'Tis the Season

of which Jesus is the reason.

My mom taught my class how to make Christmas ornaments out of salt dough. I thought they did a pretty rad job. And of course, the children were thrilled. My mom is a huge hit, I tell you. I nearly barfed watching some of them mash the dough together into a big brown ball, then proceed to lick the glob of disgusting goo, and when that wasn't satisfying enough, chew and swallow chunks of slimy, germified dough.

We love Midway in the wintertime! The snow makes everything so beautiful. But I say, you've got to get out in it and play. Otherwise it's just blechy. Oh how I wish we still lived there always. sigh.




Gingerbread house decorating with the family. My dad made everyone their own reusable gingerbread house and my mom made about 173 batches of frosting in the kitchenaid. If Jesse and my skills in gingerbread house making are any prediction for our future home ... renovations should be a snap! (See last photo.) We hardly even fought over roofing material and solved the disagreement over gumdrop fence vs. candy corn fence by using both!


For Christmas this year, instead of our usual Sub-for-Santa, I took my young women to the Correctional Facilities for juveniles. This was quite the eye-opening experience. My girls made, then gave blankets for the girls in "jail" and then we hung out and chatted about life in detention. We were nervous, but the "inmates" were surprisingly sweet, friendly, and very appreciative. This was another reminder that giving really, truly is so much better than receiving. Because when you are in the position to give, it means you have more than you need; life for you is good and blessed. There is much to be thankful for.


Another annual tradition: the Fetzer family caroling party. This family makes a pretty impressive choir! We caravan from house to house of nearly-dead people who I'm not sure can hear us and then cram all bajillion of us into the Craven home for socializing. But what really makes this an awesome party? Two words: artichoke dip.


These are the books I checked out of the library to read over Christmas break. Can you guess what we're planning? I'll give you one hint: we will NEVER have money again. I feel fairly certain of this.

Merry Christmas everyone!