Carson's 5!

How did this happen? 

My baby is five years old? 

His two favorite stuffed animals had to be present to share in this very special moment.

But they are about to have company!

 

  He was so very happy that Mommy and Daddy said even though he was a big boy now, 

he wasn't too old to have his very own pillow pet dolphin!  :)

 

Cranky the Crane was a very special edition to our Thomas collection!

This half wall Jeff built to separate the dining room and living room a little is such a great thing!

I mean, where would these guys hang out in our tiny house if it wasn't there? :)

 Aunt Sarah just couldn't resist playing with the trains another minute. :)

A little hacky sack practice with Uncle Dan!

 

Again, the wall proving itself very useful.

One Happy Birthday Boy!  :)

Thunderous Thaw

When an ice storm is followed by a rapid rise in temperature . . .

it begins to rain ice chunks . . .

and tree branches . . .

There was a dull roar from the sounds of cracking and smashing ice and this is what the ground ended up looking like.

Simply amazing!

And More Snow and Ice

I love taking pictures of fresh snow. And I love how the newly fallen snow hushes everything. A beautiful quiet time, just me and my camera. :)

 

 Then, of course, this is the name of the game . . .

Carson  found some rabbit tracks in the fresh snow.

 

 

   

 

 

 

And then came the ice storm. More beauty!  
 

 

And from the sounds of it, I should find another quiet moment or two in fresh snow again soon! :)

January Beauty

 A little snow . . .

 and a little ice.

A glaze encasing even a lonely patio table in beauty!  :)

Pondering Prayer

The boys are learning about the doctrine of prayer in their weekly Truth Tracker class. And not so coincidentally, our ladies' Bible study is currently working through Becoming A Woman Of Prayer, by Cynthia Heald.

Hmmmm.

A timely study.

I have so much to learn.

Mmmmm!

Just using up the leftover candy canes after a playful afternoon in the snow with the boys! :)

1.1.11

I received the most encouraging email this week which was just the reminder I needed as I begin this next year!

Scripture says it best . . .

...forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

~Philippians 3:13-14

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, therefore I will hope in him.

~Lamentations 3:21-24

A Peaceful Evening

It's oh, so peaceful.
Little boys eyes closed in their beds.
Mommy under a fleece throw 

stringing popcorn for the tree.
Daddy studying diligently

for a final exam in the morning. 

 All is quiet,

tree lights twinkle,

candles burn,

music softly celebrates Christ's birth.

A peaceful evening 

in the midst of whirling December.

                                                              ~ Suzie

No Time for Blogging

Is anyone else's December whirling by in craziness? Wow! It's all good craziness, but there's definitely not much time left for blogging!

Hope you're enjoying being in the midst of this amazing season! :)

"C" is for the Christ Child

When I was but a young child,
Christmas meant one thing
that I'd be getting lots of toys and games.
But I learned a whole lot different
when Mother sat me down
and taught me to spell Christmas this way --

"C" is for the Christ-child, born on Christmas Day.
"H" for Herald Angels in the night.
"R" means Our Redeemer,
"I" means Israel.
"S" is for the Star that shone so bright.
"T" is for Three Wise-men, they who traveled far.
"M" is for the Manger where He lay.
"A" is All He stands for.
"S" means Shepherds came,

and that's why there's a Christmas Day.


Our boys will be singing this with their friends during our church's Christmas program in two weeks.  I'm so thankful for faithful teachers and leaders who give of their time and hearts for my children! We are so blessed!

Ever Grateful for This Passage

Ephesian 1:1-14

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

to the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless in him. In love

he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight

making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ

as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 

so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.