Enjoying
the
wonder
of
snow
together...

The Perfect Picture?

I thought I'd post some of our attempts at a picture for Christmas cards. I was naive to think it wouldn't be that hard!

Try It!

Does this look good to you? Imagine it nice and hot, right out of the oven. Mmmm... I think it is called Cool Rise French Bread- easy and delicious. Check out the recipe and the blog!
Kayla and I made it together yesterday- she loves to help in the kitchen. Then we shared it at dinner with Granny. One whole loaf- gone by the end of our meal! The other loaf ended up being too big for the pan. Jack dubbed it the "dragon bread."

Snow!

Yay! Snow! What a treat!
What smiles it brings to little faces.

A Harvest at Home

We've really had a nice, if not delightful even, day. School went well this morning, everyone was kind of in their own rhythm, even Samuel. It flurried off and on, which is always exciting and makes for a great day in itself. The kids and I made chocolate chip cookies- perfect when you are cozy and warm inside. Actually, I guess just Kayla and I baked- Jack changed his mind and asked us to call him when the cookies were done. Samuel had a few new words today-boo, Mimi, mouse, and Papa. Four in one day-he'll talk yet!
Dinner just made me thankful for other people's gardens and efforts at canning. And of course their generosity. Baked apples and green beans-yum!
Jack and I ran out to the grocery for milk tonight-in the snow. He was thrilled to be in his coat and gloves and catching snowflakes on his tongue. He couldn't get over how much it was snowing. Really, it's the pretty kind that doesn't stick. He won't know what to do with himself when we get the first big snow!
It feels like a harvest all the way around today.

Smile!

You just have to smile, don't you?
By the way, I have no idea why goggles on a walk in November...

Quiet

I can hear Jack upstairs reading to Kayla in her bed. Samuel wasn't asleep yet so Jack asked if he could read in Kayla's room. That turned into him reading to her. I love it. I wish you could hear those little voices. Why is it that they can fuss and feud all day but something about bedtime turns their hearts towards kindness and calm?
I have come to cherish the quiet. Whenever it comes. Early, early in the morning and late in the evening. Time to just think, read, rest. Not that I don't love the activity of the day but there is something about the quiet.
Sometimes the thinking leads to questions and I feel burdened. All those nagging thoughts of the day begin to settle in. Are we bringing these children up right? How can we make Christmas truly meaningful and not about presents? How do we teach our children compassion and care for others? Gratitude? How can we reach out to others better and make an eternal impact? Will Sam ever eat anything besides cereal? Am I making the most out of my time with family? With these little gifts running around? Am I missing the mark? How can we simplify life?
Some questions less concerning than others but there are oh so many.
I have to lay it all down at the Cross and pray for the freedom of the gospel to spread in my own heart. And go forth in faith.

(J and K have taken it upon themselves to devise a sleepover in J and S's room now that S. is asleep. Better go see the latest!)