Merry Christmas from Washington

From our family to yours...
Merry Christmas!

Perhaps we would've handed the camera to a passerby for a family photo, but we had all just witnessed a rather dramatic phone theft... snatched right out of this woman's hand! Last minute, must-have gift I suppose. So, I kept my camera close. Ah, the elusive family photo. Grin.

The Capitol Christmas Tree

Also today, we stopped at the U.S. Botanic Garden to see the Garden-Train Exhibit - a holiday/train display made entirely of plant-based, natural materials. A must-see. Amazing.

December Snow : 1000 Gifts

Preparing to celebrate the Gift of Gifts, under a thick blanket of December snow, my list continues...

0201
Christmas cards falling through the mail slot.


0202
My three walking through the church mid-week with baskets full of goodies. Delivering gifts of love to those who serve.

0203
The safe arrival of a sweet baby girl.

0204
Carrot noses.


0205
Cold, pink cheeks.

0206
A red scarf.

0207
Snowballs.


0208
Wool mittens.

0209
Sleds. And the big hill at the neighborhood park.

0210
Old Christmas movies at the end of a snow day.

0211
A puzzle in progress.


0212
Christmas books.

0213
Finding Hannah reading to her brothers.

0214
Spiced nuts.

0215
Coming inside.


0216
Piles of snow gear in our school room.

0217
Standing by the fire in their socks.

0218
Family Advent readings.

0219
The Gift of Gifts.

What shall I render thee for the gift of gifts,
thine own dear Son, begotten, not created,
my Redeemer, proxy, surety, substitute,
his self-emptying incomprehensible,
his infinity of love beyond the heart's grasp.

from Valley of Vision

The lists continue...

Warmth of Home : 1000 Gifts

Blessing upon blessing. My gift list continues...


0185
A quiet Sunday morning home caring for a sick one.


0186
Paper snowflakes.


0187
Beanbags and books pulled near the fire that burns all day.

0188
Candles in windows.

0189
A warm home.

0190
Birthday packages.

0191
Amazon. Free shipping.

0192
Christmas cards.

0193
Clementines.

0194
Wool clogs.

0195
A jar of flowers and a handmade card carried down the sidewalk and left on the front steps. Sympathy shown to their young friends... missing their dog.

0196
A date with Dad - Handel's Messiah. (And free National Philharmonic tickets available for children.)

0197
Lessons and carols.

0198
Stories of rescue.

0199
Prayers over sleeping children.

0200
Peace. That passes all understanding.



And He shall be their peace.
Micah 5:5

The Lego Party

Will had a bunch of boys over yesterday to celebrate. It was an evening of Lego madness.

The Christmas wreath was replaced with a Lego '6' to welcome his guests.

As the boys arrived, they found a building station on the table. My husband then led them through several Lego games: timed building contests, Lego toss, hot Lego...

We had pizza, cake and ice cream. And sent each boy home with a bag of goodies... including building brick candy I found at a mall candy store.

It was a wild, extremely loud 2 hours! Indoor/winter boy birthday parties are so fun. Grin.

It was a very happy birthday for my sweet boy.

Six

Happy Birthday to my
always-moving,
ever-creating,
people-loving,
quick-to-hug,
tender-hearted boy.

O Holy Night

As we painted, we talked of the wild, night sky...
that night filled with angels announcing His birth.

And the Word became flesh, entered the world as a baby,
and made His dwelling among us.


Thanks to That Artist Woman for another beautiful project.

Will (top painting) needed a little help with cutting the silhouettes. Both loved the final outcome. They are now framed and hanging for Advent.

Living Hope : 1000 Gifts

With a heart overwhelmed by grace, I start another page in my gratitude journal...

0175
A wintry forecast. A child's hope and excitement.

0176
My three running to windows with eyes wide... "It's SNOWING!"

0177
An early family birthday celebration.

0178
And early gifts to build.


0179
Simple and beautiful pomanders.


0180
Our daily Advent devotions.

0181
Her love for music. A beautiful recital.


0182
The beginning of life. The safe arrival of a precious little boy. A dear family expanded.

0183
Meeting his Savior at life's end. The full life and merciful homegoing of a dear, old saint.

0184
Our living HOPE.

In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you... 1 Peter 1:3-4


May grace and peace be yours in abundance...

Boys

Careful. You never know who might be waiting for you at the top of the stairs.