Attempts at Christmas Pics!

This is one of my personal favorites...although I don't think that we'll use it for the Christmas card, it sure does capture the authenticity of the moment!:)

Joshua and the Gingerbread Man

As we decorated and marveled at our Christmas tree, this seemed to be Joshua's favorite ornament...he had quite a bit to say about it!

Joshua: "Wow, that's a nice ornament. It has hair on it. I think it's kinda white. I think the gingerbread man needs a diaper change." ...hmmm, interesting.


This is the first year that I've really "decorated" a tree. It was really fun...usually we just use a bunch of lights and random ornaments. This year, I bought two packages of "pretty" ornaments and three kinds of ribbon. My friend Alison (her husband is the high school pastor) inspired me. She has the most beautiful Christmas tree I've ever seen! I'll try to remember to take a picture and stick it on here. Although the tree had plenty of decor already on it and probably looked prettier without, I couldn't leave our special ornaments in the box. There are so many memories from each special one. I also consider buying a fake tree every year during the after-Christmas sales. I don't think I can bring myself to do this either. Although it would be more economical in the long run and less of a hassle with all the dropping pine needles, I love picking out a tree. I love the imperfection of a real tree and how Fred has to hold it up and turn it until we find the "prettiest side." There's just something about it. I suppose that there are some traditions that although there's no biblical mandate to them, you just hate to change. I've been thinking about this a lot this season...how we always say that we hope that when we're older, we won't be wrapped in tradition. Yet, here we are; age 28 and clinging to the way we've always done it!

Anna Bell Makes Some Funny Faces

Jesus and the Little Children

Today was baby dedication at Ingleside. We got to participate with both children, which was both meaningful and nerve-racking! I really had no idea what to expect from Joshua. Not only is he two (which is enough to make a mother worried in and of itself) but he also has virtually no fear of crowds/people he doesn't know. It was actually really good for me: I had to come to the point of realizing that it's not about my child acting "perfect." It's about participating in a sweet time of commitment on the behalf of our church family to come along side of us as we strive to carry out the weighty responsibility of training our children to love the Lord. Anyways, it was a really special time. Our pastor prayed with each family (16 children in our service) and then preached about having the childlike faith that Jesus speaks about in Mark 10:13-16. Joshua did great. He did make me a little nervous when our seats on stage happened to be right next to the baptistry and he told me several times that he "wanted to go swimmin'"...oh boy!!!! Thankfully, we were able to redirect his attention with the mini marshmallows that I stuffed in Fred's pocket!!!! Ha Ha!!! Kind of ironic that here we were making this public commitment to discipline and training in righteousness and I'm bribing my kid with sugar! Oh well. We are so thankful for our church and the commitment they have to the family!