day 5, 6, 7 and birthday.

Today is Karen's birthday.

We are very excited to be able to celebrate with her.

Can't say what we have planned it would ruin her surprise,

but will have it here tomorrow.

day 5,6,7

(click picture for weekend album)

Had a great weekend!

Friday started with Proverbs 22:9

"A generous man will himself be blessed,

for he shares his food with the poor."

Our interpretation....grandma needs a Christmas tree.

Grandma is not poor and she has food, but we were 

so happy to bless her with a Christmas tree.

While she was at work and actually on the phone with Jeff

we were secretly setting up a Christmas tree in her home.

Needless to say, we got a very excited phone call later.

Friday night, Jeff took the kids to stuff stockings for our churches

Christmas village.  

Mommy checked a few "to do's" off of her list.

Saturday a haircut for mommy. 

and I came home to crepes.

yummy!

The kids helped grandma decorate her tree and home.

I was able to check a few more things off of my list.

Karen came over for dinner and then we all went to Bethlehem.  

A church in Matthews set up the whole town, 

animals, sheckels, jewelry, pottery, meat market,

and the star pulling us closer and closer to the barn with a

baby in it.  

a joyful feeling.  

Just knowing this is what it's all about.

There is no Christmas without Christ.

Sunday we headed to church and our pastor began a series

on The Shack.  

today he spoke about the fact that we are all broken, that God wants

to meet us in our brokenness, "our shack", and heal us,

because He loves us so much, and we can never DO enough to make

Him loves us, He already does.

Came home from church and played.

We baked scrumptious caramel squares.

I worked on Christmas cards.

We took our Christmas picture.

Happy Monday!

Alicia