Christmas 2012

Christmas Tree

 

Our very favorite Christmas tradition.... 

 ...with our very favorite friends!

It was a squishy ride all 8 of us in Britney's new van. 



Mr. Burrel celebrated his 92nd birthday a few days after our visit.

 

Christmas Cards

 Christmas Cookies

 

 

Rivenbark Family Christmas

 Meeting our new cousin Mason. He's a cutie!!

 

 

Papa and Gigi always make Christmas fun!

Christmas Sunday

 

 Christmas Eve Jammies!

Mommy made them with LOTS of help from Bella. :)

 

Christmas Morning

My favorite picture...

Levi was jumping saying, "Yeah, Yeah! Mary Kathryn got new jammies!!"

 

 

The VERY best part of Christmas morning is Bear Bear's chocolate croissants...YUMMO!

 Getting ready for Nashville

 

Christmas Thank You Cards 

 

 

 

 

Hello, Mr. Turkey

 

 

 

  

The Hardy Berry Farm Play Patch October 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



The Willingness to Suffer

 

 

Happy Mother's Day to me!!  All three babes are sleeping and I have a few minute to blog...I sure have missed it!  After a 6 month blogging hiatus I hope to be back to my regular routine and am praying I can some how find time recap the past 6 months. But in a nutshell this song does a wonderful job of portraying what the Lord has done in our family. We have experience some our most joyful moments  and we have also had some of our darkest days.  But we have seen that "in the trial and the change" His love never fails. 

 

 

As a mom this season has been the most trying yet.  There have been big changes that have made it so easy for the little trials to seem monumental.  Each time I think, "Lord, there's no way it could get harder."  It does.  And each time I think, "We won't survive."  We do.  He is there with strength and grace to get me through the day.  On a sticky note next to the kitchen sink I have written a quote from Ann Voskamp "Love always begins with patience.  And patience is the willingness to suffer."  I am learning that there is a distinct difference between just suffering and be willing to suffer. It comes so naturally to suffer and then complain about.  But suffering with a smile is only done with grace.  This morning as I was scrambling to get to church alone (Josh is working) I found Mary Kathryn smearing toothpaste all over her legs and smiling at me saying "lo-losh" (lotion).   When I picked up Levi from Sunday school, I asked how he did. The teacher responded with, "He's wild as a bull, but he did alright."  My heart calmed each time as I thought "the willingness to suffer, the willingness to suffer... that is LOVE." As I suffered hunger from no time for breakfast and my pride as a momma this morning, it has made me see in a whole new way how Christ suffered so much more for me.  Because of His suffering I have been given everything I need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). 

 

 

  "One Thing Remains"

Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant through the trial and the change
One thing… Remains

Your love never fails, never gives up
Never runs out on me

On and on and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never, ever, have to be afraid
One thing remains

In death, In life, I’m confident and
covered by the power of Your great love
My debt is paid, there’s nothing that can
separate my heart from Your great love...

      

Family Pictures 2012