Glimpses of Christmas

We are having so much fun preparing for Christmas. I'm trying my hardest to keep my "list" of things I want to do/create before the holy day arrives from growing. I just don't want to get overwhelmed with it all. That's not why we celebrate Christmas after all. So in feeling no pressure, I'm feeling such freedom to just relax and have fun with my little blessings while digging deep into the reason for the season. This book that I purchased after Christmas last year has given us a whole new meaning to some of the Christmas traditions that we do.

We have been successful at staying caught up with our Jesse Tree and I am loving how we have the extra time to sit and ponder on a story for as long as we'd like to. Today we did Moses and the Burning Bush and the Exodus and we must have discussed ways that God's people could have saved themselves from Pharaoh's army for at least 30 minutes. Finally, we decided that there was no possible way it was going to happen without God so we finished reading the rest of the story followed by making today's ornament. I'll post pictures of our pretty little tree that's full of significance really soon. (I'll try to anyway).




I've had this Christmas troll since I was a little girl. Does that make it vintage? ;)

I got this cute little idea of the "watching elf" from here. The day after reading about this I walked into a thrift shop and saw him staring at me. I knew I had to get him. The next morning the kids woke up to find him in our home. I said "oh boy! Santa sent one of his elves to keep a careful watch over you guys!" They truly somehow fell for it. Every morning when they wake up, they hunt for the elf who's always hiding somewhere clever where he can keep an eye out on the Smith children. He'll most likely head back home as Christmas approaches to give Santa his report on how well they've behaved. It's amazing how it's working! I just might have to ask Santa if he can stay all year round!

Colton and Gracie's hand painted nutcrackers

This ornament was passed down to us from Josh's parents after we were married. I love it!

Acorns from Dudley Farms

I'm stealing (well I'd better not use the word stealing since we've really been focusing on the 10 commandments lately) borrowing, this from a Christmas card I received in the mail today that has the most perfect message of all...

May you have the gift of faith, the blessing of hope and the peace of His love this Christmas and always!