"Christmas began in the heart of God.....

...It is complete only when it reaches the heart of man."
~Unknown

Tis the season for busyness....eh? My posts are not as frequent at this time as time has not permitted me to do so. Oh how we have kept busy lately....I am happy that deer season is over and we are now resuming to suppers at home, together as a family. During the deer season, as Chris' family's meat market is abuzz with hunters wanting their deer prepared to can and freeze, we all stay super busy. Chris and the guys help cut the deer and Chris's mom and I wrap all the meat! We are soo thankful for the work...but wow~it's exhausting! I posted HERE about it and pictures as well!

While we are busy there...the kids play, "help" and are always on the go! Their energy is amazing! I miss having that much energy! ;) I love the way Xavier's hat pushes his ears down...you can kind of see it in the picture above. It always makes me smile! :)

Jaxson, my lil monkey, in the pic above wearing his "Satan is a poo-poo head" Tshirt that he loves! ;)
And below...my sweet Madelyn...blossoming and really turning from little girl into a young lady. It's so bittersweet watching your children grow and change over the years. It all goes by so quickly!

So...when we weren't busy at the meat market....you may wonder what has kept us busy?

Well...laundry and housework happened daily...

...and of course, schooling...reading....dancing and laughing......


Church activities.....


Christmas shopping.....


Resting.....
Watching a movie while friends and family visit! One evening, Chris's parents and our friend, Eric, came to visit and have supper with us. We had good conversation and fellowship!


Enjoying the soft glow of candles lit in the house while Christmas music plays in the background while doing our schooling and housework....


Baking.....
...and burning cookies......*oops!*


Packing things up to donate to Goodwill.....


And many, many other things that fill our days. As easy as it can be to rush through our days with things...I am consciously trying to remember to savor each moment through the day as much as I can...as I explained HERE.


Before I go...I wanted to share my tree again....notice what happened?

....the strand of lights at the top of my tree burnt out! With Christmas only a week away...and the complete frustration it will be to undecorate, replace the strand of lights, and redecorate...I may just leave it that way. Is that horrible of me? Have you had this happen? What did you do....or what would you do?

I wish you each a very Merry Christmas. I pray that first and foremost in your minds is the perfect Reason for this celebration. He came for us!

There is no name so sweet on earth,
no name so sweet in heaven,
The name, before His wondrous birth,
to Christ the Savior given.
--George W. Bethune

Let's approach Christmas with an expectant hush,
rather than a last-minute rush.