Merry Christmas

Just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! Things have been busy around here...and I have taken a break from blogging to get many things done in preparation from celebrating with our family. I'm not sure when I will be "back" so I wanted to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our family to yours! Now for a few special photos...

Sweet Brooke

Lauren

Lily

The best gifts a mommy could ask for...

My friend Marybeth took these adorable pictures of the girls...I'm hoping Santa will bring me a nice camera one of these days. :O) Maybe next year...this year my Christmas money went to someone very special. I love this time of giving. The girls & I have really enjoyed giving to others this season. Brooke asked me this morning who she was going to give a gift to today. It just makes my heart melt that she thinks the presents under the tree are for other people! Tonight is our special family Christmas...I can't wait for the girls to finally receive their gifts tonight!

18 month Update

I still have a hard time believing we have been blessed with twins. I look at these girls everyday and am so thankful for the joy they have brought to our lives! I have been given the amazing opportunity to watch them become their own little people...each with their own personality. They have a special little bond with each other...they look for each other when they wake up in the morning and do almost everything together. In a few blinks they will be 2...time is going by so quickly and I am trying to soak in these sweet moments with my "babies".

Chocolate Peppermint Crackles

I posted a link to this cookie recipe last year. Yesterday, I added a teaspoon of Peppermint extract to the batter and it turned this cookie (in my opinion) from amazing to "out of control". :O) Love that combination together. Make these TODAY!

A Giving Heart

This year I want my family to focus on giving to other people. We have everything that we NEED, and i want my girls to learn to be unselfish and give to others. I LOVE watching Brooke get something she really wants...but what I love more is watching her eyes light up and her excitement when she gives to someone else. I hope she doesn't lose this excitement...that she will be unselfish and that she would think of others before herself! I pray that I can be an example to her in that way!

December 1 - We took some baked goods to the Owasso fire station.

This morning we left a little goodie bag that we made together for our mail-lady!

Just tall enough to do it herself!

hoping to bring a smile on her face on a cold winter day! :O)

Acts 20:35

"In all things I have shown you that by working hard in the way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive."

My Favorite Time of Year

I just love Christmas. I love every aspect, and this year I just LOVED decorating our new home for our first Christmas here. We finished our decorating Thanksgiving night. I loved that we could relax the rest of the weekend and enjoy our time together as a family.

I just love Christmas. I love every aspect, and this year I just LOVED decorating our new home for our first Christmas here. We finished our decorating Thanksgiving night. I loved that we could relax the rest of the weekend and enjoy our time together as a family.

We moved the piano in the dining room and I think it adds a lot to the space.

our dining room complete with a cupcake box on the table. :O)

Entryway

Guest Bath

Decorating...

So our Christmas decorations have been piled up in our dining room for the last week. :O) Since this is our 1st year living in our new home I'm not sure where to put everything. I am trying to get everything decorated before Landon gets home tonight. We are planning on enjoying a special little family thanksgiving tonight! I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families and friends. Here are a few pictures of our Christmas Decor...

I LOVE the real pine branches. I used the bottom branches from our Christmas tree to make garland for the door. Everything else is still in progress. :O)

Our new windowpane shelf in the Kitchen. This poor windowpane sat in my garage for 8 months. I was forced to finish it when Landon said he would throw it away if I didn't use it. I'm a hoarder. :O)

Our tree in progress!

Mercy

For the last week I have felt like a failure. I have blamed exhaustion, sickness and sleep deprivation for my sin. I have been lonely, sad, angry and frustrated. I haven't been looking to the right source for my strength and not seeking God for His love. I'm thankful for a God who is merciful and loving. There are going to be times that I fail...and I can't get stuck into thinking I am a terrible mother, wife, daughter and friend. I have to ask forgiveness and give HIM control...seeking Him for the strength and wisdom I need to accomplish the tasks He has for me. I couldn't sleep tonight because of all these struggles in my mind. I got on my knees and started praying...crying and talking to someone who loves me and is my comfort. "The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in STEADFAST LOVE" Psalm 145:8. So comforting and convicting at the same time. I can rest knowing that I have been forgiven...and that tomorrow I can choose to think on Him. I can wipe three runny noses, lovingly hold two very sweet crying babies and clean one more mess knowing he will hold my hand even through those little tasks that sometime seem so hard. If this is all God has for me tomorrow, I pray that I will do it to lovingly...reflecting His love.

Just wanted to share this song...it has definitely been one of those weeks, and I always love sharing what God is teaching me. I hope it will be an encouragement to you!

a thousand times I've failed, still Your mercy remains

A thousand times I've failed

Still your MERCY remains

And should I stumble again

Still I'm caught in your grace

Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades

Never ending, your glory goes beyond all fame

Your will above all else, my purpose remains

The art of losing myself in bringing you praise

Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades

Never ending, your glory goes beyond all fame

In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control

Consume me from the inside out Lord

Let justice and praise become my embrace

To love you from the inside out.