Christmas TREELAND

(Side Note: I really wish there was a font on here that sparkled.  Sparkle should be a color too.  

It is when you have two girls.)

GIRLS Trees...........................

Nana gave each of them a tree a couple years ago (it could be just last year)

They woke up bright and early on this particular morning.

Oh wait, that's EVERY morning.

And shouted "We get to put up our Christmas trees today!"

Oh the excitement.  

Family Tree..................................

I love the fuzzy, grainy look of these photos.  

.....................................................................................................

Oh

and

I 

can't

forget

to 

share

how

they

brought 

it home....

Christmas Photo Shoot

I LOVE sending out Christmas cards.  

For the last couple years, my mom will send me a deal on Groupon.

I'll tell her I'm in.

She'll get it.

And away we go.

Ben hinted at not sending Christmas cards this year.

I instantly called him scrooge.

Dismissed his comment.

And let my thoughts race from one photo idea to the next.

Ben eventually gets on board.

He even looks up the weather to see what day is best.

I feel a little rushed since we usually have them in hand by now.

And we still have to get a good picture.

The girls tend to freak out on picture days.

Not sure what it is that causes this response.

But, everyone is on edge.

I hate walking into a photo shoot situation,

(which is just our camera on a tripod with Ben running back and forth)

feeling like we have to fake the "happy family" smiles.

We went to the Forest Preserve near our house.

We figured we'd turn it into an adventure after we got the "perfect" shot.

Its very hard to capture this.

Especially with a distracted 2 1/2 year old.

We came close.

We love them.

They represent us well.

Here are a few...

We thought we would have to search for a spot to take these,

while avoiding hikers and dog walkers.

Nope.

We got out of the car.

Walked a few feet.

Then looked over to our left.

There it was. 

 The PERFECT spot.

Glowing, as if the Lord was saying "Here ya go!"

Love moments like that.

Our best ones are hidden away in a secret vault until after Christmas.

One Star.

One camera.

One Mommy trying to capture a moment.

One Daddy.

Two girls to help put it on the tree.

No one got hurt.  

Just lots of fun and laughter!

Truth I Need.

(I read this is my devotional this morning.)

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

"Approach problems with a light touch.  When your mind moves toward a problem area, you tend to focus on that situation so intensely that you lose sight of Me.  You pit yourself against the difficulty as if you had to conquer it immediately.  Your mind gears up for battle, and your body becomes tense and anxious.  Unless you achieve total victory, you feel defeated.  

There is a better way.  When a problem starts to overshadow your thoughts, bring this matter to Me.  Talk with Me about it and look at it in the Light of My Presence.  This puts some much-needed space between you and your concern, enabling you to see from My perspective.  You will be surprised at the results.  Some times you may even laugh at yourself for being so serious about something so insignificant."

Yep.  I freak out over little things and big things.

I focus on them until I am rattled.

I dig myself into a pit.

My mind sways like ocean waves.

With all the unknowns, I need to focus on Him.

Praying it sinks in.

Steadying the waves.

 

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Our morning routine.

Wakeup.  Hoping and praying the morning runs smoothly.

Sneak downstairs (if girls aren't in bed with me).

Make Coffee.

Grinder is so loud.  Bound to wake someone up.

Yep, there are the sweet little footsteps on the stairs.

Will they greet me with happy smiles or a hazy look in their eyes (indicating grumpiness)?

Get breakfast on the table.

Cereal again.

Make coffee while girls chat about their dreams.

Make Emma's lunch.

Clean up Norah after breakfast attacked her.

She wears both a bib and towel for her lap.  

Or an apron.

Rush the girls upstairs to get ready.

Lay Emma's clothes on bed.

Encourage Emma to change out of pj's.

Encourage Norah to read books.

I get ready.

Look into room, encourage Emma again to stay on task.

Put on makeup.  It helps me feel more civilized. 

Look into room again, no longer in the encouraging mood.

She's still in her jammies.

Frustration starts to settle (if it hasn't already)

She's been tardy so many times.

Mommy guilt sinks in.  

I didn't want to yell.

Girls brushing teeth.

Pushing each other off stool in bathroom.

One of them is crying.  Emma

One of them is yelling.  Norah 

Give kisses.  Say your sorry.  Don't push.  Be nice.  You're alright.  

All these fly out of my mouth to hurry them along.

Finally we get downstairs.

I run up and down a couple more times in search of socks, shoes, diapers, blankies, toys, etc.

Anything to get out of the house NOW.

Girls line up at the door.

We are ready to leave.

(I have an alarm set on my phone letting us know when we need to be out the door.)
It helps.
Some times.

Throw a few "Girls stop fighting", diaper being changed, hair combed (unfortunately not every morning), and stuff thrown in back pack.  This is usually how we operate in the morning.  I'm happy to say that the last three mornings have gone smoother.  Less chaos.  Getting out the door sooner.  With more ease.  

A FEW of My Favorite Things