O Holy Night!

Happy December 11th!

I've been really busy and it looks like the whole month is going to be hectic, so that's my reason for not publishing a song every day like I had planned. I'm not even going to try to catch up this time, but I wanted to share this amazing performance with you. It's beautiful!!!

Getting Ready For Christmas...

12-7-2010

For some reason it's always been a tradition in my family's house that we don't decorate for Christmas until after Josiah's birthday, which is Dec. 6th. Without meaning to, Russell and I did the same thing for our first Christmas.

LOWE'S had nice trees for a good price. After checking out a few others we ended up getting the first tree I pointed out. Why is it usually like that? Only in Florida do you go tree shopping wearing sunglasses with a Tropical Smoothie shake. =D

It's been fun decorating for this season, but it's been hard too. My Christmas ornaments were the only thing from home that I hadn't touched, and somehow it seems like I've just cut the final cord linking me to home. All my stuff is here, all my stuff is out, and it's final----I really will never be a part of my family again. I miss everything familiar at this time of year: the same old ornaments we've put out for years, the sounds--talking, laughter, or singing---of someone other than myself in the house, Mom and Lydia's companionship in the kitchen, the aroma of baking cookies we made together, and the old Christmas tunes we've listened to every year since I can remember.

After I got through the initial dread, I realized it was very nice to see my Christmas things again.

This is the first year that I've been able to hang most of my balls, seeing as I never had my own Christmas tree before. I was surprised to find that in all the collecting I've done over the years, the color scheme of my ornaments is mainly maroon, red, pink, gold, and white. Perfect! Even my angel-topper matches!

And as I unpacked the ornaments, Russell got the tree ready outside on the porch...pretty, pretty!

And once I got decorated it looked even prettier...

12-9-2010

Russell was exhausted after getting home from work, so I decorated the tree by myself. One thing I'm still not used to is being alone so much, so it was still nice to have him with me...even if he was sleeping. =)

The Christmas Parade

12-4-2010

Our church entered the Christmas parade last Saturday. It was a lot of work and a lot of fun.

I love this time of year!

Everyone really outdid themselves putting this together.

JESUS is the only reason for the season. Jesus...God, who became frail, human flesh, appearing in the form of a helpless babe, in order to save Adam's race from sin, death, and hell.

JESUS.

I love Christmas lights! So pretty!

Russell and I were part of the gingerbread choir singing Christmas carols.

Clay played live on the piano. He did awesome, as always, and Russell was his faithful side-kick.

After the parade was over some of us went out to McDonald's for a late snack.

There I am outnumbered by guys (what's new?).

We had a lot of fun and hopefully the Lord used us to remind folks what Christmas is truly all about.

Remembering Christmases Past (2007) II

Happy December 6th!



I have to say I've shed a few tears as I watched these pictures of past Christmases flash before my eyes. People I love have come and gone, moved away, changed, gotten older, and some have died. A lot of water has gone under the bridge. Now we're even more spread out than we were, and I sometimes wonder where Lydia and Josiah will be living once they are married. I wish life could stay the same, but I know it can't. Looking back on the years, one thing has always stayed the same----through it all, the Lord has always been good...I believe to see the goodness of the Lord in future.

Remembering Christmases Past I

Happy December 5th!

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Happy December 4th!

Silent Night

Happy December 3rd!