...Christmas Outtakes...

My favorite moments:
Staying up late into the night baking goodies... and theHotness staying up with me. He would just sit back and watch me do my thing. Filling in the conversation with this or that... talking about our past. Like when we would scimp on groceries to save up for our big Christmas feast... or when we'd put off buying each other Christmas gifts til after Christmas. And then suddenly realizing that if those were the 'hard' times, then we haven't a thing to complain about. And that immediate warm feeling of gratitude.... God is good. (all.the.time) I love my husband. We've come so far. I'm glad to be doing it along side of that man. I made a really good choice. :)

James buying his own presents for everyone. He was a great shopper and did better budgeting his things than we did! :) He bought me a new 'rove.' (which means robe) bc he loathes my old one. His tiny little heart would stress so when he'd wake up and see me in it. He was so proud to gift me with a new red one. He told me it was from target about 12 times. It's perfect because he's perfect. That's how motherhood works! :) A few things he bought: chocolate chapstick. edible necklace. air.guitar.classics CD. a stuffed orca.whale. a comb and brush set. :)

Watching Jackson blossom with all the Christmas attention... for being so small, his joy is undeniable. I've never seen anything like it. He knew it was a special day... or days. He knows that he is a part of this family. And he feels at home here amoung us. It's amazing how he has changed us so. All of us.

Me sitting on the couch all day Christmas Day... in my new red.rove... with theHotness napping next to us... listening to church services on the tv... kids jumbled on the big carpet under my feet playing with all their Loot. A crochet needle in hand, a how.to.crochet book to my left, a ball of limey.green yarn to my right... teaching myself how to crochet a hippo.

Here are a few jumbled pics taken over the span of Christmas.time...













Another year down, full to the brim. Another season steeped in goodness and faith. One year done and one year beginning. New and shiny. The promise of More on the horizon.

Thanks to you for watching it all unfold and sending the strategic 'attaboy' from time to time.

Peace, love, and buffalo.plaid.
xo
lmkw