O come, let us adore Him!

It's my hope that your Christmas Day is a celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior. Whether alone or surrounded by family, praise God and sing "Glory to God in the Highest"!

Merry Christmas from us to you!

I Sing Because I'm Happy >> New Print @ SparrowJoy

I love checklists.

Despite trying out checklist app's on my iPhone, I can't seem to love them as much as pen and paper checklists, though. It's somehow more satisfying to check things off a list you actually wrote out. 

And one item has been on my to do list for a couple of weeks now - finish the new design for my shop. Sarah, someone I've never met but seem to know a least a little bit from checking in on her blog every now and then, was the winner of my first giveaway. Her choice of something to be designed was the chorus from "I Sing Because I'm Happy". She had the print in mind as a Christmas present for a close friend of hers and she was superbly helpful by providing the wall color of the space she hoped it was for, and even pictures so I could attempt to pick up an accent color to work with! It was a fun process and although this isn't the color she ended up picking (I gave her some options), here is the print in a bright, happy yellow...

Now available. Thanks, Sarah, for the starting point for a new print. I hope your friend enjoys it! 

And while I was adding that print to the shop, I also thought I'd add another print I had designed for my husband's office when we first moved here. 

So I was able to check this off my to-do list, as well as one other design project, which I will share closer to Christmas. I need to give the mail deliverers a big enough time frame to get our Christmas cards in people's mailboxes before I post it on here, but I'm so happy with how they turned out and look forward to sharing the design with you! 

No.1736

A few posts back I mentioned something about a 5k. 

Remember that?

There might have been an "eek" and a "crazy" mentioned. 

Today that "eek" and "crazy" happened! The so very incredible moment when I crossed a finish line!!! The finish line of my very first 5k race - the Run or Dye. 

Number 1736 ran the whole way. Not with extreme speed or gracefulness, but from start to finish with no walking. No breaks. 

No lack of color!! 

How did it feel, you ask? Good question. The starting chute was awfully fun. The finish line and feeling afterwards was incredible! The part in between? The part where we actually had to run? It was tolerated. ;) I'm grateful for my running girls - it was so fun to prepare for this morning and finish it together. Thanks ladies!

There's talk of a 10k. I squirm. Not feeling ready to think about that right now! So I'm just going to enjoy this feeling of finishing a 5k - something I never, ever thought I'd be able to do. It's amazing that God created our bodies - especially our heart & lungs! - to perform better with hard work. I love that there are so many ways, times and places to discover more and more about God and the wonder of who He is and what He's created. Even running a 5k. With friends. 

See you Monday morning ladies. Bright & early.

Friendship

Friends are the bacon bits in the salad bowl of life. A quote I just read. Would you like to hear our version?

Friends are the marshmallows and whipped cream in the hot chocolate mug of life.

(oh my. how corny was that?! how about you enjoy these shots of Hadassah and her friend Anna and forget I ever wrote that, k?)

Keep Moving Folks!

Last Friday Tim and I had the immense pleasure of participating in a Fun Moving Fellowship Dinner with members from our church. Have you ever been a part of one of these before? If not, we highly recommend it!

56 people signed up and they moved in pairs. Moved? Yes, that is correct. Moved. The dinner consisted of 3 courses, each equally delicious and served in different locations. Appetizers started at a host's house at precisely 6:13pm. (4 different hosts to spread the people out) and could you please be out of there by 6:53? They have somewhere to be. Because at exactly 7:13pm, the main course started and you'd better be at the right place! (3 different locations - your location revealed at the end of the appetizer course) But don't get too comfortable because you'll need to go elsewhere for dessert (again, 4 different locations, your spot revealed at the end of the main course).

Over the course of the evening, you'd meet up and interact with between 16 and 19 different couples. (that's where the "fellowship" part comes in). And oh what fun it is to eat and run and such on occasion.

My camera stayed tucked away for the evening, but I did pull it out just before we left for our appetizers. Because our house was all set and ready for the mad rush at 7:13pm. Crock pot full of chili, salad in the fridge and rolls ready to set out. Living room transformed into a second dining room. House clean, tables set and drinks ready (thanks mom, for helping me out with all of that!). Here's a visual:

I won't mention that Gus helped himself to some of my preparations while we were enjoying our appetizers elsewhere. No one needs to know that I only served half of the number of garlic sticks that I had ready to go. They need only think that I cut them in half on purpose and certainly not because I wouldn't have enough due to an apparently very hungry dog. Stinker.

