Emily and Joshua came to our place while John and Rachel went away to celebrate their 16th anniversary.  Having them here is always a fun way to kick off the holidays.  We went ice skating and spent time with Josiah and Arianna.  On Friday, we were sent a couple of updated photos of Hannah in the Christmas outfit that Dennis and Abby sent to Korea for her.  It was a nice pre Christmas gift!  Then we got on Skype and had our gift unwrapping time with Gabe.  I have said it before, but again, it is so nice to live in the era of Skype since my kids don't all live nearby.  Of course it would have been best to have had them right in the same room, but it was pretty amazing to watch him open his gifts and play with them right there in front of me!  

‎'Tis the Reason!

Jesus birth is only the beginning of the story, it is the reason for His birth that we celebrate God's love, forgiveness and salvation.

WOW!  Time is just flying by!  Here it is almost Christmas and I have not even posted about Thanksgiving.  And it was way too good of a Thanksgiving to not mention it here.  I had one of those rare holidays when I had all of my kids together.  It is just something Mothers love to have that can not be explained at having her little chicks all back under her wing.  Strange how those wings can hold so many now and not even feel stretched.  Of course we had to have a family shot of  us.  I hope that you are all having a blessed holiday season!  and now back to the Christmas preparations...