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Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Let it Snow, Let it Snow - Let is SNOW!!

*Snowflake Lane*

*Visiting Santa at Molbaks*


Yay for a White Christmas!
Love this white stuff - like totally love it! Snow has a way of covering up the ugly, making everything beautiful and new, quiet and peaceful. And nothing like a good dousing of snow to stop you in your tracks days before Christmas - keeping you bound to your house...to your family!
Yes, my planned big shopping day was 'spoiled' by the kids not having school - and me lacking the "driving the mini-van in a foot of snow" confidence. But it eventually got done...and so did a massive igloo in the neighbors yard - and a pretty sweet fort in ours. So did endless hours of sledding and playing in the snow; the realization that I have turned into my mom - awaiting at the door with open arms to fill with wet boots, gloves, hats and pants, to find the perfect vent for each one to dry them out while the kids re-fuel with hot chocolate with whipped cream and sprinkles. By the end of the night, we all sack out in front of a Christmas movie - up way past bedtime...just to do it all over the next day.

*Fort making in the front yard*
*Ellie loving the snow!*




*Christmas Eve*
Christmas Eve was a long day - good, but long. I have a new respect for pastors (even more for the wives!) The older two were apart of the choir so were at each service: 3, 5 and 11. We were asked to be apart of the cardboard testimonies during the services too. Um, that was powerful! About 50 people, most we 'know' some we didn't. All though, had a testimony that was shocking/touching/sad/amazing, something we never would imagine - in the end blessed by God's glory! The first side of ours said: *Scheduled an abortion 10 years ago* Flipped over said: *Celebrating 10 years with our daughter* God is good! No question! (**Disclaimer - Haley doesn't know anything about abortion, and how we headed in that direction, she does though, know about how we thought we were going to give her up for adoption. Both Haley and Tanner weren't in the worship center when we did our cardboard testimony. We will talk to her about that part of her story when she is older - old enough to understand** Thanks! Click here if your totally confused scroll down to the side note :)



Carter was a wee bit bummed that he had to sit through three services - although when he realized he got to hold a candle, perked up...but the kid sure does surrender easy when he's tired! He passed out cold during the entire 3:00 service - unlit candle clutched into his little hand and all. He woke up when they raised the lights at the end of the service, you could see the anger on his face because his candle was still unlit... We all went over to Josh and Sadies for pizza, and the kids got to open a gift (pj's).
*Carter was apparently looking for more "gifts"!!*
-And yes, his pjs are over his pants
I was SOO close to letting Carter wear them when we went back for the 11 service. Good thing he didn't because they were short on kids in the choir - we asked Carter if he wanted to sing, he said yes - so he did! It was hysterical!! First of all, the kid was good! The only time he took his eyes off Mr.Tim was to glance over at us with this enormous smile! We couldn't focus on anything else - doesn't help that the pastor and worship leader were keeled over laughing too! It was awesome!! And I forgot my video camera at home!! Another parent recorded it for us and I'm just waiting for that now - I'll post it when we get it.


Christmas morning we awoke to more snow - and dumping!! The plan was to open stockings, then pack up the presents and head down to my moms (10 houses away) for breakfast and the rest of the morning festivities...Well, the van got stuck in the street when Chris tried turning it around to load up the presents. Josh and Michael came to pull him out...they got stuck...ok, ok, abandon the mini-van, lets just try to get Josh's car unstuck...So after about an hour, we were ready to load (into Chris burb - why we didn't try that in the first place, don't know ;) We made it over there - and enjoyed our day!
I couldn't think of a better way to spend Christmas! I found this Christmas a little more reflective this year than most. It could have been the snow, could have been that we are in our own home finally this year, could have been the Christmas Eve services that we and the kids were involved with... Not sure. But I do know that God sent His son to be born to a virgin, in a barn - so that we may have an everlasting life with Him. Our prayer this Christmas Season is that you receive the free gift that is found in Jesus Christ, so that you too may have an everlasting life with Him.
May you be blessed in the year ahead!
Love, The Avery's


*Gift Wrapping Central*



*Carter helping Chris prepare his amazing Christmas dinner*



*The star I made for my mom*

*Go figure. The fridge was full I'm sure...*


Merry Christmas!!!

1 comment:

marisabutterworth said...

Love it! Thanks for taking us on your Christmas journey. It was quite a year!