Baking, measuring, chopping, blending ...

smoothie goodness

This week we've been exploring the kitchen through baking, measuring, chopping, blending … 

What do you do when your child is a picky eater? From age one, Creed ate anything I offered him. Now he eats a limited amount of food and winces when I ask him to try anything new, just one small bite. I know this is a stage and I'll be happy to see it end, however in the meantime I'm thinking if I can get him involved in the process, perhaps he will be more inclined to try new foods. 

We started out with a smoothie consisting of spinach, frozen strawberries and fresh blackberries. I instructed Creed to grab a couple of small bunches and as he carefully put some in his tiny little fists, he looked at me asking, "too much?" "No," I answered, "we need a lot." He was very engrossed in the process, especially pushing the buttons, though the interest faded when it came time to taste the results. 

Hmmm … Creed loves muffins. So I decided to make a healthy version, adding chia seeds for bonus nutrition. He eagerly obliged eating the results. We make healthy pancakes all the time adding poppy seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds, etc. So now I'm thinking I'll just add this to the list.

Washing strawberries

washing himself

Slicing

… and dicing

Creed practiced using the curious chef kitchen knife. First he washed the strawberries and himself in the process. Then he cut the tops off the strawberries using a kitchen tool used for slicing strawberries, eggs and anything else that will fit I suppose. As I looked at the photos I realized how small his tiny little hands were. Sometimes I forget how small he is, about the time I realize how big he's getting. 

two-hands technique

The next day I explained the pineapple having a core, slicing the outside. Creed was able to slice them up beautifully, but to no avail, he wasn't interested in tasting it. I did enjoy watching his technique. He tackled it with both hands on the end of the knife and then used one on the end as well. Either way he sliced it, Creed was clearly having fun. 

Have you heard of Kidfresh? It's a brand of healthy frozen kids meals. Luckily our local Kroger carries them. Creed loves chicken nuggets and I do too, except what I don't like is the scary ingredients hidden in foods targeted at children. Not only is the chicken used raised humanely without antibiotics, but they add cauliflower, onions and use whole grain breading. Creed loves them and I love knowing he's not eating antibiotics, also getting some vegetables. We've also got the Spaghetti Loops and Meat Sauce and Wagon Wheels Mac & Cheese. I wish it was organic, but this is the best I've seen so far that he will actually eat. For more information visit: http://www.kidfresh.com.

We took turns playing games this week including the Melissa & Doug geometric shape game, the sensory game called "Feel & Find," by EDDU Toy, and his newest favorite Five Little Monkeys Jumping On A Bed.  

Spring Christian Homeschool Co-op starts Monday morning. I'm very excited to be able to meet other homeschool mamas and getting Creed more acclimated with other children. He's everyone's friend, especially when we go out to the playground or a play area setting in the mall. There was only one time, when the mall area was really full that he said there were too many people and I had to agree. When I think about my own reluctance join a crowd, even a small one, I wonder what it will be like in heaven. I mean there isn't going to be just a massive amount of people, a world's population over a span of centuries will be there! I would also imagine that through God's grace this anxiety of being around a bunch of people will also be removed. In the meantime, I'm really trying to work on it, especially with Creed. I don't want to pass on my own fears. I want to be the best example as humanly possible. So we're both diving in head first, together!  

The Duck Goes 'Quack Quack' Mama!

Creed's favorite character nowadays is Little Nutbrown Hare. Aside from the book, "Guess How Much I Love You," by Sam McBratney, I hadn't heard or seen anything else about this rabbit. Just flipping through the channels the other day I found it on Disney Junior (8:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.c). The animated series is centered around the love and friendship between Little and Big Nutbrown Hare, a father and son. It's adorable. I love it as much as I love Peter Rabbit! We went to the library this week and I found another book by the same author with this duo called, "Let's Play In The Snow." Turns out there's a series of books about Little Nutbrown Hare including, "Guess How Much I Love You," 'All Year Round,' 'The Adventures of Little Nutbrown Hare,' 'Colors Everywhere,' 'A Surprise For the Nutbrown Hares,' and the list goes on. I'm looking forward to discovering each one as much so as Creed. 

