Dec. 17, 2007 Another Christmas Tour of Homes
BooMama is having her Christmas Tour of Homes. I thought I would utilize this to show you our family tree and a few other things I have not shared yet.
I love this decoration.
I feel it puts things in the correction perspective. Without Jesus, there is no Christmas.
My Wonderful Husband (Who celebrated his Birthday Yesterday!!! Happy Birthday, Darling) started this village for me several years ago. My parents continued adding to it. I do not have the entire set. Where would I put it all?? I love the "tiny town" that I have. It is the perfect size to fit almost anywhere!!
Anyone who uses my powder room, recognizes this Claus. I always light the little tealight when I am having a gathering. It is the little hidden things that make you feel warm and cozy.
My children count ALL trees when they say how many trees we put up. This one:
To the boys tree in their room:
To our family tree in the library:
This is our largest tree. It is filled with ornaments we have collected and created over the years. It is also home to five stuffed animals.
We have around 100 gold metal ornaments that we have received from a sweet lady that I lived next to when I was a child. Every year she gave my brother and I a box of candy and an ornament with our names engraved on it. When I married, she continued the tradition. Within the last several years, she has been unable to continue doing this. I do not mind, though. I have more than enough on my tree and each year when we bring them out, I think of her and share the memories with my children.
And finally my tree is topped with this:
If you would like to see some of our other trees, hop over to here and here and here!
Each year calls for the start of something new, right? Well, I found a new recipe over at Kitchen Riches for ice cream cake. I made my first one a couple weeks ago. What an easy, quick way to impress dinner guests!! Hop on over and check out the recipe!!
Have a blessed and peaceful Christmas. Allow Christ to touch your heart in a new way and let that love carry through till our next Christmas season.
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Dec. 14, 2007 Christmas Cookie Exchange
Our home school group had a cookie exchange last night. We started having it for our December meeting about three years ago. To say that it has grown is certainly an understatement. The first year we had about six different kinds of cookies. This year we had 18 different kinds of cookies!! Here is what my counter tops looked like last night:
We are not really formal in our exchange. We simply bring cookies to eat and then everyone piles their plates to take home. That way, we all get to sample the cookies and then leave with lots of different kinds. We also try to bring copies of the recipes for everyone.
In the past, we have had a getting to know you game that we played. We have also shared different Christmas traditions that our families use. This year, we decided to make a craft. I will not be posting it until AFTER Christmas, but trust me, it is really NEAT!!!
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Dec. 11, 2007 Moments of Blessing
Our home school group has a Christmas party every year. Part of the party is spent making cards and going to the nursing home to sing carols to the residents. This is the first year we participated.
I have to preface this by saying that I have a heart for ministering in nursing homes. I could never be so bold as to say that I could be a nurse or anything in that manner, but to bring a smile to a face cheers my heart beyond words. My hearts desire is to pass that compassion on to my children.
Like all parents with young children, I went through the list of what I expected of my dear ones. I was not going to expect too much of them, because it was only the second time for my boys. My daughters have visited nursing homes more often, so they new a little bit more what to expect (I have some really funny stories I will share some time).
I guess I needed to prepare myself a bit for what to expect. You know how you work something out in your mind how a situation will look? You plan it and have this great picture of what it will be? Okay, I did not expect what happened. The group sang some beautiful songs and really did a nice job. We then broke up to give cards to the residents who were there. I started looking around at my children and the emotion that I felt was almost overwhelming.
Mind you, I see how grateful the residents are when I touch their hand and I gently hug them. I can take that, but the look on their faces as they receive a hug from one of my children was almost more than I could take. At one point, I had to look away. The last thing we needed at that moment was a blubbering mother! I immediately prayed, "Lord, help me pull this together!" Only through Him could I continue.
There is nothing on this earth more beautiful than to see your child show love and kindness to an elderly person they do not know. I encourage you, if you have never taken the opportunity to visit a nursing home, do not wait any longer.
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Dec. 10, 2007 Holiday Open House Dec. 9, 2007 Finally, Another Tree...
You really thought I had forgotten my tree tour, didn't you?! This sign accurately describes what our house has been like for the last week:
 Although, it should say Family Workshop!! No, I am not creating a sweatshop over here. These are labors of love. Once Christmas is past and gifts are given, I will share some of our creations with you. But for now, you will have to wait along with the gift recipients!!
This post's tree is the Guest Room Tree. I was so excited when God blessed us with a house large enough to have a guest room. I wanted people to know that there would always be a room for them, no matter when they may show up on our doorstep. At Christmas time, every good guest room needs a Christmas tree, so without further delay, The Guest Room Tree:
I know, an awful lot of build-up for such a little tree, but it is a sweet little tree. I bought this tree the first year we were in this house. I feel that nothing makes a person feel more at home than to sleep by the light of the Christmas tree (if they so choose to). I bought the tiny, old-fashioned glass ornaments at the same time.
I did put a special topper on it. I made it in a ceramics class when I was young. My parents used to put the topper on their Christmas tree and when I was married, they gave it to me. I thought it was perfect on top of this tree. It was even more special when my parents came for Christmas last year. My mom noticed it.
One of the beautiful things about Christmas, MEMORIES.
We made some wonderful memories this weekend. We went to the zoo with some good friends and enjoyed the Christmas lights. Of course, the kids wanted to see all the animals. They were sleeping, and I am sure, somewhat irritated by the disruption to their sleep (well, maybe not the bats). The best part was the fun we had. That is a memory the children will always have and a tradition they will most likely want to repeat every year!
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Dec. 4, 2007 Another Tree in My Home Tour...
This is the tree in my bedroom. I call it the Precious Moments Tree.
My parents have given us a Precious Moments ornament each year we have been married. They also gave us one for each of "baby's first Christmas". The ornaments previously resided on the one and only family tree we had. When we moved into this house we started adding trees. This one became the Precious Moments tree.
We had some new additions to it. I added the purple bulbs last year and then added the white ribbon this year. It is a little sparse with ornaments, but I know that each year, we will add another.
I have plans for a "Beach Tree" with it covered with shells and such. I would like to add a "Kitchen Tree" and cover it with antique kitchen utensils. One of my Wonderful Husband's co-workers suggested that one. I will just add them as they come. I love seeing a Christmas tree from any point in the house!!! Maybe it would be easier to add mirrors....
I will continue to add a post here and there with a new tree. Hopefully it will not take as long as this one. My internet was "having kittens" yesterday!!
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My aunt gave us this tree soap dispenser when we first moved in. She loves decorating and that was the year she helped us. That was also our first Christmas in this house. As you will see, we count ALL trees!
I had it on a 
This is only a glimpse! I will save the whole tree for a separate post. I need to keep you coming back for more!! If you would like to see other trees that we have go 
