we wish you a...

anyone else enjoying this song?

I've posted the lyrics and a picture of the woman whose voice is so incredible!  I'm listening to it over and over...it's such a calming Christmas song.

Winter Snow

- Audrey Assad & Chris Tomlin

Could've come like a mighty storm

With all the strength of a hurricane

You could've come like a forest fire

With the power of heaven in Your flame

But You came like a winter snow

Quiet and soft and slow

Falling from the sky in the night

To the earth below

You could've swept in like a tidal wave

Or an ocean to ravish our hearts

You could have come through like a roaring flood

To wipe away the things we've scarred

But You came like a winter snow

(Yes, You did)

You were quiet

You were soft and slow

Falling from the sky in the night

To the earth below

Oh, no, Your voice wasn't in a bush burning

No, Your voice wasn't in a rushing wind

It was still

It was small

It was hidden

You came like a winter snow

Quiet and soft and slow

Falling from the sky in the night

To the earth below

Falling

(Oh, yeah)

To the earth below

You came falling

From the sky in the night

To the earth below

Audrey Assad - Photo From Here

this is a nice little article...

I thought you might like to read about an incredible young man who was taken from this world just a little too soon.

Thank you to the folks at the Seattle Times who wanted to include a more personal side of Luke's life.  I think they did a fine job.  See for yourself...

While you continue to pray for Luke's family and friends, please remember to lift up the two hikers who are still missing - and their family and friends as well.

christmas cooking...

Over the last few months, I've found myself searching for projects to complete.  However, these projects all have one thing in common...they require a bit of creativity (I'll post a few over the next couple of weeks).  So, preparing for Christmas has been more fun than ever.  Along the way, I've made a ton of messes.  Take a look at last night's project...

This is what my kitchen looked like - nothing creative or crafty about it!

This is what I created.

Now, these are supposed to be peppermint marshmallows.  At this stage they are done, but not yet settled.  In a bit, I'll be cutting them up into squares and hoping they compare to Martha's...

Yeah, we'll see.

Thankfully, this minor set-back won't slow me down.

Next up?

Hot chocolate on a stick!

Sounds silly, huh?  It should go well with my marshmallows though.  :)

christmas cuties!

Look who we saw today!  :)

Ella

Evie

They are getting soooooo BIG!  And at this stage, they are constantly making the most entertaining faces...enjoy!

Ben thought it would be fun to demonstrate Evie's silly smile.  She has a mouth full of teeth (at least 6 or so) and she likes to show them off when she grins.  Oh, and her nose scrunches up too.  Could this be any sweeter?

We went to dinner with Emily, Ryan and the girls...this was our Christmas present to each other.  While we sat there waiting for our food, Evie and Ella showed off some of their communication skills.  Ella (above) is really good at using her sign language.  This is her most favorite sign, "please."  She's smart enough to know that when she uses this sign, she'll be given something.  :)

Instead of using sign language to express herself, Evie loves to repeat the following "pease, pease, pease, pease, pease..."  Listening to her throughout dinner was hilarious!  She likes to eat and as a result, she finds herself saying this over and over.  Too funny!

It's so much fun to see my husband with these two!  He loves them so much (so do I).  It's a side of him I absolutely adore.  He'll be a great dad someday (not anytime soon though...this is not an announcement).

I must say, our time with them today was far better than any gift!  It will be so much fun to see them again on the 26th.  Oh, and next time I'll be sure to take some pictures of their mom and dad too (sorry about that Ryan and Emily).  :)

i give up...

I want to take a graphic design class...seriously!  I have given up on creating my own cool, unique, and amazing blog background.  Instead, I have opted to use someone else's for the time-being.  There are these visions in my mind that I simply wish I could find a way to create and implement.  Someday.  Until then, this will do.  At least it's festive.  :)

really?

Today...

A new student arrived.  She is now a part of my 5/6 block - Language Arts & Social Studies.  This 7th grader seems nice enough.  She's rather quiet, sweet, and attentive.  Oh, and did I mention that she speaks NO English?!?!  However, I'm supposed to get her to the point where she can pass all standardized tests.  (I'm also going to hope and pray that her scores don't bring down our school average - otherwise we run the risk of being labeled a "failing school.")  Really?  Welcome to public education, my friends.  In so many ways, it's a great system...and in other ways, I can clearly see the need for improvement.  :)

P.S.  I now have 31 kids in my 5/6 block.  And I'm the one with the smallest class...hence, I'm the one who receives the new student.  (Nevermind the fact that our district will likely be making cuts again this year...)

Solutions & suggestions gladly accepted.  In the meantime, I'm praying!  :)