designnarrative

with mega virus, not to be confused with the virus of epic proportions,

I’m just now getting to post our Christmas 2012

Christmas eve started off with Reindeer games at the Tree House

followed by round one of gifts (thanks Aunt Ann, they loved them!)

Christmas Eve dinner was Beef Wellington and Croce en Bouche

It’s just not Christmas without an Awkward cousin photo or 20

watching my dad, who raised three daughters, enjoy four grand boys is so very fun

there may have been some target shooting in the basement

we (all 14 of us) woke up Christmas morning in Jamestown

it was beautiful pandimonium

we came home for our little family Christmas

Graham wrapped up some of his favorite toy planes for Joey

Ava gave us a culinary creations by Ava gift certificate

we wrapped up the day with more celebrating at Greenback

Christmas 2012 was wonderful, loud, and lively

Read Full Post »

parenting that is, tough gig for sure.

we’ve had several questions lately about how we celebrate Christmas/elf/no elf/santa/no santa, ect.

so here it is, with the disclaimer that this is what works for our little quirky family-

not a prescription for a one size fits all anything for anyone else

we read to our kiddos about St. Nicholas and tell them this is how the legend of santa developed-

that it’s a fun, happy way to share with others but their gifts come from us

(but some families do play santa so don’t spoil the fun for others)

they receive three gifts just like the wise men brought baby Jesus three gifts

we’re not santa haters, we don’t rain on anyone’s parade, it’s just that we really want our kids

to know that we strive to be honest and direct with them

(they don’t let me forget the infamous mushroom dinner incident)

and for us it matters that we share with them about Christ

and focus on him especially during the Advent season

so where does the elf come into play?

Ava has been sharing zany stories from friends who have an elf on the shelf

she really wanted one……

so welcome Jingle Belle Thompson

we don’t tell the kids that the elf flys to the North Pole

we say it’s a fun, pretend way to celebrate Christmas

(I know with ages 5 and 8, the days of wonder are numbered)

our elf, Jingle watches for ways the kids show kindness

and other ways that they can share with others to honor

Christ on his birthday

and gets into a little mischief as well

it’s kind of all over the map but it works for us

Read Full Post »

Thompson/Trent Team 2012

Thompson Delegation

Jaguar Ava

Precious Piggie

God dressed the trees up in splendor

Read Full Post »

after a lovely Friday night, I felt a little funny

……and then

it hit me around midnight:

stomach virus

(que mellow dramatic music)

I spent Saturday moving from bed to couch to recliner and back again

and then, Sunday I was back in the land of the living

my coffee maker never looked so inviting

pumpkins gleamed

art supplies beckoned

the last of the tomatoes shone

dinos roared (maybe some lingering effects of the virus)

and this guy took my breath away with his smile

and boots

and my heart is full with simple blessings

Read Full Post »