Merry Christmas!

.From the J Crew

"Let earth receive her King"

Wordless Wednesday

{Hung with care}

A whole month ago...

we celebrated Sam's 7th birthday with a sleep over night in Narnia. A few 'sons of Adam' joined us in sword fighting, hay-rack rides, crafts and food.

Birthday boy and his 'Narnia' cake.

Singing 'Happy Birthday!'

Blowing out his candles

Good eats

.

Good times.

Gift opening.

Mom and Dad with the birthday boy.

Crowns for the princes.

A little story time

.

A great night in Narnia.

Thankful to celebrate 7 years with our sweet boy!

****

"They say Aslan is on the move perhaps has already landed."

And now a very curious thing happened. None of the children knew who Aslan was any more than you do; but the moment the Beaver had spoken these words everyone felt quite different. Perhaps it has sometimes happened to you in a dream that someone says something which you don't understand but in the dream it feels as if it had some enormous meaning---either a terrifying one which turns the whole dream into a nightmare or else a lovely meaning too lovely to put into words, which makes the dream so beautiful that you remember it all your life and are always wishing you could get into that dream again. It was like now. At the name of Aslan each one of the children felt something jump in its inside.

{The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe – Chapter 7}

She can hardly believe it!

Her mama turns 29...again...today!

Thank you all for the birthday wishes. Love, love, love to all.

***

We turn not older with years, but newer every day.

-Emily Dickinson-

A happy 60th birthday...

to Grandma Diane!

Who is spending her {monumental} birthday in the hospital, recovering from knee surgery.

We love you!

Praying for a speedy recovery...

First Sunday of Advent

The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,

on them has light shined.

You have multiplied the nation;

you have increased its joy;

they rejoice before you

as with joy at the harvest,

as they are glad when they divide the spoil.

For the yoke of his burden,

and the staff for his shoulder,

the rod of his oppressor,

you have broken as on the day of Midian.

For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult

and every garment rolled in blood

will be burned as fuel for the fire.

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9: 2-6

Hello?

Is this thing on?!

I'm kind of in a blogging funk. I'd like to write {like actually write words} but I'm simply running on fumes lately and pictures with silly/descriptive/lame captions seem easier.

{And fun...right?! right?!}

I hope to get back to it but in the meantime I'd like some design help.

The cowboy finished these amazing bookshelves for our fireplace.

{Exhibit A}

Your mission, my HGTV loving friends, is to tell me what color I should paint the shelves?

{and eventually the mantle}

Factors to keep in mind in your decision making.

1. We have an open floor plan and our kitchen cabinets are off-white

2. Our trim is off-white

3. The colors I have mulled over are: off white {same as cabinets/trim}, charcoal, or soft brown.

4. I hate to paint. Who wants to volunteer for the job?!

5. Do the bookshelves take away from the fireplace? {i.e. too massive}

Thanks for your input. Seriously open for anything!

Back at it soon...

Our small but mighty....

preemie...

Is 7!

Today.

Sam, as we sat in your little NICU room, we had no idea {though we had a hunch} what an amazing boy you'd become. You have the most amazing heart. Your desire for knowledge and understanding challenges in so many wonderful ways. We are thankful for each and every day with you.

Happy {7th!!} birthday sweet boy! We love you so much.

****

For you, O Lord, are my hope,

my trust, O LORD, from my youth.

Psalm 71:5

Much...

to be thankful for...

***

"In everything give thanks..."

I Thessalonians 5:18

Lady Bug

We had a great time celebrating our little Lady bug's 2nd birthday last week-end.

All ready to party.

Dad and his birthday girl

Honored guests

The papas....

Papa Don

Papa Tom...

The spread

Singing 'Happy Birthday

'

All....smiles..

Love'en some birthday cake.

The boys decided to have a frosting war.

{Sol got the worst of it}

All smiles here too.

A little gift opening.

Little bug is loving this whole new world of girly toys

Can't leave Oscar out

.

A little play time.

The boys loved celebrating their sister.

{Post-Sugar high pic :o)}

We are so thankful for 2 years with this sweet little girl.

So thankful.

A good time had.

.

Thank you all for coming and making the day special.

We love you little lady bug.

Pretty much....

sums up our day....

****
New day. New mercies.

3 years.

Remembering Major.

Laid to rest...3 years ago....today.

Remembering and grieving our nephew.

Please remember his family in prayer.

Come Lord...

***

 Can I see another's woe,
 And not be in sorrow too?
 Can I see another's grief,
 And not seek for kind relief?
 
 Can I see a falling tear,
 And not feel my sorrow's share?
 Can a father see his child
 Weep, nor be with sorrow filled?
 
 Can a mother sit and hear
 An infant groan, an infant fear?
 No, no!  never can it be!
 Never, never can it be!
 
 And can He who smiles on all
 Hear the wren with sorrows small,
 Hear the small bird's grief and care,
 Hear the woes that infants bear --
 
 And not sit beside the next,
 Pouring pity in their breast,
 And not sit the cradle near,
 Weeping tear on infant's tear?
 
 And not sit both night and day,
 Wiping all our tears away?
 Oh no! never can it be!
 Never, never can it be!
 He doth give his joy to all:
 He becomes an infant small,
 He becomes a man of woe,
 He doth feel the sorrow too.
 
 Think not thou canst sigh a sigh,
 And thy Maker is not by:
 Think not thou canst weep a tear,
 And thy Maker is not near.
 
 Oh He gives to us his joy,
 That our grief He may destroy:
 Till our grief is fled an gone
 He doth sit by us and moan.

"On Another's Sorrow"
-William Blake-

2....2....2....2

How...

can she...

be...

2?

She is.

Today.

So. Thankful.

Nora, there are no words for the joy you have brought into our lives. You have a beautiful gentle spirit and quiet strength that we pray continues to grow in you.

We love you more than words can express.

Happiest of birthdays sweet girl.

***
"She's got a smile that heals me..."
Billy Joel {She's Got a Way}