Zipfy!

If you are in search of a really awesome sled, check out this one I picked up from Target. It's called a "Zipfy" (has a "zibby" kinda ring to it!). Super price for a lot of fun! I even had a few great runs on it:) (of course).

http://www.zipfy.com/

Three things when she was three...

6:00 AM dressed as a ballerina in snow boots, "Mommy, can I go play in the snow?"

11:00 AM while driving through our snowy neighborhood she thoughtfully says, "Merry Christmas Mommy!"

12:30 PM after being told to "not move a muscle" while mommy takes the puppy out to potty and hot candy is boiling on the stove, I find her, instead, sitting in the family room, and replies, "Mommy, I had to move a muscle."

All is Merry & Bright

There's nothing like a warm bath, cozy P.J's, and a good book.
Abigail & Elizabeth had a Cookie Decorating Party with their new friends.
The littlest girls especially loved the frosting!
We decorated aprons together before getting into the cookie fun!
Zibby and her sweet friend SaraGrace.
Party favors all lined in a row.
We decked the halls!
Peace on earth....new clothes for Abby Sue from a wonderful Nana. (Zibby had to try them on too!)
We love making pomanders together every year.
Ben enjoying the G.I. Joe's that Grampa & Nana sent....they used to be his daddy's.

Why we live here

2 Corinthians 2:14

" Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing."

I love that He is leading us in triumph...and using us to share His love to those people around us who are in the process of being saved. I think we have neighbors and co-workers who are in the process of being saved. And we are called to live our lives out according to the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is our Sudan...this is our Middle East....this is our China. Those who are in desperate need around us are starving and hurting just the same...in their souls. God wants to use a neighborhood Christmas Cookie Party just as much as He wants to use a Billy Graham Crusade to thousands of souls in need. Blessed are the man and woman...and blessed are the children...who can live out the gospel of Jesus Christ in the prosperous suburbs of Massachusettes. Who can look beyond their creature comforts and tables full of plenty, into the windows of a neighbor who has everything but our precious Jesus. Dear Savior, give us eyes to see and hearts willing to be bold for Your gospel. Let them see beyond the many material blessings you have poured out on our lives and into our souls, satisfied in Christ alone. And let them seek and find that, so we can be heavenly neighbors for all of eternity. Amen.

Life Unscripted

A very special night in celebration of super-great report cards!
Sees lollipops & cousins on Thanksgiving day at Nana & Grampa's
The kids tables.
Such a pretty Thanksgiving meal with family!
Hungarian Chicken Paprikash...made with love and lots of time by Nana.
The kids with their friends the Pedroza's at our church Christmas program
These two were amazing!
She did such a good job for being a very shy girl.
The easiest homemade donuts on earth!
Ready for the play!
Sweet Elizabeth Jane
Pomegranate Party
Abby Sue & Charlotte (a true answer to prayer!)
Christmas Tree
Daddy & Three

The house is usually cluttered, the beds unmade, there are bowls in the sink and dinner pots still waiting for me on the stove in the morning. There are three busy kids underfoot...creating things out of everything from scraps of material to packing popcorn, making forts in the living room out of every couch pillow in the house, and always in need of something to feed those ever growing bodies. There is an older and very tolerant cat and now a perfectly precocious, very adored, puppy. There are backpacks, lunch boxes, & homework usually covering every bit of counter space in the kitchen and a "mom-mobile" full to the rim with snack wrappers, cracker crumbs, apple cores, juice boxes, and loads of unopened junk mail piled in the passenger seat next to me. There is a whole lot of laughter and (of course) a few battles being fought now & then. There is candle wax from the advent wreath melted all over my Christmas table runner....and a sparkly tree crammed with my favorite little hand crafted ornaments. This is our 10th Christmas as parents and every year we find ourselves clinging to the remains of each short winters day, longing for our kids to stay small just a little while longer...to keep believing in the magic of Santa Claus...and to remind us continuously of a childlike faith. We are far from perfect parents and our house does not usually run like a "tight ship"....but we love Jesus and we love each other....I'm finding that's just enough for me.

Oh to blog again...

Thanksgiving in Oregon.

Christmas Tree Hunting.

Our newest addition...

All coming soon!

(Now...if life would just slow down a little long enough for me to talk about it that would be nice!)

Zibby & Zellee...can their names get any better or their faces any cuter..seriously?!