Happy 37th anniversary!!!!

To my wonderful parents~ 

 

My parents celebrate their anniversary & bringing in the new year on the same day! Dad has always been able to quickly tell someone exactly how long they've been married, like yesterday it was 36 years, 11 months & 30 days. I can't even begin to the describe the the blessing these two & their marriage has been in my life. I pray God blesses them with many more precious years together

Thank you for the testimony of your marriage and your faithfulness to the Lord & to each other! WE LOVE YOU!!!!!  

Here is a quote from a book I'm reading by John Piper, This Momentary Marriage which I highly recommend by the way.  

"Marriage is a momentary but glorious GIFT. It is more than a husband's and wife's love for each other--vastly more. Its meaning is infinitely great. Most foundationally, marriage is the doing of God. And ultimately, marriage is the display of God. It displays the covenant-keeping love between Christ and his people to the world in a way that no other event or institution does. Marriage, therefore, is not mainly about being in love. It’s mainly about telling the truth with our lives. And staying married is not about staying in love. It is about keeping covenant and putting the glory of Christ’s covenant-keeping love on display."  

So, to those of you who are married..... Thank HIM for it. Thank HIM for leading you thus far. And ask HIM to establish your marriage, to confirm it, sanctify it, and preserve it. So your marriage will be FOR THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY!

Christmas memories~

This year our family participated in Christmas shoeboxes that were filled with gifts sent overseas to kids everywhere. The kids enjoyed buying things and making things to fill them up. Also, we sponsored a child through our homeschool group and were able to get a 9 year old boy what he wanted....his very own football! And what a privilege it was to be a part of giving to two families through Any Baby Can that our Sunday School class was involved in.....giving them the only Christmas presents they'd probably get this Christmas. We were able to go to one of the family's homes and share Christ with them and pray with them as we passed out their gifts. GIVING....it's what Christmas is all about. CHRIST gave His life to us, so shouldn't we only want to give to others? I hope & pray my kids got that message this year if nothing else!

The six of us in our family drew names this year. And it really was so fun. I took two of the kids shopping one night while Seth took the other two and it was a good thing they only had 2 days from then until giving their gifts to their person!!! They were just so excited. Bryan spent over 30 minutes picking out the gift he got for Seth. He knew what he wanted to get him before we even got to the store, but he was so serious about picking the right color,style, and size, it was hilarious! On Christmas Eve Day, we did our gift exchange, and Bryan wanted Seth to open his gift first he was so excited about it! 

 

Chandler got a puzzle set from Seth......and he loves puzzles and will spend hours doing them.  

 

Tiffany gave Bryan a little race car track, and you can tell he was thrilled!!! His reaction & surprise was priceless.

 

 

Chandler knew exactly what he wanted to get Zach.....a flag football set & a watch. Which is exactly what Zach wanted......

 

 

 

Chandler was pretty proud of himself, I guess.  

I loved seeing Tiffany open the leather-bound Bible that I gave her along with a Bible cover.  

 

Zachary drew my name, and although I have no pictures of the gifts he gave me, he was very thoughtful! He is quite observant and noticed things around the house that I needed. So, I got a salt & pepper shaker, a warm & comfy blanket, some dish towels, and other little household items. He probably asked me 5 times throughout the day if I really did like what he gave me! And yes, it was all SO practical!!! 

Show me your stockings, kids! 

 

Christmas Eve was spent at my parents house along with my sister & her family. Even though we only live 15 minutes away, we spent the night over there so we could all stay up late playing games and talking and eating and getting ourselves worn out! The house was buzzing with 10 excited children the next morning. And two sick mommies. But all the memories were worth it.  

About mid-way through the day though we were summoned outside for a spectacular "bike show" put on by all the kids. The announcer & organizer, my nephew, Scott

 

 

Some of the bikers

 

Riding the ramps 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a great group of fun kiddos!

 

 

 

 

 

I don't have very many pictures of Christmas Eve/Day....but it was a very special time. My brother-in-law had invited a Hindu Indian guy to eat with us and he spent about 3 hours of the day there. It was an interesting time for us....and I'm sure especially for him! We hope & pray he saw & experienced Jesus that day and the REAL meaning of why we celebrate Christmas! Our Christmas Day ended in worship & praise and thanksgiving to our Savior.

Misc. December Events~

Hill Country Christmas Lights Parade Last weekend, Seth & the two older boys got to go to a Spurs basketball game, while Chan, Tiff, & I went to the see the Christmas parade. My favorite thing in the parade is the different marching bands. The songs for the night that we heard over & over again were "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and "Jingle Bell Rock." There was free cookie decorating in the local bakery on Main. St. Hanging out w/cousins at the parade~

Chan & Heidi giving five, dancing, & watching the parade. CrossBridge Homeschool Group Christmas Party~ Some of the boys~ Some of the girls~

Last weekend was also the kid's choir performance at church. I was very proud of my two kids and their speaking and singing parts. Everyone did such a great job! (I just didn't get any pictures, only video) I also have one concert & tv performance down & finished with my ensemble, and one more concert to go this Sunday. We also have gymnastics demonstrations coming up, a cousins Christmas party, Piano Christmas party/recital, friends coming over, a few other parties, and all kinds of other memory making times!!! It's a busy season, and during this time I love having Christmas & worship music playing to keep my focus where it's supposed to be!!!!

Next year~

~there will be another GIRL in the picture!!!!!

Happy cousins~