Our Tree

I love Christmas tree ornaments. There is something very intimate about how you decorate your tree. It is like a personal history of a family.

This one is probably the oldest one on our tree. It was my husband's when he was a small boy.

Here is the one we were given as a gift the first year of our marriage. It was one of only a few ornaments on a very small tree that year.


This one marked our first Christmas in Wilmore, Kentucky. Some of the best and hardest years of our marriage.

The best part of our tree is the ornaments that come with being parents. Those handmade ones bring back the best memories.

This one Brian made last year with lots of help from his Sunday School teacher.


Of all the ornaments on the tree, this one is the most pride producing. Brian did this all by himself the other day. He was so proud he was able to accomplish this. He wanted to quit half way through, but he persevered. It's not that it was hard to do, but it was tedious for a 5 year old. His personality falls much more toward the sanguine and he has a hard time pushing through and getting something done. I love watching the growth and maturity. So this is my favorite ornament.


There are a few ornaments that I love just because they are beautiful.





What is on your tree?

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas...

This is what has been happening here for the last several days...


I just got a new lens for my camera. I wanted a good portrait lens, so I got a 50mm/1.8. I'm not quite used to it yet. So the snow pictures didn't turn out quite like I wanted them to.

My son is loving it. I kinda miss him having school. I'm having a terrible time getting things done with him home. Good thing I already love him so much.

I would have taken more shots, but I was cold and didn't have shoes on. This is as far out as I got. It's our still not shoveled front porch.


I have been keeping myself busy getting ready for our new baby.

Yes! We are getting a baby girl. She is due 1-5-09, but will probably arrive early. The best part, okay the best is that we are actually getting a daughter, but the second best part is that we get to go to Arizona in the middle of winter to get her. You can't beat that.

As with any adoption it isn't certain until the judge signs that she is ours, but it's looking pretty good. Keep checking back because I'll post pictures here as soon as I can.

Commercial Christmas

Last year we cut the cord on Christmas gifts. We don't exchange gifts. It's wonderful and freeing. In fact, I had time to have my grandma visit for a few days this last weekend and it was relaxed and enjoyable because I wasn't thinking of all the things I had to get done. We have family coming in this next weekend too. I don't feel the usual stress of getting everything done - shopping, baking, etc.

Of course, we decorate and celebrate. There are Christmas cookies and gingerbread houses. But it is all done to spend time together.

Christmas means more now.

I saw this video on my friend's blog, loved it and wanted to share it here.




Feel free to visit our personal favorite ministry and donate.
World Vision

Tea and Sympathy

I am sitting in front of a warm fire with a cup of hot tea during the first snow of the season.

Sounds cozy.

Not so much.

Last Thursday afternoon we got "the call". Again.

"Birth mom... due in 3 weeks... baby girl... she wants to talk to us on Saturday afternoon."

Great! We forwarded our home phone to our cell (since we were going to be out). We watched the cell phone like a pot waiting to boil. And you know about a watched pot...

No. Call.

Nothing.

And the adoption roller coaster crests and starts down again.

Please pull up a cozy chair. Pour yourself a mug of hot tea and join me for some tea and sympathy.

(If I were in a song, I'd be cryin' in my beer).