Nana Nana...

We can't wait for you to spend Christmas with us Nana!

We love you!

WWJW?

As I mentioned in a previous post, I love birthdays.

And since Jesus' birthday celebration is only 8 days away I've been thinking:

WWJW?

Not to be confused with the overly used phrase 'What Would Jesus Do?', I was struck today by 'What Would Jesus Want?'. For his birthday party that is.

Ever find yourself being asked or asking someone what they want for their birthday? certainly.

Honestly though, I've never stopped to ask Jesus what he would want for his birthday. We celebrate the season by giving gifts to one another but if Jesus was sitting next to me and feasting on my plate of carrots and hummus what would he say he wanted for his birthday?

Would it be something I could give him? Broader than that? Or both?

I invite you to step back from the hustle and bustle of the season and just stop.

Stop doing.

Stop obsessing about the long list of things to do.

Just stop.

And ask the One who gives us all good gifts "Jesus, what do you want for your birthday?".

And that's exactly what I'm going to do right now.

goodbye computer. hello Jesus.

My Birthday

I love birthdays.
My special day was yesterday and I turned another year older.

The kids were super cute. All day they were telling me
"happy birthday" and "I love you mommy".
And, we captured this priceless video of them singing to me!
Tonight Jeff and I went out on a date sans kids. It was fun to talk
about this past year and to dream about what this next year holds.

Snowday Shmoday

Today all of the are schools are closed and people are staying 'in' due to the snowy weather. I personally love snow days because it is an opportunity to slow down and enjoy being home.

Since the kids didn't have preschool and were up at 6:10am this morning (ahhh!!!) I decided that an Advent craft was in order.

For three decades this ornament has graced my family's Christmas tree.This year while we were decorating the kids tree they thought it was really fun to see mommy when she was little.

So now, here is our own version of this timeless ornament.
The kids painted salsa jar lids on both sides (letting each side dry in between)then we glued green ribbon around the edges of the lid, made a hanger, and pasted their picture inside.

Voilaa timeless treasure

Our Thanksgiving Day

I hope that you were able to spend Thanksgiving Day with those who are dear to your heart and that your thoughts were focused on the one who gives all good gifts.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

We spent the day with Jeff's side of the family and long time friends. It was a wonderful time of hanging out together, loving, laughing and eating yummy food. Here's some pic's of our day!(Jeff's parental unit, aka Jack and Lennyce, aka Papa Grandma)(Jeff and his Dad)
(me...some people say they never see a pic of me on the blog. here you go.)(Our buddy, aka Caleb Jackson)
(Our sweetie, aka Carissa Joy)
(Our adorable niece, aka Olivia)(Our friend, aka Katie and youngest Izzy) (her eldest Evie and Carissa)(Papa carving the turkey, the kids admiring the 'raw' turkey)