Our CHRISTmas..

We have had a wonderful Christmas season this year.  

Last month, Keith and I got to go out on a date (THANK YOU, ELISE) and we were talking about how the Christmas season is so much about all the gifts and parties and such and we would like to change that for our family..... 

So after a little looking around, we decided to do our own Jesse Tree.  

The version we chose was written by Ann Voskamp.  It has been SUCH a blessing to Keith and I - the kids think it's pretty cool, too.

It starts out with the whole world being lost and there being no hope.  The first reading is from

Isaiah 11:1-2

"A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;

from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

2. The Spirit of the LORD rest on him-

the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,

the Spirit of counsel and of might,

the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD"

Her devotional for that night talked about how when Eve took that first bite our hope all came crashing down.  

All earth was living like a stump - cut off from God.  BUT God promised to send a singe, fragile shoot  - it would be the only Hope we would have.  That shoot would come from the son of Jesse, the tender branch would grow into a crown of thorns....a rugged cross....our ladder back to God.

Then it goes through the Bible starting with creation all the way through Jesus' birth. There are 27 days in all, I think.

Like I said, it has been such a blessing to our family this season.

So here is our Jesse Tree!

 

Ann Voskamp has picture cards that you can print off and hang, but we wanted a more kid-friendly option, so we made all the ornaments out of felt and laminated them.  The kids LOVE them and enjoyed helping with them!

Here is our shoot out of the stump.  

Kristyn made our world!

Here is Noah's ark.

If your family has not tried something like this, I would recommend it. :)

Last night we had our family Christmas, as we will be leaving for KS/OK before Christmas.  We had a fun evening!  Full of smiles and giggles!!!!

 This kids have been SO cute this year.  As soon as we put up the tree, they rushed around the house grabbing "gifts" for everyone and wrapped them and stuck them under the tree.  This was Owen's gift to Keith.  I love their expressions.  Owen had gotten Keith's leather gloves and wrapped them.  Keith thanked Owen greatly for his gift because, "I was sure needing some leather gloves and mine got lost somewhere."  Owen was all smiles as you can see. :)

 We got all three of the girls a gift together.  I wanted to get them a doll house, but they were SO expensive at the store and then the furniture for each room was around $20.  WOW.  So I looked on Craigslist and saw the exact doll house I had seen in the store for less than half of the price in the store, plus it was FULLY furnished with furniture!!!!!!!!!  Hundreds of dollars and God gave it to us for $60.   He is SO good to us!!!

 Do you think she liked it?  (It takes a while for things to sink in to Megan. )  :D

 The first house guest was a Wise Man from the nativity!  :)

Another gift that I was very excited about was Owen's treasure box that I found at the thrift store.  See that little scrap on the top there?  That's what the whole box looked like.  But when I saw it, I immediately knew Owen would really like it to put his treasures in. 

So I bought some spray paint and painted it green first....then searched you tube. :)

Then I got brave and painted it camo - I think he liked it - A LOT!!!!!!

In all, we had a wonderful Christmas!  Not because we got special gifts, but because God blessed us once again with His love and presence that we are so undeserving of!

My heart is overflowing today with Thanksgiving!!!

I'd love to hear about your Christmas.......

Around the House...

Here's a little peak around our house!

 Keith found me this old window some time ago and I usually have a wreath in the center of it, but decided to change it up for Christmas - I love it!

 

 Notice the date on the star on the above ornament?  :)  It's old!

 Ashlyn and Jeren have loved having this nativity at their level

These little guys belonged to my Grandmother.  I love having them out every year.

Thanks for stopping by!

Tis the Season....

Hope your days are filled with JOY!!!

So much to be THANKFUL for!

We were blessed this Thanksgiving with having some of our family with us. Kyle and Mandy came up for the week!  We had a WONDERFUL time together!!!!!

 One day we visited Uncle Micheal's farm - always a treat!!!

None of them wanted to be pig farmers when they grew up.....

Little Miss enjoyed her ride!

 Best Buddies!

We went shopping one day and bought the girls little glasses from the dollar store - they were a big hit all week!

 Found a beaver dam.....

 Explored a cave......

 

Found a little critter.........

Ran out some energy.......

More exploring......

 In general, had a grand time!

 Saturday Jeremy and Trelanie came over with their family and we had a tea party for the kids.  We made cupcakes and let them decorate them with icing.   Yes, even Keith helped with the icing!!!!! :D  Kyle played it safe and took pictures. HA!!

Little Man sneaking some icing.

Way cool!!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING AND MAKING OUR WEEK SO SPECIAL!!!!!!!!!