We wish you a Merry Christmas!

And let the Christmas season. . .be enjoyed! What a joyful Christmas season we had! We, of course, soaked up our family traditions. . .opening our Advent house doors each morning, family devotions, Festival of Carols, Starry Nights, Snowy Nights, the Alpine Village, Christmas crafts, movie nights at home, decorating our tree, putting up Christmas cards, making and delivering cookies/candy, reading Christmas books, our Candlelight Service at church and Christmas morning!

It's Christmas morning! Luke 2 has been read, it's time to go out and see . . .

There is always so much fun to be had in December! And so much good! But in all of it, we are thankful for the true meaning of this season, of Christmas Day. . .and that is the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ! He is our biggest gift!

May the God of Hope fill you with Joy and Peace this season! 

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!!

Let your hearts prepare Him room!

Slowest December I've had in this little spot, probably because it's been one of the busiest for our family!

I'll be back afresh and renewed. I sure do love keeping records and memories for my family, but also sharing what's going on in life and in my heart with you all!

So until then, here's what's been going on! We've been enjoying our Christmas traditions. . .

From decorating our live tree . . .

to decorating our gum drop tree!

From Alpine Village and Starry Nights . . .

to days happy with hot chocolate!!

 And now on this Christmas Eve, when I've done all I can do and remember that Christmas is so much more than the buying and doing, I'm wishing and praying that all of you. . .

Let your hearts prepare Him room!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

FYI Friday: Things I'm Loving Right Now--Christmas style

It's been a smidge since I've done a Things I'm Loving Right Now post and there's no better time than the present. . .if you read further, you'll see what I did there. . .and while I'm at it, I think this will be a Christmas version . . .Enjoy!

1. Sometimes, getting Christmas decorations as a Christmas present is tough. I mean, you get really excited about it, but then have to put it away for an entire year. Tough life, ya know? So this year, I splurged and bought our newest Christmas decoration before Christmas, so we could enjoy it during this year! You might want to go ahead and do the same. Or, at least put it on your list---especially if you love nativity scenes. Best part about this nativity scene? It's from Lisa Leonard Designs! I absolutely love her, her designs, her jewelry and her story! My very favorite necklace is one she designed with all of my littles and Hubby's names right there on it!

Check her nativity scene out here, but also shop around! Her "tied to my heart" ornament is beautiful along with her others and there's surely something you can find for your mom, sister, friend, etc!
You'd think I was being compensated. I'm not. Promise. Just sharing the good! :)

2. Ann Voskamp has done it again! Her Unwrapping the Greatest Gift family Advent devotional is wonderful! Our family is really enjoying her words that speak Truth and the beautiful illustrations inside. It's written for all of us to enjoy and captivates our littles too! Definitely not too late to start--it's the meaning of Christmas that's all that matters!

3. Every single Christmas, I buy new Christmas music. It's something that brings joy to the season! This year, I'm so excited to have supported Shaun Groves in his Christmas EP. He's been the voice and leader of Compassion bloggers and he's been inspiring me for years! In fact, it was his trip to Ecuador with Ann Voskamp, that connected me to her! And from that trip, our family made a new friend, Fernando!

It also helps that Shaun is a Baylor grad (Sic Em Bears)! My boys think that is the best part of the EP! This CD has been on repeat for a week now, with its beautiful, original songs and those we know and love too! I absolutely love it! Check it out on iTunes--Shaun Groves--Christmas Vol. 1!

4. I ordered Jess Connolly's Advent devotional last year and we all really liked it! Her prints are beautiful and we hung each card up after we finished the devotion for the day. I've had more comments about these prints, so I thought I'd share! You can find them at Naptime Diaries, which is her online shop. She has fantastic Bible Study/journals/devotionals for different seasons and I've enjoyed all that I've ordered from her. Not to mention the prints hanging in our boys' bathroom as well as our own! Love her stuff!

5. Okay, so you can't really buy these, but they certainly fall under the Things I'm Loving (Forever) Christmas version. . .

Hope you are having a merry start to your Christmas season!

Happy Friday and Sic Em Bears!

(Hoping we get an early Christmas present with a big "W" this weekend!)

Why I am able to slowly embrace change (even during the holidays)

Picture this. I'm driving the boys to school this morning (all 4 of them go today). It's gray and foggy and misty and cold. A perfect winter morning, if you ask me. Well, maybe not perfect. Perfect would mean there was snow on the ground. But it was as close to perfect as you can get in Memphis. It doesn't snow a lot here.

So we're on our way and rounding a curve when my 6 year old mentions that if he had to choose between one of two Christmas activities to do as a family, he'd choose the one we haven't ever done. My response was, "Really? Not the one we've known and loved for years now?" And my 9 year old's response was the same as mine, "What? We've been doing this since I was born. I would totally choose this over that! Why would you choose, that?" To which our 6 year old replied, "Because I haven't ever done "that" and I want to know which one is better!"

And as he is answering, one of my very favorite Christmas songs comes on. Christmas Canon. If you don't know it, look it up and download it! Even better, look it up now and read this post as you listen. You'll transport yourself to my car this morning.

