One Floating Flower...

In the kitchen at sunset.

Merry & Bright at Khaki & Grandaddy's House

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree:

The presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. 

Burton Hillis

{December 24, 2010}

Raggedy Ann in Sister's Room

A redheaded friend for the Strawberry Girl was just right for sweet Christmas smiles.

Merry & Bright at Bunny & Pop's House

A Bunny and a Pop... always wonderful,
plus 3 silly sisters,
plus 3 long-suffering husbands,
plus 4 crazy boy-cousins,
plus 2 squealing babies...

Equals one afternoon of mayhem.
{December 22, 2010}

God is Light

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

Isaiah 9:2

Arise, shine; for your light has come,

And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

Isaiah 60:1

From our little family to all of you... Merry Christmas!

Light in Darkness

Because of the tender mercy of our God... the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.
Luke 1:78-79

Our Christmas Elf

Down, But Not Completely Out

Yesterday the doctor confirmed what my fever and sore throat were already telling me... I have my third case of strep throat in less than two months. Sigh.

Blog posting will likely be sporadic and brief over the next few weeks as I try to rest my weary body and enjoy Christmas with my family. Sallie's tip for good health, sleep and dark chocolate, sounds divine right now. Gazing at sunlight on crystal water goblets can't hurt either.

God of Hope

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him,

so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

Christmas Color Week: Plaid & Stripes

Annie, in a busy, messy week of life your exercise in color and photography has been a delight.
Thank you for hosting.

Christmas Color Week: Silver/White & Wonders of His Love

225. a warm oven

226. bread baking

227. seeing the silhouette of him with baby in his arms through the window as I drive up the driveway

228. snow flurries

229. food to give away

230. a-just-the-right-size aluminum pan with a lid for the food to give away

231. lunch with friends

232. singing Christmas carols

233. watching her crawl

234. evening hush

235. the forgotten backpack that gave me the opportunity for time alone with Big Brother

236. sunlight cracking through gray clouds

237. Christmas cards in the mailbox

238. fresh interior paint and the husband who steadily brushes it on

239. forgiveness {because, oh, how I need it... day after day after day}

240. a warm embrace

241. "Mommy, I love you."

And wonders of His love,

And wonders of His love,

And wonders, wonders of His love!

Christmas Color Week: Red

Christmas Color Week: Gold

This year Little Brother took matters into his own hands when our lack of a Christmas tree topper became an especially troubling detail. "Daddy, wift me up so I can hang 'dis star on 'de highest branch."
There now, problem solved.

Christmas Color Week: Green

Hosted by Clarity and Grey.You can play, too!

The Majesty

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Hebrews 1:3

Ten on Ten: December

Be sure to visit Ten on Ten to view more sets of ten.May your weekend be merry and bright.

Home From School

Still Counting Good Gifts

206. My precious cow-licked, serious-faced boys who never cease to delight me.
207. No where to go on a cold day.
208. Baby's long nap after a rough night.
209. Evening's indigo sky.
210. Toast with honey, hot tea, and solitude with a brilliant sunrise.
211. Lists.
212. My children's sweet profiles.
213. "Mommy, will you play china tea set with me?"
214. Warm, soft candlelight on a gray afternoon.
215. Breakfast with Jenn.
216. A happy afternoon of all five of us decorating for Christmas and feeling cozy.
217. Goofy faces in the car with Little Brother.
218. Recent opportunities to spend time with missionaries.
219. Roto-rooter.
220. A call to pray.
221. All five of us well enough for church on Sunday.
222. A partial data recovery after a recent major data loss for the professor.
223. God's protection over Sister during a scary moment.
224. Reading our Christmas books aloud.

All good gifts around us

Are sent from heaven above

So thank the Lord

Oh thank the Lord for all his love

Stephen Schwartz