gramps and gram cindy

 It was nice to celebrate Christmas with Matt's dad and Cindy!

decorating

Decorating the tree.  I am trying desperately to keep things the same as I know that things will just keep changing as the years go on.  Kids will grow up, get married, and start homes and traditions of their own.  But for 2015?  I had all my little chicks in my nest and loved every minute of it :)

melanie

My baby sister has been so sick.  The breaks my big sister heart kind of sick.  If I could take her place I would.  

There is not much of this time period that Melanie will want to remember, but I hope she remembers that I loved her through it and have never stopped praying!

christmas cooking

One Sunday afternoon, after church and lunch, we decided we didn't need to watch EVERY football game.  So we turned off the tv, divided the kids into four teams, and went to the kitchen.  

• Brianna was her own team- she made cinnamon rolls
• Cameron and Andrew formed a team (the Booskettis) and made peanut butter cookies
• Alissa and Cameron worked together (the Squeaky Chewies) and they made delicious spice cookies
• Leah and Micah were the Elves and they made Christmas cards for the neighbors

It was such a fun afternoon! But don't think there was a lack of competition!   Matt recorded it and we have a hilarious record of the whole thing :)

faithful

Things in my life have been so busy- seems like there are so many categories it's hard to settle my mind.

I decided that it was time to head to the Psalms.  This morning I read Psalm 63.  It was just what I needed!  Back in high school my friend, Susanna, taught me a song based on this Psalm and I looked it up again and listened to it as it helped me focus my mind on God and His Word.

Verses 6-7 say, When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on  You in the night watches, for You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.

I looked up some commentary on that and found this in The Treasury of David, by Charles Spurgeon.
"Meditation had refreshed his memory and reaclled to him his past deliverances...This is the grand use of memory, to furnish us with proofs of the Lord's faithfulness, and lead us onward to a growing confidence in Him.

If day's cares tempt us to forget God, it is well that night's quiet should lead us to remember Him."

Since I had woken up with some anxious thoughts- concerns over some "what ifs", I needed the reminder that God has always been faithful.  He has never once failed me!  I forced myself to remember the "proofs of the Lord's faithfulness".  What a beneficial exericse!  I am much more ready to face the day ahead of me- and not alone!

leah and andrew

We are blessed to live in a beautiful area.  I have not yet gotten used to it!  Every season has its own beauty.  One day in November, I took a walk with Leah and Andrew.  It was so refreshing!

These two kiddos have gotten close over the last year and love to spend time together! They make me smile!

for real?

I just got a funny feeling in my stomach when I looked at the picture of Brianna's birthday cake.  Do I really have a daughter who is 20?   Well, yes I do.  And a beautiful, capable, godly, thoughtful, responsible, intelligent, fun-to-be-with one at that.

This girl is one of my very best friends, I love her with all my heart, and couldn't be more proud of her!

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!