Another great find inspired by a book Creed received from his Aunt Lorilie, "The Kissing Hand," by Audrey Penn, was "A Bedtime Kiss for Chester Raccoon." After a little digging, I also found, "A Kiss Goodbye," "A Pocket Full of Kisses," "Chester Raccoon and the Acorn Full of Memories," Chester Raccoon and the Big Bad Bully," "Chester the Brave," etc. 

Sensory play with EDDU Toy

After playing with our geometric shape game by Melissa & Doug, we played a great sensory game called "Feel & Find," by EDDU Toy. Basically it's a canvas bag filled with wooden shapes and as you draw from the stack of wooden game pieces that have the matching shapes you put your hand in the bag, without looking of course, and feel for the corresponding piece. It was hard, but fun. At one point I suggested he try it with his foot and it was a hoot! When it was my turn I was having difficulty finding the duck and Creed held the game piece in front of my face explaining to me that ducks have webbed feet for paddling. He waited a moment and then kept telling me more, the duck goes, "quack, quack." "The duck eats fish and seaweed," he said, "and has gooey eyes." "The duck says quack, quack," he persisted. It was hilarious. The more he told me the closer he got to my face. We played a Cranium Treasure Chest game next. This time we played by the rules. This was certainly an adjustment for him, but he played along. 

For a couple of months now we've been reading "Warthogs Paint, A Messy Color Book," by Pamela Duncan Edwards. It's a tale about warthogs painting a rainbow on the kitchen wall after not being able to go out on such a rainy day. Through several mishaps the colors are mixed and new colors are explored. The last page goes into detail about primary colors, when mixing two primary colors you make a new colors, green, orange and purple. There are a couple of fun exercises testing the child's intellect like, "Which two colors were used to make the ladder green?" One day after reading the book I asked Creed if he'd like to mix some colors to see what happens. He answered with an excited, "Yes!" I found the easiest way to mix some colors was using the fizzy water changing tablets (used for bath time). We dropped the red, blue and yellow into different jars and waited for them to dissolve. It's didn't take long for the magic to happen as Creed anxiously awaited for the fun to begin. He used a big bulby syringe I found at thrift store, first adding yellow to the empty jar and then blue. "Green!" he squealed. Science experiment 101, mixing primary colors, was a huge success.

Science 101, mixing primary colors

geometric shape game

That night we read from the Ranger Rick Jr. magazine we checked out from the library. The December/January 2014 addition pictures a Red-Eyed Treefrog on the cover, which Creed referred to as, "Sticky Toes." There's a section in the magazine that features, Read with Bonnie and Chester. It's a short story that has photos inserted into the text so children can "read with" their parents. I explained how we were going to read it and Creed jumped right in and cracked me up every other line. Chester, the squirrel and Bonnie the bluebird, had an adventure with snowflakes. There were pictures of hot chocolate and when we came to that point … Then they ate (pictures of cookies) cookies and drank (picture of hot chocolate) coffee he said. He certainly listens to everything around him. Mama makes coffee every morning and sometimes he will ask me to do something and I explain that we can do this or that after I make coffee, finish drinking coffee or watch out, don't spill the coffee, it's hot! The Ranger Rick Jr. poster showed a photo of a red fox. This fox has a white chest, black feet, and yellow eyes, I read. Who does that look like, I asked? Mr. Todd, he replied! (From Peter Rabbit on NickJr.) As we were reading and flipping through the pages there was a photo of a mama cheetah with a baby standing on it's hind legs looking like it was whispering into it's mother's ears. If this cheetah could talk, what would it be saying? (reading the text) "Meow!" Creed answered. It's been a blast. 

We are entering the "What's That Mean?" phase, aka "Why" phase. I'm really enjoying it. He asks questions I would never ask and sees the world from a different aspect. It's refreshing and eye-opening at the same time.

I signed up Creed and I for the Spring Christian Homeschool Co-op. I'm very excited to be able to meet other homeschool mamas and getting Creed more comfortable with other children. He's a clinger, literally to my leg. One reason we started BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) was because they had nursery that also had class, not just a babysitter. Sometimes they have to peel him off me, but when I come pick him up he's sitting in a circle listening to the stories and very engaged with the teacher and other students. I wish I could see how well he does in class and I'll be able to get a little insight when this co-op starts on the 27th. All smiles here!

