Enjoy!

The Princess was busy making cards and things for people and decided to make a sweet poster for her brother to hang on his wall at school (at his request).

She took a little craft kit that makes swirly circles and an ink pen (I'm just now letting her use one for school) and a few stickers. She was finished with it before I could proofread it for her. She was so proud of the finished product.

I looked at it and smiled. I waited until the Prince came home to see if he caught it. He didn't.

It says, "Your the best big Bother!" LOL.

He's keeping it and hanging it up anyway, because let's be honest, sometimes he is a bother!

Random Christmas Eve pics...

The King was the photographer this year which explains why I am in the pictures. :) Well, that and he wanted to document his gift to me. :) Smart man. LOL.

The baton was passed. When the King was a child he always read the Christmas story aloud from Luke on Christmas Eve. When the Prince was old enough the baton was passed. The Prince has had the honor for many years. The Princess asked for the baton this year and it was handed off. She did a great job!

Trying on our new scarves...she has no idea how adorable she looks!

Listening to the story...in his usual spot (notice his computer on the hearth (?) beside him.

A wide shot.

The King bought me a new watch for Christmas. I've had my other one since I graduated from college. A gift, from my brother, that I cherish.

The Prince needs a way to document his life at boarding school...and for you folks who visit him on his other "page" to see what's going on. Hopefully, he'll be good about what he posts. He was pretty excited to get it.

More pics later. I had quite a bit of trouble these last few days getting these pics up. Maybe it's the season...

Thanks for the blog makeover Pandamom. Love it!

From our herd...

To your herd! Merry Christmas!

Blessings in the New Year!

The older he gets...

The Prince is home for the holiday and told us he needs a suit for school...for choir, and various other things including a banquet where he can take a date (YIKES).

So....he and his father went shopping (because his dad knows what looks good) and when they came home we made him model for us.

Check it out.

Here, his Dad is coaching him on modeling stances and how to make things look natural...

This one makes me laugh!

He can only be serious for a short time...

But mercy...check this one out.

Be. Still. My. Heart. Take the suit back! You can't have it if you're going to look that good in it! (Even without socks and shoes on! LOL.)

Then there's the closeup...

Oh. My. Word. I don't think my heart can take it.

A quiet moment...

We received a care package from the King's parents and Grandmother. In it were, of course, Christmas presents.

This book came to the Princess from her Great-Grandmother. I showed it to her and told her when she needed a break from schoolwork she could read some of it. Needless to say, that was permission enough for her.

I was washing the bedding from my bed and looking around for her and I found her snug within the pillows with her nose buried in the book. She read it cover to cover only stopping to say, "Mom, listen to this!" and proceeding to tell me something great from the book.

I love that my kids are readers, and I love that this is a legacy her Great-grandmother can foster within her heart. The stories in the book were all theologically sound Bible stories wrapped inside another modern story. The Princess was hooked. Although she knows those Bible stories, she was thrilled to read them again and learn something new.

What more can I ask for?

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

A few of the decorations around the house. In the past I spent DAYS decorating every room in the house for Christmas. My attic was full of boxes of decorations (I couldn't resist those after Christmas sales of decor!). No longer. But I still have fun trying to make things look festive. And even since these pictures I've added a few small touches of things that I have bought here.

Makes me want to sing the song.

Everyone together! "It's beginning to look alot like Christmas..."

Love~

Home for Christmas Again

Travis Cottrell's "Home for Christmas Again" from the Ring the Bells CD

From my first "Merry Christmas" of the season, with every card I address and send.

There's a longing that starts and its pulling my heart Home for Christmas again.

Give me the candlelight service and the carols. Read me the story of Bethlehem

and though snow is a plus I don't care if I'm just Home for Christmas again.

Let there be mistletoe and lights aglow the way I recall.

You'll leave cookies out for Santa Clause and I'll eat them all.

Then let's hold hands and we'll thank the Lord together for all of our family and all our friends and be thankful that He has allowed us to be Home for Christmas again.

I want the unmistakable scent of pine filling the air.

Give me Jimmy Stewart, Judy Garland, and Fred Astaire.

Christmas Eve if the miles should come between us then close your eyes and we'll just pretend and if wishes come true, next year I'll be with you, Home for Christmas Again

Home for Christmas Again.

