Little Helper

Tonight Colson and I made chocolate marshmallow crinkle cookies. So good!

 He loves to sit on the counter and help me cook, and I love having him there. Even when he turned on the mixer and ingredients flew everywhere!

 He licked the beaters for awhile. ; )

Life is always better with a little chocolate! He looks like a little Jason to me in this picture. I'm so blessed.

...set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus 

Christ is revealed.

1 Peter 1:13

Lots of Christmas

Christmas on my blog lingers just like unpacking our suitcases. ; )

We first celebrated with Jason's grandparents. Grammy and Grampy have 21 great-grandchildren. So amazing!

Love this

Naughty or nice?

Christmas morning at Jason's parents' house

Jason's other grands Gigi and Papa

G-Daddy & Gran

 My Dad may kill me for posting this pic, but I couldn't resist! My sister and sis-in-law will love it. My family is a lot like the Griswolds, and we've called my dad Clark for a long time. ; ) When we had no power the day after Christmas he cooked breakfast on the grill. It was sooo good!

It was so cold but the boys didn't mind a bit.

Yesterday Zach asked me if next Christmas was twenty hundred seven days away. ; )

I can't wait to show you what my family did for Reese. So many sweet and special things.

He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable.

Isaiah 40:28

White Christmas

We celebrated Christmas four times in three days. Lots of family, food, batteries, and putting together toys. I loved it! Last night the power went out at my parents' house after it started sleeting/snowing. It's always an adventure when we are home for the holidays. ; ) We woke up this morning to this!

The boys were so excited. The street was blocked by fallen trees on both sides so my Dad got the chainsaw out and took care of them. We were able to get out early this afternoon.

So glad to be home. So thankful for a holiday to celebrate Jesus coming to earth. So thankful for His grace in this season if our hearts are broken or if they are full of joy.

He who keeps your soul, does He not know it?

Proverbs 24:12

Merry Christmas!

Because He lives, we have hope. Have a Merry Christmas!

The Lord our God has shown us His glory and His majesty.

Deuteronomy 5:24a

Saturday Stuff

Christmas is almost here! People keep asking me if I'm ready, and I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever be. ; )

I made 26 jars of salsa this week for Jason's coworkers and some friends.

It's fun and so easy! It's good for me to give something other than chocolate so I don't eat my way through making it. Ha!

Colson made stamped notecards at school, and he is so proud of them. Love those chubby hands.

I got the boys' stockings ready tonight, so I chose three cars out of my stash for each of them. I have Trish and Shannon to thank for getting most of these! We are always on the hunt for cars. ; ) Shannon and I joke that we are more into them than our boys are. I'm saving the rest for Valentine's Day, Easter, etc. 

So I have this rash around my eyes. The dermatologist gave me some medicine and told me not to wear any make-up for awhile. It's been kind of nice, but today Jason told me I can't look like this for Christmas pictures. Ha! Thanks, babe.

Remember to enjoy these days even if you're a bit stressed about your "to do list!"

Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

Psalm 34:5

Two Weeks Off

I can't believe Zach just finished his first semester of Pre-K! Yesterday was his class Christmas party. They did a book exchange, made ornaments and ate cupcakes. This school stuff is still so new to me, and I'm very thankful for a smooth transition for Z!

 We love his teacher Mrs. Brunton. She is the sweetest thing! Zach just calls her "Brunton." ; )

 Zach's new book

So proud of my big boy! Today was Colson's last day of KDO, so it was fun to have a day just with Z. Tomorrow he's going to tennis camp with his best friend Kohen. I just might have to sneak in to watch. ; )

Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.

Psalm 119:89

What Day Is It?

Do you ever forget what day it is? I've been doing this a lot lately. I can't believe Christmas is one week from today! Lots of mixed feelings there.

Last night was Jason's office party. I look forward to it every year. The people he works with are wonderful and so much fun.

I am SO SO excited because I just registered for the Hope Mommies winter retreat. I've wanted to go the past few years, and it's finally happening! There are a few amazing women that I've been in contact with but have never met face to face. I can't WAIT! They still have some openings so if you're a hope mom come join us!

My heart is greatly burdened for the families in Newtown, Connecticut. All I keep thinking is Lord, their pain is deep but You are deeper still. Come, Lord Jesus!

For GOD is not a GOD of confusion but of peace.

1 Corinthians 14:33

Christmas Party

It's been a fun day! This morning I went to a TRX class for the second time (I was still sore from the first one a week ago). Kicked. My. Tail. I felt muscles I never even knew were there. ; )

 My ornament came in the mail, and it's the sweetest thing. I love it.

