Christmas Day!

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Oh, how I love Christmas!  It is always my goal to slow the day down as much as possible and just relish in the Spirit it brings.  The past few years our parents have come to visit us in the morning.  We start the day with Lindsey checking to see what Santa has delivered for her.

This year she was very sleepy.

We finally woke her up around 8 a.m. to start the festivities.

After we check out what Santa delivered we all have a nice breakfast.  After breakfast comes the unwrapping of the rest of the gifts, where we take turns opening them one at a time.  I know....crazy...but it really does help us slow things down and enjoy being together.

 Her gifts this year were focused mostly on her

 doll house and her baby doll, Sally.

 Papaw was entrusted with the very important job of holding

Paige (left) and Sally (right) so they could watch Lindsey open her gifts.

Lindsey with Grandma and Grandpa.

The afternoon was spent with Jeremy's family at Josh & Amanda's (somehow I have zero pictures).  Then back home to just enjoy being together.  It was a very nice enjoyable day.  Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Christmas Eve Memories

Friday, December 24, 2010

We started a new tradition this year (I got the idea from The Friend).  I found a box and placed in it various items of things that would remind us of Jesus Christ (a poem, an angel, a lamb, a picture of Christ, a star), then wrapped it nicely.  We opened it tonight and talked about each of the items and what they meant to us.  It was a wonderful way to kick off the celebrations and get us thinking about Christ.

Next came the tradition of having Lindsey open one gift (that I stratigically identify) on Chirstmas Eve.  Her new pajamas.

The next event of the night is my most favorite memory.  We always read through the Christmas story.  Well, this year we had Lindsey display her Little People Nativity as Daddy read through the story.  (That worked really well as it gave her little hands something to do while she listened.)  Then it happened.  She wanted to tell us what she knew about the story...so she proceeded to recite the Christmas Story.  The Spirit was so strong in our home it brought tears to my eyes.  It is a very tender memory for me.

Next we all get dressed in our pjs and drive around to look at the pretty lights and decorations.  The past two years has resulted in Lindsey falling asleep in route...which has worked nicely for us in getting her to bed at a decent hour.  :)

Our family homespun tree.  It is our memory tree.  Adorned with ornaments that we have acquired through the years.  Decorating the tree is one of my favorite things to do as I am reminded of all the wonderful people in our lives and all the experiences we have had through the year.  We are so blessed!

Beauty Among the Snow Brushed Trees

Monday, December 20, 2010

Today I woke to a light misty fog upon the ground.

It was beautiful among the snow brushed trees.

Storytime with Paige and Oliver & Amanda Pig

Sunday, December 19, 2010

After the birthday celebrations were over I found Lindsey in the Den reading a Nursery Rhyme book to her baby, Paige.

Lindsey loves to play with her baby dolls.  She took the time to spread out her favorite purple blanket and read Paige some stories.  You may also notice her ballerina outfit...Dressing up is another one of her favorite things to do...particularly as a ballerina.

Today was a busy day.  The days events ended with Lindsey changing her clothes again....this time supporting the Indianapolis Colts in her cheerleading outfit...and...

Daddy reading her one of our favorite book series.

(Oliver and Amanda Pig by Jean Van Leeuwen)

It was a busy day  Poor thing...she didn't make it through the book.

I'm so grateful for the simple things in life...like seeing my love read a book to my little sweetheart.  Precious!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Today Jeremy turned 37.  It was a quiet celebration at home.  One of those days that he could have just let pass by, but when you have a 4 year old who knows you have a birthday, it can no longer go unrecognized.  So.....


Lindsey helped me make a cake with candles. 

There aren't quite 37, but we didn't want to start a house fire. 
(Haha.  Just kidding Dear.) 

After the song came...

 Blowing out the candles. 

Then after the smoke cleared...

Came the gifts.

Daddy received a reversible belt and new hiking boots.

It was a nice day to spend going to church as a family and then hanging out at home with our parents.  My Dear, I can't believe you are 37.  My how the years are flying by.  I am so grateful to spend each day with you.  Thanks for being a wonderful husband and Dad.  We love you!!!

A Glimpse of God's Creations

Monday, December 13, 2010

Occassionally we are blessed with a beautiful view of Heavenly Father's creations.  Today it was a group of turkeys walking across our fields.  They were a sight to behold.

