Merry Christmas everyone!
We are getting ready to head north to Indiana in just a few days.  We are all so excited to be with family and friends and to celebrate Christmas with them.  The boys are counting down the days until they can play with their cousins!  There will be lots of laughter, Minecraft, Pokemon, and silly jokes...we can't wait! :)

We had our family Christmas here last weekend.  It was strange having Santa come so early and having Christmas in our new home state for first time.  We had a fun day, but I was feeling really homesick at the same time.  Around the holidays especially I think being away from home can be challenging, but I guess it's just more of the growing pains you go through when you move!  I'm sure we will get used to our new traditions over time and I'm just so thankful to have a loving family to celebrate with.  I know this time of year is difficult for so many people...my own little world seems pretty nice when I think of all that some I know are going through right now.  I'm so glad for the our Savior, Jesus, and the hope he gives us no matter where we live or what our situation is!

Here is a Christmas song that I love.  It's not cheesy and annoying, I promise. :)  I heard it the other day and even though the song is about what took place over 2000 years ago when Christ was born, it really reflected the cry of my heart today:  "Come now our King.  We've been waiting, come now our King!" 

When Jesus returns He will not be a humble baby in a manger, but will come as a conqueror, strong and mighty:  "The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow.  His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.  When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and  I have the keys of Death and Hades."  Revelation 1:14-18

He has defeated death once and for all on the cross.  It is a free gift to anyone who will just receive it and believe.  What an awesome hope we have in Him this Christmas!  Come Lord Jesus!!

Hi there!
Wow, it's been a while since I've posted!  Let me make up for lost time by saying Happy Thanksgiving to you!  I hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday.  I'm sorry I haven't been able to post.  We had a virus on our computer and Matt had to completely clear our hard drive and has been in the process of reconfiguring our computer for the last two weeks.  Anyways, it's good to be back!
So much has happened over the last month...the boys have been busy with school and we've been working hard on getting things ready for our new house.  They just finished the drywall and it's actually looking like a house now on the inside.  They also laid the hardwood floors this past weekend and the outside is being painted today.  It's getting very exciting!  This apartment experience has definitely brought us all "closer"...but not always in a good way, ha, ha! :) No, it really has been fun, but with three growing boys we will definitely be glad to have a little extra space.  I will be sure to post some pictures of the house soon!
Speaking of pictures, I do a have a few of our trip home to Indiana...

James visiting his Grandma Wood in Kokomo.  He was so excited to see her!

 

We also got to see Matt's sister Tami and my nephew Skyler.  Here are Taylor and Skyler playing with their special gaming cards. 

 

And there on the couch is the usual suspect Jackson, too cool to look at the camera.

 

Visiting with cousins Mya and Lauren.  We ate at 96th street steakburgers...YUM! There was a lot of laughter going on at this table! :)

 

Here is James with my mom.  She still had her cast on, but that didn't stop her from making lot's of fun memories with the boys.  (and, I have to add, four delicious pies!)

 

And here are a few randoms...

This is Taylor and I at Starbucks.  He had seen the pumpkin spice latte advertised and wanted to try it.  We opted for some steamed milk with the pumpkin flavor added. :)  A book for each of us, some free time, and some of the best conversation I've had...seriously this kid can teach you the most amazing things. I love his personality!

This is "Tom" with his arch nemesis "Jerry"...lol! They play this all the time and it is hilarious! Somehow "Jerry" always seems to win!

 

More to come soon! 
Love,

P.S.  I can't believe it's Christmas already!