 Tonight was our small group Christmas party at our house. We really enjoy having it every year. Our class does a good/gag gift exchange, and I always laugh so hard I cry.

 Guess what Jason decided to give as his gift??? I really thought he was joking when he told me he bought a mouse at the pet store. I thought he would come home with a fish. Ahh! Poor Lindsey opened it and ran screaming. So did I because I was sitting next to her!

 the girls

the guys

We've had some new couples join so it was nice to get to know them a little better. The night went by too fast. So thankful for our small group!

But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in You.

Psalm 39:7

Friday

Don't you just love kids in Christmas pajamas?

It's one of my favorite things. ; )

Last night we went to a tennis Christmas mixer. It was a lot of fun! We've made the sweetest friends playing tennis.

 I took my favorite sugar cookies from Harp's. They did not disappoint. 

I took this pic of Colson the other day when he was supposed to be taking a nap. You can tell he's really cranky. ; ) 

I'm finally finished with Christmas shopping, but I have not wrapped one single gift. Hopefully I can do some this weekend. 

Have a great Friday!

...with the LORD there is unfailing love. His redemption                                            overflows.

Psalm 130:7

Our Days

So many of my posts lately have been so random. ; ) Here's another one! I just like "recording" what my boys are into at this phase of life. 

 Like how Colson says "Santa Cause!" Or how he says, "Ah" before everything. I have no idea why! Like, "Ah, Mommy?" "Ah, cookie?" "Ah, tree." He's in such a smiley phase.

 Zach ate three oranges the other night at dinner. I didn't realize it but Colson took this picture at the grocery store with my phone. I can't keep enough oranges at our house!

 This picture makes me laugh because there was a random Santa in front of Walmart the other day but all Colson was interested in was the dog. See him on the left? He looks thrilled!

Cold weather makes me think of homemade bread so I made some. I love it but it's a bit "doughy." I was a little happy with the flour I think!

 Yesterday it was 20 something degrees, but Z wanted to wear shorts and a t-shirt. My hot natured little love.

The boys love watching for Jason to come home. It's an event!

I am loving instagram. I was never good at twitter, but I love sharing pics throughout our day.

This morning the LORD put it on my heart to share some resources I've found over the past 3 years that have really helped me after losing Reese. I'm working on a list so if you have any you would like to share please let me know!

The Christmas parties are crankin' up! I've decided that GOD allowed Jesus' birthday to be celebrated in the winter because He knew we would especially need something BIG to give us joy and hope during this season.

Tonight Zach told me I was Santa Claus. Hmm. Can't believe Christmas is two weeks from today!

...you are very precious to GOD.

Daniel 10:11

Family

*If anyone would like to join the ornament exchange for Christmas 2013, please check out their facebook page NILMDTS ornament exchange. I'm sure they will notify everyone next fall when it begins again.

Today we took the boys hiking. They loved it!

We bundled up, but it really wasn't too cold.

Colson would have thrown rocks in the lake for hours if we let him! CUTIE PIE.

Sweet big brother

One thing I've noticed about our boys. They play hard AND fight hard. Ha!

This weekend has been big for both sides of our family. David (my brother and sister-in-law's son) became officially "ours." I have loved him since the first time I laid eyes on him almost 2 years ago when he was half-way across the world!

Jason's brother Andrew proposed to his girlfriend Jessica. We are so excited to have her and her two boys in our family soon.

God is good!

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance...

Romans 5:3

Thursday

December is in full swing, and I'm loving it! Today was the first day in three weeks that I was alone without the boys, and I checked a lot off my list. So nice!

Jason and I just discovered Duck Dynasty, and we LOVE it. I'm not getting a lot done at night because I'm too busy laughing at Jase and Si. ; )

 Yesterday Colson wanted to take a nap with an unopened bag of chocolate chips. Even though he hasn't been napping I always put him down hoping he will. Then last night he went to bed with a box of pop tarts!

 He's learning how to use the ipad, and it just amazes me what a two year old can do!

 He is really losing his baby weight and thinning out. It makes me sad. He talks all the time and says new words every day. It's so cute.

This fall I signed up to be a part of an ornament exchange with Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. I've been paired with a mom who lost a baby boy the same year Reese went to Heaven. I love this idea.

I chose this gold star for the mom I was paired with. I hope she likes it!

He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.

Psalm 147:4