It was just an Aha! moment. I've never been a fan of change. Tradition continues because it has always been. Why change? Why risk? Why change something that is good? But recently, over the past couple of years, I'm starting to come around. My Hubby has shown me that change can be good. And now, this morning, one of my offspring was suggesting this same thing, just like his daddy.

But while I still struggle some, particularly during the holidays (over the past week or so, envisioning the holidays differently than my Hubby has been challenging), this morning helped me to see and truly realize we all have visions of our holidays and none of them are quite the same. And it's okay. It's okay that mine is different than my Hubby's, than my neighbor's, than my dearest friend's, than my parents or sister or children (though most of their holiday visions are still created by us).

So long as we remember what is most important, Who is most important about this season, change is okay. Because beyond all the boxes and strings, lights, cookies, shopping, cards, etc., beyond all this, all that can change from year to year, we have One who is always the same. One who has never changed and will never change.

The Lord, Jesus, our Savior who has come to the world, is our constant. He is the only constant we will ever need!

Christmas wrap-up!

I started taking the Christmas decorations down on Saturday and was met with our 3 year old, pleading, "Mommy, please don't take away our Christmas!!" Oh stab in my heart! Trust me, sweet Miles, there's no one who would rather do this less!

We had such a sweet Christmas! It all started with the boys running into our room and waking us up! We cuddled up in bed, read Luke 2 and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus. And then the boys' excitement couldn't be contained any longer. . .It was the year when Miles simply wanted a "bear blankie" (think big, soft, cuddly blanket to keep him from being cold--makes us all think of a bear) a scarf, and a little green car! He went to bed on Christmas Eve telling me he thought Santa would bring him a present. As in 1 present. Ohhhh, precious heart! He didn't expect more. It was also the year when Luke and Charlie desired a 3-DS, and while they didn't get that, they did get a Wii and are currently thrilled! Sweet Baby Way received a few new toys and we all received some new family games (including a marble run) that we are excited to play!! Hubby will be playing his trumpet and mastering the new trumpet music he has--from praise and hymns, to Les Mis and Disney, he has a lot to tackle! And I will be learning how to play the guitar---thanks to my Christmas present from Hubby and my little boys! A guitar and lessons---so beyond excited!!!

We snacked on a breakfast of pigs in a blanket, that my wonderful bro-in-law brought over and cinnamon rolls, opened gifts and played before heading over to my parents for more opening, playing and eating!

I had to leave our tree up another day, along with our Advent, but it had to all disappear this weekend since today, we are leaving for the Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix to watch our Baylor Bears play in their first-ever BCS bowl game! We are SO excited!! I've scheduled a couple of posts this week, but I'll definitely be posting trip pics on Instagram! I'm @ Ourmorningglories if you are on Instagram!
(Oh, and robbers, there will be someone at our house)!

Hope you had a very Merry Christmas, too!

Way is wishing you JOY! (And we are too)!

Way's here to demonstrate how one can feel leading up to Christmas. . .

you know with all the hustle and bustle and tasks to be done and one thing after another. . .

We've enjoyed our Christmas programs. . .(from 3 out of 4 of our boys)

And our Christmas cookie decorating. . .

And even our first time ever to make a gingerbread house together (Mickey-style of course)

But while that's fun and sometimes hectic, we know in our hearts what Christmas is all about!

The birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ---the Prince of Peace, the only one who brings true JOY!

Oh, I cannot wait for our candlelight service tonight---the worshiping and celebrating of our Lord!

Wishing you and your family the peace and wonder of Jesus 

and the JOY He brings this Christmas season!

Merry Christmas from the Jacksons!!

What's that? Are you talking about JOY?

Here's some joy!! 

FYI Friday: Christmas Card Flops 2013!

A couple of months ago, my parents were over at our house and when they arrived, my dad handed me our mail and said, "I don't know how you don't check your mail everyday!" I'm sure I rolled my eyes and made a smarty pants comment, but I  know I said, "You better believe I do during the Christmas season!"

And here we are!! It's the Christmas season and our window and door trims are filling up with family and friends' Christmas cards! I just love getting these in the mail and seeing all of these faces smiling and sending warm Christmas wishes! (And Lauren, I know you feel me on this--here's to another week of fun mail)!

But do you ever look at those amazing cards and wonder what it took to get that wonderful shot? Well, if you are my sister and bro-in-law, you just sit down, look gorgeous, take a pic and your done. But just wait until you have kiddos, Biffer, then Christmas card photos are on!! Because this is what really goes on behind the perfect shot. . .and these are only a few of the flops!

Christmas card flops 2013

First things first. . . we may be in trouble later in his life. I mean, look at Miles' mischievous smile!!

 

Next in line, Ummmm, someone grab hold of your baby bro! Way is falling over and Miles looks scared or in mid, "Mommy can I see the picture?"

And then, there's the one when Luke looks slightly bored or jealous, Miles is hyped up on something, Charlie's had a little too much of something and Way has every right to be terrified!

So when you think it's just not going to happen, press on friends, it just might. . .

Thanks to my friend, Kelly, at Libbylu Designs for once again making card magic happen!

Merry Mail Season!