Little Things like Marshmallows and Clothespins

Little things have made me smile this Christmas season.

First is our little Christmas tree. Keith and I love it, but Paige and Leah weren't happy that we didn't put up our big tree. The other thing that made me happy were these little clothespins that I found and then covered in scrapbooking paper to make them more Christmasy. I'm hanging our Christmas cards from a jute string along our bannister. I really like seeing them there in the foyer.

Then lastly, these little marshmallows are my other little treat this year. I found a recipe for homemade marshmallows. I added some crushed peppermint candy to the mix. Here is a peek in the bag at my little marshmallows. I didn't cut them very exact as you can see. They are tied and tagged and ready to go to our neighbors house to top off a mug of hot chocolate.

I've been meditating on this scripture this Christmas. I pray it blesses you too.

But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive the full rights as sons. Galatians 4:4,5

Merry Christmas from our house to yours,

I pray you enjoy the little blessings of life and know the big love that God has for you.

The World at Your Feet

Last night Leah's school hosted Geography Night for 100 5th and 6th graders who signed up to take a walk across Asia. The school brought in this huge National Geographic floor map of Asia. We went to 8 different regions of the map and learned so much. All I could think of was my blogger friends. We had an overview of Mongolia and I thought of Daja. Then The Philippines ~ Hi Charity.

Here are a few snapshots from the night:



Students from the High School's Council of International Affairs were the host of each station and shared information on the culture, religion, forms of government and demographics of different countries in Asia.



This is for you Charity:

This is for you Uncle Ron:

It was a fun way to learn and really be hands on or "feet" on and experience Geography in a different way. From what I understand National Geographic has 3 of these maps....Asia, Africa and The United States. But I think the best way to learn Geography is to start blogging!

Neighbor Steve's Man Christmas

Christmas decorations at our house this year:

(click on picture - it helps)

Christmas at Neighbor Steve's House:

Neighbor Steve was serious about decorating for Christmas this year. Last Saturday his Christmas man dream came true. He backed this big, bad green monster into his driveway.

Steve's brother-in-law and niece prepare to put up lights:

Neighbor Steve (who is afraid of heights, but not heavy machinery) coaches from the ground:

Paige takes a turn on the lift:

A bird's eye view from the treetops:

After an entire day of ups and downs in his big green lift, Steve and his wife cooked a scrumptious pot of gumbo and had the neighbors over.

It's the beginning of a

Merry Christmas!

(We even got snow flurries in Houston today!)