Christmas and a New Year

Hi, everyone! I hope you all had a nice Christmas. We've been on Christmas break since December 14th, and we'll go back to school this Wednesday. The time just seemed to fly by! Katie had a couple of her friends sleep over during the Christmas break...lots of fun!

We had a very nice time visiting with our families. My parents were sick the week before Christmas, so we had to change our travel plans a bit, but it all worked out. My brother and his family came to Mom and Dad's to visit with us the day before we left. One of my nephews had told my mom that he had a New Testament, but he wanted a 'whole Bible'. My parents got him a 'whole Bible' for Christmas, and he was so proud of it. He carried it around and was looking all through it...said it was his favorite gift.  Mom was explaining things to him about how to look things up...made my heart very happy. :-) 

My husband took this picture from Mom and Dad's front porch the day after Christmas. Isn't it pretty? We got enough snow to make things pretty, but not so much that it caused trouble on the road. We were very blessed that all of our travel days were snow free!

 Well, I thought I'd share some pictures of a few of my favorite gifts this year.♥

This is a little box given to me by a friend at church. I thought it was so pretty!

My mom and dad gave me this throw. It's so nice and warm.
I really like the pattern. ♥

Lee and Katie gave me this tart warmer. I've really been enjoying it!

~♥~
 

We watched a few Christmas movies. Sweet Lilly loves to be with us.

I like to turn off all the lights and just enjoy the glow from the tree and candles.♥

In thinking about the new year, I wanted to share a bit of Scripture my husband used in his sermon yesterday. 

Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
~II Corinthians 5:17

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

~ Ephesians 4:22-24

I pray you all will have a wonderful 2013!

Take care,

~Melanie

Christmastime at our House

Hello, sweet friends! I hope you're all enjoying the beautiful Christmas season.

I just thought I'd show you a little bit of what's been going on around here this Christmas! :)

We got our tree about a week ago. There's a tree farm not too far from us, so after school we went out and found this sweet little tree.

As you can tell from this picture, we were close to running out of daylight!

Here's the tree all prettied up!♥

Our little manger scene...the reason we celebrate!!

The hutch...I didn't leave the candles burning. I just lit them for the picture. The flame is a little too close to her arm. :)

The weather was so nice earlier this week, so we strung some lights outside. I like the tree in the window. :)

Katie went to her teacher's house with a friend on Wednesday, and they made gingerbread houses. I thought Katie did a great job on hers.  I wonder how many calories are in there........smile...... 

I think everything is edible except for the snowman's arms, which are made from toothpicks.

Another angle...

 

Yes, this is a busy time of year, but I love it! I am very blessed... blessed to have loved ones to give gifts to,  blessed to have a home I can decorate, and blessed to have the health to enjoy it! There are many who aren't so fortunate. Thank you, Lord, for all your blessings.♥

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and thanks so much for stopping by. :)

Take care,

~Melanie