Bye-Bye Christmas Decor...

...the season is past.  But not the joy we feel when we think of God sending his Son as a babe to save us!

Handmade Christmas Goodies

Baby doll diapers - pattern here

~Small monogrammed bag for blocks~

Name practice sheets - {Found idea here} Download font here.  Print, cut, sew, score with unthreaded sewing machine

Packages wrapped with headbands - Flower tutorial here

Gathered bag - tutorial here

Worship His Majesty!

We had a ladies Christmas dinner last night at church. Anyone that wanted could decorate a table for six. Here is the table that I did.....

Thank you, Jill, for sharing your collection of crowns. And thanks to Laura for letting me borrow the lamb and spikes.

~The Menu~

{Salad w/ Balsamic Vinegarette}

{Reuben dip on Party Rye}

{BLT's on pepper jack biscuits}

{Marinated Mozzarella}

{Assorted Miniature cheese balls with crackers}

{Meatballs}

{Water Chestnuts wrapped in Bacon}

{Vegetables and dip}

{Brie en Croute}

{Sweet and Spicy Nuts}

~The assortment of sweet treats~

{Brownies}

{Oatmeal Strawberry Bars}

{Miniature Pumpkin Tarts}

{Lemon Bars}

{Miniature Pecan Pie Tarts}

{Biscotti}

{Strawberries dipped in White Chocolate}

{Sugar Cream Pie Bars}

{Almond Poppyseed Cake}

{Chocolate Truffles}

The food was all delicious, beautiful, and creative. (Thank you, Bonnie F.!) I'm sure I missed listing something because we had such an assortment. I also wanted to get a picture of all the tables, but we were a little pushed for time getting ready...and then my battery went kaput in my camera. After the dinner and gift exchange, we went upstairs and sang some Christmas carols. It was so nice to sit, relax, and REST! We ended with a beautiful song...

Majesty, Worship His Majesty,

Unto Jesus, Be all Glory, Honor, and Praise!

Majesty, kingdom authority, flows from His throne,

Unto His own, His anthem raise!

So exalt, Lift up on High, the name of Jesus.

Magnify, come glorify, Christ Jesus the King!

Majesty, worship His majesty,

Jesus who died, now glorified, King of all Kings!

Christmas Fun

Yea..I know, Christmas is past and so is New Years. But I thought I'd just post these pictures and then get on with 2009!

The traditional 'pictures in front of the fireplace'! It is fun to compare pictures from year to year to see how the children have changed. (and yes...the adults change too, but we like to pretend that we're forever young!)

L with her handmade headband from her sweet cuz!

Our children received a Leap Frog Explorer Globe. I think Grandma knows how much this mom loves gifts that have educational value..I think that comes with the territory of being a homeschooling mom!

Little M didn't quite know what to do with his stocking!

I'm not sure why I manage to get pictures of opening gifts but forget to take pictures of the other fun times. Food...games...family...and more food. We were blessed to be able to spend 2 whole days with my family. Sometimes we have to hurry off to other gatherings. I guess I don't even need to tell you how tired the children were after two solid days of playing with their cousins!

The Best Gift

Jesus is the best gift you'll ever receive!

He's the most expensive gift...it cost His life.
He's the most practical gift...you'll use it everyday of your life.
He's the most long-lasting gift...eternal!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Celebration

Stocking Stuffers...all wrapped and ready to go!

Trent and I both got a chance to hold all 3 baby nieces at once. What a sweet armful! They were good as gold the whole time. (how good is gold anyway, and where did that saying come from?!?) If you notice..they aren't even unbundled yet. That about tells you how long they were there before we were begging to hold them!

I think the girls were quite pleased with new dresses for their dolls.

Amazing how the boxes are sometimes just as fun as the new toys!


BigM's first 'real' Legos. All we have had are duplos. Now we are graduating up to lots of little pieces. If he spends as much time as his daddy did playing with them...he will be one contented child.

As I contemplate Christmas, I have to wonder if we sometimes miss the meaning. Ok. Yes, we miss it alot. Our children are excited and thankful for their new toys. Are we excited and thankful about the gift we have been given? Jesus Christ...a gift to all the world....Savior of the world. Are we excited when we wake in the morning about our gift? Do we want to tell others?

Sometimes I think gift giving gets tedious....and overdone. And I wonder if it causes us to lose our focus. If somehow we could show and teach our children by the giving of gifts that a much greater and most important gift was given to each of us. That Christmas isn't about toys and food.

It is about Jesus...My Savior. Given as a gift to me. And to You! Are you thankful for your Christmas gift?