Happy Christmas Eve!!!

Happy Christmas Eve!

This was taken last week when Lily was an angel in our church Christmas play. She is very angelic after all!

This is the last picture that I have of my daughter's unadorned, beautiful, petite ear. She has talked for months of having her ears pierced. So off we went to Libby Lu for the ultimate ear piercing, princess for a day, experience.

Not feeling too princess like right here. Where there is true beauty, there is pain. We assured her it only hurt for a minute. Her cousin, John Christopher, repeatedly told her, "Lily, it's gonna hurt. It is REALLY gonna hurt." Nothing changed her mind. Daddy and Graeme couldn't watch. They had to walk away. It might of had something to do with Graeme trying to pick out earrings for himself. What can I say, he loves his sister and wants to do all that she does!

Now her ears have sparkly pink hearts...it HAD to be the pink hearts!

On to the next Christmas Adventure, making cookies...a tradition with cousins!

What kiddo doesn't love the feel of dough and flour in his hands! John Christopher is loving it!

Baby Luke was more into eating the dough....

and just looking so darn CUTE!

The perfect snowman is hard to achieve but she did it!

My sis, Jodi, and her son...family fun!

She is so proud!

Graeme got way into the decorating. He was the first to the table and the last to leave!

Looks good enough to eat!

So they did!

Not quite sure what he thinks about all those textures and the sweetness. The twinkle in his eye is priceless though.

Can't waste that last bite.

We had a wonderful evening! I have been very sentimental and overly sensitive the last few days, crying at the least little thing. For those who know me, I am not a cryer...not typically anyway...but once I get going well... I am also not good at expressing my emotions. I am now focusing on the positive emotions. I am starting my New Year's Resolution early. I want to push beyond the stress of everyday life and all of the big changes that have occured for us. I will Love Authentically and Enjoy the Simple Pleasures.....the look of my daughter as an angel in the play, her sweet tears as she receives her first earrings, the laughter in the kitchen last night as we all made cookies (setting the pot holder on fire in the process..another story), opening a new Christmas book and reading it to BOTH of my children. Graeme is home this year which is something my heart ached for last year. I am blessed beyond words and I will take time each day to be thankful for that.

Wishing you all Joy, Laughter and Love this Christmas and each day of the New Year!