Merry Christmas 2011

We didn't send a Christmas card this year (since 2 months ago I sent a baby announcement) but if we had these are the pictures we would've used.

 

Joys

Life as a Christian doesn't guarantee happiness. In fact, it promises troubles. (John 16:33) I hope that no matter what the Lord has planned for me that He will remind me that He has overcome the world and my troubles are all encompassed in that promise. And so I've come to the conclusion that the season of life I'm in today, though challenging, is truly a season of joy. I find joy in my children's precious faces, in seeing them grow and learn, in their silliness, in their discovery of the world around them. I am overwhelmed with thankfulness to live so near my parents and siblings for this time of life. I'm thankful for their encouragement, assistance, and most of all the love they shower on my babies. There will come a time when we won't be so near one another, so today I'm savoring it. Here are a few pictures of some of my joys from this week.

Charlisms

"I be careful, Mommy. I be it."

Emmy: "what's on your pjs Charli?"
Char: "monkeys!"
Emmy: "what do monkeys say?"
Char "ooh-ooh ah-ah"
Emmy: "where do monkeys live?"
Char: "Texas."

Christmas is Coming!

I imagine each year Christmas festivities will become more and more fun as the girls get older. This year we've already decorated the house together, made a gingerbread house (with Emmy), made Christmas cookies, played with the nativity set that Emmy, my mom, gave Charli, gone to Zoo Lights at the Memphis Zoo with friends, listened to lots of Christmas music, bought/packed/wrapped two operation christmas child boxes, and started rehearsals for the Christmas concert at church.

As soon as Charli saw the first gift under our Christmas tree she exclaimed, "yay! Christmas party!" We're hoping to begin some meaningful Jesus-centered traditions this year. Here's the link to one we are thinking about www.truthinthetinsel.com

This is my second year doing operation Christmas child boxes as well. I plan to make that one of our annual ways to help children in need of basic necessities as well as hearing the Gospel. It is an especially effective way to teach our children that they are very blessed and that God commands us to help the poor and needy.

How do you make sure the central focus of Christmas is Emmanuel, God with us?