23 December 2012

Posted by at December 23, 2012 1 comment:
Labels:

15 December 2012

Hug Them Closer

December 15, 2012 2
I snapped a few photos of these two doing their reading homework together.  So sweet!

We'd just enjoyed some time with family, celebrating a graduation.  There was food, laughter and saying our goodbyes as my niece and her husband move to California.  


We hopped in the car to leave and all I heard on the radio was over 20 children dead from a school shooting.  I scrambled for my phone to check the web.  I was in a bit of a panic knowing my own children were currently in school.  Then learned it was in Connecticut.

I sat there teary eyed.  All I could do was imagine the horror, the sadness, the faces of frightened children.  

Christmas will never be the same for these families.

We didn't see our children yesterday after school.  They were picked up by Nana & Papa, taken to see a Christmas light show, had their first visit with Santa (That's right, no Santa pics before now. That's part of being a third culture kids) and spent the night.  

We knew they were in good hands.  At the same time I wanted to hug them a little closer.

I join many in praying for these families and this community as they mourn, remember their loved ones and heal.

Hubby and I had a date night last night.  Something we haven't had in ages.  We got a few needed things done and saw a movie.  I don't know when the last time was we saw a movie, alone, together.

And......

I SLEPT IN!!

Hallelujah was that a treat!  Ha!!

I would have slept longer had hubby not been clanking around in the kitchen, God love him! Ha!

I was happy to see my kiddos when we picked them up.  I don't think they were as excited to see us.  Ha! They were having a great time with Nana & Papa!

Most days are filled with some type of whining, arguing, frustration, wanting to pull my hair out and I know it is all contributing to the gray streak in my hair that I'm sure becomes grayer every day.

Tonight, I saw their sweet little photo with Santa and I got to hug each one at bedtime.  Even when they resisted falling asleep! 


 However, I'm thankful.

This world can be a dark place, but I'm going to do all I can to make it a brighter place for my kids because Jesus is that light that came to save this fallen, broken world.




Read more
Posted by at December 15, 2012 2 comments:
Labels: ,

13 December 2012

Christmas Decor

December 13, 2012 5
I'm linking up with Kelly's Korner to share my Christmas decor.  Welcome!

Seeing as I started with nothing as far as Christmas decorations (it's all packed up in England), I was pretty proud of what I came up with!
Friends lent us a tree and lights.  I was already in the process of changing out my decor (that's in storage on the other side of the pond) and was looking for some new ornaments to take back with us.  I am so pleased with how it turned out.  

I love just staring at the tree!


Especially at night with all the other lights in the house turned out.


I started by wrapping the tree with grapevine and tulle, which I think I will do from now on!  Love it!


I purchased mostly white ornaments, embellished with sparkly things like white, sparkly branches, strands of crystal gems and hung some leftover bells on jute,


The most important thing about this season.....the little baby Jesus.  




I love these glass ornaments I found at Kohl's.  I bought a letter for each of us.


My plan for next Christmas is to have 2 trees.  A white one and a traditional one with all our sentimental ornaments.  On our Alaska trip, I was so happy to find an Alaska state flag ornament and will be happy to add it to our sentimental ornaments.


This one too!


Love my Starbucks ornaments!


And I love these little skates!!




I saw this sled at Marshall's and just couldn't resist.



I was going to update our stockings as well, but I couldn't bring myself to drop a lot of money for linen stockings.  I am not much of a crafter or sewer.  I've dabbled a bit, but I haven't felt very successful.  However, these stockings were the easiest thing to make and I LOVE how they turned out.




My mantel is a bit bare, but we're trying not to buy too many things to take back with us to England.


No matter, I still love how it looks!


I haven't had a large nativity.  Just small ones and I was determined to find one while in the US.  I was leaning towards the Willow Tree nativity, but then I saw this one at Kohl's for much cheaper and a similar style and chose to save some money!


I love it too!


Cute little reindeer.


And I leave you with these beautiful lyrics that touched me today.
Joseph's Lullaby sung by MercyMe.

Go to sleep my Son
This manger for your bed
You have a long road before You
Rest Your little head

Can You feel the weight of Your glory?
Do You understand the price?
Or does the Father guard Your heart for now
So You can sleep tonight?

Go to sleep my Son
Go and chase Your dreams
This world can wait for one more moment
Go and sleep in peace

I believe the glory of Heaven
Is lying in my arms tonight
Lord, I ask that He for just this moment
Simply be my child

Go to sleep my Son
Baby, close Your eyes
Soon enough You'll save the day
But for now, dear Child of mine
Oh my Jesus, Sleep tight

Beautiful!
Read more
Posted by at December 13, 2012 5 comments:
Labels:

A Weekend in December

December 13, 2012 4
We had the chance to be a part of Tabernacle's Christmas Dinner & a Show this past weekend.  The director is our Bible Study leader's wife, so we were recruited.  We were happy to!  It's been ages since we were able to participate in a Christmas play!

As you can see, we played the shepherds.  Pretty cute ones at that, I might add!


Our friend, Karen took this great shot!  I love it!  Jerry was the lead shepherd and got to hold up baby Jesus.  As you can see, she he is screaming.  Ha!


Saturday we had a last minute visit from my brother, sister-in-law and niece.  We recruited them to help us with our gingerbread villages.  It was fun!


I think Michelle did most of the work!  Ha!


Kerry & Janet





My kids don't quite get the concept of a gingerbread house.  All of them wanted to eat it!  I didn't let them.  Mean mama, aren't I?!


Read more
Posted by at December 13, 2012 4 comments:
Labels: ,

07 December 2012

Soldotna

December 07, 2012 8
Soldotna is a nice stop between Anchorage and Homer.  We had a 2 night stay to speak in a church.
If you find yourself there, don't pass up the chance to stop at The Moose is Loose for some donuts.  My friend and fellow Alaskan, Michelle, told me of it and I'm glad we took her suggestion.  It did not disappoint!!  Thanks Michelle!


When we made contact with our friend, he told us about a herd of caribou in the area.
We dropped what we were doing and hopped in the van.  We were glad they were still in the same spot!



Alaskan Wildlife 15


Alaskan Wildlife 16


Alaskan Wildlife 17

On the way back to where we were staying, we finally saw a moose!!

Alaskan Wildlife 19

I love this one with the fire hydrant!

Alaskan Wildlife 20

We also took a side trip to Kenai.  I always enjoy seeing this Russian Orthodox Church.


This church was completed in 1896!




The sign below is in front of this old house, now a coffee house.


Log ruins nearby.


St Nicholas Memorial Chapel.


This clumping of historical buildings is just a short walk to this beautiful view!



I'm glad we had a chance to stop at this area before heading back to Anchorage.

Throughout, you might have noticed all the rainy pictures, except for a few.  Well, all that rain was adding up and the Kenai River was rising.
Take a look at this.


I'm sure you see the problem here.


The Kenai River is already a swift river.  You add more water and it was roaring in some areas.


Jerry was the photographer for the majority of the time on this trip.  He did such a great job capturing everything.  Even when we had to stop for road construction.



I just love this shot of the boat on still water.


That about wraps up our trip of Alaska.  I'll probably share a few more random, favorite pictures.

We sure had an incredible time.  And it's been fun to go back through the pictures and reminisce.

I hope you've enjoyed it!

Read more
Posted by at December 07, 2012 8 comments:
Labels:

Deeper

  Deeper - adj. 1. extending or situated relatively far down from a surface: a deep pool. It's been a long time since I've ...