every captive thought

Tonight we went to church with Mom and Dad for the candlelight service. A Christmas Eve tradition. They called the children down to the front for the Christmas story of Jesus' birth. James and Jude were reluctant to go so Nana went with them. This little boy LOVES his Nana with all his heart.   Lucky for us they handed out candy canes to the children after the story.  Katy Jane was thrilled.  I was not. James praying. Jude "reading" the bible. After we got home I had trouble getting the babes calmed down enough for bedtime.  They were extra silly tonight.  James thought it would be a good idea to wear my boots.  Katy thought it was so funny...     I finally managed to wrangle all three into pajamas.  They didn't seem to buy into my logic that the sooner they went to bed the sooner they would get to open their presents. Nice how clean my living room is, no?  And when did I get to the point in my life where this picture causes me absolute

I should dump my camera pictures more often.  I found some more pictures from James' Christmas Pageant.    I don't think he broke eye contact with me the entire time he was on stage.  I love this sweet boy.      

I love Christmastime.  I love the baking, shopping, wrapping, gifting, singing, decorating, all of it.  Love it.  The children love helping in the kitchen...particularly James.  We worked very hard on our gingerbread men...or as Jude calls them,"cookie boys".       They were excited to decorate their own cookie boys.   This smile.  This is his most sincere, heartfelt smile.  His eyes sparkle, lips closed.  It makes my heart melt.   Katy Jane loves to be in the kitchen with me.  She's so curious.  I can tell she's going to be a great cook.  But for now, she is literally tied to my apron strings.  And I love it. My Mom was always so wonderful about letting me help her in the kitchen.  Those are some of my most precious memories. She is so sweet about letting the boys help her.  She is infinitely more patient than I am with them.  She invited us over the other night to make Christmas mice and caramel. Christmas mice were one of my favorit