December Photo Project - Week 1

I joined a challenge this year with some of my friends. The December Photo Project requires me to post one picture every day in December, until Christmas Day. In keeping with this year's MOPS theme, "A Beautiful Mess", I decided to give a realistic look of the Christmas season in a house that is, um, less than organized.

December 1 - Before the Christmas decorating begins

December 2 - The tree is up, but the needles are still on the floor

December 3 - Walking in the door from grocery shopping when the speech pathologist pulls in

December 4 - The missing page of music that I didn't know was missing until a measure before I needed it

December 5 - Ornaments strewn on the floor that are irresistible to little fingers

December 6 - a crabby evening brought together by Daddy reading "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"

December 7 - messy counters lead to yummy cookies

Tree Time

O Christmas Tree!

We went out this morning and chose our Christmas tree. Last year was a bit of a fiasco with a tree that crashed and tumbled over in the middle of the night, soaking our living room carpet with sappy water for four hours before we discovered it.

This year, we went smaller. Odds are pretty good that the only ornaments on the tree will be hand-made and non-breakable. Gifts may not appear under the tree until Christmas Eve. And I can pretty much guarantee that Annie will be dumbfounded when she discovers a real tree INSIDE our house.

Oh, what fun we had traipsing through the tree farm! Can't wait to get it up and put some lights and decorations out. This is going to be a GREAT Christmas with two girls who are still captivated by the magic!

Singing Christmas Tree 2013

Once again, the Wilson family (minus Annie, but her year is coming!) participated in the Gretna Singing Christmas Tree. This year, our theme is "A Cowboy Christmas." The students have learned about Nebraska agricultural history, that "Chadron" is pronounced "Shadron", and that while there were no Indians in the stable the first Christmas, that Jesus came for everybody. Cowboys. Indians. Shepherds. Town folks. You. Me.

We have one more performance tomorrow. It's been a fun ride hanging with these kids. During the BUSY week of performances, we have a lot of down time in the rehearsal room. This year, I came up with some "Minute to Win It" games. What a hoot watching the kids compete!

Dave and Dan - sound and light guys

Grace

Have you ever done something really stupid? Yup...I did exactly that. Wasn't thinking. Complete lapse in judgment. Intentions were good, outcome was not. Consequences really stink. Relationships need mending.

I'm sitting here licking my wounds, a little hurt that grace was not offered. I took responsibility. I'm working to make things right. But no grace.

And then I think of all the times I lack grace when others hurt me. Ouch.

So here I am, God. Grateful for the grace You've given me. Praying that you would give me a heart of grace toward others. Praying that You can mend what I have broken.

Reading in the epistles this week, that phrase "grace and peace" just keeps coming back. On my iPod, Fernando Ortega is singing "Grace and Peace."

And so I take a breath. I thank God again. And I put myself humbly at His feet.

Happy Heart

Seeing these two together just makes me happy.

Leaves

No fall blog is complete without pictures of darling girls playing in a big pile of leaves (that somehow never ended up getting collected and are still blowing around the yard! Ah...life with busy girls. Wouldn't trade a thing!)

Thanksgiving List

Several factors kept me from getting our family tree of Thanksgiving put up this year. One big reason is the adjustment to Annie in our home. Things below eye level just aren't safe around here! (And some things above eye level, as the girl learns to climb!)

But each family member contributed 3 of the top things on their Thanksgiving list. Annie's did take a little prompting (and maybe some recollection of common prayers at mealtime and bedtime.)

Dayna:

• God
• My family
• Adoption

 Annie:

• Jesus
• Food
• Family

 Dan:

• Safe arrival of Annie
• House
• A job he loves

 Alaina:

• Family
• Grace
• Giggles from little girls