tree hunt

Saturday we went with the fam to get Christmas trees
it was wonderfully crisp (I admit, I'm a fan of Winter)

Luca looked adorable in his Italian hat

Uncle Trav gave tree cart rides

hide-n-seek

found you!

I think everyone took a turn chasing after this guy

seriously, this kid loves to run full speed in the "wrong direction"

"tweat, tweat, tweat, tweat, tweat!!"

(just thought I'd share with you the escalation of Luca's requests)

the happy crew (minus Josiah and Jack)

 schick chicks

hot chocolate, and then home to decorate

fun, fun!!

US

my very talented sister 

(as in I think all of the talent in our family gene pool went to her, 

and skipped right over me :)

took some pics of our little fam last week

Luca was not cooperative--running away every chance he got, and then screaming when we tried to hold him 

(except of course when J was taking picture of Mark and I--then he was all over us)  

Xan was just pouty and kept taking his sweater half off--

but despite that, I really love them

this is our daily reality right now, after all :)

THANK YOU for taking your time to bless us (and so many) 

with your gifts...I love you

(I held back my faves since I haven't decided on my Christmas card yet)

Nanny??

this guy can count to 10 in Spanish

my friend jokingly asked if he had a Hispanic nanny

umm...well...actually, her name is Dora

she's super affordable

:)

Patience

yesterday I lost my patience

I got angry--through gritted teeth I muttered some ridiculous threat

as I marched my Xan to the car

I got in the car, and turned to see my sweet boy in tears

crushed by my unkind words

.honestly, I was heartbroken.

I asked forgiveness and assured him of my love

but am still saddened that I can't take back my words, my tone, my actions

the last few months I've been aware, more than ever

of the way my sin affects others

my heart has been grieved 

but I've also been aware more than ever of my Savior

and His unending and undeserved patience towards me

I couldn't earn it if I tried

and I'm finding freedom in living in His forgiveness

His righteousness for my filth

miraculous GRACE

luvins