The Best of 2011

Christmas....

We woke up to a reminder on our gifts, the manger scene. Santa was sure to remind us not to overlook Jesus' birth on this day. HVN was quite surprised that he played with her toys while here. She had ask Santa for Princess toys and he delivered. Her favorite gift was a Belle doll that reads to her and shares stories. Her daddy even gave her a Princess ring with a crown on it....He knows her well. Santa left her a Princess Tiana dress and crown hung on the fireplace. Another gift she loved was matching nerf guns, one for her and one for daddy....its no fun if both don't have them. If you look below in the pictures....you'll see her #1 gift, or so it seems on her face....CHOCOLATE! The afternoon was spent with MaMa & PaPa and cousins!!! It was a great day that blessed us all. My favorite part was watching HVN smile, laugh and give lots of hugs, kisses and "tank you's" for all her presents!

Our Family Christmas Eve

We had a great Christmas Eve. In the afternoon we went to the park and enjoyed family time, singing and being silly together. Then we went to church to serve, attend service and eat (AGAIN). Afterwards we came home to get in our Christmas pjs, read the Christmas story and why we are really celebrating Christ birth, we put out cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer and nestled quickly into bed. Our hearts are grateful that throughout the year we read Bible stories that prepare HVN for celebrations like this. She knows the story, pretends to be Mary and can tell you the details of Christmas. Her heart is very compassionate towards things of Jesus. One gift came to our surprise when this little shy girl sang Silent Night to our Pastor...she barely looks at him when he speaks to her but this night she was ready to share a song. Very sweet!

Merry Christmas Eve

PaPa & GG spent the night and made one little girl so very happy when she woke up on Christmas Eve with them here. We enjoyed our Christmas together, dinner, a movie and breakfast on the Eve. She was flooded with gifts that will help in her learning, which we are very grateful for!

Happy Birthday Jesus

MaMa came down to spend time with HVN and make her Happy Birthday Jesus cake.....we certainly can't celebrate His birthday without a cake in HVN's eyes!

The Top Chef

This ssweet little girl could make, decorate and EAT cookies everyday if I let her.....this is her favorite activity in the kitchen and it got us all in the Christmas spirit!!!

A Blonde Hair "Mary"

Today HVN tells me she's Mary and Daddy is Joseph. She road a donkey all the way into Bethlehem and there was no where for her to sleep but the sheep and cows were there. I ask her, is Jesus in her arms or in her belly. She says in her belly and when she got there he had to get out and that he was a Holy baby boy. She goes on to tell me that 3 men came to see her and brought Jesus gold and frankinsence.....story sound familiar? I told her that I pray that she finds favor with God one day as Mary did....what a sweet 3 year old!

Visiting the "North Pole" at Bass Pro

So many times this year HVN has ask about Santa. In years past she has not wanted to go near him so it puzzled me. This year we stopped in to visit him early in the season per HVN's request.
When we arrived she waved to him as he passed by, smiled and talked non stop about seeing him. However, as we approached his lap she didn't cry, but tensed up and would NOT look at him. She answered him with a yes or no with head nods but no word spoken. Afterwards, she carried on about being on his lap and what she wanted for Christmas. In our home Santa is like any other fun cartoon.
Because CHRISTMAS is about Jesus. We do leave out her play manger scene all year through. We talk of Jesus' birth and all he has done for us. HVN knows we've decorated the house to celebrate Jesus birthday and we give to others because it pleases Him. Earlier this year, she lost baby Jesus to her manger scene and I had to order another as she said with a worried face..."mommy, no Christmas without baby Jesus!"
I love this sweet girl and treasure her beyond words.....I pray everyday that my heart will love Jesus all the more!