warning - Princess and Frog

Mom, Lindsay and I just got back from taking the girls to see the Disney's Princess and the Frog. I highly recommend you watch it before you take your children. The movie is set in New Orleans and there is vodoo in the movie including "spirits" from the "other side" I would not have allowed the girls to watch it had it proofed it first. It had its cute moments, I was actually excited about seeing it, but I think it was too much for them and I regret taking them for the content.

Uncle Herbie

When you have an 80+ year old uncle who has a real beard and has been Santa from
New York to California, it is hard to stand in-line for a fake beard, pillow-stuffed belly Santa. This year he decided after 22 years to stay home and spend the season with family and be Santa at his antique shop. All that is missing is Uncle Bryan and Aunt Susan who are on baby Brady watch. Merry Christmas.

Mimi's birthday

We celebrated Mimi's birthday by decorating the tree, decorating the outside of her home with lights, lunch at Camp Verde and the night parade in Comfort. Decorating the lights also means raking up the front yard. Uncle Bryan and uncle Ryan made a huge pile of leaves for the girls to explore. Emmie preferred the more dignifying bike ride while LE could not get enough. Bella eventually joined in, but was a little more apprehensive.

the smell of gingerbread

We had a blast decorating gingerbread for family night. The cookies were pretty good too. Bella preferred just sprinkles.

**Disclaimer - OCD alert - the pics are out of order, I am still figuring out my new computer and kept uploading duplicate pics, was trying to remain joyful, so did not go back and correct it.

snow day?

It snowed in Central Texas but before we were able to get bundled up so we could go "build a snowman" the sun came out. The girls could have cared less, they saw the snow falling and even caught some on their tongue before it stopped.

soon to be family heirlooms

Since the year we started dating Ben and I have exchanged ornaments. Each year, Ben anticipates the arrival of the Hallmark Star Wars ornament and I like to see how creative Ben gets. This year the girls have danced all over the house, so it was an easy choice. (Bella - heart, LE - I love to dance)

oh Christmas tree

This year the girls did the majority of the Christmas decorating. Unfortunatrly, we have had some ornament casualties because of all of the exploring. My favorite part this year has been that every day the girls have asked if it is Christmas. Our reply always being "no." "Well is it Jesus' birthday yet?"

spirit of Christmas

My sister-in-law, Marissa gave me a devotional last year that I have actually read almost cover to cover this year. I have blogged about it before, and I probably could blog about it every other day b/c it touches me every time I read it. This one could not be passed up.

Every year I ask the Lord to reveal something new to me about the C-mas story. This C-mas season I've been shown what seems to be a simple, fundamental truth that is easy to miss during the busy season.
She goes on to say how her family was called to the Caribbean region in 2002, leaving (and selling) everything behind except clothing and some sentimental items. This included the majority of their Christmas decorations.
When our 1st C-mas on the field came, it was more difficult to be in the "C-mas spirit" b/c the familiar C-mas decorations were not displayed. On top of that, we had no special friends or family to share the season.
As I sought the Lord, I expected to hear something new about the circumstances surrounding the C-mas story. Instead, what I was shown was the actual heart of C-mas, which in turned changed my heart. It occurred to me that while all these things symbolize Christmas, all of these things are not Christmas. I learned Jesus is enough. Jesus is Christmas. When all the stuff - the lights, gifts, trees, food and even friends - was taken away, it came down to Jesus. He is the only reason to be celebrating, I learned that everything I need for Christmas, and for my life is found in Jesus.
-Sarah, Middle America & the Caribbean
Lord, please forgive me for forgetting it is all about you.

cold winter's treat

ornament exchange

Every year since I was a child my mom gave us an ornament representing that year. When Ben and I started dating, we continued that tradition. This year the girls were big enough so we combined two traditions, cinnamon applesauce ornaments. We passed them out at Mimi's house on the night after Thanksgiving as we decorated her tree.

*One cup of mix made 10 gingerbread men.