A great night. We really enjoyed our appetizers, loved hosting a main course and overstayed our welcome at the home of the dessert host and hostess. Which is, from what I hear, what everyone else did at their dessert spots too.

But then, that's the idea, isn't it?

Fun & fellowship.

1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 4

It seems that not so long ago I was writing a post with the title "1+1+1=3". It's amazing how fast one year goes. And equally amazing is how much happens and changes in one year.

How much older.

How much sweeter.

And yet, how much naughtier. :)

How many more memories. Ones that are actually remembered on their own without the prompting of stories or pictures.

How many more inches.

How many more phrases and tidbits of knowledge.

How many more facial expressions. And there are oh so many.

How much more love. It grows and grows and amazes me with it's steadiness.

And yet, how much fickleness. :)

How many mistakes.

How many lessons.

How many, many, many blessings.

How much busyness.

How much dancing. Oh so much dancing.

Happy Birthday Hadassah.

Four.

Now that's just crazy.

Here are some pictures of her actual birthday:

A special breakfast followed by the eagerly anticipated opening of presents...

...where this face happened a lot:

  

She had a iPad conversation with Grandma & Pa. Technology is pretty handy at times like this!

 And I ran out of time to make a cake on her actual birthday, so this 'ice cream cake' did the trick:

And then came the party.

Her birthday was on a Wednesday and the invitations for a party on Saturday had gone out the week before. Was this kid ever exCITED!! She talked non-stop Saturday morning from the moment she woke up until the last guest arrived. It all began with the cake-pops...

...which I think her friends enjoyed...

Cake pops were followed by games of Pin.the.Tail.on.the.Donkey, Duck.Duck.Goose., Ring.Around.the.Rosie, etc.

And then she was completely overwhelmed with gifts from her friends. "Open mine next, Open mine next". It's sweet to see that giving really can be as much fun as getting. Each friend received a thank you hug because wow, she was so spoiled. My Little Pony, Littlest Pet Shop, crafts, Moon Dough. Like I said...spoiled!

After gifts was some down-time where they all played up in Hadassah's bedroom. Out came the princess costumes and the Little People and the books and they had so much fun up there. Then just before lunch, it was necklace making time. Some of them were done after 5 beads, but others filled their whole string. All of them loved it.(So glad I found a huge bag of pink and purple beads at BFM awhile ago!)

After lunch and a little bit more playtime, it was time for everyone to go home. I think that it was so busy and crazy and fun that Hadassah was just fine with it when the time came. She then spent the rest of the afternoon playing with her gifts, quietly, contently and with a little smile on her face.

And do you know what the best part of it was for me? The moment I hear Hadassah yell out "This is the best birthday party ever!" in the midst of the squeals and giggles of the morning. Ah, thanks kiddo! I am so glad you liked it.

Happy Birthday. To my girl. (who is now sporting this haircut):

Courageous little Noah

Our family has been praying for a really good friend of mine Anne, and her family. Especially for Noah. Poor little guy has been in and out of the hospital a lot for being under a year old. But God is sustaining this family and drawing them closer to Himself in all of this, and it's always great to read about that on her blog: Be Still.

We'll keep praying for you, Noah! And the family that you are a blessing to!

Merry Christmas

My niece informed me this weekend, with much disapproval, that "you haven't written anything new on your blog since ages ago". Or something along those lines.

And I smiled and told her it's because I was sewing her a purse. And I was sewing two aprons, supervising the construction of two marshmallow shooter guns, trying to sew fun neat lines on a set of fabric coasters, designing a couple of prints to go along with a family photo collage, and forgetting to take pictures of every single one of them. Oops. (my family did a "homemade Christmas" and it was delightful...we've decided to do it again next year...perhaps I'll remember to take pictures then!)

But I was also designing our Christmas card and I will share that one with you right here, in this very post. Because our family would like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas, and a growing love for Christ our Lord in the upcoming new year.

We hope it's filled with awe as you think about the fact that God became man and was born in this world to save us from our sins.

We hope it's filled with family and friends, so you can share that awe together.

We hope it's filled with wonder as you worship Christ, the new born King!