I love Christmas. Giving of gifts. Time with family and friends. Special scents. Decorations. Family traditions. Cold weather. Holiday songs. Candlelight services. Happiness and hope of Christmas. Good food. Cinnamon and turkey (not together). Grandmother's wassail. Seeing family that we see maybe once a year. Secret Santa. Wrapping gifts and keeping secrets. Retelling the story from Luke of the greatest gift. Imagining young Mary great with child. So many things come to mind at Christmas.

This isn't our first Christmas not to be at home (even when we were in the states), but I always long for family and special times.

Lately I'm remembering last Christmas with the in laws on foreign soil.

A few years back with friends and an eggless casserole.

Christmas programs at school and at church.

A few more back with the whole family snowed in for a week and all the cousins together like they have never been before or since.

A Christmas to say goodbye and send loved ones around the world.

One many years ago where I broke an inch thick candy cane over my little brother's head.

The first Christmas's for my children or as a married couple.

When my Grandmother showed up with her car loaded down with presents and food.

So many more.

I wonder why I don't think of them other than at Christmas time. I am blessed to have TONS of great memories with family and friends. What about you? What are your favorites or some that just keep coming to mind?

Leave me a comment...

Love~

Tis the season...

..to be warm.

I've never been a Winter hat person (I wear a baseball hat in the summer), but my husband took me hat shopping to keep my little ears warm. He chose this one for me. The Princess chose a red one that we didn't buy because it isn't as versatile.

Anyway. I get complaints that I never post pictures of me...so here you go. Our weather forecast had snow in on Christmas day...for one day and then the forecast changed. We didn't think it would happen but it was fun to wish.

Christmas Song of the day

Update: OOPS. The comedian is Brad Stine...we love him, too. Thanks PM for the correction. I'm too lazy to change the whole post. LOL.

We love Go Fish (not the game) and Christian comedian Tim Hawkins and when they combined efforts on this song it became a favorite. Without the music, I hope you understand the meaning and don't become offended. Check it when you have a chance.

Tim Hawkins: "I remember when people used to say things like "Merry Christmas" to each other. Everybody said "Merry Christmas, hey, Merry Christmas to you, Mr. Lowenstein." You know why? Cuz it wasn't about a religion, it was about something as a culture that we thought was so valuable, that we would all do it together, even if I disagreed with the religion behind it, because it was good for ALL of us instead of just ME. But what do people say now, "Happy Holidays. I'm gonna say happy holidays because I don't wanna say Christmas cuz you don't believe in Chritsmas, cuz I dont want to offend you, chakcskdfjldksj

Go Fish:

It's called Christmas! (christmas)

(oh, ou, oh ou, oo oh oo oh oo, oh oo oh oo oh oo, Baby now)

Well I went to the coffee shop to get myself a Mocha (mocha),
The lady at the counter said "Happy holidays";
I said, "Thanks lady, I am pretty happy,
But there’s only one holiday that makes me feel that way."

and It’s called Christmas, what more can I say?
It’s about the birth of Christ
and you can’t take that away.
You can call it something else,
but that’s not what it'll be.
It’s called Christmas with a capital "C."

(oh, ou, oh ou, oo oh oo oh oo, oh oo oh oo oh oo, Baby now)

God's got a law and we've pretty much destroyed it.
We’re gonna get judged, there’s no way to avoid it.
But Jesus came down to take the punishment for me.
He did it for you too, so maybe you can see . . .

Why It’s called Christmas, what more can I say?
It’s about the birth of Christ
and you can’t take that away.
You can call it something else,
but that’s not what it will be.
It’s called Christmas with a capital "C."

(oh, ou, oh ou, oo oh oo oh oo, oh oo oh oo oh oo, Baby now)

It’s called Christmas!

Tim Hawkins: "oh, yes, we want to say happy holidays because we don’t want to leave anybody out, really, how come there’s a ton of holidays in February, nobody ever says happy holidays in February, do they, they say what it is, “happy valentines" OOH do you believe in love?"

Go Fish: It’s called Christmas!

Tim Hawkins: "but no body wants to say christmas,everything else but Christmas, why? I know why, you do too, it’s because it’s got Christ in it and after two thousand years he’s still intimidating people, you see when a religious person says “I am the way” people don’t wanna hear it. They DON'T!"

Go Fish: It’s called Christmas!

