81 reasons to smile [2012]

whooooo hooooo!

What a year it was!

2012:

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THANKFUL FOR…  1. a blossoming reader   2.  my favorite season   3.  day trips    4.  parties   5.  kisses   6.  this man   7.  the moment when the promise of Christmas becomes a reality!    8.  bubble baths in the kitchen sink   9.  that little tush

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THANKFUL FOR…  1.  Thanksgiving    2.  story time   3. antiquing with my kiddos   4.  happy mail from my dad  5.  a Savior who blesses me more than a deserve   6.  time to make Christmas cookies   7.  this lady who helped save my life   8.  my favorite bookstore   9.  time inside that bookstore!

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THANKFUL FOR…  1.  art time  2.  my silly sweetheart  3.  every single friend who sent a card (and the ones who didn’t!)   4.  the kid’s enthusiasm when they met this kitty cat   5.  waffles for dinner   6.  fall activities   7.  camp K and K!   8.  a sense of humor   9.  treasure hunting

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THANKFUL FOR…  1. sweet moments    2.  creative time   3.  summertime swingin’   4.  the fair!   5.  September mornings    6.  family time   7.  God’s glorious sky   8.  little chefs   9.  a beautiful beach and wonderful friends

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THANKFUL FOR… 1.  making it to 41   2.  smiles   3.  our teachers    4.  another year!   5.  birthday planning time   6.  healthy food   7.  the moment when we found this doll house   8.  happy colors   9.  this moment

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THANKFUL FOR…   1.  frilly bums   2.  quiet moments at the bookstore   3.  tutus   4.  day trips   5.  happy lunches   6.  time at the park   7.  celebrations   8.  a-picture-a-day   9.  Mother’s Days treats

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THANKFUL FOR…   1. pink cheeks   2.  creative moments   3.  knee socks   4.  every moment (even the messy ones!)   5.  friendships   6.  gorgeous weather   7.  girly time   8.  every picture   9.   old toys

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THANKFUL FOR…  1. A BIG birthday!  ONE!   2.  colors   3.  holidays   4. time with friends    5.  God’s love notes   6.  two girls   7.  artsy craftsy projects   5.  an excuse to dress up and eat lots of candy   6.  an excuse to play with little people

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THANKFUL FOR…  1.  artists in training  2.  the excitement of the first day of school   3.  all of them   4.  beautiful people to worship with   5.  God’s loving grace, mercy and forgiveness   6.  pictures   7.  custard with friends   8.  our little swimmer  9.  pumpkins!

 …

Photos via INSTAGRAM (KatherineMaries)!

xoxoxoxo!

Superheroes

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Superhero day!

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“Adults need children in their lives to listen to and care for, to keep their imagination fresh and their hearts young.”

Margaret Mead

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“We superheroes bruise easily, you know.”

Supergrover, from Sesame Street

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“Little boys (AND GIRLS) are just superheroes in disguise.”

Unknown

Have a SUPER day!

xoxoxoxoxo!

It’s a wrap!

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It’s time to kiss 2012 goodbye!

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Sometimes I feel sad about letting go of these moments.

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I pray in the midst of the chaos and color of life…

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that I don’t overlook the little pleasures…

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  that I never forget how joyful it is to experience life through the eyes of my children…

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that I fully cherish these precious gifts…

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and that I appreciate every little wink, giggle and smile.

Praying that you have a beautiful 2013!

Happy New Year!

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Christmas Carols of 2012

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“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”

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“Silent Night”

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“I’m Dreaming of White Christmas”

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“Santa Baby”

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“Deck the Halls”  

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“Oh Christmas Tree” (how we are going to miss you!)


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“All I Want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth”

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“Angels We Have Heard on High” 

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“The Twelve Days of Christmas” 

I pray that you’ve found His JOY this Christmas!! May the wonder, celebration and holiness of this season stay with you all year long!

xoxoxoxoxo!

Merry Merry!

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Picnic lunch in front of the tree!

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Happy brought “fresh” snow from the North Pole this morning!

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Mary.

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Happy Christmas treats!

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Festive T!

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Christmas Kindness Day 2012!

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Class Party Crafts

Rudolph’s bell is missing and someone munched on Santa’s beard!  :)

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The kiddos designed our Christmas cards this year.

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Mason’s first train ride!  Looks exciting huh?!

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Cozy Cozy Christmas Eve!

“There is so much to take in, Savior.  

There is no end to Your story.  

And there is no end to your love,

for which I’m eternally grateful.”  

Tim Wesemann

My very very

VERY favorite Christmas tradition—

handing out treats at the post office!!!!

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Today we set out to spread a little Christmas cheer by handing out hot-cocoa packets to the folks mailing off their last-minute Christmas cards.  The kiddos sang carols and danced between “customers”!!!!

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It’s almost CHRISTMAS!!!!

xoxoxoxoxo!!!!

Seven thousand two hundred and eight…

minutes until Christmas!

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Are you ready?

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A few of our favorite Christmasy books.

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Play-time in the kitchen sink!

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I was hoping that bubbles and balloons might keep the kiddos occupied while I worked on a couple of projects!  I might have accomplished more, but I took pictures instead!  :)

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Daily craft setup.  Yesterday was felt tree ornaments.  We were in the mood for a GLITTERY mess!

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“Happy” our Elf-on-the-Shelf made his first appearance last week.  The kiddos take turns picking his hiding place and mischievousness.  Tomorrow Blaise wants to set up a candy-cane trail.

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Hip Hip Hooray!  It’s a dancing with Santa kinda day!

Blessings and love!

oxoxoxoxox!!!!

Savoring Christmas

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Tree Trimmin’

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Twas the week (or two!) before Christmas.

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Daddy, Blaise, Grandma and Emerson hunting for our very first fresh Christmas tree! The BEST early Christmas gift this year was having my mom come for a ten day visit.

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Christmas Blessings to YOU!

xoxoxoxoxox