Luke 2

I wanted to put this on at Christmas time but I couldn't figure out how to upload vids from my phone to YouTube. I finally figured it out and thought this was worth sharing. It doesn't have to be Christmas to enjoy the Word. Ella had to learn part of Luke 2 at school and this clip is her reciting what she had memorized. It's incredible to hear the entire class recite this passage from memory. I sing praises knowing that she is part of a school that truly teaches the children to hide scripture in their hearts. 

Christmas tree

Since the tornado damaged our trees beyond repair, we opted for a real tree this year.  It's been up a few weeks and we we've enjoyed it so so much. We headed over to Wadsworth Christmas Tree Farm hoping to chop down a tree. Little did we know that the type tree we wanted is grown up North and shipped down South.  With all of the ornaments we have, we weren't going to be able to use a cedar or pine so we settled for a precut tree. At the Christmas tree farm.  Go figure.

So, we get home with the tree. Check. In the stand. Check. Lights on. Check. Ornaments. Check.  Ornaments are in the attic, right?  Umm, no.  They are NO WHERE TO BE FOUND. Now, these aren't just any ornaments. They are the ornaments that mean nothing to anyone but us.  Our sentimental ornaments. Scott and I have had a yearly Christmas ornament since 1992. Heartbroken was an understatement in describing my feelings. We aren't sure what happened to them other than knowing it has something to do with the tornado. It seems the tornado still affects us. So, the ornaments you see on the tree are just ones we've had (with the exception of a few) but have no sentimental value. It's a beautiful tree but when I look at it, it just looks store bought. So, with this tree, we are starting over...

Christmas cards

I love receiving Christmas cards each year. So much fun watching kids we know grow. I scrapbook so usually after the Christmas season is gone, I put them in our scrapbook so we can look back year after year at the cards. One idea I recently ran across that I think is worth mentioning... After you take the cards down, put them in a basket near the dinner table. Each night, pick out a card and pray for that family. We may do that this year. Ella enjoys anything like that.
Here is a pic of our cards on display. This is only the beginning of a slew of cards!