Friday, December 05, 2008

Birthdays, Christmas, and Snow

We had our first snowy day Thursday - I was totally not expecting it, but it was beautiful. The finches were feasting in their little snow-capped restaurant. It snowed most of the day, which put a damper on the big plans I had for the day. But it was good to pull back and just kind of watch it snow. We had a record low during the night of -5 F and it was 0 degrees when we got up. It's mostly melted now, but it's supposed to snow again tomorrow. We'll see.





The babes are still in exploration mode. Don't worry, Tammy, I don't let them stay under there long enough to get into trouble - just long enough to snap a picture! But they certainly do keep me on my toes! They're not sitting up yet - which is kind of unnerving. The doctor says their hip muscles are very tight. But they are doing everything else - including growing 4 teeth each. Oh, Emma, where are you??




Katie is working on the steps already - yike!!


The decorating is complete - I'll share my nativity collection next time, as well as my angels and snowmen. The girls have 3 sets specifically for them to play with, but alas, Feisty likes to play with the mini ones that I put up high so they can't reach them. But where there's a will there's a way, and she manages to get them off the high shelf to play with them - I love listening to the girls play with Baby Jesus.




Here's my second tree - my "designer" tree.

Kristen had her family picture taken today for the church directory. I found the dresses at Wal-Mart. Feisty wouldn't take her sweater off and Hayley wouldn't let us curl her hair, but I think they're adorable.


Then we tried to take one for our Christmas letter - it was a fiasco, but it sort of turned out okay - Katie is pulling Feisty's hair.



The little rascals are 11 months old today - when we look back on the last year, it is unbelievable how fast it has gone, and how much has happened, and what joy they've brought to us. We have a new baby in our church who weighs twice as much as they did, and she seems so tiny - how can it be that we can't remember how little they were?? What incredible little miracles they are!



Kevin and Sema are going to Mombassa, Kenya right after New Year's. It's been 6 years since they've been back to visit Sema's home. They are unbelievably excited and we're so happy for them to have this opportunity. Please pray for them as they take this long journey, that they will be healthy and have a blessed time.

Tomorrow is Kristen's and Sema's birthday - we went to P.F. Chang's tonight and had such a nice time together - DC's sister stayed with the kiddoes. It was so relaxing. I was going to take a picture of the two birthday girls, but of course, I forgot my camera! If you could run over to Kristen's site and wish her happy birthday, that would be great!

As I was writing my Christmas letter, I realized how tough things have been this year in many ways for our country and the world, and many of your families. But I realized also how blessed we have been, and how much more we have than we could possibly deserve. I found this incredible passage from II Corinthians 4, again in The Message:

"So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever." Sometimes my spirit just cries out, "Even So, Lord Jesus, Come Again!"

25 comments:

Kristen said...

Thanks again so much for dinner tonight. It was very relaxing and fun and a nice distraction from other worries.

I think all the pictures on here are great. And that scripture is very encouraging.

Can't wait to go shopping with my gift cards!!

SentimentsbyDenise said...

Oh, Dawn! The photo with your granddaughters is priceless! Just love it!
Thanks for sharing such an encouraging scripture today - just what we all need to hear!
Blessings to you!
Denise

Needled Mom said...

The pictures are all great, Dawn. The girls all look so cute in their matching dresses. It is so hard to get a good picture of everyone in a group shot.

The kids always love to play with the nativity sets, don't they. It is so cute to hear their thoughts as they rearrange the figurines. I can't wait to see your sets and wonder how many we have alike.

It must have been a wonderful weekend of celebrating birthdays at your house. I know everyone enjoyed the time together.

I do hope your son and DIL will have a wonderful and safe trip. It's a long time since they have been back and I know everyone will be happy to see them.

Thank you for the scripture to start the week off. It is lovely.

Hope you stay warm. I did hear about your storm and was thinking about you. Hugs.

someone else said...

The babies under the tree remind me of when I was a little girl and we used to play under the huge weeping willow tree at my grandma's house. You couldn't see us then, either.

Love the pictures!

Love PF Chang's.

Love Christmas!!!

Nadine said...

Dawn I love the picture you all with the your granddaughters. They look so precious. We have no snow here in Texas but your snow fall looks so white and fresh. It looks like Christmas.

Nadine said...

It's been getting colder the last couple of days. I had not coat on just a few days ago. It's a bit strange.

Linds said...

I love the photos, Dawn! The girls all look beautiful, and I can see that the treee will be a huge temptation!

I had already popped over to Kristen to wish her a Happy Birthday. I hope she and Sema have a wonderful time today.

Mary said...

Dawn,

Such lovely snow photos and the family photos are incredible. Last year at this time we were praying that the girlies would arrive safe and sound and so our prayers were answered and it will soon be a year since they were born. It's amazing. I've loved watching them grow through you photos.

Kenya? That's wonderful. I'm glad they are going and will pray that their trip is safe and marvelous.

Take care, my friend. I wish you a great week.

Blessings,
Mary

Barb said...

