Costumes and cut-out cookies

Megan has such a great imagination. She asked us to make and wear costumes when we went to Mom's house to make Christmas cookies a few weeks ago. Mom was a Christmas tree salesperson, Chris was a Christmas tree, and Jess was Mary (Emma stood in as baby Jesus). Megan made her costume and Silas' costume. Silas was Spiderman, and Megan was a nurse. I was Frosty the Snowman. (Complete with a button nose.) Here's to Megan for keeping us creative and playful. Oh, and the cookies turned out yummy too!

Christmas pictures

Merry Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas! Megan and Silas enjoyed their trampoline (along with all their other fun toys) and Emma liked her new tent and her own Emma-sized chair. We played outside while Grampie lit the luminaries, ate a lot and loved being together with our family. Of course, we never want to forget the very best gift of all- Jesus. His sacrifice started by trading angels that worshipped Him for people who betrayed Him. It led to a cross and a tomb but to everyone's saving grace it didn't end there. The best Christmas gift is the chance to be forgiven and have communion and everlasting life with God. I am so very blessed and thankful that our families know and love the Lord.

That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.'

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"

A funny Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from Jarrah- she even sends out a smile to all of you!

New letters

I got new letters for Emma's room. Jon hung them up a few days ago and I love the way they look!

All cleaned up and no place to go

Emma was sitting on the counter while I combed her hair after her bath (in the bath tub) and she saw something on the other side of the sink that she wanted and scooted herself right into the sink.

O Christmas tree

Here is our Christmas tree all decorated. Ever since I was born my grandma gets me an ornament to add to the tree each year. By the time I got married I had enough ornaments for Jon and I to fill our own tree. Now my mom and grandma also get Emma an ornament. By the time she gets out on her own she'll have plenty for her own tree too.

One down one to go

Jon got a seat in the anatomy/physiology class that he needed!!! We are super thankful that the Lord blessed us by letting him get in. Now we just need to get him a seat in the internship. We appreciate the continued prayers for that. We won't find out if he gets into the internship until February. We are one step closer!

A Pancake in a Pear Tree

So it's not a pancake (or a partridge) and it's not a pear tree. It's actually a bee hive! I am not gutsy enough to try and get free honey though.

This is only a test...hopefully

We are in the process of getting Jon set up for an internship that would start this coming summer. It's a 12 month internship that upon completion (and passing a test) he would be certified as a clinical laboratory technologist. For those of you like me, who need that translated, he would do testing in hospital labs. It is a great fit for Jon and we are excited to move in that direction. We have the application in, but now two obstacles stand in our way, getting the one class done prior to the internship, and actually getting accepted into the internship. They only take 9 students per year and there are already over 20 applicants. We feel the Lord will get him in if that is the path we are supposed to take. So we signed up for Jon to take the anatomy/physiology class at NCSC, only to find out that it's full! So now we have to trust that the Lord will open up a spot in that class as well! We hope this is just a test of trusting the Lord to pave the way and not doors slamming closed. Either way, we need to trust that the Lord is directing us and showing us His will.

Refreshing

Fresh flowers are alwasy so refreshing. We have hydrangeas right outside our window. They looked so bright and pretty that I left them out there... until a few days ago.
I cut some and brought them in and tried some new effects on the photos for fun.

We went to a night of worship at our church and it was so uplifting! As we sang and prayed, it felt as though someone opened up a window and a summer breeze blew through- it was the Spirit of God blowing in and resting on us. It was so refreshing to my spirit.

Playing in the leaves

Emma and I played outside today. What a beautiful fall day! We are so happy to have a large yard to play in now. Emma toddled all around and crunched leaves to her heart's content.

I often hear people say that they don't like fall because everything is dying and it reminds them that winter is on its way. That always sounds funny to me because I see fall as a time of excitement and anticipation in the air. Kids go back to school, new programs start at church, the holidays come into view... It just seems to me like a celebration of the fullness of life. I love fall!

My favorite wreath

Here's my favorite wreath. I made it from scratch several years ago and it has hung on lots of doors. This is the 6th place we have lived in the seven and a half years of our marriage! Whenever I hang this up our place feels more homey...

But the wreath doesn't make me at home, these three make me at home!

Great support

We are moved into our "new" condo and absolutely LOVE it! We couldn't have gotten here and gotten all unpacked without the incredible support structure that we have. My mom is the hardest worker and has the biggest servant's heart of anyone I know. I hope to learn more of that from her. She has cleaned, packed, unpacked, loaded, unloaded, moved, recleaned, watched Emma, cooked, done laundry, and too many other things for me to remember. I can't thank her enough and am super blessed to be her daughter!
In addition to my mom, we have had several other family members and friends take their time to help us move and unpack. We couldn't have done it without you and thank you for loving us!

Go Bucks!

I think Emma knows the secret of who will win the game!

Our new digs

Here's our new condo that we are renting. We are so thankful that the Lord has provided this opportunity. It will help us save money each month and will be everything we need and more. What a blessing!

To make me smile

Emma can't dress herself but she can definitely express what she does and does not want. This is how she wanted to be dressed this afternoon. And it made me smile. She enjoys making me laugh and will do the same trick over and over to get me laughing so hard that I cry. What a joy to be her momma!

Slumber Party

Emma and Jarrah feel asleep like the this the other night. Emma was completely asleep but still had a tight grip on her sippy cup. She loves that cup so much I had to buy a second one for when this one bites the dust.