I'm excited about the Montessori Summer 2014 Handwriting and Fine Motor Workshop Creed will be attending, twice a week for the last three weeks in July. The goal of the workshop is to introduce or improve children's handwriting skills in a fun learning environment. Using a multi-sensory approach they will work on developing the strength, coordination and dexterity that's required to complete the writing process. This includes pencil grip, letter formation and letter placement on paper. One-on-one instruction is taught by a licensed occupational therapist and will be based on techniques and activities within the Handwriting Without Tears writing program. This will give him a leg up for what's to come in this next homeschool year, plus he'll be able to make some new friends as will me. I had only heard the name Montessori and didn't know much about it until it was suggested by a friend. Thanks Aunt Na! The more I read about it the more I'm inclined to enroll Creed in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. It's rooted in the Bible, the liturgy of the church (Catholic) and focuses on helping children listen to God and His Word and respond with joy. For more information visit here: www.cgsusa.org. I'm still researching Montessori. Your comments are appreciated!

"There's a Mouse About the House"

Do you ever wonder if you knew what you were supposed to do when you grow up, when we were under the age of five? Recently as I was reading to Creed from a set my mother purchased for me and my younger sister on manners, the "Let's Talk About," series, and noticed how I cataloged the book series. Additional slips of paper where patrons would check out books were taped to the inside cover. Remember those? Remember thumbing through the card catalog? I remember the first time my mother took me to a really big library, where everything was electronically filed on the computer. I've always loved the endless rows of books and possibilities that lied within the covers of each book. A world where anything and everything was possible. It's always been something magical to me. I love the quiet. I like seeing patrons sitting around reading studiously. It's a happy place for me. If I had to do it all over again, I'd be a librarian. Perhaps that's why "You've Got Mail," is one of my favorite, if not my absolute favorite movie. I dream of owning my own children's bookstore. 

Our imagination is a powerful thing. I see how Creed acts out everything and wonder if it's not just play, but a way of understanding his world preluding even to a profession he will have later in life.. Lately he's been playing doctor. I ordered a stethoscope last year, but it didn't work. He still enjoys playing with it, but it's not the same. He doesn't know the difference yet, however I imagine the day when he hears an actual heartbeat with a working stethoscope. I've been looking on amazon and found a set that has a stethoscope and blood pressure cuff. I also found a doctor's bag. When Wal-Mart was having their Black Friday special I picked up the Fisher Price doctor's set, which also promised a working stethoscope. Sadly it doesn't work either, and the ear pieces really hurt. 

His interest goes back and forth everyday, exploring the possibilities of play and imagination. He enjoys acting out David and Goliath, he plays the troll under the bridge of the "Billy Goat's Gruff," and gives mama and daddy an examination every time he brings out his doctor's kit. I'm enjoying watching him grow and explore. I'm enjoying listening to him go on and on about his newest discovery. I love watching him learn new things. I'm grateful to be along for his journey and still give thanks to God for our "rainbow baby."

We started today with a lace and trace puzzle by Scholastic. After or before the pieces of train are laced they may then be joined to form a long train with many cars. Also, another grand treasure we found at Goodwill for 49 cents, this activity builds concentration and fine motor skills. Although the box indicates that puzzle activities develop logic and problem-solving skills, it's just another level of fun waiting to be discovered by a curious three-year-old. After Creed lost interest we moved to the Usborne sticker books and ended with the math game we played yesterday. Before nap time Creed happily and most eagerly followed the "mouse about the house," from the book, "There's A Mouse About The House," by Richard Fowler. The little mouse travels to the kitchen, pantry, and upstairs and down looking for food. The mouse rests inside a small clear pouch on the front cover waiting to be slid in and out of slots through the house. What a delight it was to witness his face light up and experience the joy of learning and discovering new things. Before I even knew about Usborne, I was fortunate enough to come across several unused sticker books at Goodwill that easily slid into our homeschool curriculum.

