Date Night

Last night was a gorgeous evening, and we spent it beneath the night sky. It was in the high 50's, perfect for ice-skating.

Downtown is an outside rink. While we were walking up the rink looked small and crowed, but it really wasn't bad once we were out there skating. We haven't been ice-skating since our freshman year of college. I was still able to skate and didn't fall once, but enjoyed Brian pulling me around the ice too!

There was no need for hot chocolate after skating though. We had a lot of fun!  Thank you Groupon for hosting a deal for ice-skating otherwise we might not have thought about going and missed a wonderful time together. So thankful for a night out with my love!

Sunny Day

After a bunch of rainy days, Jackson and I took full advantage of this beautiful day.

 His imagination blows me away.

 His excitement over the littlest things brings a smile to my face.

 His sweetness melts my heart.

 His feistiness requires lots of prayer and patience.

I will always treasure these days spent together!

"For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies."

 Psalm 57:10



Christmas

Brian and I were both awake a little before 7. He started getting the ham ready, and I put the Monkey bread in the oven. I even folded and put away a load of laundry, just trying to past time before Jackson got up. Around 7:30, we jumped in bed with Jackson and he was content with snuggling us for a while. He must have forgot Santa came!

On the way down stairs Jackson was telling me a story about the reindeer. He didn't look over at his kitchen at all. When he did see it, he kept on talking, then smiled and said "What did Santa bring me? A kitchen!" 

He immediately set to work making us breakfast.

After about 20 minutes of playing in the kitchen, we got Jackson to make his way to his stocking. His method of taking items out of his stocking was dig, look, say "oh", and throw it to the side.

We used our Monkey bread as our cake for Jesus.

Jackson sang "Happy Birthday" loud and proud and was way excited to blow out the candle. 

Next up was opening presents. Notice Jackson's two watches. I put the cow one in his stocking and Aunt Anne gave him the blue one. He wanted a watch like Daddy and didn't take them off all day.

Jackson was really into opening presents this year. He LOVED every present and wanted to play with them right away.

He also was ever so helpful to us.

Brian did a great job surprising me. He snuck a few extra presents in my stocking and got a recordable frame with Jackson's picture in it for me.

He also made a jewelry holder for me. It will hold my earrings, necklaces, and possibly a few headbands. 

He painted one of my favorite verses on it. I absolutely love it; such a labor of love for me!

My last present from Brian was in a small box. I thought it was some jewelry for my new frame. Instead there was a nursery rhyme with a word missing. I had to find my next clue. After a few more clues, I found a beautifully wrapped present. Inside was a Vera Bradley tote for school. I have been wanting one for a while, but couldn't justify the price tag. Brian definitely spoiled me!

Mom spoiled me too with a Coach purse.

After we were done opening presents, Jackson played with his new toys and we finished getting lunch ready. Aunt Midge, Uncle Dan, Jonathan, Kim, and Aaron joined us for Christmas lunch. 

Table is ready!

Cute place cards 

Lunch was delicious and the company was just as nice. After lunch was more presents. Aunt Midge and Uncle Dan bought Jackson a huge race track. The boys spent the next hour or two being entertained by that.

Jackson went down for a nap, and we played games with Aunt Midge and Uncle Dan. We are so thankful for them. Aunt Midge and Uncle Dan help us out all the time.

Christmas evening was spent just the three of us playing and watching the Packers win!

 I will always be so thankful for baby in the manger because He is the one that has saved me from myself and gives me a reason to be filled with joy. The best Christmas present for me this year was being with my two boys. Life is such precious thing, and I have simply enjoyed just being with them. Even though Christmas is over, the Light of the world is still shinning!

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people." Luke 2:10

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve morning was very laid back.

We got ready for Christmas Eve service. This would be my first Christmas without going to Church without my parents. It was bittersweet because I missed spending time with them, but it was nice to start some traditions with just the three of us.

Pictures before Church-

My sweet boy

Family pic



My love and I:)

Jackson came with us to the service because I wanted to go as a family. I also want him to know how special Christmas is because of the gift we were given in Jesus. He did okay, but not great. He wanted to go up on stage the whole time.

Afterwards, he got to do just that!

It was a wonderful service. I left with my heart more focused on Him.

By the time we got home we were all starving. While our pizza was cooking Jackson opened his one Christmas Eve present; new pajamas to wear on Christmas Eve. Then, we found the reindeer food we made the other. Jackson loved his Rudolph. He even asked to take a picture with it the day we made it. 



After he had his rain boots on, he headed out to sprinkle the oats and glitter on the lawn. The reindeer would now guide Santa right to our house.  

Cookies and milk for Santa

We all snuggled by the fire, watched Ice Age Christmas, and read In the Manager before bedtime.

We put Jackson to bed and told him when he woke up to come find us so we could see what Santa left. About 10 minutes later, I heard pitter patter upstairs. We went up there, and Jackson was using the potty. He said, "I already slept. I am awake." Such a silly boy!

All our presents were already wrapped. I only had to set them out by the tree and fill stockings. Brian worked on assembling Jackson's kitchen.



I had to take a close up of the presents Brian wrapped for me. 

He is so creative; love the spray painted tree!

He always puts a lot of love into his gifts for me.

I went to bed with a real excitement for our first Christmas morning just the 3 of us!

Christmas Card 2011

I chose this card because of the word JOY. Often people are longing for something more, but the only way to be completely satisfied and full is to know eternal love. JOY comes from knowing the Lord and He alone fills any void we may have. I pray you experience real, lasting JOY this year.

Merry Christmas!

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls; YET I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be JOYFUL in God my Savior." Habakkuk 3:17-18

Yummy!

I can't bake with my Mom at Christmas time, but I married wisely. Brian is a great helper at this time of year. Jackson pitched in a bit too, but he would rather just it all the goodies!

Cake balls: We dyed the cake mix green to add a festive touch.

Roll out cookies: They are so time consuming, but taste so good!

The snowmen are Brian's creation, but I did four cookies for his one.

Toffee: No pictures of this one. It really is too yummy for pictures.

Some of my presents wrapped and ready to go.

 I thought the scrapbook paper look on the baggies of treats turned out very cute!

 Another plate of goodies ready for Brian's work. The tray came home empty today, that is always a good sign!

Oh, what fun!

I had a long fun to-do list this weekend; baking, making candy, putting together and wrapping presents for Miss Sandy and other friends. Baking and making candy did take up a majority of the weekend, but we still managed to have some other fun thrown in too!

Here are some of the cookies fresh out of the oven, more to come.

 We went over to my Aunt's house Saturday night for dinner to celebrate Jonathan's birthday. We enjoyed some delicious chicken pot pie. On the way over to her house, Jackson said "Mom, I like Midge!" He didn't let her sit down at all after dinner:)

The beautiful colors of fall foliage is all over our subdivision. I love seeing all the different colors on the trees. Since we have a pretty orange leaf tree in the backyard, we had to take a picture before church.

After Church, we had a bunch of errands to run and stopped by our favorite place for lunch!

 On the way to the car, Jackson struck a pose! So cute! Love this little boy! (2 more days until I can spend 2 weeks with him.)

 Jackson got a special video message from Santa. He was blown away and watched it 3 times!

 A few trips to the park, where Jackson makes a new friend each time. I think he will be such a good big brother, I pray that will happen someday soon.

Oh, I can't forget this movie!

Jackson got an early Christmas movie. We definitely got our $5 worth out of it already. He watched it at least 3 times today (it is only a 20 minute movie) and wanted to watch it again!

What a FUN weekend! Now, I must survive 2 more days of school!