Christmas 2021

 After the wedding, we crashed a little bit. We went to church the next day (but not Sunday School) and began to not feel well. We mostly stayed home that week and relaxed a lot. We did a puzzle that Caleb's girlfriend gave us, which was of the Nativity scene. We found out that three of us had COVID-19, as well as many extended family members. We did not attend the Christmas Eve service but watched online. That was very strange since we've always attended that service! 

After watching the service, we ate dinner and opened our new pajamas. We decided to buy matching pj's for us all. We had not done that before either. It was kinda fun! We drove to a nearby house to see their Christmas lights and inflatables display. After that, we came home, made hot cocoa, and watched the "Polar Express."

Some things didn't change... we still opened gifts and stockings, stayed in our jammies a long time, and relaxed. During our quarantine, we watched the Spiderman movie series. When we were well after New Year's, we went to the theater and saw the newest movie. It was a fun thing to do since we were home so much together. We watched several Christmas movies, too, of course!

Opening stockings... new socks, facial wipes, deodorant, small toys, candy, gum, etc.,

A new puffy coat... yeah!

An Alexa speaker for her bedroom... nice!

We played our new family game that Joshua's sister and her family gave to us...

Since we were sick, we couldn't see my parents, which was a bummer! We postponed our Christmas dinner plans until we were feeling better.

We had cranberry & rosemary chicken with rice and roasted brussels sprouts... so delicious!

We finished our Christmas puzzle!

It snowed a few days after Christmas... we didn't have a white Christmas but we had a white New Year's Eve!

We ordered our big family gift from Grandpa and Grandma... a Nintendo switch! It came a few days after Christmas. The kids have LOVED it!

We finished a 500-piece puzzle from our new son-in-law and cheered for Alabama in the bowl games!

This was from when we were dressed up for our church's Christmas dinner which was on the weekend before the wedding. It was fun to have our big kids there too!

Our son-in-law came too, but was a little late and missed the pre-dinner photos.

On New Year's Eve, we played our traditional game of Settlers of Catan. We played the Seafarers version this time. We did stay up until midnight, and some of us made it to church on the Sunday after too!

While we didn't enjoy being sick, it was nice in a way because it forced us to relax. That was just what we needed after the busy wedding week and preparing for Christmas. Since we were vaccinated, it was not too terrible of an ordeal. I definitely felt the shortness of breath, and my lungs ached. But we had no fevers, no loss of taste or smell, and no real aches and pains. It felt like a bad head cold for the most part. We are thankful that the newlyweds did not get sick, and neither did my parents!

How was your Christmas? Were you able to visit family?

Matthew 7:11
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!


Romans 12:6-8
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;  if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;  if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Christmas 2020

 We had a wonderful Christmas here at home last week. It was long, relaxing, and just fun. It was nice to see Rebekah several days in a row. My parents had planned to come on Christmas day, but two of our kids were quarantined from a COVID exposure, so they came a few days later. Also, Bethany was sick on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with a stomach bug, so they stayed away because of that too. Enjoy the pictures!

I always love our Christmas tree... seeing the various ornaments over the years...💗

We took photos at home after our Christmas Eve service, which we videotaped this year. It was a small & different service, but still a sweet time.

When the photo-taking gets silly...

just the girls...

the whole family!

How we really feel about taking pictures, Mom!

My son and his sweet girlfriend...

Coloring printed pages while waiting to start a movie...

New pajamas...

New bedsheets to match his new comforter...

A narwhal onesie?!

And our youngest got a Stitch character onesie!

Looking so cute in their new pj's!

Watching the "Polar Express" while snuggled on our new couch...

Caleb got golf balls from his sister...

A pretty mountains necklace, just what I wanted!

Her older sister figured out that it was a green HydroFlask before she did!

New makeup brushes and a makeup mirror...

What?! New golf club grips... awesome!

Daddy reading about our new, trivia game called "Wits End."

Me in my new sweater (from the kids), earrings and jeans...

Here we are learning and playing our new game, called "Wingspan." It's pretty fun! We love learning about birds and seeing the different cards and pictures!

We enjoyed giving and receiving gifts from each other, but mostly we love hearing the story of Jesus' birth, year after year. It never gets old, hearing how Christ left his heavenly home, to come to our dirty, humble earth as a helpless baby. What a true blessing it is to know Him! 

How did you celebrate Christmas this past year? Was anything different for you? I hope and pray that it was happy and healthy!

Luke 2:1-20

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  And everyone went to their own town to register.

 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,  and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,  and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Christmas & New Years 2019

Our wonderful Christmas began with our traditional candlelight Christmas Eve service. It is my favorite service of the year. I love the glow of the church under candlelight. My husband had another pastor build him a manger this year for the stage. I thought it was a perfect addition! 

 I enjoyed my new, comfy cozy socks from my husband!

 On Christmas morning, after a little coffee and opening stocking stuff, we dove into our gifts!

Bethany liked her new book! 

Caleb was really excited to get a Jumanji Fluxx game! 

Mallory got a new, green Hydro-Flask! 

Rebekah enjoyed her gifts too! 

Daddy opened a new beard/ facial hair trimmer! 

I love all the kids on the couch together! 

We spent the rest of the day at my parents' house. It was great to see my sister and her family there with another brother and my parents. 

We followed my sister to her new home one day later for a New Years' get-a-way! The morning after we arrived, so did the snow! We were glad we weren't caught in it while traveling over the mountains!

 We spent time with cousins in Joshua's family too! The girls baked together...

 They enjoyed our gift of a new game called, "Whozit."

The kids played on their Nintendo some. Our big kids followed us later to accommodate work schedules. 

 We had a fun evening playing Bunco all together! Lots of laughs and silliness...

Bethany enjoyed playing with her cousins' kinetic sand. 

 Our New Year's toast at 11:00 p.m. before we climbed into bed...

 Mallory got a neat hairdo from her Auntie!

 We played lots and lots of games!

We spent another evening back at my sister's house. My nephew made a tree out of Bananagrams tiles. We played games there too!

 While we were there, my girls and their cousins had a fashion show. This was one of the only pictures I took. I love her!

We had to snap a picture of the three of us siblings together. Can you tell who is the oldest?

How was your Christmas? Did you travel anywhere? I'd love to hear about it!

But Christmas is not about the gifts, or the tree, or even about family. This is what Christmas is all about... (I feel like Linus in "Charlie Brown's Christmas!")


Luke 2:1-20

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,  and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, my readers!