kringle and klask and all kinds of things

 pretty much kind of chronologically backwards...but not quite

• christmas kringle!!!
• rectangle trampoline
• gabi is done with chemo!!
• SHINE! lights at the botanical garden (way to go columbus!)

• homecoming CFA
• solid sleep.
• lovely christmas eve services at cityscape
• christmas day wiffleball 

• all of our flights happened...and pretty much on time. 
• christmas. jesus. he came to us...
• family Elf watching on the plane
• christmas eve lunch. 

• easy drive from tarana to sydney
• "tea" after church 
• conversation with lee ann (how are you, really?)
• sunday afternoon situation at mutton falls. so restful.

• feels like a movie hospitality
• so much beauty - mutton falls
• drizzly morning - walk in the rain at culburra beach
• something about them playing...and the windows

• family pictures by justine
• meals on the deck
• 1st seating, opening night - mirritya mundya (i ate emu...and kangaroo!!!!)
• just right reminders

• columbus to culburra (dave + ai's song)
• "at home day"
• perfect pancakes
• surfing lessons with dave-o

• leftovers for dinner
• canoeing the kangaroo river (we/i made it!)
• time at the beach across the street
• bella and zoe's art projects

• billy's kindness to zoe (billy the bombbat)
• the tims and the tams
• an absolutely unbelievable trip to australia that i'll be thanking God for the rest of my life
• this group. this place. friendships really are the best ships. 

• art class with david in the garage (eli, emma, zoe)
• sunset bike ride while caroline ran
• "suck it up buttercup" (mary's socks during the nativity story)
• church under the trees

• mcmichaels and powells are on their way for christmas!
• sourdough french toast. nick makes it just right!!
• christmas kindness all over the place
• klask!!  busy toddler mom for the win again!

how good is this?!

• peaceful easy travels
• watching/laughing with nick re: ted lasso
• beautiful day to walk around san francisco

• pretty decent sleep on the plane
• beautiful day to walk around sydney
• 2 sisters making shade for the littlest tiredest one

• it's so easy to be with dave and justine!
• "the expectation of Christmas is Jesus."
• beautiful birds eating the beautiful pink blossom

• Jesus has been a true friend.
• delicious breakfast made in the tiny kitchen in surrey hills, sydney
• sitting on the porch

• "z" (zed) eggs for zoe
• the way the forrests interact with zoe
• incredible views (the girls and the landscape!)

• logan's package was delivered to the neighbor's (glad it's found!)
• caroline's living situation for next year is sorted
• crawling through a cave to get to this view

• the earth is full of his unfailing love. -psalm 33:5
• easy to use icetrays!
• the incredible views just keep coming (above and below the water!)

• how easy it is to be at the forrest's
• "let every loss and every delight send your heart a-homing after heaven." - john piper
• skyjo on the back porch

• sourdough + jam
• God I'm Just Grateful
  
• the way the rows of trees are lined up in the field

• sitting in the sun (lizarding)
• the words about "walking in knowing herself and her wants/needs."
• all the laughter (hamish and andy...nate bargatze)

 

oh the things!

• plenty of treats and fruit and cheese for the musical reception!
• such a taste snickerdoodle

• we're going to australia tomorrow!!! 
• emma is 16!

• caroline, eli and logan are all hoooooome
• really great group of teenagers celebrating emma

• really great travel snacks!!
• the most important bag is officially packed (and others are almost packed)

• when the longshot walks work out!
• zoe's love for the nativity

• having SUCH a thoughtful and generous friend
• CFA...our new favorite school spot

• lovely and thoughtful gifts from MIC ladies...such a sweet lunch...with unexplainable tears. 
• "i just want to spend money on her." - jacob

being thankful for what is given

• good steak.good date. 
• getting to hear familiar trusted voices Wonderful Counselor

• 2 days in a row walking with LLcoolJM
• seeking to be thankful for what is given

• cheddar bay biscuit mix (and subsequent biscuits!)
• morning light breaking through (yay for pre-8:00 service walmart pick up saving the baby dedication gifts)

• soups & salads at community group
• christmas PJs! 

• hearing more of david and karina's life story 
• discovering new depths in the most ordinary things

• zoe singing "i will make room..."
• fun questions: 

• "may God be pleased to sweeten and deepen your adoring of Jesus this Advent." 
• sweet little advent devotional book

• delightful conversation with good questions asked and answered...and cucumber sandwiches!
• moments captured

• got the sam's run done
• sweet game of ultimate saturday afternoon & sweet friends to enjoy it with

• LANE. ALL of the ways he quietly loves and serves...especially thankful for all he did to make thanksgiving peaceful and easy.  reminds me so much of Jesus.  

full and giving thanks

• the stars at the cabin 
• the way jacob was so amazed by emma's magic tricks! 

• nicole got me vanilla creamer!
• getting to celebrate this incredible sister of mine. i love how she loves and how she lives. 

• wild and crazy golf cart rides
• bacon on the blackstone.  what a way to start the day.

• we're not where we were last year on thanksgiving night
• egg carton that reminds me of a lovely friend

• cherry coke and ice most anytime i want it
• the most precious sisters

• walks
• shots of the sky from multiple places 

• warm fire and christmas vacation playing
• sweet moments at CFA...loved getting to celebrate james (secret is out!)

• how the projector and screen outside makes bedtime so much easier
• boys (and zoe) at the table!  (loved all the ways these guys shared life with one another and with Jesus at DNOW)

• pretty easy internet access
• practicing being like brother lawrence

• delicious food, beautiful day...so grateful that thanksgiving is so enjoyable...and i don't remember it ever not being enjoyable
• thank you from clement arts that fits just right

cultivating gratefulness

• midtree's hospitality
• midland CFA's generosity 
• beautiful night of worship & prayer on behalf of fostering & adoptive families

• friends who show up
• david's pictures
• lisa's incredible heart and amazing talent

• more birthday blessings! (specifically a BR giftcard!)
• the (almost perfect) ease of CS staff christmas card picture taking
• zoe's "zoe-ness"

• emma passed her driver's ed test!! 
• hearing such good news from a friend (let's go class 21!)
• caroline's love of UGA football

• knowing God sees and knows it all - He knows! He's got good plans! 
• being reminded of a favorite song -- sit with you a while
• caroline's cuteness

• the finn's kindness to host us saturday afternoon
• the good and the beautiful movement videos (really most all of their videos!)
• the moment i planned for - a cup of coffee & an amy taylor scone at the engagement party

• not wanting date night to be over. love getting to spend time with nick.
• more outdoor lights!  it creates such a sweet space at the hammock/picnic table
• the prayer cards turned out just right!

• eli and logan found each other...in every sense of the words
• being thought of in italy...and getting biscotti as a result
• the way she went down on her knees...it was just so beautiful

• anna's perfect sign!
• really good sunday afternoon nap (with a football game on and everything!)
• celebrating that we are getting another cash!