously mentioned, it was Valentine parties. I didn't get a picture of Joseph at the preschool, but he went with us to the "big school" in the afternoon for Hannah's party and I got a picture of both of them there:

Thursday was also the start of soccer. Hannah was very excited…

…and very disappointed when they didn't get to practice because of the cold/wind and it just ended up being a parents meeting.

Better that way, too, because Monkey has been sick. She had an ear infection and was put on antibiotics a couple of weeks ago, but then Friday started complaining of pain in her other ear. Turns out there were infections in both ears and she is on her second round of antibiotics. She was in a lot of pain this weekend and I was thankful for a long weekend being lazy at home.

Joseph and I did get out on Saturday for a birthday party. This little friend lives on a farm and between the awesome sand box and getting up close and personal with the cows, Joseph had a big time.

Joe and I had a lovely night out on Friday with friends of ours. We drove to Augusta for a delicious meal at Edgar's Grille, a place we first went for our anniversary in October.

The rest of our "stay-home" days we watched movies, did some small house projects and ate Valentines candy:

Happy (belated) Valentine's Day to you!

with every christmas card…i see

Nope, not dreaming of a white Christmas. But we are still enjoying holiday cheer through our border of Christmas cards here on Evergreen Drive.

As I've done the past couple of years, I display every photo card we receive on the chair rail ledge that lines our living and dining rooms. After all the decorations are put away and the house is clean, these reminders of family and friends grace the walls of our home for a few more weeks.

I'm thankful for these cards, and I'm grateful for the people in these photographs.

from our family to yours

goodbye, friends

And by goodbye, I only mean I took down our Christmas cards that have so beautifully lined our walls for the last couple of months.

Last year they lined the dining room. This year they took over the living room, too. Apparently more people have jumped on the photo card train. Yay, I love it.

I am grateful for all of you...and a deep chair rail! I have loved loved loved looking at our friends and family throughout the day. I will miss seeing your faces, but the chair rail is becoming dusty...

And all good things must come to an end.

Til next year!

tis the season...

A good friend forwarded me a devotion today about "The Pull to be Everywhere" during the holidays. It was well-timed, as those sent to me usually are. I was doing so good keeping up with things, so that I'm not to this week and completely overwhelmed. I was pretty organized. And, I was keeping up with the Advent book I was reading {The Journey by Adam Hamilton}. But last week came and things just slipped. We've had Christmas parties and other things on the calendar, we've been playing catch up with stuff at home, and we've been going to bed too late.

Now, I'm going to refocus. I'm going to sit and read that book. I'm going to light the Advent wreath. I'm going to make every effort to be present, not stressed, and calm. {Calm is a relative term, after all things around here with these two little ones are rarely - if ever - calm!}

And so, here's our prayer for you: that you do the same. Have a wonderful Christmas, surrounded by those you love, and acknowledging God's greatest gift in the birth of Jesus. Count your blessings, and rejoice in the Lord! If you're like me, and you need to refocus, it's not too late... There is no time like the present!

still merry

This year, while I was ready to pack away all the Christmas decorations and get the house back to normal after the new year, I decided to leave out the cards through January. I am so glad I did, instead of rushing to toss them out.

I have tried displaying Christmas cards a few different ways, but this year was my favorite -

on the chair rail in the dining room. {The folded variety I slipped in the blinds in the breakfast room.}

I thoroughly enjoyed looking at these the last couple months. Seeing beautiful pictures of family and friends every time I walk through the room, glance up from my laptop, or eat dinner here has sparked warm thoughts and great memories. I'm pretty sure every card is imprinted in my mind now. As I took them down today, I prayed for each family. I am blessed to have such great friends and family. And so, thanks for sending everyone! 

from our house to yours...

'tis the season

Merry Christmas!

Jesus Christ is God's Christmas gift to you. Yet some of us have gone Christmas after Christmas and never opened the best gift of all - God's gift of salvation. Why even celebrate Christmas if you're not going to open the biggest gift? It doesn't make sense to leave unwrapped the gift of your past forgiven, a purpose for living, and a home in heaven. 

- Rick Warren

I hope you are all having a merry and blessed Christmas. We sure are here in Jesup. Christmas Eve we had a nice worship service. A lot of people came and it was so special to start Christmas in such a holy place. Hannah wore her sweet Christmas dress and said "A-meeen" at all the right times. Loudly. Joe and I stayed up way too late, but watched The Nativity Story (so good, I hope you have seen it).

 

Christmas morning was a flurry of activity (chaos). Hannah wanted little to do with any of her presents - wrapped or unwrapped, but she loved getting into everything she wasn't suppose to. Joe and I were constantly moving things out of her reach, while trying to take pictures, video, and enjoy it all at the same time. Once we put her down for her morning nap, we opened our own gifts. Peacefully. Hannah slept 3 hours - a great present. Santa was very kind this year too. 

Hannah invading Mollie's space

la cucaracha?

love at first sight.

Hannah took a 2 hour afternoon nap (crazy, right?) and then my mom, Ben, and Will came down for dinner, presents, and playtime.

Every year Mom has a theme with her gifts. This year we had to arrange letters to spell 
out our names: Joseph, Lindsey, Hannah, and Baby Boy. And yes...that's Grandma 
wiping Hannah's nose. We have to chase her down with a kleenex.

This morning Hannah and I saw snow flurries on our way to church. Joe's parents (Gran Gran and Poppy) came down. This afternoon we exchanged more gifts and ate a big lunch. Mama Buck made the whole shebang and brought it down. Yum.

It has been a full few days.

Joe's sermon this morning was about the importance of Christmas and living it every day throughout the year. Our celebration of Christmas is more than tradition and history. It is about the living miracle of Christ. From Joe's bulletin piece:

Our celebration of Jesus' presence in our lives and in the world involves our devotion and daily attention to the miracle of the incarnation. Maybe, we could focus ourselves a little bit more, every day, on the gift of Jesus. Maybe, it is possible for us to see each day as a gift from God that is made possible and given meaning because of the gift of Jesus. 

May we start our daily celebration of the birth of Christ anew, today. Yesterday was the easy part with the gift giving, the good food, the excitement, and the merriment. For us to celebrate the birth of Jesus today we will need to work at it. Just as anticipation for Christmas Day builds the closer we move toward that day, our joy should build as we move closer to Christ's return.

Can't say it any better. Because I love them so much, I'll end with these words by Charles Wesley. Merry Christmas!

Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"