Christmas 2009..WHITE, Armor, Freedom, American Girls, Songs, "O Come O Come Emmanuel", giant candy canes, AND... HOPE in the midst of the world's way

Christmas Eve blizzard...
all the creatures WERE stirring... especially the cats:)
A winter wonderland greeted us on the way to Nana and Pop's for our golden book Christmas Eve celebration... moved 2 hours earlier to get home before the icy roads were too dangerous.

Champagne and hibiscus blossoms... toasts to our family and the sweet gifts of our LORD!
Unique gifts, freedom, health and strength to be who we are called to be...
ALL were our praises and our thanksgiving on this Christmas Eve night....
Emmanuel.... God with us, for us, in us..... "to us"..... His own!
Love men talk!!! (well most of it anyway? :)
Carrie and Jay were here!!! Yeah!!! wonder what Carrie is requesting so sweetly?
choose your plate and find your spot! Good food is always a part of this family celebration!
... and golden books.... a tradition Nana brought from their Australia trip years ago..
and now it is our tradition.....oh how lovely it always is!
Will T.... you're gonna be a good Daddy! We are excited about February and a new Tippen!
Pop: "Those are Pop's suspenders... they hold my pants up!
"you don't want Pop's pants to fall down do you?"
TS: grinning hugely!!! "yes!!!"
When you are almost 1 1/2 you have great tasks to do... like pushing boxes all around the house in your super hero cape!
Jay... you were ever the charmer with the girls... even our precious little 2 year old angel!
All Pop wanted for Christmas was his family to sing... and that they did!
"O come O come Emmanuel"... and even an original by TR.... begun with Santa, but ending with the true meaning of Christmas... Jesus!!! (oh I wish we'd recorded it)
Puzzles again!!! Will, Jay and Carrie have many willing helpers!
Brothers.... glad to be together again... and missing our Marloes!
handmade plates... Nana loves them kids!
Peppermint... always reminds me of Philip's first gift to Emily... she was almost 7 months old... and the peppermint was bigger than she was... but oh how she loved it!
Troy's new Christmas camera deleted ALL the evidence... soooo sad... but it couldn't delete our memory!

We knew there were 2 skirts here and AK was going to let us know for sure!
TS... just loves his EE.... and what little guy can resist a precious princess in pretty pink ruffles?
Now... this... is not something we EVER expect... but then again... we love the serendipity of each of our family members!
Books are always treasures in my heart! these were our gems this year!
Then Christmas morning.... another book... but the words inside were just for me!!!
yes, my LORD's words... but also my precious husband's words!

Treasures.....
Thank You Father that we have the opportunity to share and to give!!!
Warriors and armor... just for them... shields of Faith.... LORD... may they ever be dressed in YOUR armor.... and may they always know from where comes the true strength of who they are
YOURS!!!
I SEE YOU!
May we know that all shadows are dispelled as the LIGHT of TRUTH covers our hearts and our lives!!!

American Girl, Webkins, armor (real... from Germany), and simple pure treasures of peace, hope, joy and love!

May we always know that we ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD!!!
LET US UNDERSTAND OUR PLACE in the world...
and may we NEVER believe anything other than the
TRUTH of YOUR HOLY WORD MADE FLESH
dwelling among us... now IN us! THANK YOU FATHER!

Merry Christmas Friends!