Hang a Shining Star

Business as usual at our house, as Mom and Dad put the finishing touches on the Christmas tree.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Christmas-ing.

WE LOVE TAKING CHRISTMAS CARD PHOTOS.

1. I don't like caroling at a houses where I don't know the owners. I remember doing this in 7th or 8th grade and being mortified on the inside. I have no problem on stage, but stick me in another setting and I want to crawl under a rock.

2. I still can't fall asleep on Christmas Eve. Maybe this will change after I turn 30.

3. My favorite Christmas songs are "Joy to the World" and "Silent Night." I love the hushed tones of one and the pipe organs blasting on the other.

4. Have you seen the new Justin Bieber and Mariah Carey music video for "All I Want for Christmas?" It's... um... I don't get it. I don't understand it at all. Maybe you will. "All I want for Christmas is a mob, a Nintendo DS, and a scantily clad songstress?"

5. We are slightly addicted to hot chocolate with peppermint or cinnamon this year. DE-lightful.

6. I would love to have this in my house for next year... and all the holidays to come!

Source: etsy.com via Ginger on Pinterest

7. If and when our family... shall we say... expands in coming years- I want a Jesse Tree to be a part of our yearly traditions!

Source: etsy.com via Ginger on Pinterest

8. If you haven't heard the Shane and Shane Christmas Album from 2008 "Glory in the Highest" - you might want to give it a listen. I have it on repeat... often.

9. I'm excited to attend the Christmas Eve service at our church for the first time ever... I'm going to try and forget that there's no pipe organ! I love me some pipe organ at Christmas!

10. My theme verse for this season: "Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation." Isaiah 25:8-9 (You better believe it's going up on the chalk board!)

Joyous Noel, Blessed Advent, and Happy Christmas!