I started a new book, "The Sacred Marriage," by Gary Thomas, joining in a study hosted by a wonderful lady. While, I've only read the first chapter, I can already tell that this book will provide some great insight into my marriage. The first words of wisdom poses the question, "What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?" "Far from being a compromise, in one sense, marriage might be the toughest ministry we could undertake. The state of marriage is one that requires more virtue and constancy than any other." - Words of wisdom striking intrigue by Francis de Sales, a Christian writer. "Mature love, the kind demanded of a good marriage, must stretch." I like that. I understand that concept more now, after 12 years of marriage than day one. I'll grow into even more understanding as my marriage matures in Christ. I looked online and found another book by the same author, "Sacred Parenting: How Raising Children Shapes Our Souls." The description reads that parenting is a school for spiritual formation and our children are our teachers. The journey of caring for, rearing, training, and loving our children will profoundly alter us forever. It states that Sacred Parenting is not a "how-to" book that teaches you ways to discipline your kids or help them achieve their full potential. Instead of discussing how parents can change their kids, Sacred Parenting turns the tables and demonstrates how God uses our kids to change US. The description explains how you'll be encouraged by stories from parents handling challenges and difficulties and how their children transformed their relationship with God. And at last, Sacred Parenting affirms the spiritual value of being a parent, showing readers the holy potential of a parent-child relationship. Well, sign me up! Yes, I can't wait to read this book. I always thought that while I worried over Creed's safety in the womb, the worry would finally be over once he made it safely into the world. I know all of you seasoned parents are laughing along with me. Little did I know, this would only be the beginning.  

Herbivores eats plants not shoes!

Creed eased into homeschool like no time had been lost. We started the morning with the Usborne color and shape sticker books. After that mama and daddy and itty bitty went to the gym. One great thing we've got going for us is a gym that has childcare included. Our new year's resolution is to collectively exercise, spending more time outside and eat as healthy as possible, which also includes giving up pop altogether. :-( After our workout we headed home and resumed homeschool after nap time. 

The Learning Journey, Match-It! Mathmatics game

Creed and I were taking turns playing games. He started with dinosaur puppets. We had a fun lengthy banter between mama Triceratops, baby Triceratops, T-rex and Diplodocus. Creed explained how the Diplodocus had flat teeth and that meant he was a Herbivore, which means he eats plants, not shoes! Next up was T-Rex's sharp teeth. That means he's a Carnivore and eats meat. I asked if he thought the T-Rex could be friends with the Triceratops and he said no, they eat meat! 

My turn. We found a great game at Goodwill for $1.99. The Learning Journey, Match-It! Mathematics is a great start for learning simple addition and subtraction. The puzzle set includes 30 pieces that are self-correcting. The addition seemed easy enough for him, while the subtraction was a bit difficult. Explaining plus and minus, addition and subtraction, adding and taking away, was a little difficult for me. I've always wondered how I'm going to teach math when I wasn't very good at it myself. The great thing is we're just starting and as time goes on we will learn together. The even greater thing is daddy's awesome at math, so we'll do some tag-team homeschooling. 

Creed's turn. He chose to play the pointer game, which is taking the pointer and pointing and identifying the alphabet, opposites, positions and numbers. Plus he knows he gets a sweet tart for right answers. After that he wanted to write! This was something I was dreading but he totally took the lead. Today he wrote the uppercase E, F, and Z, after that homeschool was clearly over when he suggested he play the computer. He said he couldn't find the pbskids.org. After we logged in I set the homepage to pbskids.org. He loves Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. I love the fact that he's learning so many new things, including using motor skills using the mouse and keyboard, while he's clearly having fun. 

So we're off and running again and mama can breathe a sigh of relief!

Nap strike

Nap strike - going on two days. At some point parents say their child gave up naps, but I'm not convinced yet. I remember having to take naps up until I was five years old if not older. Even then, quiet time will be reinforced. How else will I gather my wits? 

After a bout of impetigo, an odd rash from nowhere, which ended up being an allergic reaction, we're now battling what seems the common cold. We've been busy building our immune system over here … both of us. For what Creed gets, mama usually follows and hopefully daddy has the good fortune to miss the illness altogether. The weather has been odd ranging from 30-70 degrees all within the same week over the past weeks, which is recipe for viral illnesses, I think. The first day of winter we spent snuggled inside the lake house half the day, where we were visiting family, as weather threatened hail and tornadoes and the last half, walking down the banks of Natitoches, La., taking in the Christmas lights and fireworks display, while a mist of rain came and went. What was amazing was watching the weather cross the lake towards us, slowly blocking the view. First a few stay leaves, then noticeable breeze and finally whips of wind accompanied by thundering rain. A few hours north of us a tornado ripped the front end off a local Books-A-Million. 

