December Pics

All month, I've been feeling like all we've done is run around and there wasn't really anything to post about but then when I uploaded pics, I found plenty... Imagine that.  Maybe that just says that 95% of December has been running around (which I do not love, at.all.) and these pics represent the little pockets of sweetness that are photo-worthy.  I'm pretty excited that its nearing the end of December and its almost Christmas! 

The Andrews boys came to play with us nearly a month ago.  Peter liked helping with Isaac.

 Lily and Micah picked berries.

  Pics from our trip to the Children's Museum to see Santa.

so sweet

 Peter needs to get to ringing up his shopper!

Thank you, NeeNee, for Lily's snowflake dress!

The girl LOVES raspberries!

and pink dog!

 A paper towel roll provides HOURS of entertainment.

We have made and eaten cookies.

 And cleaned (repeatedly).  The story of my life.  But somehow, my house is never clean.

 Mike started a new assignment at the office of the governor so we have been trying to do more things in that sector of life... We convinced the Andrews to come with us to the Capitol Tree Lighting.  Turns out it rained and then rained harder.  We stayed for a loooong time but still left before the tree was lit. 

 After a little rearranging, Peter has a new found love for his trampoline.

 Doing an I Spy Book from Goo

 Lily has been my errands partner.  We found these funny looking sea fans at a store.  These things underwater totally freaked me out on our honeymoon so when I saw that they make them for decorations, I had to take a pic and send to Mike.

 My Christmas Card addressing helper  :)  

Ugh, the way the population triples during December KILLS me.  Ugh. 

 Lily got new shoes in the mail from Maw :)

 All pillows in the middle of the floor!

A day outside... 

Lily liked having Peter pull her up

 then they'd slide down together.

 The letter C

 Christmas Treats from NeeNee!

I love this man.

Advent 2012 Testimony

I shared this testimony for our church's Advent blog:

It was July when we went in for the ultrasound for our fourth pregnancy.  We were both thrilled and relieved to see a flickering heartbeat on our precious baby.  We hoped to meet him or her early in the coming March, around the date we’d said goodbye to our 3^rd baby.  

A few minutes later, we went in with hopeful hearts to meet with our nurse practitioner.  She told us the news of a few concerns with our baby.  Then she sent us home to wait.  We waited a {long} week.  We went back in to see our baby, without a heartbeat, without life for this earth.  So now we must wait again.  We wait to see our two babes one day in heaven.  It’s such a bitter sweet.  We hate it and we continue to grieve that we won’t hold those babies and children in this life.  But the sweetness comes in His promises and assurances to us that he has gained heaven for us through the cross.  That is certain.  So our hearts long for heaven a little deeper, cherish the children we have in our arms, and thank Him that Jesus came to make all things right.

Santa 2012

Last night we went to see THE Legendary Santa.  Mike and I both went to see this Santa as kids... an RVA tradition.  So it is neat for our kids to get their picture with him.  I don't know that I would take the initiative to take the kids on my own accord but the company Mike works for arranges for everyone to go, which is so generous.  

When the line was reeeeally long, we were scheming of how we'd make the offer to the kids to leave... maybe letters to Santa and a ride on the train outside, but Lily really wanted to wait it out (true to her personality).  So I took Peter back into the museum to play while they waited, which nearly sucked all of my Christmas spirit.  But we reigned it in with seconds to spare before it was our turn with the Snow Queen.  Peter told Santa that he wants a train that he saw in the gift shop ;) and Lily told Santa that she wants "a dog what has a controller".  Then Peter asked Santa if he could give food to those who don't have food... my energetic and very compassionate boy.  :)  

Santa finished with "remember old Santa loves you!"... just like always :)

I loved the start of Advent at church yesterday.  I cried.  A lot.  Back in the fall, I told a few friends (and Mike) that I was sure I'd cried at church every Sunday since Jan 2011.  But I've had a few weeks of dry eyes and its been lovely!  But yesterday, it restarted.  But I think during Advent, my tears are more often thankfulness & joy (that's the case a lot of the time) ....  I just feel so thankful and moved by all of the truths of Advent.  The weary world rejoices...   Our church is doing the Advent Blog again like last year.  If you want to follow along, you can find it HERE.

And this song is HERE:

Through the love of God our Savior, all will be well

Free and changeless is His favor, all is well

Precious is the blood that healed us

Perfect is the grace that sealed us

Strong the hand stretched forth to shield us

All must be well

Though we pass through tribulation, all will be well

Ours is such a full salvation, all is well

Happy still in God confiding

Fruitful if in Christ abiding

Steadfast through the Spirit’s guiding

All must be well

We expect a bright tomorrow; all will be well

Faith can sing through days of sorrow, all is well

On our Father’s love relying

Jesus every need supplying

Yes in living or in dying

All must be well

Even More Thanksgiving...

OK, last set of Thanksgiving pics, I promise.  More from Mike's phone. 

Pretending they are deer... 

Uncle Henry is always willing to play along :)

 A trip to the river on the tractor.  This is while the girls were shopping. 

 Pics with Paw

 More fun on Jeff's four wheeler!

Check out Peter's smile!

Running to Daddy

I found these on Mike's phone so HAD to include them.
These kids LOVE their Daddy.

The kids like to hug Mike's leg like this before work and have him say 

"You're cuttin' off my cir-ca-lation", as Lily puts it.