The Christmas Season

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December is a force to contend with, one way or another!  The Christian celebration of Christ's birth and the hope of our of savior is mixed with the secular need to perform in all ways...to recognize first semester accomplishments in concert while simultaneously continuing the usual AWANA scripture memorization activities, the school parties (don't forget to provide something AND attend mid-work day!), drives for the less fortunate, special Advent services at church Wednesdays---which means Simple Suppers beforehand (which Mom had to finally resign coordinating because of the aforementioned 12 things---AND basketball practice + games (5-6 nights/week). It would be delightful is the secular could pause and wait for Christ with an Advent of its own, but until then, we press on.

Prelude in church earlier in the month...

 ...followed by "Come Emmanuel":

Singing at the Colonnades - a favorite ministry we created! 

 A portion of our caroling crew...

Then the Jouett Middle School Band Concert.  The 6th graders played 15 minutes followed by the 7th, then 8th, and the Jazz Band.  Unbelievable to see both what the 6th graders had accomplished in a few short months on brand new instruments (and many of them not even reading music in August) as well as the progression in a few short years from 6th - Honors Band.  Some real musicians are coming along!

 Fortunate to have a nice view of our handsome clarinet player. 

 

Perhaps the highlight of the month was Penny's introduction to the clarinet:-)

Andrew...oh, Andrew...

Such sweet moments with these two...

Can you spot Penny?

My babies!

I have added so many strands of lights over the years but keep losing more.  Might just be time for a new tree, hopefully not prelit!

Teaching the boys how to safely play "Grab-A$$" with the Penster.

We hop across the street and it's like we're suddenly in another world.  Penny loves the Meadow as much as Molly does, and naturally loves the off-leash freedom. 

 Emily!!!!


14 years + 3 months and she still chooses to run in the Meadow!

Our annual Book Club couples dinner included a local harpist this year + her CD.

Mrs. Gary did an excellent job preparing the 4/5th graders for their winter concert.  Who knew that Margaret played the ukulele??

Miss Bekah in from Budapest!

On a cold and dreary Sunday night, Dad took everyone to an exciting first VT game!  Mom stayed home with the pups....it's like having a newborn and a naughty toddler all at once!

Christmas card finally captured!

Christmas Eve is always filled with emotion.  It is dear to watch the children participate in our earlier service, with the story telling pageant being the middle third of our service.  They feel important.  They feel like it's a bit of their responsibility and joy to share.  They feel like they have participated the spreading of Christ's story.

 Isaiah nailed it!

A beautiful "Midnight Clear (Love Song)" -Chris Tomlin

In between services, we read and watched the Grinch, of course!

Andrew and I went to the 9:00pm service again this year and were truly blessed:

"Mom, I forgot how good the music is as this service."

"This is the best version of the Hark! The Herald Angels Sing I've ever heard!", thanks to Julie Joyce on the trumpet. 

Mark Williams graced us again this year.  A young 21-yr-old who has no idea what talent he's got gave us himself and so much more.

"Mary Did You Know?"

"Hallelujah"

"O, Holy Night"

Clarinet and Cello Duet - 2/4 Fernandez sisters home!
Envisioning Andrew and Presley Thompson (our 11-yr-old cellist) in no time!

And then FINALLY, Christmas morning arrived! 

Ready, set, go! 

Since we had somehow gone from 4 basketballs to 0, Santa brought balls for all!

This Candygram was Andrew's gift to the family.  He'd asked me to take him to the Dollar Store for 27 king-sized candy bars.   When I explained to him that while a family gift was extremely gracious, he certainly didn't need to spend several months worth of allowance on pure sugar for it.  So I talked him into $5 worth of goodies.  He locked himself in his room for hours, and then produced this Christmas morning.  If you can't read it, it's worth 2 minutes to watch his video reading. 

Unbelievable creativity, and even printed a few labels to make it all work just perfectly.

 Matthew's very favorite gift----a new Bronco's hoody!

Andrew's favorite?  A stencil for the driveway to mark a basketball court---all relevant lines, plus the 3-pt line!

The gift that stopped Margaret in her tracks was the family album.

 Instruments (not even realizing Grandma would bring harmonicas on the 26th!).

Margaret's favorite gift to give---but was it really for Mom??

 Our Christmas miracle was Penny sleeping through presents...we did not have to play referee with the girls nor pry tempting wrapping paper out of her sweet little mouth! 

And then there was breakfast, and visiting elderly church friends, and lunch, and dog walking and puppy training and 3 special meals a day for 3 days and the two part-time jobs that are flexible, but only heavier at year-end and...

 ...then I felt like these elves...although I probably best identified with the one you can't see that fell off the back at some point in December! 

May we always keep our eyes on the reason for the season.

Romans 15:13 

¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

But we weren't done yet!  Grandma came on the 26th and we stayed busy for days!  The highlight of her visit was her Christmas present, with a fun evening at Rocky Top.  

Grandma and Margaret enjoyed an outing to Frozen 2 and Mom got started on the Barcelona puzzle that Dad found to get them excited for May! The "break" was filled with Mom and Dad tag teaming work, but lots of walks in the Meadow and good off-leash time for Molly and Penny as it was nearly 70 every day for a while.  Tennis with neighbors was a hit and many hours were spent hitting now legit free throws and 3-pointers.  

Family New Years Eve at the Santiago's and adults-only at the Livingston's was a great way to cap off the year.  As for resolutions, I encouraged the kids to think of ways that we can all Glorify God more or better.  
My sole goal?
Obedience.