Creed and I have kept busy with the Alphabet, Shapes and Colors Usborne Sticker Books. He's used plenty of play time, learning a variety of motor skills and educational fun games on PBS.org, as well as NickJr.com, this past month. One Christmas treasure is the Leap Frog Learning Desk he inherited from his Uncle Lance (Uncle Whance, as he says clearly), where he "gets ready for work." What I love most about this desk is the ability to take the My First Leap Pad on car trips. It's not a permanent fixture to the top of the table. The set also includes shape stamps, as well as durable plastic alphabet stencils.  

One very cool thing I'd like to share is the Conscious Box. The conscious box is a monthly subscription to a box filled with new non-gmo products for body, home and belly, which include healthy, natural alternatives for everyday products. For $19.95, which includes shipping, three varieties include classic, vegan and gluten-free. Each month you'll receive 10-15 natural products to try. You can earn points by rating these products, towards future purchases. (Be warned - the site is super slow updating rating the products, which I've already sent a message. Could be a glitch … who knows? I will soon, hopefully) The products also include promo codes for discounts and coupons for future purchases. Please note that you'll receive sample sizes in some products, like soap, tea, laundry soap, baby wipes, etc. I was pretty impressed with my first box which included some great loot! I received a full-sized gluten-free food bar, which wasn't that great, but the one that stood out in particular was the marshmallow soap. Very unique, it was light as air and floated instead of sinking in the water. What's more wonderful? The 50% off code for a future order, that I'll put to good use. It was a silky piece of heaven-scented candy cane, melting over my skin. 

Get your first box free here (You pay $4.95 shipping for the classic box and $7.95 for the gluten-free box): http://www.consciousbox.com/rediscover-onefree?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=core-onefree&utm_content=harvestbox-image

Elfing around town

Our itty bitty monkey showing off the gingerbread train

Today we started out elfing around town delivering cookies and running errands. Creed got to play with friends while Mama spent much needed time with a special friend, making upcycled Christmas stockings out of beautiful wool from Goodwill. The boys played well together and I enjoyed extra snuggles from a very small itty bitty. Together we made a gingerbread train, which the boys enjoyed eating the candy just as much as decorating the train. The icing, by the way, is super yummy. ;-) 

Next stop was a visit the pediatrician's office. Creed said he was going to give the doctor a check-up. I was really surprised how quickly we went in and out of the office. Creed decided that he didn't want to sit on the white crinkly paper, after marking the examining table with what turned out to be permanent marker! Eeeek! He went straight into monkey-mode with an explosion of energy, that I'm sure came from having an appointment during nap time. Up and down … up and down, off the table, on the table. He was having a blast. Mama was less than thrilled. When the nurse tried to hear his heart beat, he was explaining to her he had a frog in his throat. (I haven't said that phrase before and it's really funny how he picks things up. If I remember right, Little Bear told his mother he had a frog in his throat). As she was shushing him he said, "I love you Mama." "I love you too, " I answered. "Shhhh Mama. We have to be quiet," he said, in a very hushed tone. He was wiggling and wriggling around and she was amazing at redirecting his focus. Not all doctors have the best bedside manner, even when you'd think all pediatric physicians would. I had been bothered by swollen lymph nodes that made an appearance earlier this year and never went away. I saw his first physician in the same practice, that made me feel ridiculous for even bringing him to the doctor's office. Finally, when this last lymph node showed up and was made clear just looking at his neck, I decided that I was going to take him again, even if it meant just paying for peace of mind, however we would see a different physician. When the doctor came in he was really compassionate and explained that most small children have them and that they swell up and go down over time, sometimes taking a couple of years. He said the only reason I could see or feel them was because he was skinny, but a healthy skinny. He said in no way was it anything to worry about with childhood disease or illness. I was immediately relieved. Cancer is always in the back of my mind. My younger sister died of Lukemia when she was six years old. Other members of our family have had and survived and had and not survived cancer. My father has had cancer taken from his body off and on in the past few years. I prayed to God last night to restore complete health to my child and watch over him. When he gets sick I think it's something I've done or not done. This thought is from the enemy, I know. And yesterday I rebuked the enemy in great anger. Sometimes it's completely exhausting being on the defense all the time, but with every rebuke he loses power. So, in short, I have a healthy son, one that will exude his livelihodd, with hearty toddlerness. I smile when I think of this and thank God for him.

