Happy 2013

A new year and a fresh start.  I like the sound of that.  2012 brought so many wonderful things for our family, but it is always fun to start fresh and see what God has in store for us. 

 

One thing I know for sure is that the next year will bring ups and downs, peaks and valleys, but through it all I can always, ALWAYS see God's faithfulness.
He never leaves or forsakes us. 
 

2013 is going to be a tough/strength building year for our little family.  A long, long deployment is headed our way and I don't look forward to it one bit.  When it is all said and done, Chris will be gone about 11 months this go around.  Yuck.  He sacrifices so much to serve and defend.  So many do.  As much as I hate him being away, I am so very proud of who he is and what he does for our country and family.  So, I will put on my big girl pants and press on.  And press in to the One who can get our family through this separation. My Jesus.

So until he goes, I am going to try and make the most of every moment and second that we have Chris here with us.  Not that it will be a lot of time, but we are going to truly live in the moment. 
Happy New Year to all!
 

Holiday Hike

Since Chris has some time off  block leave over Christmas, we have been living it up trying to squeeze in as much family time as possible. 

 

We took a hike out at the Daley Ranch on a gorgeous day here in CA.

 

Happy Birthday, Jesus

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!  I know we sure did.

 



Christmas Party Time

It wouldn't be Christmas without a party!! 

Our dear friends came over to celebrate Jesus's birthday this past week.  We made crafts, played games, exchanged gifts (books), decorated and ate Christmas trees, ate some yummy treats and played some more.

 

My creative beauty

 

 

Baby bear is so happy to be included in on the fun.  I love the age of 3 (most days).

 

Love him!!!! 

 

Playing find the pickle ornament. 

 

Tongue out = Focused

 

I am so thankful for these sweet friends and a chance to gather and have a wonderful time.  Merry Christmas!!

We Got Annie!!

Kelly and I took the older kiddos to see a local production of Annie. 

It was such a fun treat and one that I will not forget.  The excitement was at an all time high. 

 

Here are the girls and Joshy

 

The little men

 

Outside the theatre

 

Can't wait for the show to start.  We had such great seats and the production was awesome.  

 

Hope to take them to a show again real soon.

Preparing Our Hearts

Preparing our hearts to celebrate our Savior's birth.  Isn't that what it is all about?  I love Christmas time and all that goes with the holiday.  I am so very thankful that Jesus came.  Emmanuel.  God with us.  Without Him we would be so lost.

  I found the nativity set just like this last night.  Such a great reminder to focus on what this season is truly about.  The greatest gift that our loving Heavenly Father gave to us, Jesus.

 

I had the kids draw their favorite part of the Christmas Story as one of our advent calendar activities. 

Hayley said this about her picture, " Mom there are only two wise men here because one of them went on vacation."  Such a silly girl.

 

We made cookies to take to some friends who had us over for dinner while Chris was away.  We may have snuck a few just to make sure they tasted ok before we gave them to the Welchs.  Quality control.

This is the second year for our Jesse Tree.  My favorite part of Christmas by far.  Each night we read our devotion and scripture tracing the lineage of Jesus and look at how God had it all planned out from the beginning.  How He loves us.  How He came to save us.

 



 

Getting ready to decorate the tree

 

 

The finished product

 

Our nativity

 

I love sitting by the tree with a cup of coffee, a dark room, tree lights on and just looking over the ornaments.  Each one has a story as to where is came from or who gave it to us. 

 Each year, I buy the children a new ornament that has something to do with their interest or likes over the past year.  I will pass them on to them when they are grown and have their own families so they can share the stories behind their ornaments and pass the tradition down to their children. 

Here are some of my favorites...

 

Hannah's first Christmas

 

USMC ornament that my mom bought for us at Mike's Farm in NC

 

Hayley's first Christmas

 

Luke's first Christmas

 

Our UGA ornament!  Go DAWGS!

 

No fireplace in SoCal (although it has been in the 30's the past 3 nights) so we improvise with where to place the stockings.  I think it turned out cute!

 

 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.