Wrapping it up

Well, the gifts have been made (or purchased), exchanged and unwrapped. I've dug out and dusted off my pre-holiday projects (which feels pretty good to get started on again).

 

 The Christmas decor still lingers, but in a week it will be packed snugly away for another year.

 But one thing that is still with me, and I'm afraid might be for months to come...

the food! 

Oh my, did I ever over indulge. 

We had our family Christmas party at my Brother and sister-in-law's new home this year. 

Doesn't her food look like art?!

At home we have an odd-gift-giving tradition with the kids. They make us laugh each year as we hang them on the tree and it's funny to watch others do a double take when they get their first glance at one. Here are a few...

Condensed Tomato Soup Can

Long Legged Moose

Scuba Santa

No so weird, but I love this guy. He was given to us from a newly-found friend, Darcy, and her family.

Clockwise from the top: Teddy in tub, a beaver (?), a toaster and I really don't know about the last one...he looks like a mix between a hamster and a bird.

This little monkey man looks like he's ready for a Christmas party. Check out his blingin' ring.

Fat bird. Little feet.

An armadillo.

And this guy belongs to my sister-in-law, Jill. Isn't he cute in his little hat and scarf? I had to share the story behind his skinny self. Her dad's been dealing with a lot of health issues and has recently had to go in for infusions that can take hours. He keeps his mind and hands busy by building all kinds of things with these little kits, which he then gives to children who are also undergoing treatments. Many times for cancer. What a great idea to get your mind off of your own troubles and put the focus on others.

Well, I'm off to prepare for the next round of holiday festivities (that being New Years , of course). Hope you're having a nice Christmas season with the family and are able to rest a bit now that the shopping part is over. Ahhhh....                                                                                                     XX's ~Jen

Googled Christmas Inspiration

Just some winter inspiration I found by doing a bit of googling this morning. Oh, how I love technology at times like this, when I want to travel 'round the world to see how others are decorating their homes and wrapping their gifts for Christmas.

All pictures should link to their original sites. (This is where I'm not always so crazy 'bout technology.) 

Anyway, hope you enjoy and are inspired!

(This makes me want to find new things to wrap!)

 

 

Have a wonderfully blessed day! To my blogging friends over there in Europe- I hope you're safe and warm at home, or at least with family, and that the snowstorms let up a bit so you can venture out safely. You're in my prayers and thoughts! Looks as though it will definitely be a white one for you!

Much love!!! ~Jen

Glimpses of Christmas

My dining room table has become my craft space in the past few weeks. I don't want to spend all of my time before Christmas, preparing, wrapping and creating downstairs and away from the family.

 

I have my soaps, along with gifts, ribbons, paper, glitter etc...scattered all about the dining room! And, although I usually hate messes, I feel quite content with it tonight. I'm happy to smell the cinnamon candles and baked goods, to hear the kids laughing (and even arguing once in a while), to just be warm and cozy in my home, enjoying my family. Thank God for all of this chaos!

I hope you are enjoying your time preparing for the holidays as well.

 

  ...that you are cherishing those moments with family.

 (This is what the kids and I ended up doing with our origami stars!)

 

 (...another project that is in progress.) 

 

 And let me tell ya- the animals are diggin' all of the fun stuff to play with. All stuff they shouldn't be playing with...but try telling them that.

And isn't this an awesome little Christmas village?!

 My son made this for me, and when it was presented to me, I thanked him for this wonderful little "town"... He was quick to tell me it's a village.

Duh... Of course it's a village.

Even with all of the messes, endless lists and events, I hope your joy hasn't been buried under all of it. I hope you're enjoying all of the little moments that lead up to Christmas day.

 ~Jen

 

Resting In Him

Closing eyes...breathing in...exhaling slowly... 
Opening my eyes and now and beginning the click-clicking on the keyboard.
Ahhh, it's quiet. Lately that's been a difficult thing to find around here.

To make a long story short: My husband hurt his neck, which caused him some seriously painful shoulder problems. It's kept him home from work and we've used up nearly all of his vacation pay in the past several weeks. (Ugh.) But thankfully, with the chiropractic care, the pain clinic and therapy it looks like he'll be able to go back to work next week. I just pray it continues to heal. God has been so good through all of it and has provided for all of our needs. Things like this will really show you how strong (or weak) your faith is. I can't say I've felt very good about how strong my faith has been. With half the income as usual, Christmas around the corner and bills that won't just go away I pretty much hunkered down and settled into a nice little depression for a while.

 Then I thought of when I first became a child of God about 11 years ago. Brand new and enough faith to move a mountain. And you know what? Mountains DID move back then! Well, they were mountains to me anyway. And I recalled the words to a song that got me through some really difficult times back then (and they were often). "I Will Rest In You" by Jaci Velasquez. So, I googled it and found the song again. Wow, it's been a while since these words calmed my heart. And they did all over again. Just a flood of memories of the times He's been faithful and delivered us from dark times before.
(Here's a link to the only video I could find with the original song in english.)

Lord, I'm in the dark,
Seems to me the line is dead when I come calling.
No one there, the sky is falling;
Lord, I need to know.
My mind is playing games again,
You're right where You have always been.
Take me back to You,
The place that I once knew as a little child;
Constantly the eyes of God watched over me.
Oh, I want to be
In the place that I once knew as a little child,
Fall into the bed of faith prepared for me.
I will rest in You,
I will rest in You,
I will rest in You.
Tell me I'm a fool,
Tell me that You love me for the fool I am,
[And*] comfort me like only You can,
And tell me there's a place
Where I can feel Your breath
Like sweet caresses on my face again.
Take me back to You,
The place that I once knew as a little child;
Constantly the eyes of God watched over me.
Oh, I want to be
In the place that I once knew as a little child,
Fall into the bed of faith prepared for me.


Anyway, I'm learning all over again how to rest in Him. And up until this evening it's been a big bunch of chaos around here. But I'm back now and look forward to sharing some upcoming posts and things I've been working on. Lot's of Christmas projects and lots of inspiration for beautiful handmade Christmas gifts and decor I've been seeing. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here!

Good night everyone! ~Jen

 

(Stormy helping me with my Christmas card photos.)