Thursdays of Thanks....

Baby breath; Frost on the trees; December thaw; The laughter of kids building a snowman; Watching the ball drop with dd; New beginnings; Updated journal.....

Reflecting on 2013....

It's hard to believe another year has passed.  Our days have been filled with reading aloud, the patter of little feet, dirty hands, and sloppy wet one year old kisses.  Life could not be better :))   I look forward to leaping into the New Year, but here's one last look back at life on Drywood Creek in 2013....

"May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all."

                                                                          2 Thessalonians 6:18

Blessings to you in the New Year,
Melissa

Monday Morning Coming Down....

All the weeks spent preparing for Christmas and it flew past.  Now, the presents are put away, the tree is down, and the fudge is gone.  The rush is over and I am thinking ahead to new beginnings.  It seems after coming down off Christmas, I always feel the sense of what now?  I'm somewhat torn between the old and the new. 

I am thankful for memories made.  I think Christmas feels extra special with the kids, just the wonder of it all.  Riley's favorite Bible story has always been the birth of baby Jesus.  Christmas is her favorite holiday!  All the children were very precious this year making gifts and keeping secret surprises for each other.

I enjoyed watching It's a Wonderful Life together with the kids.  I had never taken the time to sit through the full movie, but this year I made a point of it and it was good.  

As you may have noticed, I also love to take photos  It's my way of capturing those special moments that I hope not to forget.   I try to get Christmas pictures each year of the kids by the tree.  This year, Levi was not real cooperative.  I made several attempts, but usually they looked something like this.....

The little punkin just doesn't like getting his picture taken!  We all tried some coaxing....

In the big picture, it's really not that important.  It's just part of the fun.  In the end, I managed this photo...

Today, the kids are back working on their lessons.  The washing machine is humming and it was -22 degrees here this morning on Drywood Creek.....Yup, that's right twenty-two degrees below zero!! 

Photo Flashback....

As the year is coming to a close, I'm trying to clean out and organize some old photos.  I can't resist a little photo flashback down memory lane...

Christmas 2008

2009

2010

Wonderful memories and they all look so young!

Thursdays of Thanks....

Christmas baking; Shopping with dad; Hosting in-laws for the holidays; An apology; The Lord providing for a family friend in need; Spending Christmas with family; 18 month healthy check-up.....

"May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all."
                                                                           2 Thessalonians 6:18

Christmas Preparations....

We've been busy here readying for this Christmas season and family gatherings.  Yesterday, I spent the day shopping with my dad.  Though I was wiped at the end of the day, I LOVE spending time with my father!  

Today we are preparing our home for The Farmer's family to come.  I thought I'd throw out some recipes we're trying this year.  I made this soup a couple of weeks ago and it turned out to be a new family favorite in our home so I thought I'd try it on the in-laws today :)   Country Kitchen Broccoli Cheese Soup. 

Here are some other treats Riley and I made...

No Roll Sugar Cookies
Peanut Butter Blossoms
Mrs. Claus' Lemon Cookies
Fantasy Fudge
Reindeer Cookies

I'd love to hear about your holiday cooking/baking this year.  What are you favorite Christmas recipes?

Thursdays of Thanks.....

Warm, sunny winter day; Sending cards; Jail ministry; Christmas preparations; Watching Ruben read his Christmas poem in front of many; 18 months of Levi; Celebrating dyslexia graduates....