Christmas Eve

Christmas eave we decided we wanted out of the house.  We wanted to do something Christmas related...But having a 19 month old, being unemployed and the rain outside hindered our options. Then I remember seeing something about a large gingerbread house display at Crown Center.  We decided to brave the mall aspect and go.  So we loaded up and Adam and I mentally prepared our selves for a mall outing on Christmas eve.  (Are we crazy or what?)

Once we parked and got into Crown Center we were pleasantly surprised.  There we quite a bit of people but not as many as we had imagined.  Also everyone seemed to be just taking their time.

Naomi LOVED the Gingerbread town display. Especially the train.  She would sit and wait or it then she would squeal "Chooo chooo"  I would have killed to have a video capability on my camera.  It was adorable! 

It was a very pleasant day.  We walked around crown center and we walked around the Westin.  They have a waterfall with a HUGE Christmas tree. with several versions of Santa over looking the area.  Naomi threw pennies in to the waterfall.  Many people were taking their family (or children's) photo in front of the tree.  We also went up on the balcony where I took these pictures.

We got home just before the rain turned to ice. That evening we went to church with my grandpa. Afterward we visited some friends and let our kids open their Christmas pajamas. (Thanks mom!)

Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:10-11

Shhhh! I'm hunting for a new church

So my title is a sad attempt at Elmer Fudd, but I am feeling a bit loopy today! I don't like church hunting. It is so hard. You never know what to expect. Today we went to the Westley church around the corner from us. It is a quaint church the preaching was solid, they were very mission minded, but, notice the quaint? There were just about a dozen people there, only one person near our age (She was the pastors Granddaughter), and when I peaked in the nursery it looked like it had not been used in a while. This is hard. We also went to the evening service at the First Southern Baptist Church. We had gone to the morning service last week. It is among the possabilaties but we are going to pray and seek God's guidance. We don't need to join the first church we go to. We know that he has a plan for us here. We just have to rely on Him and follow His desire for our family.
I am reading Redeming Love by Francine Rivers. I highly recomend it! but there is a line

"Oh, God, it's not the way had things planned. But then, what of real, lasting value ever is?"

This line really has resounded lately. Gods plans are always far better than what we could plan for ourselves.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. " Jeremiah 29:11

Now for something more fun:


Yes, that is my daughter under the shopping cart. We were at Wal-Mart and Adam put her down to walk around. The next thing we knew she was under the cart! Crazy girl! She eventually got her self out, it was hilarious to watch!