12 Days of Christmas

I was doing research for my preschool lesson last night and I came across this about the song The 12 Days of Christmas...
It originated during the middle ages when Catholics were persecuted for their faith. They came up with this song to teach Children about God.
True love refers to God, me refers to the baptized, and the partridge in the pear tree refers to Jesus!!
2 turtle doves- The old and new testaments
3 French horns- Faith, Hope, and Charity
4 Calling Birds- the four gospels
5 Golden rings- The first five books of the Old Testament, the Pentateuch, which gives the history if mans fall from grace
6 Geese-a-laying- the six days of creation
7 Swans a-swimming- the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the 7 sacraments
8 Maids a- milking- the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing- the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords a-leaping- the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping- the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming- the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed


Hmmm, guess I'll think differently of this song from now on:) Have any of you heard this?

A Little Game

I was supposed to do this for Juli a few weeks ago.. Since today is her birthday!! I'll do it today!

1. Jesus or Santa- Jesus of course, but we do have santa stuff here at our house
2. Egg nog or hot chocolate- Hot chocolate
3. White lights or colored ones- White all the way. It's soooo classic!
4. Do you hang mistletoe- nope
5. Do you hang a wreath- yes on my front and side doors
6. Do you hang garland- yes, outside on the porch
7. When do you put up your decor- The Sat after Thanksgiving
8. What's your favorite holiday dish- we started doing filets, potatoes, and salad on Christmas, all of which I love
9. What's your favorite memory as a child- I used to read the Polar Express to my sisters and then we would all sleep in the same bed. And we would get up super early.
10. When did you find out Santa wasn't real- WHAT??? I still believe....
11. Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve- No
12. How do you decorate your tree- It is mostly silver and red- balls and ornaments. Then ornaments we have been given through the years.
13. Snow- love it or hate it- Love it.
14. Can you ice skate- Yes
15. Do you remember your favorite gift- I have very fond memories of many Christmases but a piano, nintendo, and the pearl ring Jeremy got me the year Gracie was born top the list
16. What is the most important thing about this holiday to you?- Spending time with our families and making sure that my girls know about Jesus and why He came
17. Favorite holiday dessert- anything chocolate
18. Favorite holiday tradition- Baking at moms with my sisters and daughters and niece
19.What tops your tree- A globe with Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus inside
20. Do you prefer giving or receiving- I love giving but I can't lie, I love opening presents too
21. Favorite Christmas Song- Mary Did you Know
22. Do you like Candy Canes- a little
23. Are they gone by Christmas- if the girls know about them:)
24. Do you think Christmas is too commercialized?-Absolutely. Have you all heard about the push to say Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas and sell family trees instead of Christmas trees? ABSURD!!! At Lowe's the sign actually says family trees.

Whew! Anybody wanna play along?

My Favorite Christmas Song

I got tagged this week to tell you my favorite Christmas song. Jessica and I share the same one! It's Mary Did you Know. When I was in highschool we had a live nativity at our church every year and I was Mary. When this song was played I immediately thought about what it would be like to be Mary, carrying the beloved baby Jesus. My aunt is an incredible singer and she too would sing it every year at church. Now that I have my own two precious little ones I think even more about what Mary must have felt carrying my Savior. What a task, what trust she had.
So if you are ever around me and this song is on, cover your ears. I always belt it out, and I can't sing a lick:)

Mary Did you Know?
Mary did you know, that your baby boy would one day walk on water
Did you know, that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters
Did you know that your baby boy would come to make you new
That this child that you delivered would soon deliver you

Mary did you know that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man
Did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with his hand
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod
And when you kiss your little baby you have kissed the face of God

Mary did you know
The blind will see
The deaf will hear
And the dead will live again
The lame will leap again
The dumb will speak
The praises of the lamb

Mary did you know
That your baby boy is Lord of all creation
Did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect lamb
This sleeping child you're holding
Is the GREAT I AM

This song in essence, is what Christmas means to me.
What is your favorite Christmas song?

Sin and Grace

During worship at Care Group on Sunday night one of the men shared something from Spurgeon. It went something like this... Our sin is very serious but God's grace is abundant. He compared our sin to a grain of sand and God's grace to the ocean!!! How awesome that my sin is like a little speck but God's grace is as vast as the whole ocean. I hope this encourages all of you today.

Gracie's Birthday Party

Nanny and Piper
Presents galore, Faith and Rhiannon
Some of the gang:) Ellie, Faith, Jackson, Gracie, Logan, Rhiannon, Pipey
Da boys
Finish it off with Pinata time!


We had so much fun today celebrating Gracie girl's birthday! We love to make a big deal out of their birthdays. Each year the Lord gives us with our children is such a gift we DON'T deserve! I was telling Gracie the other day I couldn't believe she was going to be four and I was saying it sadly. She said, "Mommy, you may not complain." Well at least she is listening to something I am trying to teach her! What a blessing each day is with my Gracie!

Gracie's Birthday Party

Gracie's buddy Logan
First, you get a tattoo like the Doodlebops have on their hand
Then you make your pledge flag for the Doodlebop pledge
After the pledge, it's cake time! They all sang to Gracie with their microphones:)
Sisterly love! and Logan!

Gracie's Birthday Party

Daddy wanted to make Gracie's cake. So here they all are mixin!
He waited on his mom to start the icing!
Yes, he made it with no molds! He cut that schoolbus out all by himself!
The finished product

Gracie turns four tomorrow!!