**A Haven**

“The career of motherhood and homemaking is beyond value and needs no justification. Its importance is incalculable.” 
~ Katherine Short

“I believe that a godly home is a foretaste of heaven. Our homes, imperfect as they are, must be a haven from the chaos outside. They should be a reflection of our eternal home, where troubled souls find peace, weary hearts find rest, hungry bodies find refreshment, lonely pilgrims find communion, and wounded spirits find compassion.” 

~ Jani Ortlund

I decided to do a little bit of rearranging...I cleaned off one of my book shelves and moved some things around. I enjoy trying to find different ways to make my home simple, cozy, peaceful and pleasing to the eyes. :)

 Outside, in the wee hours, I took this photo (below) of our snow (before heading to spin class)...we have an abundance of it. We are grateful for family members who have plowed out our driveway after a couple snow storms!

To stay warm, we have been keeping busy with activities *in*side...

Home is the nicest word there is.

~Laura Ingalls Wilder

I just can't say it any better than Laura! Home truly is the nicest word! 


♥ In loving kindness,
   Katy

Snow Days!

We started out getting a little bit of snow...

Xavier made his own snow plow!

After playing and stacking wood out in the cold...the best way to warm up is with a nice, hot meal and playing legos in the living room...

Then...the day after Christmas, we started getting *more* snow...

Now we have lots and lots of snow laying all over the place!

Because of all that snow, we had to post-pone our one family Christmas get-together that was scheduled for the evening after Christmas due to really bad roads. We rescheduled it for last night instead and had a lovely time of food, family and fellowship!

Holding hands with my beloved (simple, sweet love)...

One of my aunts got the boys these fun mustaches! They made for some great laughs!

I will be doing some baking today...as well as some cleaning. I hope to continue knitting on my mittens at some point as well. I hope, if you are getting the kind of snow we are, that you are staying nice, warm and cozy inside! :)

Thanks so much for coming by!

♥ In loving kindness,
   Katy

Christmas Morning

I was up early Christmas morn, as usual. The house was quiet, cozy, peaceful. Candles were lit and things were prepared for when the children woke!

The children were up at 7...waiting at the top of the stairs until they were given permission to come down (a tradition at our house...and one we did even when my sister and I were young!). The anticipation is high!

We don't do a ton of gifts...but we all enjoy exchanging what we do have with each other!

Madelyn (with money that she earned) got daddy a new hat!

Since daddy got a new hat for Christmas, he and Xavier decided to wear them together as they went to Sheetz (for daddy to get free coffee!)...

Jaxson's new sword and holder...

Although I don't seem to have photos of it...Jaxson made Chris and me ornaments. Xavier got me Burt's Bees hand salve (as he knows how dry, cracked and sore my hands tend to get through the winter months). :) They each worked on their projects/shopping with Grammie (my mom).

We had a nice, small, enjoyable time together. Later that morning, my parents came over for brunch and Chris's parents stopped by too!

I hope you each were able to enjoy the season with those you love most.
Thank you for stopping by...I hope you'll stop back soon! :)

♥ In loving kindness,
   Katy

A Bit from Christmas Eve...

On Christmas Eve Chris had a half day of work while I was at home wrapping, and doing lots of baking. We were having supper at my sister's house and I was to bring the rolls (Devon was making lasagna...although her husband was so sweet and grilled me chicken as a healthier alternative!).

Me and my busy kitchen...

When we got to Devon's house, Eloise had just fallen asleep for her afternoon nap so we all ~attempted~ to stay as quiet as possible...

My parents were there and then my aunt and cousin (who live many hours away from us) came too! It was such a nice time to spend with everyone! Once Eloise was up, we let the festivities and **picture-taking** begin!!!

Don't let her "I really love opening gifts" look fool you...poor girl...she *tried* to open them but definitely got bored with that quickly! ;)

Madelyn made a pillow and blanket for Eloise's baby...El tried covering up Jaxson!

Eloise got a oven to play with from PopPop and Grammie! She had a ton of fun with it!

That girl **loves** her mama!

Chris got a Gandalf pipe for Christmas!!!

Aunt Nen made Jaxson a VW sweatshirt! She hand-stitched that on there! He *loves* it! (Isn't Eloise's winking just toooo cute?)...

My Madelyn...growing into such a young lady (goodness, time goes by and it just baffles me how my little girl could be 11 already!?)...

 My cousin, Mariah, is a Christmas baby! So after all our Christmas celebrations...we surprised her with a little birthday celebration of her own!! :)

So as not to over-whelm you with photos, I'll have more of our Christmas in an upcoming post! Until then...

Madelyn, Xavier, Jaxson and Eloise 

wish you a very *Merry Christmas*!

♥ In loving kindness,
   Katy