Getting away...

Matt and I left the day after Christmas for a night away in Galax, Va. We had an amazing view of the snowy mountains.

Stayed in this warm and cozy cabin, it was so snowy still that we had to walk or be driven by the owners to our little cabin in the woods, the Pathfinder just wouldn't make it. This place was Posh!!!! We can't wait to bring our family of 4, whew, back maybe this summer to stay and play. Check out the cabin details here...

Matt did this, side note, I love it when he takes out his notebook to write down something important. He was pacing the footage, estimating and drawing the floorplan for this lovely little cabin, with the thought...we could totally build this!!!! Like I said, love it when the notebook comes out.

And we sat by this...Matt hiked a bit, there was a trail head to the Blue Ridge Pkwy about 100 ft from our cabin. I rested, read, reflected and we of course ate. The owners of the cabins deliver a hot homeade breakfast to your door the next morning, it was a sweet time!

Christmas collages!!!!

Catching up a bit here...sorry for the slack in blogging, I've been catching up around the house with various projects and just chillin' but wanted to share a few snaps of the haps before the new year!

Our Christmas festivities started on Dec. 23rd as we headed to Virginia to be with Matt's fam to celebrate Hank's birthday and open presents a bit early. Uncle Ben gave Ollie the gift of all gifts...a power wheel, Hot Wheels Jeep! He loves that thing and is starting to actually get the hang of how to drive it. We had a delicious birthday dinner and then headed back to Greensboro on Christmas Eve.

Christmas part 2...we were joined by my parents. It was a fun time had by all. We were all blessed with many fun things but were mostly blessed being together!

Christmas E-card!!!

Got a little behind on the card this year, but these fun pictures are from a fun brainstorming session! Merry Christmas Eve!

Labor of Love...

This is my favorite Christmas decoration we own, sorry it's not a very good shot. It's a porcelain city scape of Bethlehem, with Mary, Joseph and sweet baby Jesus in front. I've been lighting it at night in the past few weeks with a wee little tealight candle and admiring how it sparkles and pondering often the meaning behind this object that adorns our kitchen counter.

I've been thinking about Mary...a lot. I am 11 +/- weeks away from delivering our second child. I have mixed emotions if I am being honest. I am super excited...excited to know him or her...we still don't know! I am anxious a bit...haven't done a single thing for this child...on the to do list for next week. I am curious to know how the big brother will react. And nervous a bit to see how we will transition from a family of 3 to a family of 4.

And then there is Mary, sweet young, innocent Mary. I've been trying to connect myself to her as I gaze into her clay spotty face. Did she have any of the emotions that I do? Did she know that her Son would one day carry the weight of the world? Did she worry about feedings or schedules or naps? Or did...she...just...love?

I've been watching this video a few times in the past few days. It is sung by Jill Phillips, and is part of Andrew Peterson's Behold the Lamb experience. You should check it out, sit back, enjoy, reflect and be thankful as I am. Thank you Mary for the labor, thank you Jesus for the LOVE!


"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means God with us." Matthew 1:21-23

Oh my snow!!!

I snapped this pic about 7 o'clock last night, the snow was coming down...so beautiful. We think we got between 5 and 6 inches.

This morning the boys went out to play (don't worry Ollie did have on his jacket and gear in the early am.)

My sweetie loves himself a project...which I might add he drew up a blueprint for this one while we were eating breakfast.

I present to you Fort Hannam! People have been stopping by to take pictures...so fun! Merry snow day!

joy...

We headed to our favorite coastal spot this past weekend for the Spirit of Christmas festival. This is my favorite festival the quaint town of Oriental puts on...free hot cocoa, apple cider, cookies, chili, hot dogs all day on Saturday from the vendors just to "thank" the town. It is a pregnant girls dream come true. The afternoon wraps up with a festive parade and then the luminaries are lit all around town.

What a joyful time for our family of 3...soon to be 4. I am hoping you are finding true joy in the Christmas season, Merry Christmas!

Sugar Cookie Party!!!

The table was set this afternoon...set for a fun afternoon for Ollie and all his toddler friends.

The new big boy hair cut was revealed...Matt took Ollie to visit his barber yesterday...whew, he looks handsome and 8 years old!

And friends from all around came to feast on sugar cookies, icing, sprinkles and fun! It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!