Christmas-Giving or Thanksmas?

In November, we traveled back to Oklahoma to see the family, spending a few days with each family, celebrating both Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Not an easy task!  These are some favorite pics of our gatherings.

We started at Papa and Mike's house.

On Thanksgiving Day, we went to Grandma and Grandpa Beach's house.    Here the girls made a gingerbread house while dinner was being prepared.

Addyson Nicole eating the icing off the gingerbread house.

My brother-in-law and sister-in-law.  Aren't they sweet?  I introduced them!

"Match maker, Match maker. . . "

Jacob Andrew - my nephew.  He will someday build the world's largest building - he is that smart!

Grandma and her Girls!

And our Christmas Tree at Grandma's - the day after Thanksgiving!

Sisters?  Yeah, we get asked that alot!

My brother-in. . . Nay, just my brother.

Next we went to Gran's house.  In 40 minutes we had torn through gifts like a hurricane, leaving a paper path of destruction in our wake!

Gran and Nana gave Chris a new guitar.  Yes, he was proud!

My BFF Kelli and her little Cade.

He is a rounder!  He loves his big brother Keith!

We were fortunate to celebrate Erica and Keith's official entry into our family  and Erica's 18th birthday while we were there.Isn't she gorgeous?  And smart!  She's going to be a famouse nurse!

So after all this visiting, we drove home and collapsed!  Literally!  We were so tired - the kids and I didn't move for a while day.  We were hoping that little Avery would be born while we were there, but, she had other ideas. . . .

Come to the Manger

I love Nativity Scenes.  I have a gold one that plays music.  A glass set that I paid 99 cents for at a dollar store when we were first married.  A bear set that a friend bought me.  And then, there's my favorite set of all!  

Now this is not a fancy ceramic nativity set.  Too stuffy for me.  It's a Fisher Price Little People's set I bought when the kids were little.  Those cute little round faces remind me of my kids when they were much younger.  I love that kids can play with this set and it won't break.

While I was picking up the house for the holiday, I took a close look at this little set and found new members!  Jesse, Woody and his horse, the little miner dude, and a plastic pig had found their way into the scene.  They were all gathered around the baby Jesus.  I didn't dare move these precious pieces.  One of our little friends and very deliberately placed these new-comers at the manger.

It reminds me that there's room at the manger for everyone.  You may feel you don't "fit" into the Christian scene or that church is not for you.  But God is for you.  And everyone fits into His plan!

Jesus is waiting for you.  Not as a baby.  Today He is waiting as your Savior.

Merry Christmas.

May the Christ of the Season
and the Baby of the Manger
Become your Savior Today.