Decorating

A few weeks ago we decorated our tree. It has been so fun to have Elizabeth be a part of all the twinkling fun! We got a four-foot tree and put it on a table, out of her reach. We always have a "tea" dinner with spiced apple cider and lots of yummy finger foods. When we were getting ready for our decorating party Jonathan said the music, tree, and yummy smells "brought back such good memories". How special to get to create memories and enjoy the delight rhythm of the passage of time together.

Getting ready...

We were getting ready for our Christmas picture and wanted to take The Picture in our new garden area. Here are some pictures that helped us pick the location.

Grandpa Tom with Elizabeth

Elizabeth took a little nap in her Grandpa's arms. Very sweet.

Driveway pictures...

We had the driveway poured a few weeks ago. It is Yosemite Brown and we love it! Here is the man who did the work, Tony,with Joe and Jonathan.

Mirrors

Today Joe and I were laughing about how our children are so much like us. Laughing tongue-in-cheek. Normally when you look in the mirror you smile, fix any blemishes, then go on your merry way. Any uncomfortable, inconvenient, irritable, or sinful attitudes can be glossed over and "normalized" as we jump into our busy day.

Not so with my children. If they are not feeling happy on the inside--boy do you know it! Crying, demanding, screaming. Ugh. Do they know that I have those feelings too??? The character that was supposed to be developed in my life just isn't there. I can't believe how the areas of my life that I struggle with the most I am supposed to help my children grow in.

I have been feeling alarmed with how little there is of me, when I need to have so much to guide my little family with throughout the day. I think I am entering into the second half of the sophomoric period of my life. (Greek words sophos, meaning "wise", and moros, meaning "fool").

There is a quote by Elisabeth Elliot that I find particularly applicable to how I am feeling at this stage:

"The process of shaping the child...shapes also the mother herself.
Reverence for her sacred burden calls her to all that is pure and good, that she
may teach primarily by her own humble, daily example."

Those are soothing words for me. I used to like to think that I was well on my way to being shaped--maybe I was even almost dry? But now, to see this process called motherhood unfold as I care for and mother my children, I have a greater need, a greater longing, to know God's pureness and goodness so that I can teach those to my children. No, don't look to me for the answers, I am very thin and weak. But thank God that He gives answers. May I look to Him in His word for that character when my "little mirrors" reflect the real me.