New Year's Eve and Some Luge Love

He carved out our annual backyard luge run and sent a river of water down knowing the temperature would drop over the following days. The kids were beyond excited for how the twists and turns would feel this year. On New Year's Eve day, they ran that thing again and again, screaming all the way. My husband had some tweaking to do by packing walls a little higher here and there. He based it on whether or not a kid banged into a tree. Oops, better build up that side, my little guinea pigs :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then evening came with all it's brilliance as the sun set.

We were asked to pick up the Martins from the airport,

who were the musicians for our New Year's Eve service concert. 

Getting to know them a little was lovely.

You can find them here.

 

We were even offered a place to stay on our drive to Florida :)

But then, after the service... Daddy said everyone could

 take a few turns on the luge run at NIGHT!!

Boy, oh boy! Talk about taking it up to the next level!

Happy New Year to you and your family.

May you find peace and joy in Jesus in 2014.

Love, a tired Terry and Heather

xo

A Few Of My Favourite Things This Christmas

 

From family gathering to family gathering, from ice storm to a beautiful white Christmas, I have experienced gifts of immeasurable value this year. Although this month felt rushed, busy, obligatory and less accomplished than I'd hoped, I have clear hindsight through Holy Spirit vision and it's all good. What is that exactly? It's when you are able to read between the lines that grace and mercy have played a huge role in your daily living and you didn't even notice it until you stopped long enough to pay attention. I muddled things up and lived in a flurry, when what I needed was to be still and know that Jesus is God. Thankfully, His grace covers my seemingly important urgencies. At the manger, I can lay it all down and whisper that I'm sorry I've left Him out of so much lately. But, it seems as though He whispers back, "You're here now, My child."

Oh, how I always want to be right there.

 

(a long scroll of photos that are my favourites from the past few days...)

 

Baby Lover (she comes by it honestly)

  

newly-discovered talents

being silly while opening sibling gifts

Santa, with ice-covered trees in background

Meg was beyond excited to give her gifts to her siblings. They loved them :)

Love how most of their gifts come straight from their own bedrooms :)

appreciation

We miss Great-Mama who knit all of our stockings.

Papa pic taken by Oliver

where we all get our photo-love

my packed living room--love it!

Valerie and Ashanti spent the night with us again this year.

Mama made these amazing hats!

Auntie Heather and Ashanti

Love this kid.

Special visit from my dear friend, Tara (who lives far, far away)

Leaning on each other and the Lord as they walk through cancer together.

the "big boys"

enjoying a new pillow

Always much hilarity when someone gets Kevin's gift!

Kevin looks a little guilty.

The gag gift (the white Value Village vest) and the real gift by Justin.

 We all laughed till we cried over this one!

sweet girls

nutso girls

showing Grandma and Grandpa their photos in Elf Yourself

a little shuffleboard

three sisters

Oliver watching Sadie open her gift from him. Love his face here (and hers).

cousins

the "big girls"

massage time--Meg seems to be really loving it :)

Every time I lift the camera, Kevin makes this face.

 Lego help from Jenna

annual p.j. pic.
oliver refused to wear his because they were too big and
 he thought they looked like girl ones, lol!

keeping warm

reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by the fire

power outage!

icy beauty