this precious life.

after spending the morning/afternoon running errands & helping cook food for tonight's party, i thought i'd take a moment in the quiet to recap this year before the guests arrive & celebrating begins! we're in ohio for the new year {per tradition}... though we almost didn't make it this year due to daddy having the first of two surgeries {for 2 torn rotator cuffs} on thursday. thanks to pain meds, he's feeling pretty good so we were able to make the drive over & tonight will be a big reunion of mama & daddy's friends from college. one of our favorite traditions for tonight is that the youngest chillens always create a ball drop for us at midnight:) it's been snowing again all day so this might just be the prettiest ball drop yet! how are you celebrating 2012 & ringing in 2013 tonight?!! do you have any traditions?! 2012 turned out to be a pretty exciting year! i didn't have many goals or plans as it began but God blew me away w...

I hope everyone had a marvelous Christmas filled with Christ, traditions, {maybe even some snow!!} and warmth.  I'll share a small description of my Christmas morning taken from a letter I wrote to Brooke . " I woke up to my alarm at 7a and jumped in the hot shower. After dressing, I ran downstairs and plugged all the Christmas lights in before brewing a hot mug of tea. I then went back downstairs by the tree and read Luke chapter 2 and then some of The Scarlet Pimpernel while waiting for everyone else to awaken.  Very soon, all the little ones came sleepily from their beds-- blankets dragging behind and excited anticipation in their eyes-- to snuggle up on the sofa. When everyone was assembled, Elaena {the youngest} opened the first gift and then Ellyn distributed the rest. It was a time full of laughter, gift explanations, thank- yous and excitement. I'm sure you can imagine how the room looked when we were done! The floor covered with wrapping paper, strewn with gift...