CHRISTmas Morning 2009

Look out world! Spencer's got his first Tonka truck to ride on and he doesn't dare use both hands!

"Oh Boy, candy corn!"

Santa brought Olivia the "candy corn" she'd been asking for. Richard and I could not figure out why she was telling everyone she wanted candy corn for Christmas. We naturally assumed it was because it's the fifth food group for Richard around Halloween time, and Olivia likes to eat it with her Dad. The light finally went on for us; we realized she was referring to "candy canes"!

Olivia and her new Easy Bake Oven. . .

Spencer and some delicious tissue paper. . .

Spencer's favorite gift. . . anything NERF!!!

Mom and Dad are excited to start playing some of Olivia's new games with her!

Son of God, Servant King, Here With Us

This is my "latest" favorite Christmas songs. It gives me goosebumps every time I hear it! The words are beautiful and Joy Williams praises God with an incredible voice.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaLfz60Vm_U&NR=1


It's still a mystery to me
That the hands of God could be so small,
How tiny fingers reaching in the night
Were the very hands that measured the sky

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Son of God, Servant King,
You're here with us
You're here with us

It's still a mystery to me, oh,
How His infant eyes have seen the dawn of time
How His ears have heard an angel's symphony,
But still Mary had to rock her Savior to sleep

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Son of God, Servant King
Here with us
You're here with us
(Ohh, mmm, here with us)

Jesus the Christ, born in Bethlehem
A baby born to save, to save the souls of man

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Son of God, Servant King
You're here with us
You're here with us

Christmas #1: December 20

Our first Christmas celebration last Sunday included Great Uncle John, Great Granny, Grammy & Grandpa Carico,

and Olivia and Spencer, of course:)

Olivia is opening her new vacuum (I'm hoping she'll inspire me!) and Spencer is going to town on Dodger's Christmas dog treats.

Spencer being Spencer! Just gotta love this guy!

Olivia enjoyed helping everyone, including Great Granny, open gifts.

Meeting Cousin Cactus

Richard's sister, Brienna, and her husband and son were in town this month, so Spencer and Olivia got to meet their cousin, Cactus, for the second time. Spencer is just two and a half months younger than his cousin, but Cactus outweighs him by four or five pounds.

Does anyone see a resemblance?

Olivia is modeling the typical South Dakota winter hat. . .
Brrr. . . it's cold there!

"See the Baby Asleep on the Hay,"

"He is the reason for Christmas Day!"

Olivia's Sunday School class performed for the church yesterday and the program was absolutely adorable. Richard, my videographer, and I were pretty focused on one little, girl. . . I mean shepherdess. We'd been practicing her lines for over a month and she had them down pat. "We are the shepherds who watch the sheep, tonight a holy watch we keep."

She spotted me in the audience and waved hello.
She's paying really close attention here and is surrounded by Mary, a donkey, a cow, and one of the kings. She looks so sweet holding her lamb.

I was lucky enough to push my way backstage to get an up-close shot of my little shepherd girl. She's happy to sign autographs with her signature "O".

Praise God for the baby asleep on the hay over 2000 years ago. Praise Him that the story, which began in the manger, continued through Jesus life, death, and most importantly, resurrection. The Christmas story is one of hope, promise, and fulfillment of prophesy. The Christmas story and the promise of eternal life live on in the hearts of Believers everywhere. I pray that the true meaning of Christmas would fill our hearts this season. May you know the peace, joy, and love of our Saviour this year and always. Merry Christmas!

Tis the Season. . .

For both my children to cry at the opportunity to have their picture taken with Santa. Poor Spencer had to endure 15 seconds of pure torture so that I could capture this treasured moment. Next year he'll be old enough to refuse before I set him on Santa's lap, just like his big sister did this year. These are pictures from my work Christmas party. I was hoping Olivia would warm up to Santa in this atmosphere and at least stand next to him to tell him what she wanted. . . Not this year, I guess.

Olivia had a ball with stamps and stickers at the craft table!

Rudolph, the Funny Faced Reindeer

Miss Margie and I agree, Olivia has created the cutest reindeer of all time. Although I am not sure you can tell from this picture, she chose to place Rudolph's eyes right in the center of each ear. . . Oh how I treasure her creativity in her artwork! She was so proud! She is walking around the house saying "Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas" constantly. I love this time of year; it's definitely much more special with little ones who capture the magic in a unique and wonderful way.

I Am Thankful for. . .

The Giving Thanks Challenge is over, but it sure was a great reminder of all I have to be thankful for. This year I regretted not being able to look back on the things I counted as blessings in 2008, so I am not making the mistake again.

Above all, I am thankful for Jesus Christ and the salvation He brings. I am thankful that I am a new creation in Him; my sins are wiped clean because he bore them on Calvary. I am thankful He call me His own and desires a personal relationship with me. I am thankful for His Word.

I am thankful for my husband and my children, Olivia and Spencer. They bring more joy into my life than I ever imagined possible, and loving them makes life worth living. I am also thankful for my extended family . . . my wonderful parents, my sister, and my new brother-in-law. . . grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. . . I could go on for a very long time.

There were so many little things I counted as blessings. They included:
-Spencer's laugh
-Olivia's loving nature
-a visit from an old friend (JS)
-a date with my husband
-a visit from family
-quiet evenings at home
-Miss Margie (she provides love and care every day) - she is my Mrs. Fox
-those who fight to protect the freedoms of our country
-doctors
-medicines (antibiotic to treat ear infections)
-days off work to be with sick babies
-job opportunities
-Spencer's waves, claps, and laughs
-bedtime stories, prayers, and lullabies
-three wonderful years with my beautiful Olivia
-an incredible work schedule
-friends at work (BP)
-Olivia's big birthday party
-loving friends to celebrate special occasions
-freedom to worship
-loving Sunday School teachers
-Spencer's two front teeth coming through
-the adorable things Olivia says, i.e. "My birthday's not coming up, it's going down"
-Costco pumpkin pie
-fun times decorating gingerbread houses
-Black Friday shopping because it's fun!

Happy Birthday Grandpa Ed!

You are still lookin' good from all angles!