Christmas Peace....

Christmas is upon us. I LOVE Christmas. I love the smell of the Christmas tree in our house every morning when I wake up. I love wrapping presents and opening presents. I love leaving little gifts for people that least expect it. I love listening to Christmas music and watching Christmas movies with Dan and the girls. I also love the peace that washes over me. Christmas reminds me of what I already know; Jesus was born and lived so I could have a role model of how to live my life. He came for you and for me. When I think back over the year I think about how this year has been a year of refreshing for our family. The last year and a half has been hard. My aunt was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. December was a difficult time for our family as the San Bernardino shootings took place affecting our entire department. Then on December 22nd we unexpectedly lost Dan's dad. The San Bernardino City Fire Department shut its doors and Dan was forced to start over with another department in a new location. In March Morgan was feeling badly and got some crazy blood work back that caused concern.  But as I sit and reflect I can see Gods goodness everywhere. I can see His hand of mercy and grace. I think we are stronger and more grounded in Him. We long more for heaven. I think sometimes life comes at you and you think," Great! What's next?" But I feel like the scripture that says, "In this world you will have many troubles, but take courage for I have overcome the world." Is something we can all hang onto this Christmas season. It rings true in my heart this year for sure. He has overcome the world!

Ryanne found this at the grocery store one day and tried to convince me that we needed to take it home.....can you even imagine!!

Our annual trip to the Christmas Tree farm did not disappoint. We actually all agreed on the same tree this year...well mostly ha!

We took the Scout to get our tree and it gave me a flash back to the 70's!

Ellie is growing big and strong and weighs in at about 4lbs.
Basically she is terrorizing the house, chasing the cats, tearing up my furniture and bites us with her razor sharp teeth buuuutttt......we love her so much and know the puppy stage is short...right?
(Insert panic look here)

The girls and I took a day and played hooky from  school to make some gifts for loved ones. The advantage of home schooling is we can take mental health days once in a while.

This is my view for devotionals every morning. So good!!



We do an advent calendar for the girls each morning and we fill the doors with little treats or surprise outings. This year I bought tickets out to the Living Desserts Wild Nights and the girls insisted riding a camel was on their bucket list ha! So a camel they rode.



Morgan got to get dressed up and go to the LA Symphony one evening with friends....

Every year without fail since Morgan was 3, we have had one of the advent doors be a dinner at the Mission Inn and then a horse drawn carriage ride through town...This year we surprised the girls and had Dan's mom go and his aunt and uncle drive up from Santa Ana and meet us there. The girls were so excited! My mom was supposed to go but sadly she was sick. Dinner was great as usual and the company even better. So blessed.

Never ever gets old.

Morgan, Ryanne, Aunt Jerri and Grandma Betty. Merry Christmas to all of our friends and family. Be blessed and know we are lifting you up in prayer!