Ahhhhh TC!

Enjoyed an alumni evening with good friends and Panther basketball!

Silver and Gold

The sights, sounds and smells of Christmas are enveloping our home.  Kale is taking it all in-brushing past the Christmas tree, peeking in the oven to watch the cookies rise, grinning at Mama and Papa as we dance to the Christmas tunes, and watching the flicker of Mama's numerous candles...

Often at mealtime, I often sing to Kale as he's eating his veggies.  It does seem to help them go down easier.  A song I often find myself singing is "Silver and Gold."  I remember playing this song on my clarinet growing up and the words have always stuck with me. 

Silver and gold.  Silver and gold.  Everyone wishes for silver and gold. 

How do you measure its worth?  Just by the wonder it gives here on earth. 

Silver and gold.  Silver and gold.  Means so much more when I see...

Silver and gold decorations on every Christmas tree!

Advent Dinner

This past week I attended an Advent Dinner at a church in our area.  There were several beautifully decorated tables, each with its own theme.  Each table was decorated by a host.  My host (and friend) was Megan.  Here's our pretty table (great job, Megan!).

We enjoyed a tasty meal, skit, Christmas music and speaker. The theme for the night was joy and we each went home with an ornament that we were to hang in a prominent place in our home and remember to find joy in our daily activities throughout the holiday season. What a great reminder! I just might have to leave it up all year long! 

I couldn't resist sharing some pics of a few of my other favorite tables (this is for you, Mom and Linda!  Knew you'd enjoy!)

"You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16: 11

Shining as Stars

Tonight I went outside to spend some time with Cedar before putting him to bed.  Dressed in snowpants, coat, hat and mittens, I laid down on the already frosty, sparkly ground next to Cedar.  I looked up at the stars.  It was an amazing, crystal clear sky with twinkly stars everywhere.

I couldn't help but think about the beauty that I am fortunate to see every day and night.  This canvas God created.  How small I am, just a tiny speck of dust, yet God cares for me so.  And as I breathed and saw the mist of my breath floating upward, I simply said, "I love you too, God."

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life-in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing." 

Philippians 2: 14-16

Kale Funnies

Either he's really hungry and wants to eat straight out of the fridge, or he's really warm and wants to cool down...

Our little Michelin man...

Maybe he WON'T be an engineer...maybe he WILL be a health educator...

Our sweet Santa...

With little carpet in our home, Kale enjoys sporting his "old man" slippers...

Thankful

Before November parts ways, and we are full fledged into December and all the events and hustle and bustle, I wanted to pause and reflect on what I'm thankful for.

I'm thankful for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who died on a cross so that I might live a more freeing and abundant life.

I'm thankful for my husband who provides for our family, who loves us unconditionally, and is a positive light for our home.

For Kale, our now 17 month old, with his toothy grins, quick little legs, and best hugs in the world.

Thankful for Cedar, Mr. Fluffaluffagus, who is always in a good mood, ready for a run, and has the sweetest puppy eyes.

For warm hot chocolate, fresh sheets, sunny days, apple pie in the oven, new endeavors, and faithful friends.  God is so good.  We have much to be thankful for!

Happy Halloween!

I enjoy Halloween.  Not for the frightful, spooky things, but for the sweet, innocent things.  Pumpkin carving and lighting, sweet little ones in their adorable costumes, luminaries lining the driveway, and sure, who doesn't enjoy candy?

We enjoyed an afternoon and early evening at my sister's yesterday celebrating my dad and niece's birthdays.  It was also trick-or-treating night in their town so we took Kale out for a spin with them around the block.  It was sweet watching Justin take Kale up to the door, receive the candy, and when he turned to leave, Kale would look back at the people in the doorway like he was trying to figure all of this out. 

This afternoon we went to a neighboring town to trick-or-treat the businesses on Main Street.  Kale is too young to really understand and thoroughly enjoy this whole business, so we didn't stay long.  It was a nice day to be out and have something different to do (can I get an "oh ya" from all the stay-at-home moms out there???) 

Instead, we went to a few neighbor's homes and delivered cutout sugar cookies and they could see our little dragon (good guess on "Barney" those of you who tried from the "sneak peek post".  I originally thought it was a dinosaur costume but then realized it is a dragon.  Dinosaur, dragon, cute either way...)

So tonight I'll enjoy being snuggled in our house, looking out at the luminaries lining the driveway, and letting our little dragon sleep peacefully.  Happy Halloween dear friends.

At the Farm in MN

Enjoyed time in MN with Justin's family last week.  Justin got plenty of time in the tractor and Kale and I were able to join him a few times.  Enjoy pics from farmin' and family!