The Merriest

It is just when you feel like you have "everything together" (ha!) that you look up and see the threads unraveling around you...like keeping up with everyone through this outlet known as "the blog"...well, all good intentions.

Intentions...preparing for this season of celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, has been very intentional this year.  With the time I have been blessed with to focus on my family, I have used it to draw closer to "the daddy" (God) to "the head of my household" (my husband) and to "the raising up to be in His favor" (my children). 

This focus has in turn brought incomprehensible joy, love and understanding of the Truth to my life. 

This realization hit hard while listening to Andrew's music for the children's program at church...by the way, he was the cutest oxen ever!  The song was an upbeat version of Joy to the World.  Really listening, intently listening to the lyrics hit me square in the chest.  And brought tears, lots of tears.

I keep finding reasons to fall to my knees in praise and thanksgiving for my Heavenly Daddy as we walk closer and closer to our Christmas celebration.

Here are some of the blessings I have joyfully enjoyed as we countdown to Christmas Day:

1. Andrew and I have been waking up 15 minutes early before getting ready for school to have a Bible study together.  It has been a very precious time.  Time that we will never forget.

2. I just love spending time with Ryan. He is such a funny kiddo! Every 20 minutes (or less!) over the last week or so he has stopped to ask "Mom, what's MY name?" I respond. "OH! Yes, Ralph Ryan."  Not to mention his running up and exclaiming, "Help mommy! My nose is blinkin'!"  Which has us searching for a kleenex to wipe the dripping!

3. The strong blessing of having friends anchored in TRUTH...and willing to share that truth with me, no strings attached.  I honestly don't know where I would be today if I did not have them in my life.  And all that they were (are) doing was answering God's call to help me seek Him more!

4. A husband who loves me dearly.  I am blessed beyond understanding when it comes to the man that God gave me to be my husband.  I am working hard (and still failing, but then picking up pieces and working harder!) to become the wife that God wants me to be for him.  He is my best friend, and I am so thankful to God for reminding me of that!  I love this man with all my heart.  (Okay, okay...enough of the mushiness!)

Our memory verses for this month (one for our little guy and one more for the rest of us!):
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.  Isaiah 9:6
For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.  Luke 2:11