Let's Celebrate All Weekend Long

Christmas is meant to be celebrated all weekend long, right?  So we kicked of the Christmas festivities with dinner at Christmas Madrid's.  Also known as, Chris Madrid's.

Followed by a trip to the Magik Theater for Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells Batman Smells.

And a ride to the tip top of the Tower of the Americas.

We "loved"our Friday night with Papa!

On Saturday we introduced my dad to classical ballet,

I think he actually liked it.

On Sunday we all went on a Christmas Lights Scavenger Hunt.

Here are the girls with their Scavenger Kit; new jammies, stuffies, candy, and hunt list.

Dad had a great time helping us find all our items; we even saw someone out fixing their lights! Woo-Hoo!

This house was by far the best in show!

Christmas Eve the girls exchanged their sibling gifts,

before heading downtown to the River Walk.

Everyone was sad Casa Rio was closed,

but we perked up when the wait for a Riverboat Cruise was only 45 minutes!

Riding the boat was a great way to conclude our Christmas Eve on the River Walk,

thanks Dad!

Before long it was back home to prepare for Christmas morning with my sweet girls.

They were just a little excited!

American Heritage Girls Award Night

Meet American Heritage Girl Troop 0312.

 Brie is part of the Pathfinder class.

 Last night she did an awesome job singing a Christmas poem with her friends,

and receiving her next bead.

Great job Brieto, we're so proud of you.

AWANA Christmas Program

Since I was last night's MC for the AWANA Christmas Program, Robert was left to be Mr. Photographer.  A skill he willingly admits he does not have.  Therefore, we'll all have to take a little creative licence in this post.

 Briar is my sweet Cubbie. 

 Last night she sang, Away In The Manger with her Cubbie Class,

 and shared a Candy Cane poem about Jesus.

 Way to go Rooney!

 Brie is my spunky little Sparkie.

 Brie had an opportunity to share a name of Jesus, Bread of Life.

As well as, sing Joy to the World with all her Sparks Friends.

 

Way to go Brieto!

 



Much thanks to everyone who helps make AWANA the great children's program it is.

{Truth in the Tinsel} Weekly-Round-Up

My Weekend Round Up turned into a Weekly-And-Then-Some Round Up.  I may not have time to blog about our Truth in the Tinsel experience, but that hasn't stopped us from making our daily ornaments.  Here is a recap of how we have been preparing our hearts the last several days.

 

Day Nine, Joseph. 

Joseph was a righteous man.

 Day Ten, Joseph's Dream. 

Joseph obeyed what God commanded in his dream.

Day Eleven, Jesus' Name. 

Joseph is instructed to name Mary's child, Jesus, The Name Above All Names.

 

 Day Twelve, Census. 

Two special people (Mary and Joseph) in a town of many others.

 

 Day Thirteen, Bethlehem. 

Jesus, The Bread Of Life was born in The House of Bread.

 

 Day Fourteen, Stable. 

A reminder that we need to make room in our hearts for Jesus.

Day Fifteen, Manger. 

The King of Kings and Lord of Lords first bed was a lowly manger, how is that for humility?

 

 Day Sixteen, Cloths. 

The swaddling clothes were a sign for the shepherds.

Day Seventeen, Sheep. 

Jesus is our shepherd, we are His sheep.

Day Eighteen, Angels. 

The angel choir sang a beautiful song of "Glory to God in the highest..."

 

Day Nineteen, Shepherds. 

 This shepherds arms are raised high in praise and adoration to God, in seeing the baby, Jesus Christ.

Day Twenty, Temple. 

Simeon and Anna recognized The Messiah, and began singing praise to God.

Only four more days to go.  Can't wait until we get to Day Twenty Four, The Cross.  I am looking forward to sharing with my girls the true meaning of Christmas.  Jesus was born for The Cross!

{Truth in the Tinsel} Guest Post at Hive Resources

My dear friend Melissa Deming has a heart for sweetening women's Walks With The Lord.  Her ministry Hive Resources is full of encouraging words and theological truths.  You will quickly fall in love with her heart for encouragement and wisdom in the Lord.

 

Today I had the opportunity to guest post at Hive Resources, check out my post on "3 ways to impact even the smallest soul with Scripture". Thanks Melissa for the opportunity to share my heart. It is a joy to be your "real life" friend.

{Truth in the Tinsel} A Weekend Round-Up

This is what I like to call a, Truth in the Tinsel Weekend Round-Up.

Day Seven (Luke 1:46-56) we decorated a CD in honor of Mary's Song of Praise.

Can you imagine having The Light Of The World, inside you?  I can't. Praise God for giving Jesus a mother who loved the Lord.

Day Eight (Luke 1:57-80) we created an ornament to remind us that Jesus is The Rising Sun, just as Zechariah prophesied.

I love how this passage shows us God loves people individually.  God used a lack of speech to grow Zechariah’s faith.  What an example of how we too can be transform by a relationship with Christ.

Day Nine's (Matthew 1: 18-24) focus was on Joseph, a righteous man.

Joseph did just as Gabriel instructed, he took the wisdom he gained from fearing The Lord and used it to have faith in God's plan.  Can you imagine being the earthly father of a Holy God?  Again, I can't. So thankful for the example of righteous parents Mary & Joseph are.  I pray that Robert and I can be the same example to our girls.

{Truth in the Tinsel} Day Six, Mary & Elizabeth

"If you are happy and you know it, jump for joy!"

That is exactly what Elizabeth's baby did, when the unborn Son of God entered the room.

Can you say, "Ahhhh-Mazing"?

Honestly, the passage of Luke 1:26-38 is one of my favorite parts of the Christmas story.

Having had a few babies in my tummy, the thought of John leaping within his mother at the presence of Jesus humbles me.

To think that Jesus' holiness is so grand that even an unborn child knew He was indeed our Saviour.

As Briar put it this morning, "Mary's belly needs a cross, because Jesus came to die on the cross.".  Humbling to think John leaped for joy as the tiniest baby, what am I doing to show the joy I have received because of the cross?  I hope you can finds way this weekend to share the joy we have in Christ Jesus, I am!