Accomplished

From "In the beginning, God..."

This year I turned each page and read each word. 

Old Testament and New Testament, I found such life in the discipline of reading. Throughout this year, the stories I have heard a thousand times seemed new and fresh as Silas and I learned about ancient empires in school. The chronology all fell into place for me again.

I was so sad to come to the end of the patriarchs. We had traveled miles together as Abraham's promise grew into Israel, Joseph, and a God-ordained transition to Egypt until the Exodus, a kingdom established, a kingdom exiled, and finally a people returned to re-build that which had been destroyed. 

I wrestled alongside Job. 

I stood in awe with Esther. 

I sang with David. 

I felt the yearning of the prophets. 

Today I read Malachi. Malachi that marks the end of an era. An era that was left to wait.

And just in this holiday season, I sensed the reality of those years of silence.  

Silence that was then broken by a God who never abandons, never forsakes, and never forgets. A God who came to turn it all around and save His people. 

Ultimately, there are too many treasures to recount here. The white spaces in my Bible and my journal hold the outpourings of my heart as I have read. 

I am so thankful for God's grace in this year-long process. He was gracious when I got behind and needed time to catch up. Gracious when I fell asleep with my Bible in hand. And gracious when I questioned. 

I am forever grateful for this spiritual discipline this year.  Surely He is coming soon. 

"Amen. Come, Lord Jesus."

A Lego Christmas

My family left between yesterday and today but Shane's family has come to visit so we are still in celebration mode around here. We have some excitement coming up in the days to come but I had to do a special memory/thank you post for a gift we all got as a family a couple weeks ago. 

So since we moved to Florida, there are a  few places that our children have been really wanting to go. Legoland happens to be one of those places. Amazingly, we found out that they do homeschool days fairly often. For a fraction of the regular price, we can go as a family. So with Christmas money from both my grandparents and Shane's, we went for the day a couple weeks ago. It was so fun!

Showing off the minifigures they traded for...

(You can take a minifigure from home and trade throughout the day with Legoland workers. Our kids kept the first one they traded for, though. Such a cute idea!)

Duplo world...

About to go on a ride in Chima...

Walking through Mini Land...

3D movie...

Driving Lego boats...

And Lego cars...

These two boys rode every big roller coaster in the park and loved it!

Of course there were lots of other moments all day.  It wasn't busy at all and we didn't have to wait in lines. Such a great day and great gift for us to make memories together as a family. 

Thank you, great grandparents!!

All is Well

Thankful for our pastor and his emphasis on peace this Christmas season.

Here are some of us about ready for the Christmas Eve service to begin. A picture of peace, right?

Me and my darling in her twirly Christmas dress...

About halfway through the first song, our baby fell asleep right on my shoulder. He slept through the whole thing. I couldn't help but take a pic. 

(This picture also reminded me that near the end of the service, Simeon had moved to sit with Shane and Silas leaned over to me to announce in a whisper that there was only 4 minutes left. Leave it to a pastor's kid to know to watch the projection on the back wall for such details!)

And somewhere along the way, I also ended up with Simeon's leg over me as well.  I know one day soon I will miss these days of being smothered by children...

Still asleep when it was over and looking so much like a baby...

Boys and their daddy...

We did get a family picture taken at church, which I hope I get delivered to my inbox soon!

And after the service we stayed and played outside since Shane was staying for the last service anyway. The fountain is always a fun explore...

His I-just-woke-up-and-won't-smile-for-you-yet doll face...

My fam...

We love grandparents!

And there's nothing that says Florida like some outdoor Christmas Eve basketball!

Life isn't perfect but tonight the message that all is well because of Christ is resounding in my soul. 

All is well. 

Togetherness

Feeling thankful for these moments this week...

Christmas Eve Eve

Lovely day for the beach. And we have family here which is also lovely. 

All the Crazy

We decorated Christmas cookies this week, me and the kids. It was the first time I had attempted it with them and I'll just say that I learned a few things for next year...ha!

One thing I found I loved about it was that it had all the mix of life with our four: all the crazy and all the creative and all the laughs and all the joy and all the drama. They loved each minute. I had to keep "letting them" do it, not take over. I had to smile and shake my head. When all the glitter sprinkles went on one cookie, we all laughed. 

So if you need a little sugar fix, come have a cookie!