May your days be merry and bright

These days we're waiting. Waiting for the day that we get to celebrate the birth of our Savior. We're filling our days with reading books, playing with the Christmas toys that only come out once a year, decorating our tree (yes, our fake one thanks to our destructive little boy), being crafty and counting down. Oh, and enjoying our sweet puppy before we leave him to visit family back east.

As you can probably tell, we got our DSLR in the mail last week. We're really enjoying using it and getting some decent pictures already - even though we're just scratching the surface of this camera's potential. Yes, the out of focus and in focus sections of each picture are intentional. I know some people want faces to be in focus every single picture, but sometimes other things are more important in a picture, in my mind.

I made our tree's star this year. Last year we finally retired our lighted angel tree-topper. She was a hand-me-down and I think someone dropped her, more than once. I found the directions for the star here and I am so tickled with how it came out. I love it so much I might just make a tradition out of it.

Ilana made her first tree ornament in Sunday School - an angel. I love where she decided to put it on the tree.

When we were visiting our friends in St. Louis we had a great playdate full of crafts and cookie decorating. We made a miniature manger with a baby Jesus and wrapped him in a cloth. Ilana loves to take care of her baby Jesus, even though he is almost microscopic.

I'm thankful for these quiet days.
For good friends.
That this area is finally starting to feel like home, especially at this nostalgic time of the year when everyone seems to yearn for home.
For the anticipation and excitement in my kids eyes when I plug in the lights on the tree.
That Ilana is growing up to be the sweetest, most thoughtful little girl I know.
For a husband who offers to help by making a casserole when the tasks of an evening seem overwhelming to me.
For the Christmas music in my ears.

Wow, I love this time of the year.

May your days be merry and bright, too.