Merry Christmas!

Hey Everyone- it is hard to believe that Christmas is only two short days away!! Here are some fun pictures from our Christmas in Iowa---where we spent a delightful last weekend:) We had a blast being together, eating delicious food, opening presents (The one with Jason and the screwdriver just goes to show how his creative Dad goes to great lengths to disguise the gifts---and boy was Jason thrilled with this one:), playing games, and going sledding (seriously, I think this was the most fun I've ever had sledding with Jonas---the weather was perfect, we had the hill all to ourselves, Jason had a sweet wipe out--ha ha!, and Jonas was sporting his new snowsuit which kept him content and toasty warm (this thing is worth its weight in gold:) Warm, happy children are much more fun to go sledding with than crabby, cold children:) Also, here are a few pictures from decorating cookies during the Saturday blizzard, and here are a few other sweet ones of my festively dressed children (The one with the foot would have been the perfect one for a Christmas card, and after about 3o million tries in capturing a shot of both children cooperating, I almost sent this one out with the caption---"This is the best we could do:)" We did try again, as many of you know, as you did not receive this one in your card! (It is cute though, and certainly a more realistic picture of life around our house!) I love being a mother of two, and while I am convinced that having two is triple the amount of work of having one, I am loving every (most:) minute of it! Sleep is a foreign thing to me, but we just keep plugging along, and I somehow have the strength to get through the days---on 2-4 hours of very interrupted sleep. Many friends have brought over meals (here's a pic of my dear friends Rach and Kay:) My group of college friends is on it's way to having added a total of 6 kids to the mix---it used to be the 5 of us, and soon it will be the 11 of us! Oh my! this will make reunions much more interesting:) I have felt surrounded by God's grace these last few weeks---through the kindness and generosity of dear friends and family. My book study group at church even threw me a surprise baby shower!! God is good, and I am so thankful for two beautiful, healthy children to celebrate this wonderful season with---they have brought and continue to bring such JOY to our family. I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful December so far. We are so blessed, so incredibly, richly blessed, and even though we totaled the van last week and don't have the money to buy a new car, I know God will provide; He always, always does. And for now, the Buick is still going strong, so we are packing up this family of four and 1 million pounds of stuff, and heading out for more Christmas adventures into the New Year! Hey, it's better than a covered wagon, so we can't complain:) Merry Christmas Everyone!

And here are the words to a favorite Christmas hymn of mine. Rest in Him this Christmas---the Giver of all good and perfect gifts.

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

Infant holy, Infant lowly, for His bed a cattle stall;
Oxen lowing, little knowing, Christ the Babe is Lord of all.
Swift are winging angels singing, noels ringing, tidings bringing:
Christ the Babe is Lord of all.

Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new

Saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of a Gospel true.

Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing, greet the morrow:

Christ the Babe was born for you.