Saturday, December 25, 2010

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Day 292- Skype


I'm thankful for this wonderful little internet tool, especially during the holidays. It's amazing that Anna can see and talk to Grandma and Grandpa all the way in Michigan and Wisconsin!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Day 291- Happy Hoots-mas!


Happy HOOTSmas! Today was my annual gift exchange with my dear friends, the Hoots! We do this every year, even across thousands of miles. 

Here's a picture of our first gift exchange in college, back in 2002. We look soo young!!


This year, Sue was my secret Hoot. She got me these awesome comfy pants!


And this adorable Mickey plate.



And a gift card to Starbucks. Yum!! It's great to have friends that know you soo well and know exactly what you like. I'm definitely blessed with the best friends in the world!!! 
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Sunday, December 19, 2010

Day 290- 3rd Trimester, 28 weeks

Hello third trimester!

28 Weeks

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Saturday, December 18, 2010

Day 289- Christmas cards... DONE!

Christmas cards addressed, stamped and ready to go!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Day 288- Words of Comfort

Today, on the 7 year anniversary of my mom's entry into Heaven, I am thankful for these words of comfort.

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.'" John 11:25-26

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Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Day 287- Fun packages!

Even though I hate to be away from family and friends at Christmas time, it sure is fun to see boxes piled at your front door with gifts waiting inside! 

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Day 286- 27 Weeks

27 Weeks

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Day 285- Mom's Favorite

I LOVE this outfit. I kept her in it all day. :)




Day 284- Happy Birthday, Jesus!

We had our Parents' Night Out/Christmas VBS this past Friday night.


The kids had chicken nuggets,


played some games,


sang some Christmas songs,


played,


learned about Jesus' birth and celebrated with some birthday cake!

Friday, December 10, 2010

Day 283- A little tree

When Dan was in his senior year at the SEM, we lived in a small apartment, and had no room for a real tree. We HAD to have a Christmas tree, so I got a smaller one to get us by that year. Now we set it up in our office every year.


The ornaments on the tree are very special. They were a gift from good friends of Dan's family. They are hand-made and beautiful!







I debated whether to put this tree up this year or not. Keeping Anna's hands off one tree seemed like it would  be enough to worry about. Plus, I didn't want any of these ornaments to get broken. Anna has done really well so far with our regular tree, so I decided to go ahead and do this one as well. She has done well so far... but I don't let her come into the office alone! I'm glad I put it up. I love looking at it as I sit at my computer!

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Friday, December 3, 2010

Day 281- It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!


This week has been dedicated to decorating our house for Christmas. It's quite a process, and add a toddler to the mix, it takes even longer. I've also had to be more creative about where I put them, so they stay out of curious hands! We have more Christmas decorations than we even know what to do with. I still have a large tote full of things that I have no room for. I inherited most of them. So we have a large mix. 

There are new decorations that I have picked up. 


Of course we each needed our own Christmas stockings. I can't wait to add a fourth one next year!


This beautiful painting was a gift from some members of our church. She painted it. I love that Joseph is holding Jesus while Mary rests in the background. It definitely reminds us that Christ was truly man, born to a sinful, human being, who had to endure a hard, natural labor. What a humble birth!


Of course there are many hand-made things that my mom crafted over the years. Many good friends of hers own Christmas mice, just like this...


...or a NOEL like this.  


We have three nativities. Two were my parents. One we got as a wedding gift. We usually have room for two.



Some of the decorations are very old. I believe these mice belonged to my Grandma. 


I also inherited all the ornaments, so I have my first Christmas ornaments on our tree. 
(How cute is that baby? :) ) 


And Anna has her first Christmas ornaments as well.



Many Mickey ornaments that my parents collected from our friends, the Feiocks. Anna, especially love these.



An ornament from my preschool years. I was a bit stingy with the macaroni. 



 And a pickle hidden deep with in the tree. Anyone else hide a pickle in their tree?





I love the way all these wonderful things make our home feel warm and cozy. It makes all the hard work worth it!