Deck The Halls!

Would you believe we decorated our Christmas tree this morning?

Normally, the tree would've been decorated weeks ago; but this month has been especially busy for us and, well, let's just say I'm thankful we even put our tree up this year.

Even though it's Christmas Eve, decorating the tree today meant that Mom and Harry were here to participate with us. (Actually, Jason had to work and Harry made breakfast, so the only tree elves on duty this morning were Mom, me, and Caleb).

Caleb's old enough now to enjoy the ornaments, if still a little young to understand they're supposed to stay on the tree. Details, right? So I let him pick out a couple of sturdy ones and he played chase with a one-horse open sleigh and a felt snowman.

I love pulling out our ornaments every year. They are old friends; each one holds special memories, because every year, I buy a new ornament that symbolizes something important from our year. Like the stone memorials of the Old Testament, our ornaments mark momentous moments in our life as a family. What God has done for us, what God has done through us. They are a remembrance of His blessings.

May I share a few favorites with you?

2004, the year Jason and I were married

2007, Caleb's First Christmas (and first birthday shortly thereafter)

The Masquerade Dance from Phantom of the Opera. This ornament is a personal favorite because it marks the year I graduated high school, started college, and began falling in love with my future husband.
It's also a favorite because "Masquerade" is my favorite song from the musical and this ornament plays a clip of that song.

Nativity Scene from Peru (2005). A two week missions trip, our first together as a married couple. There are llamas in the stable instead of sheep.

A Celtic Cross (2001), from a summer missions trip to Northern Ireland. I met Lindsay on that trip, who would eventually become my best friend and adopted big sister.




This is our ornament from last year (2008). It's Noah's Ark with
woodland animals and pine trees. I bought it because it reminded me of our trip to Washington last summer and because I hoped God would eventually move us there.
(He did).


'Course, some ornaments are bought simply because they're fun!
For example, my S'Mores Snowman:

Caleb's Pirate Ship.

And because we love our Veggies:

to be joined this year with this (compliments of my Mom):

Here's this year's ornament:

A little squirrel moving into an acorn.

Pretty much says it all. :)

God is good. And He is faithful. I am reminded of that more during Christmas than any other time of the year (except perhaps at Easter).

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas Eve and a Merrier Christmas Day tomorrow, dear friends!

"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi

from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

~ Matthew 2:1-2