Merry Christmas!

This morning I was so impressed with how gracious and patient the children were as we opened gifts. They were genuinely happy for each other. Afterwards, we dressed and got ready for church where we were uplifted by the music and the talks that were prepared. How grateful I am for the hope and peace this season brings as we celebrate Christ. 

"We fancy that God can only manage His world by big battalions....when all the while He is doing it by beautiful babies...When a wrong wants righting, or a work wants doing, or a truth wants preaching, or a continent wants opening, God sends a baby into the world to do it. That is why, long, long ago, a babe was born at Bethlehem."

~F.W. Boreham

 

Christmas Eve

This afternoon Daddy made us up a triple batch of Grampy's Tacos to enjoy. This has become one of our favorite traditions to do on Christmas Eve. Today he added his Grinch onesie to the festivities and flipped tacos wearing all green. This meal is a labor of love, which is perhaps why I enjoy it so much, everyone working together in the kitchen to make these yummy tacos come to life.

Once they're fried for the second time, we gather everyone to the table to eat!

This year we enjoyed having Nana join us for our Christmas festivities.

 

When their bellies were full and dinner was tidied, we opened our Christmas jammies and snuggled up to a movie.

 

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

 

Christmas Adam

On Christmas Adam, Mr. Stannix and I went to town and braved the crowds at the grocery store. When we got home we snuggled our babies and played some settlers with everyone while the snow gently fell outside. We are so excited to be together for Christmas break!

 

German Carousel

This afternoon I was able to find some table space for one of my German carousels. I think it will become a center piece for Christmases to come.

It makes me happy watching it glow and spin.

Sonny joined us in the "dormitory" for a little while before bed. He enjoyed peeking under the tree for presents and hanging out with the tiny children. I love how good natured he is.

Winter Solstice

"This is the solstice, the still point of the sun, its cusp and midnight, the year's threshold and unlocking, where the past lets go of and becomes the future; the place of caught breath."

~Margaret Atwood

 

Finley Turns EIGHT

Today Finley turns EIGHT. We adore his wit, humour, and kindness. His strawberry blonde hair and freckles makes him unique. His teachers appreciate his inclusiveness, leadership skills, and ability to make others happy. He adds a special something to our family and we are so glad he is ours! Happy birthday mister finnegan!

 

Lily Turns Two

Miss Joy turned TWO today! She has brought so much love and laughter to our family in her short little life. She has recently started speaking in sentences, still eats pretty well anything, and is full of spunk! She often prefers to be tucked in by her big sis over anyone else. 

She is observant and loves to help out where she can. She likes to watch Daddy's show "Sing" (Westwing) with him in the evenings. Her big sister taught her how to slide and fist bump everyone she meets, and the middle school kids thing she's pretty cool for a toddler. 

She runs everywhere she goes and loves to jump from high places and scare her mom. She is determined, funny, and kind. Her "wub you's" and smooches are the best. She will often go around the dinner table and say "Wub you (insert name)" to each and every one of us. 

Nothing about her short little life has had any sense of routine or normalcy to it as we are in the middle of a renovation, but she just rolls with it and continues spreading her light every day. 

Happy second birthday Lily Joy! We sure love you! 

Simplifying Christmas

A lot about Christmas this year has been simplified, and the Spirit has been quietly teaching me about the things that really matter. Decorations are limited and we barely squished a tree into our current living quarters (along with the six other beds). My German carousels are still in boxes because there's not enough table space to accommodate them. I'm worn and tired from the flurry of activities and extra curriculars that our children enjoy. 

These shortbread cookies are the first of my Christmas baking, and will likely be mostly eaten before I am able to gift them. My offerings to friends this year include a simple card and well wishes, and today I found my eyes welling with tears as I handed out cards, wishing that I could do more to show just how much I love and care.

As I've made sacrifices here and there, I have also been blessed with incredible opportunities to serve in ways that might not have been possible if I was distracted with the hustle and bustle of the season. I guess my point is that Christmas isn't about the things. It's about serving and spending time with those I love most. I'm grateful for a simpler Christmas that has taught me what truly matters.

 

Making Bread

This morning I got the ingredients for bread ready while Lily pushed a chair twice her size over to the counter to help. She placed her tiny hand on mine as I measured and dumped the water, sugar, salt, oil, and yeast into the mixing bowl. We added the warm water and let it sit while we shared giggles. When the yeast was ready, we added one cup of flour at a time and watched it mix in. 

Then we turned the dough out onto the counter and I tried to knead as she threw her tiny hands on the pile over and over again. I smiled as the dough warmed my chilled hands. When it was the right texture, we tucked it into a bowl to rise and put on the kettle for some hot chocolate.

 

Rosy Nose

When it's really cold outside, but the sun is shining, so you beg your mom to go out and play!

That rosy red nose just adds to her cuteness!