Yummy gluten and dairy free cookies (except for the m&ms)

I've been able to find some free Christmas printables online. I printed an alphabet banner from A-Z, which I can't wait to cut out and hang up for Christmas. We half-way played a Thanksgiving game this morning matching uppercase and lowercase letters. 

I had it in mind to do something Christmasy every day for December, which hasn't panned out, but we've been able to do a lot of things so far including driving around looking at Christmas light displays, making Christmas cookies, wrapping presents, singing Christmas songs, building a gingerbread train, watching Christmas movies, going to the theater, making Christmas magnets, decorating the Christmas tree … more to come! I know these memories will last a lifetime, like the ones we had growing up. So, we're busy making every day count as something special. Sometimes that's hard to do, especially when our itty bitty is throwing either an itty bitty fit or a colossal tantrum, but hey, I'm no angel either!
Visit the blog one plus one equals one here: http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.net/2013/11/christmas-alphabet-printables/ for the Christmas A-Z printables. It's totally free and the quality is amazing. I love her opening quote, "To the world it makes no sense, to God it makes perfect sense." Plus, the fact that she states, "Never planned to homeschool. Now wouldn't trade it for the world."

If you were here … I'd invite you over for a Christmas dinner

If you were here … I'd invite you over for a Christmas dinner and we'd enjoy laughter and memories of Christmas past. We would start off right with a plump turkey surrounded by cornbread dressing. Green bean casserole sounds about right, alongside broccoli quiche. You'd enjoy mother's cherry cheesecake along with Lori's pasta salad. Spice cake would bring back fond memories with a twinkle-eyed Grandma Bertie. Grandma Rose would bring a ham to the table right after Grandpa Charlie placed her creamy mashed potatoes. The dinner would not be complete without Nanna's famous biscuits. Aunt Kelly would bring the most wonderful sausage rolls. Yes, you'll be sneaking them all … day … long. Daddy would bring his Mama's peanut butter fudge that is simply irresistible.  Yes, if you were here … our hearts would be filled with gladness. 

Yuletide Carols would be sung around the fire while Aunt Nancy played the piano, Grandpa Chuck picked the banjo and Jamie strummed the guitar. What is it about Christmas music that makes your spirit feel alive? Glorious songs have been written by the famous David, a man after God's own heart. Imagine the choirs of angels singing God's praise, rejoicing. 

If we were there we'd go sleigh riding at night under the brightest moon you've ever seen. It would seem like daylight as the moonlight reflected the crystal-like snow. We'd lie on our backs watching the magical display of God's natural wonder, making snow angels. We'd stand under the street lights seeing the intricate designs of snowflakes as they billowed to the ground. After we'd had enough of Jack Frost nipping at our noses we'd warm up with hot cocoa and feast on the tastiest Christmas cookies that mother makes each year, while Granddad tells us the story of Christmas. 

Since you can't be here …  and we can't be there, let us be together in spirit as we worship, remembering our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

For once upon a time, in a land far away … Joseph and Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child, made their way to an itty bitty town called Bethlehem. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified (Can you imagine what they were thinking?). But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you. You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." The shepherds made their way to see the baby. (Imagine Mary giving birth in a stable, afterwards people showing up to worship that child.) Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (For the rest of the story - visit, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John).

I can imagine the quiet in the field before the angel appeared to the shepherds, with a stray baa from the sheep. I can imagine the sense of awe and wonder as they saw the Christ child. I can't imagine what it must have felt like to hold the Savior., be the mother of her Savior, or the father that held His tiny hands as they gripped His fingers, like they do when they're first born. What must it have been like to look into His eyes as you sang a sweet lullaby, rocking him to sleep. Peace fills my heart as I think on these things. It is our hope that your Christmas season is filled with this same sense of quiet wonder and the peace and love from our Savior, Jesus Christ floods your heart.    

Merriest Christmas wishes from our home … to yours.