"December Happenings...."

Today is December 20, and I am so thankful to write that my family is not stressed!  We are calm, relaxed, have enjoyed the month, have made some wonderful memories, and have managed to remain relatively "stress free" even during a very busy month. This has not come without alot of effort though. We have made a conscious decision not to allow the "fun" of the season to steal our "fun". We have been guilty of that in years past and it's just not worth it. Learning when to say "yes", and learning when to say "no" (and that it's okay to say 'no' at times), have been a big part of our enjoyment of the month of December. I have sung in 8 Christmas concerts this month, which seems crazy now that I write it, but these concerts have served to enhance and aid in my worship of the the infant King - they have not been burdensome, but have lifted my spirits and my gaze upward. We have been faithful by God's grace, to stay on top of our family Advent devotionals this month, and that has helped our focus tremendously. Elijah is at a perfect age this year to understand and begin to "connect the dots" between Old Testament stories and their pointing to the birth of Jesus -  I am amazed each year that we do the "Jesse Tree" in our home, how Scripture really is linked together from Genesis through Revelation..., all pointing to Jesus and His redemption of His people. Elijah has especially enjoyed hearing these stories and I can see the wheels beginning to turn in his head this year. The wheels are turning in my head also!  My prayer is that he and Ellison also, will begin to see that Christmas can't be bought, or set up, or lit up, or torn down...., but that Christmas is found....., found at the cradle, and that cradle will take them straight to the cross. This year in our front yard we have a large cross lit with 600 glorious lights and a cradle underneath the cross. One does not exist without the other. I think maybe I am the one beginning to "connect the dots".

I have enjoyed sitting by my tree with a cup of hot chocolate or hot tea, listening to music, reading, and pondering.  Elijah has been working hard on practicing for our Christmas Eve service, where he will be playing his first solo on guitar, "Joy to the World".  He has practiced so very hard and is excited about his first opportunity. We are so proud of him, and his enthusiasm about this instrument is contagious! Ellison has also been very enthusiastic about Christmas this year, but especially about seeing the lights around town. When we drive down the street and she sees something she will exclaim loudly from the backseat, "Oooooohhhhh pretty! Ohhhhhhhh Wow"!  She has also enjoyed learning to sing, "Ji Ji Bells".

We have done so many fun things this month.  We have been to Christmas plays with our cousins, seen the "Nutcracker" Ballet, seen another ballet/chorus performance called, "Mistletoe", gone on the "Fantasy of Light" tour, seen the Zoo Christmas Lights, seen the "Living Christmas Tree" performance, been to several Christmas parties with our church, Elijah's Christmas party and play at school, made homemade ornaments, baked cookies, done some other Christmas crafts, enjoyed "Breakfast with Santa" one Saturday morning, learned new music together, shopped together for family and friends, prayed together, and have simply enjoyed living life together.

We have certainly squeezed much into the month - and we still have Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the day after family celebrations before taking off to visit family in South Carolina - but, we are calm in our spirits. I read once that "peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of God". We have had our share of conflict this month, but ultimately our peace comes from being in the presence of God.  "EMMANUEL, GOD WITH US"!  That is our peace. His presence. His gift to us. He is with us.

Making bows with my dear friend Jenn

These two are excited about making cookies! 

Vacuuming cookie crumbs 

Looking at the "Nutcracker" tree at Fantasy of Lights 

1st time to eat cotton candy

More cookie decorating.....

This time cousin Wyatt was with us too

He adores Ellison

Their faces are priceless

Making Cinnamon Salt Dough ornaments

EB's finished products - we kept some, and gave some away

Breakfast with Santa, and the Grinch

E-Daddy and his girl at breakfast

Had a delicious breakfast together! 

She loved the puppet show

And of course, had to get a picture with Santa

She has cried every time she has seen Santa this month. This was the 1st time she didn't cry - although she had a death grip on Jay's arm! 

Closest she has ever gotten to him - I think it was the candy cane this time! Actually this Santa was fabulous..., he just sat patiently and let the children talk to him at their own pace. 

Bebe, E-Daddy, EB, and Ellison (MCC Breakfast with Santa 2013) 

and...., the Joye family (MCC Breakfast with Santa 2013)