So much to write so little time...

I meant to write a Christmas post about how much I love it, the magic the presents the kids and laughter and food and fun and snow and music....

We had a wonderful busy Christmas full of love and laughter. We spent Christmas Eve with my hubby's fam and Christmas day with mine. It was perfect most because of this....
Here's how we spent our afternoon before going to Christmas Eve dinner:




We got snow. Mounds and mounds and mounds of snow. In a place where we don't get much snow and it really doesn't last for long. It was wonderful and magical!

December Renovations

What do most people do in the month of December? Loads of baking? Shopping for presents? Visiting with friends? Bundling the kids up to go out to play in the snow?

We've been so blessed to do all these things. It's been busy and amazing and the crowning treat? THE SNOW! We live on the west coast so there isn't much snow here usually, so when we get it....YAY! We are thrilled in a way that only people who know it will barely last a couple of weeks can be.

So for those of you following along, we have one dog, two kittens, four kids and snow. What more could we possibly do? Well this....

Yes, more renovations! I admit it does seem kind of crazy because, well it's Christmas and we have company coming and it's snowing but in our defence it looked like this when the guys started:

....not exactly the middle of a heat wave but you will notice the lack of snow.
It's really been an unexpected gift because my brother-in-law offered his guys who are currently between jobs and this was the week they were available. Can you imagine how long this would have taken Kev?!
The guys have been out there for a week in the freezing cold and the outside is pretty much finished. This addition is to replace a deck that used to come off the girls room and was beyond repair. I'm pretty excited because it means that both kid's rooms both up and down will increase in size, AND the new bathroom for the girls is even framed in. The biggest concern was getting the roof up and tied into the old roof while a wind/rain storm went on around us and then...the snow. Kev worked outside until his thumbs were purple because he kept hammering them in the dark and got it done, just in time!
Here's a shot of what the side of the house looked like before the addition (look behind the girl in the loader. It was the only shot I could find)

But most of all I'm thankful to be living here despite the ongoing house and yard renovations. How can I put into words how I feel about my kids growing up with their cousins? This was/is my dream for them. When my mom and dad get here on Monday the picture will be complete. We'll all be together for the holidays. God is so good! I'm reminded every day in small ways that His blessings are all around us!

Just trying this out...

I made a calendar for Christmas and the website said i could post a preview here. Let's see if this works.....

First week of Advent

I'm behind as usual and December seems to have sprung on me while I wasn't paying attention soooooo....we're already 3 days into it and haven't started our Advent study yet. Never fear! I'm a great believer in better late than never (seriously I'd never get anything done otherwise!).

I'm using this and it looks amazing. She is graciously allowing people to download it and print it for free - wow! I'll let you know how it goes.

Try to take time this holiday season to remember (this is for me too cuz I'm terrible about it!) that no one will care if you forgot to bring a gift or plate of goodies they just want to spend some time with you.

I hope as we get ready to celebrate our Lord's birth I can stay focused on what is important. We've already decided that this year is going to be a "less is more" Christmas. We've never gone overly crazy at Christmas but still it seems to creep in on me. I so love giving gifts that I tend to go overboard. We're trying to give to other people who actually have needs rather than adding to our excesses.

Wednesdays are long dance days so I'm trying to get things ready for the rest of the week. There's nothing like watching my three dancers go for it. The all love it so much!