Sposato Family Christmas

This years Christmas started off super busy. During the month of December we had several outreach opportunities at church which where so much fun! We had the ladies annual Christmas Tea which was called the Cozy Cottage Christmas Tea. I shared my testimony and helped with the decorating. I hadn't had that much fun in a long time. Much needed adult time for me!

We then went caroling around Comins the Wednesday before Christmas. That too was super fun. Wyatt pulled the wagon full of "goodies" that we gave to each house. Surprisingly he lasted the whole way with no complaints! Then we had the DHS gift pick up the next day where I helped prepare/prep the food we served. Both days were busy and exhausting, but I enjoyed it immensely!

The morning of Christmas Eve Wyatt woke up first and went out to plug the lights in on the tree. We heard him inhale sharply followed by squeals of joy. He had noticed two small packages under the tree. He danced around singing, "I love Christmas, I love Christmas! It's Jesus' birthday, it's Jesus' birthday! I love giving, giving, giving!" He was thrilled over two little presents under the tree. It made me think. Children don't need a ton of gifts to be happy. His first guess of what it was? A blanket. He would have been happy with a blanket! Sure puts things in perspective. 

We went to Christmas Eve service that night in Comins. It didn't take too long and we were all at the back of the church enjoying what we could between shushing the kids. We had company which made it less painful. I wish I could say I really enjoyed myself, but honestly I am not sure I actually heard much of the messages in between singing carols. Someday our children will be older and capable of sitting still and quietly... Hopefully.

We  came home after service and had the kids open their small gifts {jammies} before they went to bed. Unfortunately it did not go how I envisioned it. Wyatt of course was stoked. Josie screamed from the time she was awakened getting out of her car seat, through me opening her gift of jammies and putting them on, until I laid her down in her crib. Yeah, that went well!

Nick and I then finished re-picking up the house, since everything I did the day before so I wouldn't have to Christmas Eve was undid. Then, we put the gifts under the tree and went to bed.

We were waken just a little after 7am to Wyatt and Josie up and ready to go. Christmas Day had officially begun!

We had gotten Josie a shopping cart, but couldn't wrap it. So, of course that was the first thing she saw. She started pushing it all around the house and was loving it. She was loving it so much, she didn't want to stop to open anything else. When we tried giving her a present to open she would push it away. She didn't want to stop pushing her cart! Finally little by little she started coming around to the idea of opening presents. She really wasn't that into it.

Wyatt got a nice plush Batman robe! 

 Josie liked her new slippers. Hopefully the dog will leave these ones alone...

After we were done opening gifts, I made breakfast. Cinnamon Bun Pancakes! Yum! They were so delicious!

After breakfast we started to call family that we wouldn't be seeing. Then my family came to celebrate the rest of the day about 10:30 am. We had a great time. Wyatt and Josephine played all sorts of games. We had lasagna  for a late lunch. And of course we had to play a game of Monopoly,which Wayland won. Again.

By the end of the day Josie finally got the whole gift opening process. {Yes, we still have a pumpkin...}

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What a fun day celebrating Jesus' birthday! It was really great!

Love and hugs!

Merry Christmas Friends!

May the Lord's light brighten your day, 

and may His love fill your heart with joy!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Mantle

I got ambitious today. I had put away the chalk board to create some "blank" space to help sell our house, but we have taken our house off the market for the winter and thus brought back the chalk board. It now has a new location above our fireplace...barely.

I had measured it before I began, but after I had finished and went to put it up there I noticed the heavy, big, awkward chalkboard wouldn't fit like I had first thought. However, it will tilted at a somewhat forced angle. Ahhhh... but, it still looks nice.


Happy, happy, happy Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving!

It is always nice this time of year to recognize all the things we are thankful for. And today, I am thankful.

1. I am thankful for God.  As I look back over the years it amazes me that even though I decided to take control of my life and turned away from God, he still had a plan for me. Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." I think of my husband, whom I met during the time I pushed God out of my life. We made many mistakes, did things the wrong way, even the hard way sometimes. We got married, although we both believed in God, we were not followers. After I got pregnant with our first, I realized the error of my ways. I recommitted my life to the Lord and at that point on we were "unequally yoked." That made things very difficult. But guess what?! Through all the hard times, all the disagreements, and through all the trials our marriage and relationship faced, God was there, working it all for the good. Happy to say we are no longer "unequally yoked!" Almost four years ago, my husband recommitted his life to the Lord and things have certainly changed! Next year we will celebrate 10 years of marriage. The years that we have had God at the center have been by far the best! 
2. I am thankful for my husband. He is my best friend, a wonderful daddy, and a great provider. I am so grateful for the opportunity and all his hard work so that I am able to stay at home and help raise our kids. It may not be easy living on one income, but I wouldn't change a thing. 
3. I am thankful for my children. My kid are so special to me. They are fun, silly, beautiful, loving, strong, and smart. They test me, push me, and sometimes down right frustrate me. They are forgiving and full of grace. I can learn as much from them as they can learn from me. 
4. I am thankful for my family. Their love, support, time, and encouragement is always there. 
5. I am thankful for my friends. Their love and acceptance of me, a deeply flawed and imperfect person. 
6. I am thankful for my church family. For their love, fellowship, and encouragement.
7. I am thankful for my country. Although we are going through some troubling changes and times, it is still the best place on earth. Freedom comes at a cost, and I am grateful to those who have given so much that we can enjoy all that we have. 
8. I am thankful for a simple life. I am grateful for all that I have. I find myself wanting less, more and more. I am on the path to contentment.

H A P P Y    T H A N K S G I V I N G !

Getting Ready for Christmas!

Today was a busy day. I wasn't anticipating it being that way, but one thing led to another and here we are. Started off picking up the house, then decided to do school during Josie's first nap instead in the afternoon. It went really well. In fact I was blown away! When he puts his mind to it and does his best, he amazes me. We learned to write the letter "R" today. And below is his cursive capital and little "r". 

Nick and Wyatt made pipe cleaner creations the day before. Let me introduce to you, Prince Wyatt!

We were watching Rudolf earlier and Wyatt put together his chairs, added his bed pillow, and they both sat next to each other watching the show. It was a brief moment of brother sister love. A few minutes later Wyatt decided he didn't like Josie sitting on his blanket and well, she ended up on the floor...

I had this crazy idea that we would put up our Christmas Tree. We opted for the big one this year. Wyatt was a super helper with decorating. Josie sure got excited when she found the stockings. She drug them around the house on her tippie toes squealing with excitement. Oh, and yeah, we do fake here.

We have some training to do. Josie wanted to pull the bead strands and pull off some of the ornaments.

Love, love, LOVE this time of year!