A different little Christmas

I started this blog post on December 17.

My, what a crazy December.

We knew that this Christmas was going to be different. Even as Scott was putting together the tree (compliments of our wonderful friends!),

I knew that it was symbolic of our season to come.

It's as if we are in a place in life where we know the beginning,

and we know the end,

but we're trying to figure out all of the middle parts.

Yet there lies a "gift" for us...a small package, if you will...full of blessing for our family

and those who are journeying on this road alongside of us.

We are confident in God's faithfulness.

We know that He is in control of timing.

We know that He is a good God...all of the time.

This we know.

And...since I didn't get to say it...

"Merry Christmas to you all!"

Thoughtfully...and with much love.

Jill

For these hands...

These hands held me.

These hands loved me.

These hands cheered at every home volleyball game.

These hands prepared my food.

These hands.

These hands taught and worked so that I had

a home,

and food,

and clothes.

These hands.

These hands hold my hands.

These hands hold me.

These hands protect me.

These hand work so that I can stay home

and have food to feed our family,

a home to shelter them,

and clothes to cover them.

These hands are praying hands.

These hands.

These hands help me.

These hands comfort me.

These hands play beautiful music.

These hands.

These hands snuggle me.

These hands explore.

These hands gather.

These hands create wonderful artwork.

These hands.

For these hands, I am thankful.

And these hands?

These hands are so grateful

to have touched

and held

and experienced

so much of God's goodness.

These hands.

Photos taken in Los Lunas, NM Thanksgiving 2010

Brace Yourself...

This is Katie. She's got the BEST smile.

Dr. Orthodontist wants it to be even better.

No candy, no soda, no popcorn, no joke.

And if that's not enough?

She went and turned 12 on us.

She is such a joy, and so much fun, and so smart, and such a great helper, and has such a heart for the less fortunate and oppressed.

She's our Katie.

The only bad thing about her?

She doesn't share in my new found obsession with Seaweed Snacks.

But we still love her dearly...(and I don't have to share.)

These boots were made for...LOVING!

Okay. They're really not my boots at all.

They belong to my sis, Jennifer Lynn.

(But they looked way cuter on me...don't tell.)

And those boots were put to work the first day we were in the great state.

We moved cows from the back pasture to the front pasture.

Ally wasn't afraid. She let those cows know it, too.

The best dressed cow movers in Eastern Oklahoma? My parents, of course.

I absolutely love Oklahoma. I love the trees. I love the people. I love the family.

Sweet, sweet times...

loving my amazing uncle,

loving my precious uncle and aunt,

loving cousins...

loving the tire swing...

loving lady like trampoline jumping...

loving the cows...

loving being loved...

loving road signs that bear your maiden name...

and loving old barns filled with treasures.

But what I'm loving (and missing) so much is my sweet, sweet sister.

(But I still look cuter in those boots!)

These shoes were made for...adventure!

These are my adventure shoes. Yep. Adventure Shoes. They've been to Africa... and they've been to Utah. That qualifies them as Adventure Shoes, alright.

Last weekend we went to Zion National Park. We had heard about the "Narrows" for forever. But the time had come to stop just hearing and actually doing.

So we did.

But in all of that hearing, the way that I had always imagined hiking the Narrows was walking on red sand, through really narrow cliffs, and sometimes happening upon a water spot.

I was a bit mistaken.

You see, when you hike the Narrows, you're actually hiking the Virgin River. No, not hiking on the side of the Virgin River, but hiking the Virgin River.

59 degree Virgin River, that is.

Fast current, slippery rocks Virgin River.

Oh, so beautiful and amazing Virgin River.

We didn't make it all the way up. Our feet were freezing, and after hiking for over two hours, we thought we should turn back.

But with every good camping trip, the s'mores awaited us.

(in all of their carcinogen glory)

We will be back, oh Zion, for we loved you so.

16 .. sixteen ... 6 teen

Today we celebrated our anniversary at the beach.

Sand, surf, and love.

We were having a lovely time...

until I saw this-

15! If there is a lifeguard tower 15, there's got to be a lifeguard tower 16!!

I ran over to ask the nice lifeguard.

He said "No. At Newport Beach, there is no lifeguard tower 16."

Snap.

"16" has got to be somewhere...

and we were feisty enough to find it.

We love 16!

Here's to 16+16+16 more!

(photo compliments of Ally)