a New Year, fresh mercies and Thanksgiving

Okay, so it's January, and I never posted pictures from Thanksgiving.

I had three solid weeks of very sick children before Thanksgiving. Then we had a sprint through the holiday season, with another sick child the week before Christmas.

And in all honesty, the holidays were very full. They were full of blessing, but they were not restful for me this year. Being an introvert is particularly challenging over the holidays. My soul thrives on quality time, quiet, contemplation and a break from the everyday responsibilities of life. Yeah, that pretty much NEVER happens.  "But he gives more grace...." James 4:6. I think that is going to be my theme verse for the year. I came across it as I sprinted through the New Testament at the end of the year. Reading through the Bible every year is my life line. I thirst for the Word every day, as the deer pants for streams of water. So this year...

When I'm tired: "But he gives more grace."

When I feel like my patience is gone: "But he gives more grace."

When I'm face to face with the reality of my sin and my need for sanctification: "But he gives more grace."

When I'm operating on too few hours of sleep: "But he gives more grace."

So here are the moments of joy that I captured and people that I am thankful for.

Miss T helping Grandma!

 

 

 
Two lovely pictures of my nephew and niece.

A certain spunky two year old is missing from the picture below. You wouldn't guess it based on her smile above, but she doesn't like being told what to do.

Family photos - real life

I started writing this post weeks ago, before Thanksgiving. Three weeks of very sick kids, an eventful holiday spent away from home and a couple of weeks of routine real life later here we are. And it's Monday morning, my baby is announcing she's done eating her breakfast, and I need to get Abigail started on school. Whew. Life is full. It is full of good things.

A friend took some pictures at the beginning of November. Here are a couple that didn't make the Christmas card but are fun all the same. I hope they bring a smile to your Monday.

Halloween cont - the babies

 This guy is a great daddy. He took the girls trick or treating in the cold, damp weather. He is full of patience and grace when I am tired and in need of fresh mercies. I am very thankful for him.

And my babies were so cute this Halloween.

I feel like the gap between my youngest two is starting to rapidly close. Charis is babbling more and will soon be walking. I am continuing to pray that these two will be good friends.

Halloween 2015

Anna, a puppy, Olaf and Elsa....

the craft grandma

If you ask my girls about their Grandma, they will tell you, "She does crafts with us!" She has many lovely qualities. She's loving, thoughtful, patient, considerate, and a good listener. She's very hard working; she does not like to sit. And she also makes a delicious homemade angel food cake. Because of all of these qualities (and more) the girls love having their grandma close, and they really look forward to the crafts that she brings with her on every visit. To them, she is "the craft grandma."

On her last visit, she brought cake and crafts.

a well loved little girl

Beautiful Fall and my Beautiful Girls