Tim Hawkins: "I say you gotta say merry Christmas cuz it is! if you don’t believe in it fine, but i got a flash for you, Christianity happens to be the religious heritage of my country whether you like it or not."

It’s called Christmas!

TH: "so if you’re not Christian or you don’t like it, and you don’t want Christmas to be celebrated, well then God Bless You, but if you’re think you’re gonna stop me from sayin it because it offends you, i gotta flash for you, Put a helmet on, cuz it’s my country too."

GF: It’s called Christmas, what more can I say?
It’s about the birth of Christ
and you can’t take that away.
You can call it something else,
but that’s not what it will be.
It’s called Christmas with a capital "C”

Our little green belt...

I tell her when she goes to class, "Kick high and kick hard!" LOL.

All is well

All Is Well as sung by Point of Grace


All is well all is well
Angels and men rejoice
For tonight darkness fell
Into the dawn of love's light
Sing A-le
Sing Alleluia

All is well all is well Let there be peace on earth
Christ is come go and tell
That He is in the manger
Sing A-le
Sing Alleluia

All is well all is well
Lift up your voice and sing
Born is now Emmanuel
Born is our Lord and Savior
Sing Alleluia
Sing Alleluia
All is well

I'm going to try and post everyday and even more than once a day as long as I have internet access. I think I'm beginning with a Christmas song that speaks to me. I love this Point of Grace CD and I put it on every year to cook and clean by, but when this song comes on, I must pause. When I look around our world at the state of things, I think the Lord must be coming soon and it is tempting to be afraid of the outcome and lack of time to tell the NEWS...but I remember that He is sovereign and has plans I know not of. Therefore, all is well.

In the last month we've all been sick for at least a week at a time and the King had surgery for a lodged kidney stone, but we are all well. The Prince was sick up until the last minute of him not being able to come come, but he is here. All of my chickens are home and this Mother's heart says "All is well."

Celebrate this season is a new way. Break out of your mold. Do something you've never done before in the name of Christ. It's about the birth of Christ. Honor him in your heart, your actions, your words. Or do the same things, but with a renewed sense of why.

Love~

Christmas Carol of the Day

Like a drama unfolds

the curtain was opened

while an audience of angels was holdings its breath

A census, a manger, two travel worn strangers...

...the stage was finally set.

Angels folded their wings at the throne worshipping

As God whispered, I love you, My son."

Jesus took off his crown and laying it down

Said, "Father, Thy will be done."

The time had now come for God's only son

to be born as a light in a dark, lonely place

So he stepped from heaven's hall to Bethlehem's stall

where a star lit his newborn face.

Then God called to Gabriel with gladness and tears,

"Play the trumpets, the horns and the strings!

Tell the shepherds and wise men and all who will hear.

Command ALL of the angels to sing.

Fill the sky with their voices and SING!"

Joy! Joy to the world, praise to the king!

Oh, let it ring!

Joy! Joy to the world, worship and sing!

Jesus has come to bring Joy!

(Repeats)

David Phelps has an amazing voice and I think this is my favorite Christmas song this year. I just stop and think about the Father telling the angels to fill the sky with their voices and tears roll down my face. I can also see my dear red-headed friend sign this song with all of her heart and it makes me smile.

You should find the song and hear him sing it. Wow. Paints a beautiful picture. I think the CD is called Joy!...imagine that.

Love~

Christmas Carol of the Day

I'm dreaming tonight of a place I love even more than I usually do.

And although I know it's a long way back, I promise you....

I'll be home for Christmas.

You can count on me.

Please have snow and mistletoe

And presents under the tree.

Christmas Eve will find me

Where the love light gleams

I'll be home for Christmas

If only in my dreams.

This time of year finds me listening to Christmas music constantly. This song makes me stop what I'm doing each time just to listen and think. I can't go back to my childhood home because no one in my family lives there, but that is not really home to me anymore.

"Heart is where the heart is." And my heart is with you. :)

I'm wishing you the sweetest times with your loved ones this holiday, remembering the most remarkable story ever told.

Love,

The next big things...

14 days from today the Prince comes home for Christmas.

22 days from today is Christmas.

38 days from today the Princess turns 9.

And then in 56 days we will meet my parents for a week's vacation!

The Prince will have a break from school and we will all rendezvous (I like that word!) in another country for a week at the beach.

It's been WAY TOO long since we've been able to hug their necks! We are all excited, of course!