New Christmas Favorite

This year, I found and created my newest Christmas tradition -

buying all matching wrapping paper!!!

 

Last year, I wrapped with a hodgepodge of bags and paper that I had on hand. This year, I saw these shiny patterned paper sets at Walmart - and I loved them! So I bought 2 packs that coordinated and EVERYTHING MATCHES under the tree.

 

Y'all, it makes the little part of my OCD heart so very, very, happy!

 

I also used every bit of the paper since they were shorter rolls, so I can choose a whole new set of wrapping paper for next year! AND don't have to store Christmas paper for a whole year!!

 

It makes the tree extra festive with coordinated presents!!

 

All around goodness.

 

 

10.O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - Casting Crowns

This is an instrumental version of my all-time favorite Christmas Hymn.

The Nativity Story - How Many Kings

This song caught my attention earlier this year with the chorus alone - but then as I listened to the verses, I realized it was ultimately a Christmas song. Again, I looked for the artist's original video but didn't find one. You get a double dose of my favorites since this video also contains nothing but images from The Nativity Story movie.

The Whole World

I wrote this a month ago for our newsletter, which we mailed out this week.

Then today, I read the headlines... and I gasped and prayed and sat in dismay at the tragedy that surrounds a single moment, a single day.. when everything changes.....

 

 

He’s got the whole world in His hands,

He’s got the whole world in His hands,

He’s got the whole world in His hands…

 

It’s a child’s song… we teach it to toddlers and nursery babies. We include the mama’s and the daddy’s and the little bitty babies. It’s a cute little song, with a cute little message.

 

And then you grow out of the nursery, and life seems to get a little bit more rugged than the lyrics to a toddler tune, and sometimes, you just aren’t sure where this world is going... or how it got to here.

We all have seasons in our lives that are filled with grief, turmoil, stress, distress, hard decisions, sickness, upheaval, uncertainty.. Sometimes it just gets ugly and we began to feel battered. We may even say “How much longer God?” or “Why me God?” or “Why now?” or even “But, this isn’t the way things are supposed to be...” We can find ourselves confronted with the hardest truth in simplest nursery rhyme form… Does HE really have the WHOLE WORLD in His hands? Right now, in my circumstance, in today, in yesterday, in tomorrow… does He have that in His hands??

Big moments, small moments, moments of transition, moments of fear, moments of frustration, moments of anger... does He REALLY have this in His hands?

 

In these moments, when our very adult hearts have to deal with the sincerity of child-like faith, we have to listen to the words of love He whispers to us through Scripture.

 

I knit you together in your mother’s womb, I created every part of you. (Psalm 139:13) I have plans for your life. (Jer. 29:11) I am with you always, until the ends of the age. (Matt. 28:20) In all things, I work for the good of those who love me. (Romans 8:28) Come to me when you are weary and I will give you rest. (Matt. 11:28)

 

This is what child-like faith looks like… its not a faith that is wrapped in nursery songs and simplified stories. It is in the deepest understanding of the truths those songs represent… that in this world, our world, my world, your world… your today, your last month, your next week. He has it. In control. It is in His hands. His hands. Not yours, not mine, not ours together. His Hands hold the whole world.

 

Amen, Father, Amen.

---------------------------------------------------
It is in such times where the only place comfort is found is in the lap of God. May peace surround them all. And may those lost be found in the arms of Jesus - and dancing with the angels. In all things, we know that Jesus loves the little children - and always says "Let them come to me..."

Amen Father.

Even in our dismay.... Amen.

 

Joy To The World - Operation Christmas Child Music Video

Shopping and packing our boxes is the HIGHLIGHT of all our shopping and packing at Christmas! Hayley loves them too!

You're Here - Francesca Battistelli

This song I heard performed live about 2 years ago - I had hoped to find an official video from the artist, but I couldn't it.

This song is often referred to as Mary's song.

Advent Reading

(image from Amazon.com)

 

This book made its way into our home last year - and I am re-reading it this year. Its a beautifully depicted telling of the Biblical events and prophecies that point to Jesus. I highly recommend it.

2012 Christmas Favorites

Every year, even when my blogging has been less than faithful - which we all know counts for this year - I try to do something around Christmas for the whole month.

To say that the Christmas season is my favorite season is to understate the obvious in the most extreme way. I love the anticipation of the Advent season, the Christmas lights and decorations, all the musicals and plays and special events.

So this year, I'm going to share some of my favorite aspects of Christmas - and things that have come to hold special meaning for me each Christmas Season.

(photo from Amazon.com)

 

 

This depiction of the Nativity Story - a following of Mary & Jesus in the days before and during their journey to Bethlehem - is a beautiful rendering of the challenging times they faced. It is very realistic (in my opinion) and portrays the historical events made known by the Bible as well as the character development of Mary & Joseph. What they could have experience, felt, said... how the journey would be.

 

Note - I feel like I should include that this movie is not suitable for young children (in my opinion) as there are several quick depictions of violence (none outside of Biblical storytelling, but it is visually impacting).

 

This is our second year watching this, and as I grow more and more into my mother, there was much of the movie that left me in near tears.

 

I hope you enjoy it too!



half-birthday

Bowen,
THIS is your half-birthday update, because, well... you have got enough of a story to warrant one!

I've been promising to potty train you for the better part of 6 months... and I've sworn to not buy more pull ups at least 3 times. But I did. So over Thanksgiving break, we decided it was time to get serious about this potty business - and you totally rocked it! We are still in pull ups at night, mostly because you like to get up at 5 a.m. and haven't quite decided that going straight to the potty in the dark is among your first choices after waking. Your first day in panties all day, without accident, was Thanksgiving...and we were SO THANKFUL! You then extended that to napping without pullups at Sha Sha's this week! We are super proud of you getting the hang of this!

You, my baby girl, are a force. A force like I've never seen before. When you are happy, you are so happy and when you are mad, well, we call you Chief Hold-a-grudge!! You make us laugh constantly with your antics and faces and expressions!

Some of my favorites include:
I not rotten.. I BOWEN! B-O-W-E-N... Bowen, that's me!!
I hear a grumpy ol' Hayley in there.
Grady Smith!

You often burst into song and sing so sweetly. You love music and can sing almost all the words to just about any song you've heard more than 3 times... You mimic and know many of the sing-songs that Hayley brings home from school too! You really liked the Three Bear Rap she learned at the beginning of school this year! It's to funny to watch you sing and wiggle!

You are seriously smitten with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse... even if you only hear it from across the house you immediately go "I hear Mickey!" and straight to the TV you go!

Right now, you have a pink blanket that was given to you when you were a baby that is the ONLY blanket you find suitable for going to bed with. Despite the fact that it is now too small to cover you in length!

You are still very cuddly and squishy and you love to give kisses and wrap your arms around us!


Now Hayley - its not quite your half-birthday yet, but you, my first born... are just too big for your britches. I catch you calling me "Mom" with the lilt of an eye roll too often. You have learned so much and remember almost everything anyone has ever told you! This year you are in dance and gymnastics and enjoying them both! You would tumble and wrestle all day if we'd let you! You are a lot stronger and full-force than you realize so we spend a LOT of time saying "easy" and "careful". Your heart is so tender and you have helped us pack Christmas boxes and shop and give food and things away... and you ask why and seem to really grasp the importance of giving to others. We are proud of you for that. You are a very good big sister and play with Bowen patiently (most of the time... although, sometimes I think she tests you on purpose). You love to color and do mazes and puzzles. You are VERY into anything with a screen - computer, phone, tablet... whatever!


My girls. I love you.