{Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 2012}

The Candlelight Service is my most favorite thing we do at Christmas.  I look forward to closing my

eyes and praising the Lord!  This year my kids were asked to read the Christmas Story from the Bible. 

Lily was up first! She was not nervous. Crowd did not phase her. She memorized

her verses.  I made her read them! Less stress! Just read it off the i-pad, please mam! 

This lady, Shannan, has an amazing voice. She sang, A Baby Changes Everything.

Buddy was 2nd up.  Nervous, yes. BUT we had him practicing the wrong set of verses. . .

so he went cold turkey! I was nervous enough for him. . . 

I decided to send Clayton up with him "just in case". Before Buddy started he whispered in Clayton's ear,

"Don't help me, okay?"

Whew! He didnt need help! He did great! I kept taking breaths for him. It was much to read. 

Clayton finished up the story and did great!  He was embarrassed which breaks my heart, but I know (and hope and pray) its just the age.  I explained to him what an honor and privilege it was to be able to read about Jesus.

Not sure if it helped. 

Lily and Sweet Emma Grace. 

Here we all are! 

When we were heading to the car we saw Sweet Emily and her new BABY! Look! What a sweet little puppy! We ooooo'd and aaaaahhhh'd and. . . gave it right back. 

Just as we should.

{Still in 2012}

Hello 2013! I should be writing about the New Year. . .but for some reason I am not quite

done with 2012! See what I mean?? Last night I packed up Christmas and The Mr. & Clayton helped me put things in the attic. Later, I thought I guess I could've been a tad more fun on New Years Eve!  But I just

felt like the "Christmas Bomb" needed to be diffused a bit. 

A few last lingering Christmas memories to share. . .

Snow coming down at Moms.  Gazing out her window, peering upon Main Street. 

The Hot Cocoa Station was a hit this year.  Especially the HUGE marshmallows. 

I feel like I should probably enjoy the "decorating" more. . . so next year (mental note). . . less will be more. 

Buddy got his very own BB gun. He was so excited! 

 I love love this picture! The Mr.'s hand. . . Love.

 How cute is this? 

 Have you noticed his dangling front tooth?? It does NOT need pulled, by the way.

Snow on Christmas Day was so beautiful! Minus my poor sister being out of power for 5 days in Little Rock! It was terrible for them.  Especially since she just had surgery.  We still haven't seen them for the holiday.

Ping-Ping Playing at Moms!

So fun!

Pa Pa and The Mr. were a real hoot!

It was fun even a 12 year old could enjoy. . .thank heavens.

One other thing I would like to take note of. . . 

As the kiddos have gotten older the gift giving seems to be a tad more challenging to us.

I don't exactly mean just because things are more expensive. . .But just saying, "No".

This year was one of the first years that we didn't buy much from the "list".

We said "No" to some video game request.

We didn't go overboard to make sure we had the $100 jeans under the tree.

But then we weren't even sure about the things we did buy!

Its hard to put what I am trying to say into words, but I have several 

months to get my game plan down for next Christmas. 

It's time to mix it up a tad. . . 

I still would like to share Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. . . its my most favorite thing in the world.

I might be stuck in 2012 for awhile. . .

{The Rink}

Yesterday after church we headed back up to NWA! We went to The Rink in Bentonville for a little ice skating.  I am really glad The Mr. is more adventurous than me!

He braved the ice to help the kids. 

The rink is set up a bit from their town square.  It appeared to be across from Crystal Bridges.

I am not real familiar with the area.

On our next trek up the hill I hope to visit the 5-10 & Crystal Bridges Museum.

Buddy did well. . . with a little help.  

You can see. . .

everyone took a few 

tumbles! 

Buddy ultimately ended up in the warm car wrapped in a blanket.

I volunteered to take him! 

He is just like me!  We dont like being cold! Brrrrr!

They also have outdoor movies. I love that sort of thing! 

I love going to places that make you feel like you are million miles away. . . from reality.

It's all about the atmosphere to me. 

I loved eating here and the fish was wonderful! 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Bentonville Square!

{Kayak Sled Team & Dreamy Photos}

Today was such a great day! The Mr. went 4-wheeling with some friends, my boys were here, and Sis had stayed the night with Mom. I couldn't sleep after Brad left (a completely empty house is weird), so I got up and went to the gym. 

(In addition to my work-out I fell asleep in the tanning bed  so I look like a crab or lobster. . . Sis says I look like the meat at The Fresh Market!! lol!!)  Funny, huh?

So after the workout and the 3rd degree burns I was headed to pick up the boys and my 

Sweetie Shannon said she would take Lily's pictures today. . . Oh my word. . . just look!!

She is way better to me than I deserve.

I am just speechless really. I am so-so happy for Shannon, her studio is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

I couldn't hold back my tears.  Her family is a blessing to us, and I am more than happy, excited, ecstatic  elated, and completely thrilled for her! 

