Oh Christmas Tree...

We put up our Christmas tree this past weekend.  It was a fun time that included popcorn, fudge, Christmas music, lots of squealing (Grace!) and ended with a beautiful tree.

I had a great time.

But I didn't.

Isn't it funny how one can experience the exact opposite emotions almost simultaneously? I loved being with my family.  I loved how excited Grace was.  She couldn't keep her hands out of the ornament box.  I loved hearing Graham say "Christmas tree" and see him bend over to look for his name on his ornaments.  I love how my tree has a gazillion ornaments about three feet off the ground and right smack dab in the middle.

But, I didn't love finding Ella's stocking that I bought at the end of the season last year.  I didn't love unpacking a small bag of "First Christmas" onesies that I found for a steal.  I didn't love laughing one second and crying the next.

It's not the way I wanted it.

I made an ornament for her this summer.  It's small and round and has one of my favorite pictures of her on the front.  I have been waiting to put it up.  It was the last ornament to go on our tree.

I've been working on going to the Lord first with my sadness.  It's easier and my first tendency to talk to Shane or call a friend but as I learned last week in my Bible study, if I believe that the creator of this world is in charge and control of everything, He most certainly should be the first one I turn to.

I am so grateful that this is not forever.  All of this.  The sadness will get better.  It already has gotten so much better. I know that this whole first year without here will be the hardest.  My missing her will never end but it won't be so sharp.  And I won't be going forever without seeing her.  This world is just a blink of an eye in relation to how long we'll be together in heaven.  

A locally known pastor and camp supporter passed away this week.  He is in heaven now.  He is healed of all of his pain and sickness.  I've been thinking of his family so often and praying that they are being comforted.  I feel so acutely aware of the balance of joy and sorrow.  On one hand we grieve so deeply for loved ones here on earth.  We will miss them here.  But on the other hand, we KNOW that they are celebrating with Jesus.  What an amazing, amazing thing.   I told Shane last week- it's so easy to forget that we were not meant for this world.  We were not meant for this to be all there is.  We were made for more than this.   I am so thankful for reminders like that.  I am also so thankful for family memories like Christmas trees, lights, and the joy on the faces of my littles.  

Amen. :)

Build a Deck

 A few weekends back Shane's Dad and friend Ryan came to Camp Moneto to help Shane finish the deck.  It was a gorgeous day to be outside.  I personally loved it because the kids played outside with them the whole time!

 How can you not love that face?  Well, there are a few times where it's tough for me to love it but mostly... (ha!)

 Brad and Ryan and Shane work together very well.  They knocked out the project in one day!

 I'm sure it had to do with these two helpers.  Their skill was invaluable!

 Of course we had fudge and popcorn and movie night with Grandpa.  That's a must.

Ryan had a night without his kids but mine more than made up for it.  They loved him! He is silly and likes to play with them so that makes it fun.  I forgot to get a picture of the finished project.  Next time!

Halloween

I'm so late in posting this, but here we are all decorated and dressed up for Halloween!  You can see the dreaded Pirate Hartman was not so into the picture thing.

He wouldn't wear his eye patch or hat and the sword was quite dangerous to anyone near him but he did wear the costume for our library story time!

The frog princess tried consoling the pirate to no avail. (but it was cute to watch her try!)

We had our second annual trick or treating walk with the Grants.  I'm so glad they are our neighbors (and that they love our kids so much!) We also went with our new neighbors the Haywoods.  Henry is Graham's age.  Grace calls him Hengry.  ha!

My pirate would not put on his shirt so he went as a little boy who wouldn't dress up.  He did wear the pants though.

Look at that face? Can you even take it?

Grandma Wilson, you always do such a good job keeping us warm with mittens, thank you!

Inspecting the Loot!  It was a fun night!

Thankful Thursday

Feeling a little emotional today.  Could be lots of things... missing my baby girl, missing my hubby (he's been traveling) a bit of a cold, and a four year old who is trying my nerves.  Either way.

Today I am thankful for:

• MOPS-  I had a great conversation with a new friend at MOPS today. Life hasn't been what she's planned lately.  We both shared how even though the road is hard, it's worth it and God is good He will see us through.
• My husband.  An early phone call this morning brought me strength.  He gave me words to pray that were perfect.  I've been saying them all day.
• New Days- Tomorrow is a new day.  The growing pains of obedience and discipline will not be as strong and she and I will have a new start. 

Amen!  Happy weekend friends.

Snuggies and Scripture

 Did you wear footed jammies when you were little?  We called them snuggies.  Graham wears them often.  Grace went through a stage last year when she wouldn't have anything to do with them.  She's turned that around and now likes to be "snug in her snuggies."

I'm up early this morning (the only time DST works for me, up to do Bible Study!) We are learning about anointing of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Today I read:

"Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." 2 Corinthians 5:5

The closing of my Bible Study was to thank Him for anointing me at the moment of my salvation for the task I am dealing with right now and to ask Him to help me tap into the power of the Holy Spirit.  I'm going to focus on that today and thank Him for already preparing me to handle this road I'm walking. Amen!

Pumpkins

 We painted pumpkins last week.  They loved it!  I meant to carve our big ones, but every night I kept putting it off.  Oh well,there is always next year! 

 Look at these faces.  Trouble!