ST NICHOLAS DAY

Is there anything better than watching a kid discovering a clemintine and a tin of soft peppermints in their shoes? Nothing.

Well, maybe watching them gobble down ginger cookies while listening to a story about the real St. Nicholas...

or opening a wrapped book pulled out of a Santa bag....

or prancing around in their pajamas with friends...

or seeing them in rapt attention at the reading of the Grinch Who Stole Christmas.

Needless to say, there was much greatness to behold during this gathering of tiny St. Nicholas Day celebrators. We pajama'ed, learned about St. Nicholas, consumed cookies, drank cocoa (glass bottled Cokes, wine and spirits for the adults), exchanged books that the kids brought to share, and discovered treats in their shoes.

Sloane and I have been having lots of conversations about the meaning of Christmas because I'm keen to instill in her the idea that Christmas is for giving - like the real St. Nicholas and like the ultimate Giver - rather than receiving presents.  And she gets it, she really gets it. We've been picking out things of hers to give away and she does it happily, and also gleefully because she loves being able to help wrap the presents. I even suggested that she pick out a stuffed animal of hers to give to Logan as a Christmas present and she offered up Marie. Her beloved Marie, the cat! When I asked her why she would give up her favorite animal, she said simply, "Because  Logan likes it." My momma heart swelled with pride and humility - am I so willing to give away the possessions that I hold most dear?

Let this season be about making more opportunities to demonstrate a joyful and giving heart - for those who are in need, for our family who love us in our daily best and worst, and for our friends who are the net that catch us when we are tumbling down and help buoy us back up  in celebration.

HAVING MYSELF A DELIBERATE LITTLE CHRISTMAS

It's a Monday morning, and I spent the first half of it at work stress eating Butterfinger cups and gummy bears along with my second cup of coffee.  I'm considering a third cup, as I write this. 

I'm eating my feelings because one, I'm sleep deprived and it's making my body crave sugar, but two, I got emotional at Ken about being late to work because of a busy morning and what it boils down to is that my heart aches about not being with my babies today after a weekend together, and that's how it usually is. But this particular weekend, the ache is nestled in a deeper ache. I attended the memorial service of a friend's baby, and I'm aching for my friend, who I know must feel that ache in the inside of her arms, in her blood, all over her heart, all the way down to her toes. 

The service took my breath away. I expected to be heartbroken, but I didn't expect to be so encouraged, to get a glimpse of a gracious God, be put into awe and have my faith fortified. I'm still reeling and I hope it takes me time to process because this ache in my heart - it's good for me. It reminds me to keep my friend in prayer, it reminds me of how amazing it was to see my friend and her husband stand firmly in their faith through it all, and it reminds me not to take anything for granted. 

During these days of meditating on the reason for the season and taking stock of what is going around us, I'm feeling every feeling and holding each of my babies extra tight. They provide warmth during the cold days - that's a real bonus - but they also are a stunning reminder of the message during given the memorial service; that in the face of tragedy, 1) there are secret things of God that we cannot know, 2) that death is not the end, and 3) that our lives are but a mist that is here today and gone tomorrow. 

This past few days, I thought about such things while we got a Christmas tree together, while I gave thanks for Ken's mom and my parents, while I cooked meals for our week, while we reveled amongst the kids during a book exchange, and while we performed our bed time rituals before going to sleep at night. 

Deliberate, is the word for this holiday season for me. I'm thinking hard about the words that I say to Sloane as I explain the mystery and grace of this season and thinking a lot about the traditions and rituals I want our family to have. I want these weeks to go by slow so I can deliberately celebrate and remember such a glorious gift. 

FIVE PIES TO MAKE THIS WINTER

Bring on the pies! 

Salty Honey Pie (via Lottie + Doof) - this is one that I've made before from the this cookbook, and it's a favorite of mine. 

Caramelized Peach and White Chocolate Oatmeal Skillet Cookie Pie from Half Baked Harvest

Chocolate Pie from The Pioneer Woman

Deep-Dish Winter Fruit Pie with Walnut Crumb from Epicurious

Roasted Vegetable Winter Pie from Joy the Baker

THANKSGIVING IN VA BREEZY

Wham bam, we are in December! Is everyone feeling okay about it? I'm fine with it; I'm happy about feeling christmasy and plan on carrying the around feeling all month. Not thrilled about the temperature or darkness, but what else is new. I'll just turn up the Christmas music ! 

We love visiting Ken's family in Virginia Beach. Over the years, and especially after spending weeks there this past summer right after Logan was born, it feels like a home to me. I always feel relaxed when we are visiting there and a big part of that is how wonderful Ken's mom is, how much Sloane loves visiting her grandma and great-grandma, and the fact that we occasionally get to visit the ocean. We were down there over the weekend and had ourselves a grand ol' time. 

The weather was glorious all weekend and these two had a thrilling game of hide and seek in the yard. Sloane also apparently collected some acorns while she was hiding. 

Amy cooked a huge thanksgiving meal for all of us and some of her friends on Friday and it was delicious. Here are Lois and Logan helping out: Logan wanted to make sure we had enough sweet potatoes for the casserole. Give me allll of the sweet potato casserole please and thank you.

Glad I get to see this girl again in a few weeks. Get excited to watch more movie trailers, Lo!

This is a very common thing you will see around here: Logan's finger in her mouth. She loves chewing on it. It looks like she is pondering on something and it's freakin adorable, although I've started handing her teethers now so that she doesn't naw through one of her fingers. 

You guys, i am head over heels about his chunky baby!

The amount of joy that happens around a baby, especially from grandparents and great grandparents, is something I feel privileged to witness.

Does she look like a mix of me and Ken? Still can't really tell. I'll take those rolls any day though. 

Hot pot is a Thanksgiving tradition at Ken's and it might be my favorite part. 

There is nothing like family and friends around a table full of food to get my perspective in check. I am thankful, indeed.

THANKSGIVING LUNCH IN FREDERICKSBURG

Having a couple of kids under our belt makes me appreciate family even more, (I guess that is a good argument for having kids? It makes you appreciate everything more) and I love that holidays is an additional excuse to spend time with family.  We had my cousin Lois join us for the weekend, and on Thursday we packed in the car to meet my sister and brother-in-law for a Thanksfiving lunch in Fredericksburg. After calling several restaurants and making a reservation at the wrong restaurant, we ended up at Cracker Barrel, which was not what I had in mind, but worked out fine nonetheless. It was packed, but they had a fireplace, thanksgiving platter, hot coffee, and Christmas decorations for sale.  

Meeting in random spots, that's kind of our family's thing. It's almost as if to prove it really doesn't matter where we are, as long as we are together.

'Gimme that apple cider!' Logan has definitely been showing interest in food lately. I have a feeling she is going to be a big fan of eating. 

Sloane got to 'hold' Logan and she was beyond thrilled about it. Logan seemed dubious.

 

My sister and cousin used to be my babies and now they are grown and awesome and I get to watch them with my new baby! 

Happy Thanksgiving from us and Cracker Barrel's roaring fireplace!