Christmas Is Upon Us

Maybe once the new year starts, I'll have more time to spend on the blog.  Life seems to be taking off so that I forget to blog or I'm afraid to bore everyone with our every day life.  I've spent a great deal of time over the past week reflecting on life and what is important and how to help others.  The tragedy in Connecticut shook me, as it did people across the world.  I have been having a hard time getting the children, staff, police officers, families, funeral directors, community, etc., out of my mind or my heart.  How their world's have stopped while the rest of ours keep moving.  How empty those parent's hearts are without their little ones.  Ways to appreciate and not take for granted what I have and ways to help others. 

We've not done anything on a large scale, but we are trying to do small things.  We've donated toys through our school and church, donated food to the area food pantries.  We donate at every Salvation Army bell ringer we see (Ian started this last year...we are not allowed to pass a single one without donating so I try to keep ones and plenty of change on me throughout the holiday season).  We made cookies and candy for our local firefighters and police station and are hoping to deliver those tomorrow or Monday.  I hope in the coming year, we can continue to find ways to help others and show our appreciation to those who have made it their job to protect and serve us. 

Last Saturday, we needed Christmas cheer and togetherness so we headed to the Christmas Ranch.  I've heard of it in the past, but we never went.  Turns out, it is only about 15 minutes from where we live.  The weather was just barely chilly enough that we needed our coats.  There were tons of lights that "danced" to the Christmas music.  We saw Santa and a life-size nativity scene.  We even had some Christmas treats before heading home. 

I need to update on Hailey and what she has been up to, but I'll save that for next week or the new year!

That girl loves her daddy!

Me & my babies...I thank God every day for them.

Hailey is not sure about Santa this time.

Love, love, love this pic!

Someone likes her brownie.

He's a ham!

Goofy!

I hope everyone has a wonderful, safe Christmas!  Happy Holidays from our house to yours :-)