On the twelveth day of Christmas...

the blessing I found.....TIME!

How does the old saying go??? Out of the mouths of babes?

Though she really isn't a babe anymore, Hailey said it best: "I think this has been the best Christmas so far. We haven't been running around crazy, in the car all day. We have just been spending time at home, watching movies and playing in the snow. I really like when we can do that."


Dave and I have been intentional this Christmas, to not get caught up in the frenzy of activity that can take place this time of year. Hailey's comment was a confirmation to us both, that even though this slower pace has felt foreign in so many ways, we made the right choice, and our kids have noticed.


The best Christmas gift...the gift of time and rest. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

On the eleventh day of Christmas....

the blessing I found.......GIVING!
This blessing isn't really a new one to Christmas, giving is one of the main messages of the birth of Christ. But, as a family, we have a tradition of giving. We set aside a certain dollar amount and then go grocery shopping with half of it and then present shopping with the other half.
The kids look forward to this tradition and begin reminding us early in the season.
We take all the goodies to Open House Ministries here in Vancouver, and I love watching the kids as they unload all the purchases and present them to someone at the shelter.
I am very grateful of the generous nature each of the kids is developing, but I know it takes Dave and I as parents, being intentional with these life lessons.
I pray the gifts we brought will be a huge blessing to those who receive them.

On the tenth day of Christmas...

the blessing I found.....HOME!

O.K., so I know we have been house bound for a couple days, but we decided to venture out today to finish up our shopping and brave the roads.

The roads weren't really much of a problem, it was all the people on the road and on a mission!

We planned on taking our time and making our excursion somewhat relaxing with no real time frames and that really helped.

When we were all done, I was really grateful to drive up our driveway and see our beautiful home all lit up with Christmas lights.

Another blessing, though a bit materialistic, I feel so blessed to have a warm place to rest.

On the ninth day of Christmas...

the blessing I found....A CHRISTMAS MOVIE MARATHON!
It was a great day to lay around in our pj's and watch as many Christmas movies as we could stand! We enjoyed homemade cocoa and lots of snack foods.
Yes, it's true, you can get a little cabin fever with all this snow and cooped up, but man it has been great.
I am sure the novelty will wear off soon enough!
But, for now...we will look at all this snow as a huge blessing!

On the eighth day of Christmas...

the blessing I found.....TRANSFORMATION!

Actually, I can't take credit for this one, Dave made this observation. We were able to get out of the house early today and take a rare, uninterrupted walk through the woods, enjoying the freshly fallen snow. Snow seems to muffle all the usual noises, and the quiet is so refreshing.

Snow also transforms everything it touches, even the most barren and pathetic plants can become beautiful works of art. Just like Christ, when he transforms us from the unattractive, hopeless sinner that we are into something beautiful and to be used for His glory. I am grateful for Christs' power to transform my broken life into something he can use!

On the seventh day of Christmas....

the blessing I found....COOKIES!

I love to bake, and I pray I am instilling that love in my kids.....actions always speak louder than words.


We had so much fun baking and decorating...getting creative with the sprinkles and sugar.


It isn't just the cookies themselves of course, it is the time spent together, talking and laughing. I think I get to know what my kids are thinking and feeling, their fears and struggles way better in the kitchen as we work side-by-side.

On the sixth day of Christmas....

the blessing I found....SNOW ANGELS!
Finally!! We had snow at our house, and it was beautiful! I admit, I was allowing disappointment to take over my attitude, as we watched the surrounding areas get snow. We felt a little slighted.
But when we woke up today.... I do believe Dave and I were almost more excited than the kids. It was a blast watching the kids play, sled, have a snowball fight and then of course make Snow Angels.
I have to say, taking time to intentionally look for a blessing each day has been a challenge, but at the same time a real eye opener, to keep me focused on those things which truly matter.

On the third and fourth days of Christmas...

the blessings I found......Decorating!

I realize this is only one thing, but in my case it takes several days if not weeks to decorate! I take forever. Then, when I get it they way I want it, Christmas arrives shortly after, so I really only get to enjoy the decorations for a couple days.

None the less, I love to decorate for Christmas, and I especially love looking in the boxes, to discover all the trinkets & treasures I forgot I even had. It's like opening presents with each lid lifted, yet without the cost involved and way more memories!

Once the house is decorated, it feels different..warm and inviting, yes a little more crowded, but some would call that a feeling of intimacy!

I also enjoy waking up each morning and seeing the tree sparkling with lights, and the smell of fresh pine. It's certainly a blessing.

On the second day of Christmas...

the blessing I found....SNOW! Even though it wasn't much, it's amazing how the weather can drastically change plans and cause us to slow down. Nothing seems so important or critical when faced with the possibility of driving on icy roads. Isn't it funny how all the plans that seemed to demand our attention... we HAVE to go here or there, can quickly change to...we can wait another day to go there, lets just stay home. I love how in the busyness of life, God can quietly get our attention and cause us to take a time of rest, though, in the moment we may not see it as a blessing, it really is! So...tonight, enjoy the rest and be thankful.

On the first day of Christmas......

the blessing I have found......Laughter!
What an amazing sound! I love hearing my children laugh, it floats through the house like a sweet melody. Then to hear the giggles grow into full belly laughter... it is truly a joyous sound. I can't help but smile to myself when those moments occur and feel so blessed.
I'm just curious about how God came up with laughter, though?
And I wonder.... does God laugh?
Well, since we are created in His image, I have to think the answer would be yes.
Keep looking for the blessings this season, they are sure to be found.

Christmas Is Coming!!

Christmas is coming, are you ready??
I don't mean the presents, food, parties and all the other busy work. I mean, Is your heart ready?? Each year, I promise myself that my family and I are going to simplify Christmas and keep our focus on Christ. And each year I get off track, or get caught up in all the preparations.
I want to try something a little different this year. I will be posting "The 12 Blessings of Christmas" on this blog. Each day, beginning on December 12Th, I will post a blessing that I or my family experienced during this crazy season, maybe even a picture to go along with it. I would love for anyone else to try it, leave a comment about what you found, or post it on your own blog. Maybe we can keep each other accountable to staying focused on the TRUE meaning of Christmas. Encourage your family members to participate along with you by looking for the blessing each day.
I am excited to get intentional with my Christmas focus!
I hope you'll join me.