WayfaringStrangers

This past week has been (another) sick one. I suppose being pregnant ruins the immune system because I feel like I've been sick for months. The kids and I have been miserable lately. I hate to be a downer about Christmas... after all, the week has held a lot of joy. We took naps, watched a bunch of movies, and even rallied to go to the Christmas Eve service this year! Christmas Day itself was sweet. The boys woke up at the reasonable hour of 7:15, and we enjoyed opening a few gifts with them. We had breakfast. Then we all chilled for a long time, and later on Behn and I finished getting the house and food ready to have my family over. I know it was a special time, I just have little memory of it, as I robotically worked to make sure everything ran. I really appreciate my Mom's help, and Behn is a good host. We had my parents, grandmother, aunt Jeanne, my sister Olivia + Dennis, brother Aaron + Autumn, and brother Stephen. It was a very full house, as our space is pretty tin...

Trying to catch up on here! A couple of weeks ago, Behn and I had a special evening in D.C. to see The Nutcracker. Earlier in November, we decided it would be a fun Christmas gift to each other this year. We don't get out alone often- and to the city? Never! So, we bought some tickets and secured lovely grandparents for babysitting and planned to go. Me, before we left, showing off my 20 weeks baby bump It was more fun than I even thought it would be. My parents had the kids for the night, so we didn't feel rushed. We took our time getting ready and then drove up to the nearest metro stop to take the metro into the city. It all felt very posh and urban, although really we're just simple country  suburbanites who barely know how to purchase metro tickets. We whooshed into the city and got off right downtown. It was a nice area, lights everywhere, and lots of people out shopping and enjoying the mild December air. I felt kind of giddy and carefree and declared a...

Megan The Dreamer, With High Expectations Christmas Tree Version (Note: this has never happened): On a pretty December day, we tell the kids we are going to go pick out and cut our own tree at a Christmas tree farm. They excitedly gather their coats and obediently get in the van. We merrily make our way to a Christmas tree farm, where we are greeted by a hot chocolate booth. We get our hot chocolate and make our way into the trees. The boys romp with us and we pick out the perfect tree. My husband suddenly becomes a woodsman and cuts the tree down in 10 seconds. Magically, a photographer has appeared, capturing our beautiful family moments. We are all smiles and magic is in the air. It begins to flurry. Tree had, it is tied on the car and we all go home. The next few hours are pure family bliss. The boys' eyes light up as we gently pull out ornaments and decorate our perfect tree, pretty Christmas music on in the background. I make homemade popcorn. All is calm, all is bright. ...

Whew. End of December. Behn and I were talking on Christmas Day, on our drive home from my parents. "It doesn't feel like Christmas," he said. "It doesn't feel bad; it was a really nice day. But it doesn't feel like Christmas." I had to agree. To tired parents, it doesn't "feel" like Christmas, perhaps. Just like when parents are tired and worn thin, we don't always "feel" like this parenting gig is much fun. Just today, my sisters-in-law and I were talking about expectations. Years ago, I expected   Christmas to mean beautiful devotionals, savoring every Christmas hymn, and worshiping with my whole heart in the Lessons and Carols and Christmas Eve Service. I expected to anticipate glitter and gifts, and maybe a flutter of romance and possibility. I expected  good meals and sleeping in and lounging around with family.  Christmas looks so different now. Not worse, just different. Traditions are wonderful and important,...

Merry Christmas! Funny to think that God came as a little boy child.... But we are glad and thankful that He did! That He came...to us...to rescue humanity from the 'crushing load.' A load He took upon Himself not many years after His birth. We are glad to know the good news- great joy! Emmanuel- God With Us

It's been a hard week. The kids have been trying on my nerves, I'm tired, my work hours were cancelled a couple of days, and dang it, it doesn't snow here. Looking through these pictures from the past few weeks cheers me up- reminds me of our beautiful families and memories and God's always grace to us. Cousins cozied up at Thanksgiving Baby Rosie- our kids' double cousin (my sister married Behn's brother). Gearing up to go see this precious girl again in a few weeks! Hike at a favorite park (Thanksgiving) Love this shot of Graham and his cousin Ruby Lots of soup these days... ...and festive pancakes on cold mornings. Graham's thrift store finds- we have at least  a dozen baseballs in this house. Behn's famous nutcracker collection is on display Cuddles with my baby Our tree and some flurries falling down (closest thing to snow we get).  Precious boy We went to a beautiful live Nati...

Yes, this is a tutorial. Have I mentioned I'm not crafty? Oh yes, I have. It's still true. Very rarely do I feel like crafting, and then when I do I have to go get everything because I keep very little craft stuff on hand. But, I made this craft up in my head (Really! I did! But if you look on Pinterest then no doubt you will find many similar others) and it took me days to finish. Because children. ^Monsters, both of them. Anyways, here's what you're making: And here's how to do it! First, you will need: Canvas (one for each letter of whatever word you choose) Scrapbook Paper Letters Paint for the letters Mod Podge Paint brushes Glue gun and glue Ribbon, if you want I picked to make the word 'Joy' because it's lovely and short . This isn't a cheap craft, as crafts go, because canvas is pricey, and in my opinion, so is pretty, festive scrapbook paper. Got your supplies? Let's get crafting! 1. Paint y...