I love your Christmas header, Dawn. I didn't notice she was pulling her sister's hair until you mentioned it in the post. LOL

My gosh, it's cold there! I'll bet you love, love it that you can stay indoors and not have to drive to work when it snows. That's got to be my number one favorite thing about being "retired." :-)

My finches have been gone for months. Apparently they flew over to your side of the mountains. LOL

Robin said...

What a beautiful picture! I just love it and I loved your post today as well.
The verse you shared spoke to me as well.

Unknown said...

The Christmas pictures came out great! I love your new header. :-)

We got our first snow this past weekend. It snowed on and off both Saturday and Sunday. I love snow in December!

I'm glad you all got out for a birthday dinner. I'm sure it was a delicious, peaceful time. :-)

nancygrayce said...

What precious pictures! What memories those little girls are making. We love PF Changs! I always get Changs Spicy Chicken! YUM

Jess said...

The pics are wonderful, and I found that dress for Emmy this year at wal mart too... so good choice! ;)

Hope all is well! I have missed blogging so much!
Lots of love,
Jess

Linda said...

Oh Dawn - I love the pictures!! Those sweet girls!! It really doesn't seem possible they are that old already. Every time I look at them I think "miracles". It gives me such hope and reassurance.
The snow looks so pretty. I think I could love a snowstorm on Christmas Eve. Then I want it to go right back to Texas weather!
How exciting for Kevin and Sema. I hope they take lots of pictures.
I'm off to visit Kristen.

Nancy said...

You family photo is just beautiful... it made me feel like I was sitting right there in the room with you. What a special time for you and DC, with all of your grands!

I love your snow. None for us and probably want have any... I'm a little jealous.

Keep us posted on the Kenya trip. I will keep them in my prayers.

I'm headed to Kiristen's right now!

Carole Burant said...

I absolutely love your header picture, it's gorgeous! I was just over at Kristen's to wish her a Happy Birthday and loved her header as well.

Good, the snow I sent your way finally arrived to you! hehe Omigosh, we've got so much snow here and we're now having ANOTHER snowstorm which will last until tomorrow night. I just don't know where we're going to put it all after shoveling the driveway.

Emma looks like she's under the tree to see if Santa left any presents yet! lol Gosh, hard to believe they're almost a year old. All the pictures are so beautiful...I had wondered why Feisty didn't have a dress like the others, now I see she just didn't want to take her sweater off! lol The one of the twins in the chairs is just priceless.

My prayers are with Kevin & Sema that they have a safe trip to Kenuya in the New Year. How exciting for them and no doubt her family is too:-)

Beautiful passage you shared with us. xoxo

Izzy, Emmy 'N Alexander said...

I think your family photo and grandparent photo turned out great!!! They all look so adorable and I love the matching outfits.

Your trees are beautiful as well. At least the girls are going under the tree. Both of mine like to be IN the tree! *LOL* I have fluffed it over and over so many times!

Love the santa twins!

groovyoldlady said...

I LOVE THE PICTURES!!!!!!!!!

Sue Seibert said...

Oh, Dawn, your blessings are beautiful! Those babies have grown so much! God bless you and all your family.

Simply Heart And Home said...

Dawn,

We've only had a little snow in Northern New Jersey. I am sure more is on its way.

What darling pictures of your grandchildren! They must be so excited for Christmas.

God bless,

Gina

Diane@Diane's Place said...

Great holiday pictures, Dawn. I think the spontaneous snapshots are the best. Posed studio pictures have their place but my favorites are the snapshots taken by amateurs. They're the ones we remember long after the studio pics, because of the memories and often the background scenes that seem inconsequential at the time they're taken.

I'm headed over to Kristen's to wish her a belated Happy Birthday.

Have a great week, Dawn. :o)

Love and hugs,

Diane

Hootin Anni said...

Fabulous photos. The family portrait you shared and then used as the header for your holiday banner is perfect!!!

Ummmmmm, snow? Pretty in photos, but for me...no longer do I like snow in my backyard. LOL

Happy Wednesday Dawn.

Laurie in Ca. said...

Hi Dawn,

I'm here and thank you so much for the invite. What a gorgeous post and pictures. I am too late to get started on mine for this season, but at least I'm up and running. Snow, hmmm,not here at the beach in Ca. But it is just an hours drive to the mountains. Your grandkids are so adorable and us grandmas will have lots to chat about after the holidays. I need to go get my tree, I am so late. I'll be back!! Have a wonderful day.

Laurie

Sam said...

Hi Dawn!

What great holiday photos! I love the one of the baby under the tree!:-)

Snow! We haven't gotten any here yet, but any day now I guess. The first storm or two is exciting, but then it just becomes a hassle.

I will certainly keep Kevin and Sema in my prayers as they travel. I'm so glad they will get to go. I'm sure Sema is so excited to see her family. I'm happy for her.

In case I don't make it back to my computer before then, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, Dawn.

HUGS,
Sammy

nannykim said...

Eleven months!!! I can't believe how fast the time has gone by!!