It's been awhile....

we have been thoroughly enjoying our break.....lower amounts of school work, more time to just be together and enjoy some of our favorite seasonal traditions....

watching Elf, sipping on hot chocolate, listening and singing our favorite Christmas tunes, taking in the Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol at our local theatres, indulging in our morning dose of candies, going through our Jesse Tree....

attending Christmas parties for littles, bigs, and adults.....wrapping gifts, painting Christmas canvases in art class, Christmas Lights of the South, decorating gingerbread houses with some of our favorite friends....

decorating Christmas cookies with our China friends, watching miracles unfold as some of our dear friends traveled to Ethiopia and held their little boy for the first time ever, seeking our dear little Elf Matthew each day - he is up to some crazy antics again this year.....

photos with Santa, letters to Santa, taking part in our church Share the Light program and giving to little ones in our community, extended family parties, SHopPiNG - crazy to do with four people of various ages:)

We also finally fixed our stove - sort of; we took my van in for an oil change and left with the maintenance man calling after us, "Do you REALLY want to keep money into that car????" - I love my little van but its time is nearing an end:(

All this and thankfully we are comforted by the fact that this season is to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. We will not forget the true meaning of Christmas despite the distractions that surround us.  

Though we delight in the distractions, the busy-ness, the laughter, the joy, we remain steadfast in remembering the reason for the season.

Merry Christmas To All!