White Christmas

Friday, December 10, 2010

Anyone who knows me at all knows that I LOVE Christmas!  Not only that, but that my all-time most favorite Christmas movie is White Christmas with Bing Crosby!  So it was only natural that I wanted to attend the Columbus North High School production of White Christmas.  So....we bought tickets and tonight, Jeremy, Mitch, Mom (Dad was sick), Lindsey and I went out to dinner and then to the play.

Lindsey was very excited to go because as you would have guessed, I have passed down my love of this movie to her.  She will sit and watch it with me from beginning to end.  A little something we share snuggled up by the fire on these chilly winter days.  It was a fun time to build on our memories with family.

Lindsey Turns 4!!!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Today is the actual day...Lindsey's 4th birthday.  We invited Lindsey's friends Kenzie and Brooklyn to come and play....and of course eat some cake.

Blowing out the candles is always fun for kids.  I had to include this photo because I love how Kenzie and Brooklyn are watching so intensely.  You can tell they just want to help her so badly!  So cute!

These girls crack me up when they are together.  They love each other so much!  They can't wait to see each other on Sundays, and that is often not enough so we usually see them at least once during the week and sometimes more.  (I wonder where these girls are looking?  They are obviously not looking at me.  Too funny.)

Lindsey had a fun couple of days celebrating her birthday.  Today is yet another year that I am in awe of the fact that four years ago today we had no idea what amazing miracle was about to come into our lives.  I think and pray for her birthmother often, but even more-so today.  Oh how I wonder what she is doing right now.  How I wish I could express my grateful heart (although I have NO idea how I would do that).  I trust that Heavenly Father is blessing her for selfless sacrifice, and for now....that has to be enough.

Happy Birthday Lindsey!

Monday, December 6, 2010

You may be thinking....wait a minute...tooday isn't Lindsey's birthday...and you would be right.  Tomorrow is, but Daddy has to be at church tomorrow evening, so we are celebrating Lindsey's birthday today.  We invited Grandma, Grandpa and Papaw over for a dinner.  It was Lindsey's choice...spaghetti, green beans and garlic bread (without the crust, of course).  It was a very low key party with dinner and opening gifts.

I took the easy way out this year and bought her cake at Sam's Club, then added a little Rapunzel doll (remember, we just went and saw Tangled, starring Rapunzel, last week).  It was cute and pleased Lindsey, which was my goal.  (Note her cute haircut.  I actually cut it myself.  My first time.  It is a little shorter than I planned, but I think it turned out pretty cute.)

She was blessed with many fun gifts, including a few for her doll Sally

(because it was her birthday too you know....she turned 2). 

A big hit!!! the Unicorn pillowpet, which is very popular this Christmas season.  Thankfully we purchased this a few months ago.  (I can't help but think about the Cabbage Patch Kids craze from when I was a kid.  I don't think the pillowpets made it to quite that level though.)

Grandma and Grandpa.

(Somehow I didn't get Papaw in a picture.  Sorry Papaw.)

It's hard to believe our little one is 4.  She is growing up so fast.  She is such a blessing and we express our gratitude daily to Heavenly Father for sending us such a wonderful miracle.  Lindsey, we love your spunky personality and the love you have for others.  You want to make good choices and you love to learn.  We love your hugs and kisses and feel blessed to be your parents.  We love you sweetheart!!!

Once There Was a Snoman (small, small, small)

Saturday, December 4, 2010

It was early December and we had snow!!!  We were all so excited so we had to go out and play.  It wasn't really a good snowman building snow, but Lindsey was determined.  She set to work and made this cute little snowman.

Sorry it's not the best photo, but it's all we've got.  Lindsey was very excited to have made her own little snowgirl.  She even stayed around for a couple of days.  Snow.  Snow.  Snow.  Snow.  (Even now I can hear Bing Crosby and the folks from White Christmas singing these words in my ears.  Crazy, I know.)



Take Me to the Movies!

Friday, December 3, 2010

Lindsey and I were home alone tonight because Jeremy was gone to a Scout campout.  We thought it would be fun to go and do something so....we thought of going to the movies.  Disney Tangled had just come out and the previews looked really cute.

 The movies have to include popcorn...especially when it's your first time.  She was so excited!!!

We had a great time together and Lindsey did a great job sitting and watching the movie.  We both loved it!