Merry Christmas! Love Tim, Jen & Hadassah

Double the Fun

And that's exactly what Hadassah was in for the day "her twins" came over to play. Jaelyn and Ava are Hadassah's little buddies. They were born the day after Hadassah, so they are officially the kids closest to her age at church. They've recently moved (you can read about it here) and on a day when their mom was painting up a storm in the new house, they came over to play.

Here are a few shots of the fun they had outside. This shot is so typical. As soon as the sprinkler comes out, Gus dives right in and takes his share. All three of the girls thought this hilarious.

We only own two little kid chairs. This proved to be a problem until "sit on her lap" became an option. Again - this was found to be hilarious.

 And then there were the 'shows' they would put on for eachother. This was another great way to resolve the only-two-chair-conflict.

I think when it was hometime, they'd all had enough of eachother. The twins are used to having eachother around, but they weren't used to a possesive Hadassah. And Hadassah is certainly not used to having others around all day and almost fell asleep on the couch once they were gone. But they had a blast! And looked awfully cute doing it, too.

"Tenderly holding onto life"

A few months ago on our way to a girls nite out, my very good friend Anne share with me that she was rather nervous because that afternoon she had been asked to come back after having an ultrasound for the precious baby she was expecting.

I would imagine that day seems very far away for her right now. This past week, she gave birth to little Noah - an adorable little boy who looks just like his older brother and sister (in my "auntie" opinion). But this birth hasn't been like the other ones. Noah has some serious complications, some of which they've been simply waiting to find out about until his birth. Now that he's here, they're absolutely in love with him - and entirely leaning on God's sovereign grace, love and will to get through each day. One day at a time.

As trials can do - and are sent to do - this trial has brought to this family a deeper love for and reliance on their God and Creator. Please pray that they continue to find their hope and strength in Him!

You can read her story here.

So Much Joy

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; 

and the government shall be upon his shoulder, 

and his name shall be called 

Wonderful Counselor, 

Mighty God, 

Everlasting Father, 

Prince of Peace. 

Of the increase of his government 

and of peace there will be no end, 

on the throne of David and over his kingdom, 

to establish it and to uphold it with justice 

and with righteousness 

from this time forth and forevermore. 

Isaiah 9:6-7 

We wish you the Merriest of Christmas' and rich blessings in the New Year! 

Back behind the camera

It's been awhile.

But how could I say no? Two adorable kids, a friend-since-high-school and her hubby (who happens to go back to elementary school) and a beautiful fall day. When Anne asked if I could take some family pictures, of course the answer was "yes indeedy".

And so here's a little sneak peak for you, Anne. Hope you enjoy. (I'm avoiding a family pic, since I sure don't want to spoil the surprise of a Christmas card shot ;)

Oh, and I'm tossing one in of Hadassah too, since she insisted on having her picture taken that afternoon as well. And cause she's so stinkin' cute. And cause she's Danielle's friend. Only makes sense to have one of her too, right? Ok, maybe not. But she's in. All there is to it folks.

Move #1 - Back to Canada

Many boxes + Many helpers = One fabulous move. THX HELPERS!!

Off to get a new sister-in-law...

Tim and I have been humming "Gooooin' to the Chapel and we're (ba bum) goin' to get maaa-aa-aa-ried" lately. Because this very Saturday, this couple is going to get maaa-aa-aa-ried:

Warning: I about to make a comment on the lightning speed of time. You may or may not be very sick of me talking about time and how it flies because I've been mentioning that a lot lately. So kindly prepare yourself.

TIME FLIES!! Sometimes it feels like just yesterday that I said to Tim "hey - do you think your brother and Cherise would work?!" And other times it feels like Cherise has been in the family the whole time I've been in the family. It's only when I mention our wedding to her that I realize she's a newbie. (She wasn't there, see, and that just seems odd to me. Ya know?)

So we head back to GR another time to welcome her into our family. Tim and I are emcee's, and so we've been cramming this past week with wedding prep. Last night was a late one.

Jen is sleeeepy and hoping she doesn't have to drive later this afternoon. :) But it'll be worth it! We can't wait to celebrate with them!

As for other things - life is good. God is faithful. Tim has made a decision and is sitting on it for a bit, so we'll be announcing where we're headed in life shortly. I have a bunch of pictures to show you! For starters, I'm going to back track a little. Waaay back to our packing days. This is one item we couldn't leave behind: