Wednesday, January 5, 2011

1000 Gifts: Looking back

So, I'm a little late to the punch. It's Wednesday after all, and Multitude Monday generally posts on Monday. Not to mention the fact that it's the 5th of January, and I'm just now getting a few Christmas thoughts online. Yep, I'm running late but hoping beyond hope that it won't be a trend that'll continue for the rest of 2011!!

As for getting back online... it has indeed taken a little longer than I originally thought. Needless to say, getting back in to our northern Virginia groove did not happen overnight. Quite the opposite, in fact. Regaining our momentum, truth be told, is proving to be a gradual sort of thing... an almost, but not quite, slow-as-molasses sort of thing. Because 1) returning to our studies and 2) facing the deadlines that await us... do not appeal to any of us. In any way, shape, or form. At all. Of course, a wonderful Christmas and a fabulous New Year didn't set the stage well for such things. On the contrary, they only made us long for vacation all the more. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end (or at least so I'm told), so school is resuming and projects are coming due and our life pace is changing once again. Hopefully, it'll slowwwwwww down as rest is a must and sleep-- even better. And everything else... well, it'll fall right back in to place. I hope.

So with that I'll add another page to my journal,
my account of God's goodness and faithfulness and grace... every single day.

This go round, I'm praising Him for Christmas (#917)...
and the birth of our Lord and Savior, 2000 years ago.

"It is good to praise the LORD and music to your name, O Most High,
proclaiming your love in the morning
and your faithfulness at night,
to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp.
For you make me glad by your deeds, LORD;
I sing for joy at what your hands have done."

Psalm 92: 1-4


















Christmas in the woods
with my hubby and my Mom and my Dad and Great Grandma
and my 4 favorite munchkins in all the land~

and peace
rest
redemption
forgiveness
forever
grace
love
life
and
Light

... Jesus Christ


"In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men."

John 1:4



and the list continues...


8 comments:

Laura K said...

Love your pictures! what a blessing to be able to share Christmas with your parents and Great Grandma - I think your kids were just what the doctor ordered for her. and I'm right there with ya on NOT being ready to jump back in - all i asked for was ONE MORE WEEK - but no one listened to me either. :(

oh - i love your parents family room and could move right in! (as long as a window washer came with it) that is a LOT of windows. :-)

Kellie said...

Your pictures are stunning! It's so hard to leave behind the days of leisurely putting together puzzles and playing with Legos -- I so relate to that!

gretchen said...

I so love the pictures... my favorite is Ferg asleep under the tree...and all of your treasures - your sweet kids and parents... oh, what a family... love you, friend. You are quite talented behind the lens. Keep it up! We started yesterday back to the grind... and it has been an uphill battle so far... routine is so good for us... but so foreign to our sinful nature... praise God He has better plans for us.

Christine said...

Heather,
What a glorious tree! Your pictures are beautiful once again -- full of love and life and all the countless gifts Christmas gives. I love the silly one with your sweet little ones in PJs.
It has been so difficult for us this week too. After 2 days of barely getting through the assignments, I resorted to a reward system today. BUT it made the day SO much more enjoyable for us all.
Are you really at 917?! That's so exciting! Good for you, friend, for pressing on!
Praising God with you for times of rest, for peace (even in the craziness of everyday), and for Jesus -- how astonishing that He came!
Much love to you, dear one! Praying for you to expect the right amount-- from yourself and from your sweet ones as you re-enter the schedule.
-Christine

Linda said...

These wonderful pictures were definitely worth waiting for Heather. What a lovely setting for your Christmas celebration.
Everyone looks so joyful - I love it!
We visited our grandchildren (who are also home schooled) for Christmas, and they were less than anxious to get back into the routine too.
Ah well, such is life. Actually I'd like to stretch Christmas out a wee bit longer myself.

Carrie said...

Love it, Heather! Great pictures of what looks like a great Christmas with family!

Lolli pop must really like making that face for the camera - did her big brothers teach her that?! ;)

Glad you're back!!

Catherine said...

Loved seeing all of your Christmas photos! Looks like you all had a wonderful time with all your family together. What a joy! Hugs to you all!

The dB family said...

Your photos are BEAUTIFUL!! Praise God with you for the gift of Christmas and especially His son!

Blessings!
Deborah