Out with the Old

I found these great free printables on Ann Voskamp's blog. 

So I walked through 2013 with the children. 

Preparing for a New Year

As I contemplate 2013 (what?!? How are we already done with 2013), and get ready for a new year I think of the word that most describes 2013 and it would have to be change. Nothing major changed, we didn't move, we didn't have another child, we didn't change careers, and yet I feel like so much has changed.  Within me.  

Why?  Why do I feel so different?  I have read a lot this year, I have listened a lot this year, and I have tried, by God's grace to grow a lot this year.  Many convictions that I did not previously hold grabbed a hold of my heart.  God brought new and amazing friends into our life that we weren't expecting.  God has led us into community, several actually, and they all pull me and sometimes push me into who God has created me to be.  I see sin more evidently and I EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. fail miserably.  And yet, His grace, His mercy, it sustains me.  It completes me.  It directs me.  And I am thankful. 

So this year, as I look ahead, Diligence is the word I pray.  Diligence is the word I seek.  Diligence is the word that will continue to lead me to Freedom.  And by God's grace, I will follow through, I will  be diligent, I will watch as the Lord molds me into who He has created me to be.  

Christmas Day...in Pictures

Following in the footsteps of Ann Voskamp and Erin Fries, I decided to just show you the pictures. 

Merry Christmas.

Christmas Card

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

This is most likely what my Christmas card would have looked liked, had I sent one out.  

Christmas Morn...

Christmas morning greeted us with sunshine and warm weather.  

The kids opened up their stocking and a sweet gift from the Hettich's (Thank you!). 

We had a breakfast of pumpkin roll and prepared to head over the Fries ranch for Christmas there.  

Christmas Eve

 Every Christmas Eve we celebrate by attending our church services followed by dinner and presents.  Well this year we switched it up a teensy bit.  Tim got off of work a little early, and so we decided to let the kids open their presents before church.  Avarie read the Nativity this year, what a blessing it is to have my sweet babies reading God's Word.  

 This year I wanted to do something a little different and inspired by our friends the Hettich's I started looking into tablets for the kids.  Frankly a child can only have so many dolls and Lego before it is all consuming.  We decided on Kindle Fire's as we wanted something that the basis was reading.  

They have been able to download some apps and it is great to see all of the classical literature that can be found for free or next to it.  I am certain this device will enhance chore production in our home.  I am also certain that it could easily become an idol of the heart to these precious children, and so we will be beginning the new year learning new rules and expectations. 

Tim and I usually don't get gifts for one another, but with Tim's love of duck hunting, I found a great deal on some goose decoys and couldn't help myself.  Yep. We are definitely "that family".  If you can't tell, he loved them, and as TJ told me on Saturday, they "float real good mom!"

We ended the evening with pizza (which is quickly becoming a tradition) and playing cards with Nanny and Papa.  It was a great celebration of the Christ child.  I am thankful that the Lord has blessed me with these precious souls for yet another year.  

Thievery

My sweet little 4 year old thief often uses my phone for her own personal photo shoot.  

I find pictures like this all the time. 

What a blessing this little girl is in my life.  

Indoor doggies

The weather was pretty bad for a few days, so we had the dogs inside at night to keep them alive. 

Lylah is a lover of these puppies! 

She spent most of her time snuggled up with Ruby and Charlie while they were living in our entry way.

The only Thanksgiving Picture

We spent Thanksgiving afternoon/evening with Tim's parents.  This is the only picture I took, of the annual lighting of the Christmas lights.  

Happy Thanksgiving! 

First Annual Fries Turkey Bowl

It begins like this...

Joshua: Says something I am sure interesting and I am sure worth listening to..and "we will be here for Thanksgiving"

Tyffany: "We should have a turkey bowl like in high school"

And the rest is history.

Who doesn't want to get some exercise and fellowship with friends before going and gorging themselves on turkey day festivities? 

It was so much fun and we will be doing it every year! Guaranteed! 

 The field being prepared

 The fire for those not playing, but just here for fellowship (I am sure you are surprised to hear that was mainly made up of women)

 Breakfast for the champions that joined us.

 And it begins.

 Grown ups and kids alike took to the field.

 The chickens in the coop didn't even mind.

 One of our cheerleaders...

 A cute nephew...seriously

 Justin's game face

 There was an injury on the field and these boys "took a knee"

And even though Josh was part of the invention of this game, he showed up at 10:50, 10 minutes before the game was over and as we sent this picture to Tysen, Josh felt the need to show him all that he had learned from Tysen in the past. 

Looking forward to next year!