quilt-n-mama: December 2014

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

{This Mama's Daybook...}

For the week since Christmas 2014

Outside my window... Snow, brrr.... it's a balmy 2 degrees this morning.

The past week... Our Christmas was spent in a ranch house, graciously provided while Shawn worked in another community. Our day was quiet and wonderful in it's own way. A simple Christmas Tree,

books read,

bicycles ridden on a dirt road and a beautiful sunrise

as I walked the dog on Christmas morning.

Some sweet memories... just a few pictures from the last week. The kids and I spent a couple of hours with dear friends, Judy was decorating cookies and let the kids join in...

While the kids and I were traveling for my parents anniversary and and my family Christmas get together, I took the kids past the house Shawn and I lived in for 4 years early in our marriage while he was still in school. I loved that little house...

Christmas on the square in my hometown...

A little celebrating... 19 years ago on another snowy day, I married this handsome guy. Wow, we were young looking! (I will get our picture added soon!)

We celebrated a quiet day with the kids, did science experiments, ate out with gift cards we got for Christmas and had an awesome day.

Looking ahead at 2015...

Our year starts off with a lot of busy... more doctor appointments in Denver for Nate and a 2nd surgery in March. Five Gymnastics meets in the first 3 months and plans in place for Shawn and the boys to head to Hungary for the SHARE Conference/mission trip.

As I think ahead to 2015, this verse is one I am going to focus on.

What is ahead for you in 2015?

From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised! Psalm 113:3

Thursday, December 25, 2014

{Merry Christmas from our Home to yours...}

As you anticipate the joy of Christmas in the celebration...

take time to remember and celebrate the reason...

“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.” Luke 2:10-11.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

{50 years}

This weekend we celebrated my parents' Golden Anniversary.

It was a wonderful afternoon with friends and family who came to honor and celebrate with us.

We held the celebration at a bed & breakfast and it was beautifully decorated for Christmas, a perfect place for the day!

The kids found spots to enjoy as well...

Congratulations Papa & Mama!

Monday, December 15, 2014

{small town Christmas...}

Some of the reasons I love a small town Christmas celebration...

it is a tradition with our church to go caroling through town on this horse drawn wagon.

Each year, this gentleman arrives with his high stepping beauties and takes us!

This year the weather was absolutely beautiful.

We make stops at the assisted living apartments, nursing home, hospital, etc.

Then we head back to the church...

for celebration of Jesus birthday...

a soup supper...

then the kids share the Christmas story with everyone...

There are cute little angels...

handsome sheperds...

and a great story teller she shares the details of the night of Christ's birth...

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Do you have any fun things you do leading up to Christmas?

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

{This Mama's Daybook}

For Today

December 10, 2014

Outside my window... it's foggy this morning, quiet outside and around the house.*just finishing this up tonight and I drove home in fog tonight after practice as well!

I am hearing... Josh Wilson's Christmas Album, one of my favorites, especially Jesus is Alive. Last fall I took the kids to a concert that he was at and we love his music! ** Finally finishing and the house is quiet, everyone is in bed.

I am praying for... Many friends serving overseas this Christmas season. They are far from family and friends but are faithfully serving and celebrating Christmas. It can be a difficult and lonely season, I challenge you to take the time to sit and write them a Christmas Card and send it snail mail, or write and email to them to see how they are doing this Christmas season. Words of encouragement from those they love here are so important!

One of my favorite things...Tinsel! I have no idea why I love tinsel on Christmas trees but I do. We haven't had any for several years but last year in the after Christmas Sales, I found some really cheap so this year... we have tinsel again. Clara LOVES it's glitter! As Fancy Nancy says (and Clara agrees), "You can NEVER have too much tinsel!"

On my bookshelf... O Come Let Us Adore Him, Advent 2014 SheReadsTruth Bible Study

We am creating... Gingerbread Houses!

From the kitchen... Potato Musaka, for those who know me well, they know I love to travel and experience different cultures. Yesterday was one of those days when I just needed some "culture"so we enjoyed this treat from Serbia tonight and remember some of the families we have met who serve there! Today we are making rolls to use up some milk that is about turn sour, yum! We are also thinking about Christmas baking and picking our recipes and well as menu making for the next month for me to get done!

Moments caught on camera... the girls' first meet of the season was our State Judges' Cup this past weekend. The day started with Abigayl getting sick at 3:30am so she didn't get to go compete, she was sad but felt so icky that she was fine with missing out! The day ended with Lenna's level team competing and she had a great evening! She place 2nd all around and her team brought home the first place trophy!

From the learning rooms... Multiplying fractions, long multiplication, beginning division and understanding basic units.

Grammar is rolling along. We are working our way through ancient history, today looking at hieroglyphs and who broke the code to understand them. We are practicing writing our names. We are also star gazing and making starwheels.