We enjoyed a very nice Christmas in our family this year. We are so blessed.

Josiah in front of the tree with a mouth full of candy from his stocking.

Taylor fixing some coffeecake for breakfast

Jacob checking out his stocking

Christmas is only 11 days from today and we have NO snow! It’s been in the 40’s and raining here lately. The beautiful snow we had is gone. Hopefully we’ll get some more before Christmas and we won’t just have to dream of a white Christmas.

I took the kids to Pioneer Hill today for some sledding. It was the first time Zachary and Josiah got to sled there. They had a blast. I went down a few times myself but the most fun for me was the enjoyment I got from watching my kids have fun. On Josiah’s first time down he was yelling “whee” the whole way. It is a beautiful sunny December day here in Northern Michigan. I enjoyed being outside (until my feet and hands got too cold) and I enjoyed the view from the top of Pioneer Hill.

Zachary

Taylor and Josiah. That’s Kevin getting ready to go down the hill.

Nicholas on his way back up the hill.

Kristi making the trek back up the hill.

Jacob

Luke and Nick

My walk this morning was such a treat. I loved seeing the houses nestled in snow and the woods adorned in the white of winter. While I was walking my heart was full of praise and thanksgiving for all of the good things God has given to me now and throughout my entire life. I was reminded of a passage from the book, Out to Canaan, by Jan Karon.

And while he did the run to Farmer, he would do a seemingly childish thing - he would count his blessings as far as he could. Quite possibly the list could go on until Wednesday, for he knew a thing or two about blessings and how they were, even in the worst of times, inexhaustible.

It’s all too easy to complain and not focus on the goodness of God in my life. I know when I’ve failed to be thankful, I’m a miserable person. My desire is to be a thankful person and a blessing to others. I know I’m always refreshed when I spend time with others who have a grateful and joyful heart. The company of someone who is critical and complaining just isn’t much fun. Once I get started counting my blessings, I realize there are countless reasons for thankfulness.

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

One nice thing about having a large family is all of the fun they can have together. Kevin and Taylor are only 18 months apart and have had lots of fun over the years. I remember one time when I was out shopping and had Kevin and one of his little brothers who was just a baby at the time, with me. We stopped at a park and I thought Kevin would enjoy playing for awhile. He didn’t play much and was soon ready to go. For most of his life he’s had his brother Taylor around and it just wasn’t much fun for him that day to play by himself.

Kevin and Taylor

The sun is shining and it’s a beautiful December day. Yesterday it was cloudy and snowed all day. I love bright sunny days. They always make me feel so much better. I’m so glad God created the sun to rule by day. He has given us so many good gifts to enjoy.

Ecclesiastes 11:7 Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun. (ESV)

We’ve been getting lots of snow today. What a fitting way to welcome in the month of December.

Kevin clearing the driveway.

Zachary working on the front porch.

Nicholas working on a path.