Christmas Prep

The weeks of preparation and anticipation before Christmas are some of my favorite days of the year. Decorating, baking, shopping, wrapping, sending Christmas cards, receiving well wishes, attending parties and programs...I love it all!

Wedding decorations recycled.

Kiddos decorating the tree.

Great Grandma Johnson's celebration at the Community Home.

My little wrapping helper.

New card display idea via Pinterest.

All gussied up and ready for the school Christmas program.

Reality!

Decorating the tree at the golf course.  Jentry even made the star herself using an old beer box and some foil. So creative that girl!

Only eight more days!!!!

Rubba Dub Dub

Our little man has certainly come a long way from his very first bath. Already, I can not fathom that he actually fit in that tiny tub.

Flash Forward 8 Months...

So fresh and so clean, clean.

A Frozen Parade

This year for Sutton's annual Parade of Lights, Jan's "Frozen" vision truly came to life with temperatures in the upper teens. It  was definitely chilly, however my sister was kind enough to bring Olaf and Anna all the way from Orleans to make an appearance with Elsa on the Mack Inc. float. They were just a little excited to go see the float.

It was dazzling! 

Jan also wore an Olaf costume and rode in the back of the truck. Nathan, John and Mason stayed nice and toasty inside the pickup.

There were several other creative floats and I am glad that I was able to stand with my sister and enjoy the entire parade. We even got to sip on a little hot chocolate and cider courtesy of the Midtown Hair Studio. According to the Clay County News, the parade had 20 entries make their trek down Saunders Avenue.

It was a lot of driving in one cold Monday evening, however I think Kelly thought it was worth it and I have no doubt the kiddos had a blast. According to Anna, "That was awesome!" 

Give Thanks in Everything

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Some days, when Mason is awake at 5:15 am, Jentry has a complete meltdown over the way her socks "feel all wrong" in her shoes, and I am trying to put a hot meal on the table while my husband leisurely makes his way home via a stop at the golf course, it is difficult to be thankful in EVERYTHING. However, I wouldn't trade my sweet baby boy for all the sleep in the world, I wouldn't change my daughter's strong personality for a perfect angel and I my husband...well if a cocktail and a few minutes to socialize after a day of work provides him with his unimaginable patience, then by all means I will let him take his sweet time getting home.

By following these three commands -- be joyful, pray continually, and give thanks -- I find it easier to be joyful and thankful. However, to be totally honest with myself, my problems are so minimal when compared to others'. Most circumstances in my life are quite easy to be thankful for and my gratitude should flow freely.

The pictures in my camera roll from the month of November are proof of how very blessed I am.

The beautiful paint in the sky. It was Jentry's idea to stop and take a picture on the way home from picking up Mason at daycare. She has such an appreciation for beauty.

A boy and his Papa.

Yummy pumpkin treats.

Another holiday with Great Grandma Johnson and the Johnson family.

Isaiah and Claire

Boy toys!

Too much amazing food and sweet sleep.

First Thanksgivings.

More time with grandma and Papa Bose and a Husker win in overtime.

Jentry's creative artwork.

Eight months with this smiley boy.

What an adorable little eyebrow raise.

So much to be thankful for!