#LighttheWorld

Our church has been doing an incredible project this holiday season. They've challenged all who are interested in taking 25 days to serve in 25 different ways. A short 30 second message can be viewed on social media every day with a different challenge, each encouraging us to serve and love as Christ did during His mortal ministry. Simple things, but when people everywhere start showing random acts of kindness, it can really start to have an impact. For me, while we haven't done every day with complete fidelity, we have tried as a family to do small things this season to get us outside of ourselves in our thinking, and it has had a wonderful impact on our family. It's had a simple yet profound impact on me. I think what I've learned is that there are so many opportunities that present themselves every day and allow us to be the Lord's eyes and hands. Watching these short clips encouraging me to show compassion or honor my parents has me paying closer attention to the people around me, and when you do that you start to realize a couple of things:

1. People, for the most part, are good and decent. We bought the cereal for the man behind us at the grocery store, and he bought the doll Ella was begging me for but I told her no. I simply told him to pay it forward, and he did just that right then and there. It was a beautiful lesson for my children to see that when you show kindness very often you have kindness returned towards you. This season of #LighttheWorld has opened my eyes to the goodness of others.

2.  There are truly opportunities to do good everywhere you go. And typically it doesn't have to be some grand gesture, just a simple kindness. A smile to brighten someone's day, a compliment that is heartfelt, patience when someone or something is taking longer than you think it should. When others ask for your prayers, pausing and taking a moment to say an honest and sincere prayer on their behalf. There is much heartache and sorrow that we experience as part of this life journey. We can't solve all the worlds problems, but we can do our small part to lift the weary, clothe the naked, give site to the blind, and #LighttheWorld!

On this eve of Christmas Eve (aka Dec 23rd), I am touched as I think about the great blessings in my life. My beautiful family and wonderful extended family, friends who I have deeply treasured memories with, a beautiful home, my health and the health of my loved ones, and other material blessings and comforts. Really, when I think about it, all that I have comes from God, and everything I have is already His, so what can I give to Him? What gift will I lay before the babe in the manger? Maybe this year I will try to keep this perspective through out the year? Maybe I will look for small ways to serve and love those around me. To be His hands, His eyes, that I may one day love as He loves, and become more as He is. So if you ever read this, please join me and help me light the world through kindness, love, and service towards your fellow man. Merry Christmas!!!

The wandering baby Jesus

Ella rearranged the Nativity. I love that Christ is in the center. Or maybe they're all just trying to protect baby Jesus since Alex keeps taking him with him wherever he goes. We found him in Repunzels tower and then on his little people bus.😂😂😂 it's actually really sweet. So may we all keep Christ at the center of our lives, and take His love with us wherever we go. This message inspired by my sweet children.

The next day I found the Nativity like this:

Sometimes Jesus visits the little people, and other times the little people visit Jesus (with their horses). I never know what I'm going to find when Alex plays. But o' how I love that even at such a young age my son loves the babe in the manger.
 
 

Nana's Weekend Birthday Celebration!

The Thursday before my mom's birthday I enjoyed taking her out for lunch and shopping. 

We had a fun outing eating at a new restaurant Firebirds and then a little shopping at the Loft. 

Then that weekend my sister and niece came into town and we enjoyed a nice lunch in DC together at Old Ebbett Grill - shwanky!

On Sunday, my mom's actual birthday, we had a nice dinner with cake and ice cream at my house. 

We had such a nice time visiting, singing Christmas carols, and remembering past birthday celebrations. 

Michelle and Lacy had to leave Tuesday, but it was a really great weekend and we are so glad they made the special effort to come out. 

Happy Birthday Mom! Thank you for all the good you do. Thank you for your example of love and kindness, for teaching me to love the beauty in the world around me, to dance barefoot in the kitchen, to love life and learning, and to sit and enjoy a good story. Thank you for sharing your heart, your childhood stories, and on more than one occasion your closet wardrobe and shoes with me. I love you so very much, and just in case I don't say it enough, thank you for being my mom!

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 
 

 

Holiday Nesting 2016

If I ever start a decorating blog, I think I'm going to call it 'The Perpetual Nester' as I enjoy nesting all the time, making my home comfortable and beautiful and clean and organized. It's just what I do. So in that spirit, here are this year's holiday nesting photos. Every year I love decorating for Christmas. This year I dragged my feet a little, but now that I'm done I love sitting back each evening and enjoying the soft glow of the Christmas lights. Cheesy? Perhaps, but I don't care. I really love Christmas. I love the soft glow of lights in my home and it really does remind me, as my mom always says every year, of the light of Christ in each of us. 

The basement with all the fun colored lights is the kids tree with home made ornaments and kids collectibles from over the years. It was fun having the girls help decorate this year. It's nice to see Amelia get just as excited about decorating the tree as I do. 

Upstairs I had fun decorating the piano this year with silver and Pewter. 

The view down the hall.

The view the other direction 

My main floor tree, with ornaments in silver and gold, and memories from all of the places we've visited, adding Monticello to our ornament list this year. 

Okay, last one I promise. 

So there you have it. This nester has officially nested for the holidays. We are enjoying the season and will post more soon about our festivities. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selfie Time

I have a love hate relationship with selfies. They seem like such a vain thing (and they are I guess), but they're so fun! So in the spirit of my teenage self, here are some selfies over the course of the last few months. Why? Well... why not!

Long hair before 

Short dark hair after

Do selfies with the hubby count?

Okay, so that's enough self indulgence for one post. Mind you these pics are over the course of months, so there's my rationalization for my selfie post. Fun times! 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 

 

 
 

Pat and Craig's Visit November 2016

We were thrilled to have Shaun's parents come out and visit this November. Shaun's dad helped him do a couple of projects around the house. Pat got to have her first shopping experience at Wegmans, the Nordstrom of grocery stores. And the whole family got to spend a day at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello in Charlottesville. We really enjoyed their visit. It just wasn't quite long enough. 

Project time!!!

Shaun and his dad installed crown molding in our den! What a nice impact! Although when I asked if they would do the rest of the house I got evil looks. I don't think we will be doing any more crown molding unless we are in our dream home and we never plan to move.

Pat and I took Alex to Wegmans. 

The girls loved spending time with grandma C

Everyone enjoyed playing the WII

And the girls got prizes from grandma.

Then on Saturday we all went to Monticello. 

At the kids museum

In front of the gardens

3 Earls at Monticello 

Amelia photo bombs her grandparents 

Goofy us

Ella has a zen moment 

In front of Jefferson's home

Sunday we had Shaun's uncles and cousins over for a little food and visiting. My parents came over too. It was a nice evening with everyone.

We love you Grandma and Grandpa. Come again soon!!!