Not even December yet!

Mr. Wonderful had a hankerin' for Christmas cookies.....

so we mixed and cut and baked in a flash....

while Ian was happily confined in his chair

with his new treat...

Cheerios!!!

Gathering

Found treasures from our expedition

Christmas Decorating

Having fun with the tree trimmings!

Traditions

Finding *snow* driving *miles*
Finding *smiles*

Staying *warm*

The annual expedition for the *perfect*

Christmas tree..........

Seeing Pink

These adorable baby slippers---

from this pattern are for the littlest J.M.
She's a sweetie!

Faith

For Joy

Beauty

My mom and sisters and I get together in the fall

and make applesauce

(and a mess of Mom's kitchen!)

Here's what I came home with:

golden delicious applesauce,

and our expermental variety~~

Rome/Granny Smith applesauce!The most beautiful applesauce I have ever seen~~~
Who knew that such little things could make me so happy?

Tickle Time

Little Man is sooo ticklish!!

Salve for my soul to bury my nose in his warm neck,

to press my lips to his delectable checks,

to hear his tiny giggle matched with a huge grin!

My First Attempt

Here's Faith, my first attempt at dolllmaking.

So far she's plump and huggable,

but really lacking in hair.

~A gift for a special girly I love. ~

It's just a phase, right??

When I go to take a picture of my blue-eyed middle child, this is what I get: A few hours later, Braden comes in the house after

using up all the batteries in the camera---

when I reload it,

this is what I find:

A great shot of Nathan!

Ear Flap Hat

--- This little cap was knit in just two hours---

pattern made up as I went along!

See Braden Click!

Braden gets the credit for this very imaginative shot---

I love the focus!

Blessed times Three

Sons are a heritage from the LORD,

children a reward from him.

Psalm 127:3

Standing Still

The last few days have felt like days from a dream

stolen moments frozen in time.

Doing *school* just because the boys want to,

baking bread because finally the previous loaves

were eaten before they went stale

(I guess that means I've found a decent recipe!),

soaking in the vitamin rays on the porch swing with Ian

while the big boys tear up the front yard football field with Daddy,

cleaning my kitchen while dinner simmers happily in the crockpot.

All the most common, simple, homey things,

but God is giving me pleasure in them.

Getting my Greens

Grass is a good 2nd food, right? So far I've mastered rice cereal with applesauce. with peas. with juice. I'm ready for somethin' real!