christmasing (in photos)

Hoping you all had a wonderful Christmas, too! 

Rejoicing

It's a...

GIRL!

Even though Brian and Levi claimed to "know" it was a girl all along, personally, I needed an ultrasound to confirm. :) We are all ecstatic and can't wait for "baby sister" to join us. Of course the day after we found out, I made her a bonnet among a few other cute little girly things...just because I could. It's going to be a fun few months of preparing for our already very loved little gal. 

(bonnet pattern HERE)

O come to us, abide with us

O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;

Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.

We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;

O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!

Thankful, for

- an abiding God

- the world in white

- nightly elfing dates with my love; working on handmades for those we love

- an atomic date with my boy and a surprise hang out with Kristin

- the first Christmas cards in the mail

- an encouraging dr. appointment, no signs of my bad antibodies are getting to the baby

- a family Christmas party; a warm car massage chair scored at the yankee swap

- Brian feeling the baby for the first time

- the first real snow, especially Levi's excitement; "we have to make a snow dad and a snow mom and a snow Levi and a snow car!"

- nutella hot chocolate

- a good and long skype to Fiji

- boxes of hand-me-downs from cousin Thomas

- a hilarious pinterest craft fail with Jen 

- a gig for Brian that turned into a fancy date, as well; a many coursed meal, local food, good company, carols around the fire while snow fell

- Levi's focused drumming during Sunday worship

strength and consolation

Come, Thou long expected Jesus

Born to set Thy people free;

From our fears and sins release us,

Let us find our rest in Thee.

Israel’s Strength and Consolation,

Hope of all the earth Thou art;

Dear Desire of every nation,

Joy of every longing heart.

Thankful this week, for ....

- Christ, my Strength and Consolation, the Joy of my longing heart
- A Sound of Music LIVE viewing party with the family, complete with Apple Studel
- "Mama? I'm growing bigger and bigger and bigger! I'll be bigger than Daddy! And then I'll change YOUR diaper!"
- my occasional all-by-myself Christmas shopping trips, with a salted caramel mocha latte 
- Afternoon napping finally turned into afternoon nesting
- a surprise date in Gloucester
- pizza and grocery shopping family dates
- the Kettle decorated for Christmas; many quiet nights of knitting, Christmas music and twinkle lights.
- last minute playdates with friends
- finding a bin of much needed hand-me-downs for Levi that I forgot about
- my husband napping on my lap
- a beyond relaxing massage; a thoughtful friend
- our neighborhood group Christmas party; good laughs, a fun yankee swap and especially Eva's amazing snickerdoodles.
- a visit from Lili
- our cute little baby Christmas tree

Thankful...

Thankful, for...

- a full, restful and thankful Thanksgiving and Kimmie here!
- my Dad's focus and intensity about the family Christmas picture
- a visit with the Drosts, especially Levi and Caroline playing music together
- Levi and daddy games; wrestling matches, band practice and horsey rides
- hands busy with needles and yarn
- date with my sisters in the city; window shopping, laughter and lattes.
- texts from a fellow despiser of the cold, and realizing we made the same dinner
- Robittusin, vicks and humidifiers...and a kind (yet tired) husband.
- Levi; his imagination and humor, sweet and friendly disposition, and when he falls asleep on me
- a guest preacher and a meaningful start to advent
- cuddle time with my boys
- Levi reading with his great Grandpa
- pasta dinner from Jean Louis' Homemade Pasta Shop
- Christmas music and my elfing well underway
- "Mama, you're awesome!" - Levi, first thing in the morning
- a visit to Brian's school, fun traditions and Levi having a blast playing with his Dad's students
- surprise gift certificates
- kind emails from blog readers, just checking in :)
- feeling our inside baby kick and stretch all day long; a healthy pregnancy so far and almost half way there!

give me a calm and thankful heart...

(wishing you all a Thanksgiving full of joy, peace and gratitude)

Father whate'er of earthly bliss

Thy sovereign will denies

Accepted at Thy throne of grace

Let this petition rise

Let the sweet hope that thou art mine

My life and death attend

Thy presence through my journey shine

And crown my journey’s end

Give me a calm, a thankful heart

From every murmur free

The blessings of Thy grace impart

And make me live to Thee

You raise your hand to still the storms

That rage inside my head

Revive my heart with gratitude

Love quell my doubt and dread

Give me a sure and rested soul

From every fear relief

The spirit’s power and presence mine

To ever comfort me

Give me a sure, a restful heart

From every fear relief

Thy spirit’s power and presence mine

To ever comfort me.

Give me a calm, a thankful heart

From every murmur free

The blessings of thy grace impart

And make me live to thee.

-Anne Steele

(a beautiful rendition sung HERE)