(Her studio screams BEACH, by the way.)

Its an absolute dream.

Its the beach wrapped in a barn, really. Really it is a little slice of Heaven. 

I have no idea how I will choose. I told her to only show me 3! 

3 is all I can handle.

Like 1st, 2nd, 3rd favorite. . .ya know?

The Mr. says get one of each, and frame them all. Mercy.

I wanted to share a few more pictures of our Snow Fun!

The snow on Christmas made such a special day all the more special. 

It was beautiful in every way.

The kids had a blast!

The Mr. hooked up the sled to the 4-wheeler. . .

and look at them go!!

(That is actually the kayak that time)

We have had more fun in the kayak in the snow than in the water. . .

My Little Snow Angels.

Here is the whole "Kayak Sled Team". Pa Pa is JUST like a kid, so you cant help but have a ball when he is around. 

Last but not least, I started getting Clayton nutcrackers several years ago for Christmas. Due to the strep throat and flu, Santa Mommy didn't get one wrapped and under the tree by the 25th. 

But I came through today. . .

Relax, I say.

Its only the 29th.

{All Kinds of Amazing}

 Yesterday we ventured up to Northwest AR for a bit...I HAD NO IDEA THAT A GROCERY STORE COULD BRING ME SO MUCH JOY!?! I was kicking myself because I didn't have my camera.  I love and adore The Fresh Market. The music. The meat. The baskets. The fruit. The candy. The seafood. 

Oh yes, all the drinks in glass bottles! Dream. Dream. Dream. Little sample coffees with wooden stir sticks. 

Y'all life is good at the Promenade. 

I wasn't prepared to load up on groceries but we bought this and that.  I wanted to try these vegetable chips.

They are super tasty.  Super. Tasty.   

You would think I would be as equally excited about the Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, and Banana Republic, and I am, its just the feel of shopping in a "You've Got Mail Movie Market" really did it for me.

 Isn't this bedding lovely. I am over bedding at the moment though.  Whew! Aren't I glad!

I must tell you about one more thing. Popped Popcorn in the can from The Popped Popcorn Company

on Garrison Avenue! Who knew???!!!??? Well, apparently Mom did. This was one of our Christmas gifts. And, no doubt, it will be the gift that keeps on giving. . . because I cant stop eating it!!!

W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L!

You buy the can for around $20 BUT you can go have it refilled. . . get this. . . $6!!!!

It's a crime people!

You can choose from more flavors than the law should allow.

It's amazing really.

All kinds of amazing.

{This and That}

 Yes. This is what it has come to.  This is all parked right at our front door.  Waiting for some assistance.  Except assistance doesn't come until Monday, so. . . here it will sit. Mmm? Surely not?

Now, you would think my house would be clean as a whistle, but that is just not the case.

Just as I patiently waited for The Mr. to get my decorations down out of the attic. . . I am now patiently waiting for him to retrieve the totes. Did we just put up the Christmas tree yesterday?  I seriously feel that way!   There are very few (if any) things I wait or don't attempt to do on my own, but getting in the attic is where I swallow all my pride.  I do not want to fall.  I do not want to hit my head after I fall.  I do not want to be in a body cast. . . or worse. . . a coffin.

The point of my Nativity photo is to say I don't think I can pack it away. Just look at my Baby Jesus! He is glass and precious in every way. So, He and his Sweet Momma and Daddy are going in my hutch.  I am going to enjoy the Christmas Story all year long. My hutch is really starting to remind me of my Grandma Reathas! No rhyme or reason to the hodge-podge knick-knack assortment inside to a visitor, but they all told a story or had much meaning to her.  I remember hers fondly. . . seashells, stuffed animals (I might draw the line there), and even a fire cracker that looked like a rooster.

Dreamy. I say.

(Thus the hutch door open (below) being loaded up with this and that.)



{She Can do More than Hook-Up with Ken }

 Tonight Lily gently tore off her paper and then struggled with the tape attached to each side of the box. . .finally, open!. . . she found a sweet little "girl" elf! She was very excited and knew all about the mischievous trouble these little elves can get into.  She really is as cute as a button. 

The question crosses my mind, "Do we really need any more help making Christmas more secular??" AND the answer is, NO.

BUT

I am a firm believer that you can turn anything into a "tool" to teach about the Lord, and this sweet little elf is no different!

 This sweet little face can do more than make sugar snow angels and hook-up with Ken Barbie.

She can. . . sit at Jesus feet in our nativity, read the Bible, do a devotion, and maybe write some scriptures on the chalkboard.

She will be used as a sweet reminder of the real reason for the season in our home.

We'll see what all she will do when she returns from the North Pole!!

Now. . . what to name her??  She's just too darn cute! 

{My Sweet Christmas Girl}

{A Sweet Christmas Eve Sight}

Sweet Buddy snuggled with Sweet Toodles.

Hobbs Christmas Eve @ Aunt DeAnnas