8 : 25 {our snowman family}

Hannah created this family portrait during our art afternoon. Aren't we cute?

We got the idea from That Artist Woman.

7 : 25 {laundry}

Today did not go as I had planned. Our morning lessons were unorganized, frustrating, and dragged on and on. Our fun afternoon plans were canceled. Everyone just seemed a little more on top of each other. Tempers were short. You know the day... blah, blah, blah...

My attempt to find beauty in this December 7th was tough.

Late this afternoon, I turned the corner to my room to find that ugly mound. Sadly, it had become a fixture this week, a centerpiece you might say. My sinful self wanted to sit down right next to that pile and list all the reasons I should be grumpy, why it never gets done... blah, blah, blah (again).

It was 4:40 and the sun was setting. I needed to choose joy. While I found some fun Christmas music on the radio, I invited the battling trio upstairs for a Laundry Party. Up they came, slowly, and grumbling a bit. But we worked together sorting, folding, matching, helping, laughing, and ended up finding the bottom of that pile. That ugly-beautiful pile.

Holiday Hospitality with Children

Christmas is a season for kindling
the fire for hospitality in the hall,
the genial flame of charity in the heart.
-Washington Irving

My children love for our home to be full of friends, big and small. Whenever we host a dinner or party, their excitement is overwhelming in those important hours before guests arrive. Instead of being frustrated by their energy level, I have found that delegating a few creative jobs can make that time very pleasant and fun for all of us. Additionally, they are able to share in the blessing of hospitality and learn what it means to honor guests in our home.


Make it personal. For more formal dinners, my daughter loves creating place cards with each guest's name. From basic, folded card stock to names beautifully written on leaves... the possibilities are truly endless. All they need is a list of names and a little inspiration (maybe from Google images - kids handmade place cards). Legos will also hold a place card very nicely....

Click HERE to read the rest of this post over
at Heart of the Matter Online.

6 : 25 {lights}

on trees in the front yard...


on the dinner table...

Wonder : 1000 Gifts

“I would maintain that thanks
are the highest form of thought,
and that gratitude is happiness
doubled by wonder.”
- G. K. Chesterton

Wondering at His goodness to me, I keep counting...

0717
Christmas picture books pulled from the box. Eager to read them again and lots of "Oh, I remember this one... I love this one!"

0718
Church bells.

0719
Catching Will humming Amazing Grace while he works.

0720
Candy canes.

0721
The joy of gathering with old friends.

0722
Children's choir concerts and nativity plays.

0723
Peter-made sloppy joes.

0724
Watching my boys watch football. Never a still moment.

0725
Little friends' birthday parties.

0726
Hannah's extra time at the piano working on Christmas hymns.

0727
His hard-working, what-can-I-do-to-help attitude.


0728
When chores are cheerfully completed.

0729
Hearing, "Peter, do you want me to read you a book?"

0730
Kind dinner invitations.

0731
Friday night pizza and A Charlie Brown Christmas.

0732
The wonder of His love.

5 : 25 {choristers}

I know these photos are terribly grainy. (They're for you, Mom.)

I couldn't get a shot of Will in the choir, but here is some pre-singing, choir room excitement.

4 : 25 {family picture attempt}

We started our day in a house full of friends for brunch. Still hoping to capture a family photo for our Christmas card, we borrowed Stacy and Brad's front steps and handed our friend Todd my camera. Several of the photos are card material (thanks so much, Todd!), but it's the in between shots I enjoy the most.

If only Oregon wasn't so far away. I'd love to have a family photo shoot with Heidi!