Krum Christmas

Times spent in Krum are always special. Lots of memories are made each visit and holiday.How could you not have a fun time when the following are involved:

Music Elmo, Mimi,
authentic WWII Russian helmets,

night-vision goggles,

and Pop!

Then the whole Deal clan shows up, and the fun gets bigger! We are blessed with awesome aunts and uncles and cousins:

Paxton & Paula

Blake & Audrey

Paxton, Audrey, & Brenna

Amanda & Spencer

All of the "kids" are getting bigger and filling up the rooms...

...and the laps. Yes, special memories indeed.

Christmas Eve Cousins

You guessed it...all of the Harrison cousins got matching pajamas at Granny's house on Christmas Eve!

Kenlee & Audrey: Kelton, Layton, & Corbin: Brenna & Blakely:
They were all ready for the sugarplums to go dancing through their heads...

Christmas Morn

Here are snapshots of a sweet Christmas morning at Nana & Awpa's. It is so fun to empty our stockings together.

The kids each got a beautiful new belt and pair of boots. They were so proud of the cowboy/girl looking back at them in the mirror.

Thank you for all the spoilin' and for the sweet sweet memories, Nana & Awpa!

The Greatest Gift of All

This Christmas, one very special truth continued to ring in my heart louder than any jingle bells...

I love the perfect gift, especially for the girls. Like any parent, I can't wait to see them open gifts I know they will love. So as I was reflecting on Christmas and God's gift of Jesus, it hit me harder than ever that He sent His son into this world to die for my girls. I, of course, knew this and loved this for myself, my family & friends, and all of humanity, but this Grace took on a whole new level with the thought of it--the most perfect gift ever given--being extended to my babies.

So as I listened to Brenna make up words to "Silent Night" and gaze into a lit candle on Christmas Eve, I thought of Mary and Joseph who had no clue that their tiny baby would save mine.

Or as I witnessed Audrey wait so patiently and eagerly for her turn to open a gift and so lovingly hug and thank the giver, I remembered God's patience and excitement waiting for us to accept His grace.

Or as I escorted Brenna Beth from the Lord's Supper after stealing my communion cracker and wailing about not getting the juice, too...I thought on the sacrifice these elements represent and the forgiveness extended to us when we each have our own little "fits". I will never forget the scene we made in that service...or the overwhelming feeling of watching Brenna clutch the symbolic body of Christ in her little hands.

And as Audrey admired the Christmas Day sunset, we decided God had painted it for Jesus' birthday celebration. I said He was happy we celebrated His Son's birth...and Audrey said, "I love Jesus."

With all of this, I was reminded, they are not MY babies...but simply sweet gifts straight from God, entrusted to us to raise up in His love to receive and share His absolute-most-greatest gift of all.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

30

I have to confess...

I am in love with a 30-YEAR-OLD!

He's not necessarily "thirty and flirty"...

but he has girls chasing him and hanging on him every day.

I guess I'm ok with sharing him, though :)

If you didn't figure it out, Josh turns 30 today!

We had a special surprise party for him a month early so he wouldn't suspect anything! We met several of our college friends in Abilene at one of Josh's favorite restaurants, and we had a great time catching up and giving him a hard time about age.
Many of us have kids now, so it's fun to see them play together after our great times as friends at Tech.

I'm proud to be with an older man :)

and I think 30 looks better than I've ever seen.

The most wonderful time of the year...

We have had a great Christmas so far...and it has barely begun for us! We start our family travels later this week to get lots of grandma/grandpa cuddles, aunt & uncle hugs, and cousin lovin'...We attended the Comanche Christmas Parade for the 3rd year where the kids enjoyed bundling up together, running around with friends, waving at lighted parade floats & horses, seeing bright & loud firetrucks, and catching candy.

This past weekend, we had a fun birthday breakfast celebration for Jesus. We have worked really hard this year to keep the Christmas symbols from overshadowing the true reason for Christmas. The girls worked hard at making yummy muffin cupcakes and singing Happy Birthday to Jesus.After rereading the Christmas story and emphasizing that Jesus was the very first and greatest Christmas gift for us, we let the girls unwrap an early present.

Audrey has not stepped off of this scooter for two whole days now. I actually woke up this morning to the sound of wheels rolling through the kitchen and down the hall.

We usually have some sort of box to hide in around here, and Brenna was overjoyed to see her "bes fen" (best friend) Mater come to life to serve as our newest playhouse pal.
The lights are looking great outside again thanks to Daddy.

And one of my favorite stories this year: This Cowboy Santa who came visiting on the Comanche Square was none other than Mr. Bolivar, a long-time family friend of my grandparents and parents. We got to catch up and tell old stories with "Santa"...He was so sweet to the girls, and Brenna kept saying, "Santa! Kiss head!" Santa had given her a special kiss on her forehead :)

"Away in a Manger" by: Audrey Lynn

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed.

But little Lord Jesus no crying He makes.

I love the Lord Jesus. He asked me to stay

and stay in my manger til morning is night."

Our "versions" in life may not always be perfect, but if our hearts are right, it is the sweetest thing we can bring to Him.

Don't let the hustle and bustle of Christmas overshadow the real celebration of the season...Jesus is the Reason!