Setting up our tree!

I know - we're always a little earlier than most, but we just can never wait to get our tree up! I love to see the kids enjoying the same traditions I enjoyed as a child. When I told them we'd decided to set it up, they knew we weren't simply "putting up the tree". No, this entails a whole slew of associative things that come along for the ride. Things like eggnog, Christmas music, special treats, and all the anticipation of the day.

The putting on of the star is the priviledge of the youngest child able to do it. That's fallen to Corin for 2 years in a row.

The final product:

And the sweet intrigue of a baby. Dazzled by the lights, small hands reaching for the silvery balls. All fun. And it looks so pretty in our family room next to the fireplace.

Come on over and have a cup of hot chocolate with us! :)

Tree Lighting

We've made it a yearly tradition to go to the city Christmas tree lighting - which happens anually at the end of November. It's generally a good time - we get bundled up, pile into the van with extra warm clothing, stroller, cookies, and lots of excitment. We descend a few levels under the city hall to park, inhale our fill of exaust fumes and emerge into the hall itself via the old, creaky elevator. But we're never daunted - we walk through the building and come out into the fresh air ready to watch the magic of the huge evergreen bursting into colour and light. After a bit, the kids start to ask for the cookies, we stand in line for piping hot cider or hot chocolate. In minutes, everyone's tongue is burnt and we all start sucking the cold night air into our mouths to ease the pain. A jolly Santa's helper (a bored looking teenager wearing too much makeup and noisily snapping her gum) hands out candycanes to willing little hands. Soon the little hands are sticky hands and I have to empty out the diaper bag onto the sidewalk to find the one dried up wipe scrunched into a corner. I spit on it and clean the sticky hands. You've done it, too - you know you have. By now toes are starting to freeze and all complain. Determined to at least see the tree lit up, we brave it out and tell the kids we're having fun. At last, the tree is turned on, we gasp with delight and slip back onto the creaky elevator while our mayor gives her little Christmas speech.

However, now that I've made you thankful you never ventured out to the tree lighting.........this year was different! First of all, it wasn't cold! It was 14 degrees (which the kids kept reminding me of b/c I insisted they wear winter hats and coats :)

Vetta and Corin enjoyed it from the double stroller - and Corin's little job was to pull up Vetta's hat when it slipped over her eyes - which happened very often. He took his job quite seriously :)

Even though we missed the actual tree lighting (I don't know how we managed that, but we did), it was very pretty and the entire city square was lit up brilliantly! We enjoyed a brass band, a school choir, a magician and some flame throwers/jugglers/whatever - it was amazing!

No one got cold, only one tongue got burnt,and we left after the mayor's speech. All in all, it was a success. Can you guess what's holding Corin's attention? Hint: It's not the mayor :)

Over the kitchen sink

GRACE

Now that I have my own kitchen window, I don't have to borrow a picture from the web :) I've always wanted a window over my kitchen sink and now I have one. God's grace.

The items below are reminders to me of God's grace in my life. Simple things, but things with much meaning. Things that the Lord brought into my life at a time when reminders of His presence were so necessary. Not that they aren't every day - but sometimes we are more needy, and our Father knows.

Our first years of marriage were very special. Don't worry, our marriage is still special now - but in a more aged, matured way. I wouldn't go back to the earlier years when I didn't know and love Rich like I do now. But those days held a freshness, and naivity and an excitement, as we got to know each other as husband and wife and then "again" as the Lord saw fit to make us parents. Those days were busy, as Rich worked hard in school, experienced his first times preaching (and I sat in the pew like a "minister's wife, watching the people around me for their reaction to my husband - aaah - nervewracking!!) , all the travelling back home, and learning to be parents. (I'm still learning!)

Money was kinda tight in those days. We were never lacking "food and clothing" - and I must say, I was content. I was so happy just to be a wife and a mom that I didn't seem to even notice that I wore the same clothes year after year and never really shopped much for myself. We didn't have much money to shop anyway. But, while we were in SC, far away from Mom and her second hand shopping treasures, I really wanted a pretty dress for Laura. She had outgrown her pretty dresses and we didn't have a lot of extra money to spend. I can't say I really remember praying specifically for a dress, but I sure remember wanting it for my cute little ie to go to church in. So, one day after grocery shopping, I stopped in at Babies 'R Us, hoping there might be something on the clearance rack. There wasn't. I didn't leave crying or anything, but I was a little disappointed. But, as I walked out the door, I noticed a small bin on the front walk that had a "SALE" sign on it. It was a bunch of discontinued baby linens that they were getting rid of. I dug through the bin (you've all seen a determined Dutch lady at a garage sale..........) and came up with a bed skirt for a crib. To me, it was beautiful. Lots of lace and lovely flowers - exactly what I'd been picturing. And the price was right - 99 cents! So, I bought it and took it home. I had an old baby dress pattern that I'd found once, thinking I might take up sewing again. I pieced it all very carefully and lovingly hand sewed the dress. I was so proud to put it on Laura and take her to church. Everyone "ooohed" and "aaahed" over it. And all I could think was, "God knew and He cared". We didn't know what the future held. Sometimes we wondered if we'd have enough money to finish. Sometimes we were very lonely and felt so far from those we loved. Sometimes it hurt so much that there wasn't any family around to see our little ones growing and to spoil them a little. But God saw us and never left us. And even cared about a little dress. Just a little "I love you" reminder. :)

At around the same time Rich bought me those pot holders. I've never used them. Even last Sunday when the couples came for Bible Study and all I had were my old, stained oven mitts. :)But Rich bought those potholders to match my Corelle pattern and they still speak volumes to me of God's grace in the small things. And my husband's love.

God's grace. Look for it. Expect it. Share it.

What speaks to you of God's grace in your life?

Falltime Around the House....

Falltime is such a beautiful time of the year! I didn't even want Rich to rake b/c I just love the ground covered with colourful leaves, and the smell of them decaying - probably the only time that something that is decaying smells good!

Corin and Rich spent some time out in the yard on Monday, getting things ready for winter. They cleaned out the garage, raked and bagged lots of leaves and had a hot chocolate break :) Here is Corin with his marshmallow spoon (you know - the spoon you need to get your marshmallows off the top of the hot chocolate before they turn to foam - That's incredibley important to a little fellow :)

Our front door. I like our front door :)

Vetta gets quite angry when the piano is being played without her. She loves to sit and bang on - Mom A. is convinced that she' destined for piano greatness :) I think she may be destined to be another stubborn . I can hear Jo laughing :)

More "Around the House"

Yvetta has learned to pull herself to standing, so she now tries it everywhere - even under the kitchen table!

We had Couples Bible study at our house on Sunday night and I was determined to take lots of pictures. But this is the only one I got. And half the shoes were already gone by the time I took it, so it doesn't even look as impressive as it did before - it was literally comvering all the floor space up to the door! What a blessing friends are! Especially in the Lord.

And here is a little more of the Rich and Corin work team :) Here is their well-deserved hot chocolate break - with a bit of Dad to son conversation. Conversation with Corin is always interesting!

And here is the side of the house looking towards the front. I think it looks kinda charming with all the leaves. We are so thankful for the new home the Lord has given us. It suits our needs so well and has plenty of room for entertaining. We're also getting to know our neighbours quite well and are praying for a closer relationship and opportunites to share the gospel. May He praised and honoured through all the gifts He gives to His children!