A Very Merry Christmas Blessing from Our House to Yours!

Christmas Greetings to you and yours!

I hope this finds you well, and I pray it finds you worshipping. It’s my ongoing experience that unless we are intentional about guarding our faith throughout the Advent season, the activity surrounding it can steal the present tense joy of the greatest gift of all– Immanuel, God with Us! Let’s be careful not to let it happen. 

Our grown kids pulled off a great Christmas surprise this past weekend. They gifted us with a family portrait session with a professional photographer! We had exactly one day to make it happen while the Houstonians were in, and the day in question began with a drizzling and spotty rain that threatened to hang around long past its welcome. Instead, it broke off shortly after our sweet photographer, Angila Summitt, arrived. What’s more, the break held long enough for her to declare that she had gotten some really great shots! Thank you, Lord. 

I haven’t seen the rest of the proofs, but Angila was kind enough to send me an early glimpse of what she captured, and of course, I couldn’t wait any longer to share it with y’all. This image just warms my heart. 

 

 

If you’ve been with me long, you know that years ago I accidentally started this wild theme wrapping tradition for the grands where I fashion their Christmas gifts into a scene. I say accidentally because I was clueless that very first year when I wrapped the littles’ boxes in white paper and fashioned some easy-peasy snowmen. I didn’t stop to think that I was starting something that would be challenging to continue, but that’s exactly what happened! I’ve since created a herd of reindeer, a grove of Christmas trees, a troop of nutcrackers, a village of gingerbread houses, and a full out nativity scene! (Seriously, I thought I jumped the shark on that last one when I printed off images of their little faces to adhere to their respective nativity character. We all agreed the resulting display was slightly creepy! LOL) 

This year the pre-Christmas theme wrap conversation with the beloved farmer sounded something like this, “Baby, I need to come up with a theme for the kids presents this year. Any suggestions?” My man’s most reasonable response was, “I don’t know. Why can’t you just wrap them like presents? You know, like the rest of the world?”

Silly man. That simply wasn’t an option, not when the grands start asking about the upcoming Christmas theme during the summer that proceeds it! Back to the drawing board I went and Pops and Keggie’s Crazy Christmas Train pulled into the station (aka piano room) right on schedule. Let it be know that I added lights and bling after this pic was taken but the train has since been fully dissembled at our family gift exchange and I can’t find the latest greatest pic so this one will have to suffice.  

 

 

In other news, Grant, the oldest grandson is now eye to eye with most of the adults, including his great grandfather, and he’s taller than some of us! Meanwhile, our youngest grand, Ken Ken the Baby Friend (Kennedy Lee) has been sporting a black eye this Christmas. She had a horseback riding accident. Granted, it was an inside job on her plastic rocky horse, but she still got a serious shiner. Bless her. And all the grands enjoyed their Christmas crafts I pulled together for them. Do note the Wonder Boy’s expression. It’s impossible to get them all to smile at the same time!

 

 

Whether you are a longtime reader or you’re new around here, I sincerely appreciate your sharing life with me. I hope you get an occasional chuckle from my stories, and I hope you enjoy the recipes I sprinkle in from time to time. But, more than anything, my passion is to add value to your life with my words by always pointing you to Jesus. For those of us who trust in Him have died to ourselves and Jesus is our life! We are hidden with Christ in God and when He appears again, we will also appear with Him in glory! (Colossians 3:4) I’ve written you more devotional thoughts here: Keeping Up with Jesus. 

Merry Christmas, friend! He came once, He is coming again, and that advent is nearer still. 

Hugs,
Shellie

P.S. Join me on Youtube for a fun little Christmas clip.  

And guys, I hope you know it’s all in fun. Let it be noted that my good man works hard to pay for our crazy Christmas and he is a huge help once the lovely gathering begins!