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14 December 2012

Instafriday

Around here...via Instagram...
Happy boy

Swinging

Didn't take him long to learn to climb up the swingset. Our neighbors GAVE it to us! Such a blessing.

Bath time is always so fun. Especially since Brett does all the work. :)

Guard dog

She decorated the Swedish tree...the 2 horses needed to be next to each other because they're twins.

Ten years of hanging this ornament. Thanking God for each and every moment.

Pajama soccer

Sweet puppy

Trouble. Truett has discovered a passion for climbing.

Christmas cookies. Someone's got a sweet tooth.

Maren drew Santa.

Pretty girl

All is calm...

I spent an afternoon with my best bud, Jaime, picking out her baby quilt fabric. Exciting for a number of reasons! {It's a girl!}

New linen stockings for the 4 of us.

Washi tape...decorating lots of packages these days.

Packages ready to ship to Michigan.

Preschool Christmas concert day.

Unwinding with some hot cocoa and Antiques Roadshow.


life rearranged

13 December 2012

The long-awaited Preschool Christmas Program

Maren has been preparing for her preschool Christmas program for quite some time. She has secretly practiced the songs in the safety of her own room. She worked hard and almost kept the handmade ornament she would be presenting to us a secret. She has been planning her outfit and telling us to remember 'program Thursday'.

Well, program Thursday did not disappoint. Maren looked sweet in her new Christmas dress.



She could hardly contain her excitement. And, I couldn't either, if I'm being honest. This was one of those things I used to dream about when we were struggling with infertility. I love Christmas. I love Christmas music. I tear up every time I hear a children's choir sing. I longed to have my own child up there on the stage. And this year I finally got to experience that joy. Friends, it was a special morning.

Hi Maren!

Maren glowed throughout the entire program...it did a momma's heart good. I've mentioned before that her name (Maren Eleanor) means 'longed for light'. She certainly lived up to that today.

Here she was walking out. Thank goodness for those layers of fluff.

The not-so-secret ornament was darling. It's her handprint and the fingers are painted like little snowmen. Obviously, Maren didn't paint the snowmen. Still, it's sweet to have a momento of her tiny handprint from this season.

Maren and her good buddy, Morgan. Can you believe how cute those purple glasses are?

Maren loves her teacher, Mrs. C.

...and Mrs. B.

We missed Papa, but were so glad that Gigi was able to come to the show.

We don't have pictures of Truett because he was a little under the weather. (A lot under the weather...I've got the laundry to prove it!) 

I'm so thankful God chose me to be Maren's mom. I love her so very much. Today was indeed a gift.

And guess what?! I won a giveaway over at Hannah's blog today. Icing on the cake.

11 December 2012

A Christmas Song, by Maren

I can't stop smiling when I watch this. Please enjoy Maren's latest work.



10 December 2012

Santa 2012


We made our yearly visit to Santa on Saturday. Brett's bank hosts a fun little event with cookies and a very convincing Santa...with a real beard. My kids loved it.

Maren was not particularly interested in sitting on Santa's lap, but she was sure to communicate her wishes, complete with illustrations.



Our little family...

Truett mostly just chased his ball around the bank all morning, and ate a lot of cookies. This was as close as he got to posing for a picture...maybe next year?

I love looking back at how our family has changed through the years. Here was Maren visiting Santa for the first time...

And here was Truett last year...