Count your blessings...

During December we wanted to be intentional to establish traditions that teach our children the true meaning of Christmas.

I have been using our chalkboard as a teaching tool for the fruit of the Spirit. 

This month was JOY which was perfect for Christmas! 

Matthew 2:10 " When they saw the star they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy."

Each night I hid the Star of Bethlehem. In the morning Benjamin would have to search for the star. When he found it was would "REJOICE" and then the star would "lead us to Jesus." Benjamin would put the star on the board and read the verse aloud.

Our Jesse Tree advent calendar followed the Jesus Storybook Bible. 

It started with the creation story and ended at Jesus' birth on Christmas morning. 

Benjmain enjoyed opening up an ornament each night that went with the story

and placing it on our garland.

Our friend invited us to a Happy Birthday Jesus party. 

Since Benjamin just had his birthday in November he had a grasp what it meant. 

We did a manger ornament craft, played games, and celebrated with friends.

The birthday cake was layered to represent our sin (black), Jesus' blood (red), and the washing our sins as white as snow (white icing). It was a great visual illustrate salvation...and yummy too! 

When I finished decorating the chandelier Benjamin said, "Great job Mommy! That's beautiful."

Starry Nights at Shelby Farms

Check out our Christmas lights...

Just kidding (this was from a funny post I saw on FB)

But Frank did get a couple of deer for our freezer this month! 

Benjamin LOVED going from house to house delivering our neighbor gifts.

This year we gave a roll of wrapping paper with the invitation to our end of the year party to "wrap up" the holidays. (Get it?...yeah I thought of that)

I sewed keychains as Christmas gifts

I liked the way they turned out

I also sewed rice heating packs for my patients at work.

The were a HUGE hit! 

You would have thought I had given them a million dollars!

During date night we decided to make gingerbread houses with the older kids. 

Tip: Use hot glue to build the house so they are stronger.

They all did a great job decorating!

and didn't eat too much of the candy : )

and then they got on the Frank train...

Hannah is 13 month and walking and talking

She says, "I want that", "I want down", and "Here you go."

She keeps us laughing

I think Benjamin would live outside if we let him

He rides his bike every day!

Playing at Water Works

Coloring at Market Central 

After bath cuteness

Silly faces

For Christmas we went to East TN to visit my family for a week. During that time my parents watched the kids for a few days while Frank and I got a cabin in the mountains.

Thanks mom and dad!!! 

We enjoyed our kid-free time together

Beautiful view from the cabin balcony which was literally at the top of a mountain

I can't believe I convinced him to put on those reindeer antlers

We went horseback riding through the Smoky Mountains

My horse hated me...at every opportunity she would try to scrape me against trees along the trail

Meanwhile in Kingsport the kids were having fun with Mimi and Grandy

Riverfront Park

Nativity at Church Circle

Hannah helped Mimi with grocery shopping

and Benjamin helped cook

Hannah selfie with Uncle Michael

At the Flying Pig downtown looking at the hand carved and painted carousel animals

Looking forward to riding on them next time we visit!

Christmas Eve Candle Light Service

*If you look carefully you can see sheer panic in my face as Benjamin was holding the candle and dripped hot wax on me - Ha! Thankfully nothing caught on fire

We continued the Jesse Tree each night until...

Christmas Morning!

Hannah loved her new bouncy horse...and chew toy : )

Benjamin was one happy boy with his John Deere Tractor and fire engine in tote

Back to Memphis for our 2nd Christmas with Frank's family

Visiting Mamaw and Papaw

We hosted our 3rd Annual "Clean-out-the-fridge Party" with our neighbors to wrap up the holidays. This is a wonderful tradition we started when we moved to midtown. It's a great time to connect with those the Lord has placed around us and let them know we care for them. 

(I even pulled it off without my mom here to help!)

My New Years Eve tradition is to sit down and write down all the memories from that year in our family journal. I have done this for nine years! I keep a running list each month then compile them at the end of the year. I always enjoy taking time to count our many blessings and reflect on how God brought us through the each trial.

I am so thankful for my family and friends who have come along side us this past year. I'm thankful that God has been with us every step of the way! We look forward to seeing what He will do in and through us this next year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

"The Lord bless you, and keep you;

The Lord make His face shine on you,

and be gracious to you; 

The Lord lift his countenance on you 

and give you peace."

Numbers 6:24-26