Christmas Paparazzi

Truly an amazing Christmas! The kids are at glorious ages for bringing shear joy to all with their Christmas excitement that oozes out from every cell. Every twinkle light gets noticed, every song gets sung, ever christmas cookie is devoured with a smile. We had a great season and I have spent the morning pouring though pictures and have narrowed it down to a mere thirty or so to keep on my blog.

I've been waiting to order personalized stockings for my family until I knew my family was complete. So this was the year I got to get them and I adore how they turned out.



A few pictures celebrating at my brother's cute house is SE Portland. His house used to be my great grandparents so it has a sentimental feel to it every time I walk in the doors. My sister-in-law, Dorinda is seriously talented when it comes to decorating and I had fun taking a few pictures of my favorite little spots in their home.
My mom and some of her grandkids.

Prof I was at Christmas since I am the one who takes the pictures.




This is my little family on Christmas morning.

My apologies to our neighbors.


And this is Christmas Eve at my in-laws. Grandma Pam made these for each of the girls.

Tobin got a bigger bike.

Jabe said a prayer before the gifts were open.


My sweet nieces, Daphne and Maisie.


Proud of my wrapping this year!

My in-laws used a tree off their property this year.

And lastly, don't you just love how Grandma Pam displayed the kid's Christmas Eve pajamas?
Now that it's over . . . I'm ready for spring.

From, Glory

Merry Christmas bloggers!

Greatness In a Baby

Last night at our Christmas Eve Eve service Pastor Cory told the story of world famous violinist Josh Bell. Bell is a child prodigy violinist who when his parents found him creating music with rubber bands on dresser draw knobs, help professionally train him to become on of our greatest musicians. Josh Bell gave up his fame for a day and played his violin in a busy subway with his violin case open to appear common. The experiment was to see if the busy people using the subway to get to their next destination would stop and hear the greatness that was playing before them. Very few stopped to listen. Some children tried to rest in the music but were hurried on by their parents.

I always love listening to Christmas music this time of year. And this year while listening to O' Holy Night, I've been struck by the lyric, "a thrill of hope". Those four words that had become mechanical to me are now the focus of my Christmas season. The next line in the song is, "a weary world rejoices". We are certainly a weary world. The nightly news is prof of that but how many of us stop to see the greatness of God that came down to us as a vulnerable baby? This year stop and quiet your heart and listen to the miracle that God gave us in a common looking baby that changed the world with a thrill of hope.

Because I'm Crafty Like That

Last weekend police officers kids were treated to a fun Christmas party full of sugar, Santa, presents and crafts. This was my second year I organized the craft department. Here are some of the simple treats we made that you could easily do with the kids in your life.

Paper Stocking Ornament

Pinecone Christmas Tree

I have a major love affair happening with pom poms. I'm not sure why, but they make me very merry.

Ribbon Bookmark

This was a fun one. The kids use their thumbprints to make the holly leaves.

Hard to see picture of our Candy Airplane. Super-fly airplane made from Smarties, Lifesavers, stick of gum and a rubber band.

This is Phoebe super stoked about her My Little Pony gift from Santa. I had to get to the school early to set up so it was all on Matt shoulders to get the three of them ready for the party. I laid out clothes to make it easier on him. He even did her hair! Nice, yes?

No. I gasped when I saw the creativity he put in the back.

A special note to husbands from Glory Laine: One pony tail is fine, two is great, but never, (with everything holy) ever do three.

A Red Velvet Kind of Weekend

Just got back from a glorious weekend with Jill and Stef. Lots of coffee, Christmas gifts checked off the list, sore feet, sleeping in and staying up late. One of our best years to date.

We went to the Cheesecake Factory and we all three ordered the Miso Salmon. We devored every grain of rice and it was all I could do not to lick it clean. I know that's frowned upon so I refrained. Then we each got a piece of cheesecake. Did you know they had cheesecake? Apparently they are famous for it. Stefanie got the Banana Cream, Jill got some cocoanut number and I had the most incredible spiritual experience eating Stefanie's Ultimate Red Velvet Cheesecake. You have to just love the name itself. I promise you this, you will become closer to God if you eat this. It's more proof of His existence.

We decided to catch a love story move to end our chick weekend off with some Jake Gyllenhaal eye candy. 'Brothers' was the pick and we all settled in our seats with our hot pretzels we snuck into the theater, (we are all dangerous, dangerous criminals). This movie was brilliantly acted. The story was painfully moving, highlighting wars most crippling injury; post traumatic stress disorder. I don't know if I have ever sob so much in a movie, ever. I left not only feeling that my heart had been ripped out and stomped on but then thrown into a food processor. And so I leave you tonight with this: my gratitude for those who have served our country is deepened tonight. Not only those who have bravely gone to fight a battle on foreign ground to keep the fight away from us but for the wives, mothers, fathers, husbands and kids who also sacrifice immeasurably to see their loved ones engage in war that is not only physically risky but mentally as well. My thanks is not adequate. I wish I could give you all a piece of Red Velvet Cheesecake.

Who Knew?

Apparently, Jabe and Phoebe are Beaver fans.

Oregonians are all in a twitter about tonight's civil war game. Ducks vs. Beavers. I care more about whether my socks match my shirt (very, very little caring) than I do about this game. Consider me a platypus tonight.

Coming Home

I just got back from a long board meeting. Lots of decisions and my calendar just got a ton fuller. When I walked into the front door I smelled cookies. (Pretty much my favorite smell.) Then Matt showed me these pictures from the evening.

So grateful to be raising children with a partner that is engaged with his kids. So blessed to come home to a happy place.