This is the real deal, the reason we have hope, the reason we are alive!  When I listen to this song, I can’t help but worship.  Anna Kate even lifts her little hands to the sky, and it melts my heart.

The words in this song encompass why the name “Noelle” even crossed our minds as a name that would be meaningful to our first daughter.  I pray that the Spirit of this song will be felt with every breathe she takes, so that she can live with the hope that even though life can sometimes be overwhelming and more than we can bear by ourselves, that He is here with us… never letting go for one minute!  That is what keeps me tying my knot and holding on for dear life when the storms hit.  And they do hit.  None of us are exempt, and we are all in this together!  That’s what makes the body of Christ so beautiful to me.  It’s our journey.  Our story. 

And the people of Israel waited for SO long to have the hope that we now have.  Can you imagine how they pressed through the dark, cold, lonely winters without Him?  And then He came, to live among us and teach us how to be the best creation we can possibly be in the state that we find ourselves in.  And we try.  And we toil.  And then we inevitably fail… and then he says, wait!  That’s not all.  Not only did I come to be an example to you, but I left the sacrifice of my life to pick up the pieces.  And it is messy, and it isn’t black and white, but I will lead you and walk with you, and never forget that I did some incredible things just for you!

Anyway, I hope this song blesses your heart as much as it has mine this Christmas season as you celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

We had a cookie exchange and went caroling with some girlfriends last night, and we had such a blast!  At one house, this group of teenage girls answered the door and started singing with our little girls.  We moms were getting emotional seeing them singing all together – it was such an sweet memory!

Anna Kate was the littlest girl in the group, so she was always poking behind… so cute!  We tried to get a group photo with Rose, but she wasn’t game.  I love this picture of the big girls taking good care of her!

Anna Kate is on her tippy toes at the last house!  She wanted to be a part of everything!  This is our silly little gang… such a fun group of precious little girls!!!

We had a blast celebrating my birthday on Wednesday!

Mike brought home this cookie cake after work to get the party started.  He did the butterflies to represent the girls… so thoughtful!  We had a great dinner and then after that, we went to James Avery.

I had a very special friend give me money with the request that I buy the girls each a piece of nice jewelry.  Noelle picked out her first pair of earrings!  They are little hearts!  Santa is going to bring a coupon for her to get her ears pierced, so we are anticipating that!  Anna Kate picked out an “A” charm to wear on a chain.  Both pieces of jewelry are so sweet, and this was such a special birthday memory for me!

The girls were SO excited, they decided to do an impromptu dance session on the side walk!

Which turned into being goofy, of course!  Best birthday I can remember!  Cool!

Anna Kate covered her ears when the bagpipers started playing!

Noelle asked if she could take a picture of us… she’s really good behind the camera!

We heard a story about a local Dad who has ALS and jumped on the chance to help!  Even though he is a stranger to our family, this disease is devastating, and we are heart broken for all of the amazing families who have to be heroic just to stay alive. 

This is a little more information about the Mansfield family from my friend Sundey:

“Jarrod Brodnax is a Mansfield fire fighter. Jarrod has worked for the Mansfield Fire Department for 6 years. He is in his early 30’s, with a 3 year old and a six month old daughter. His wife Melissa is a Labor and Delivery nurse at Mansfield Methodist.

Last year, he was injured on the job during a rescue. He suffered injuries to his neck and back. During his treatment, it was found that the injuries opened the door to a much more devastating problem. He was diagnosed with ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gerhig’s disease. From the ALS website:

"Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig’s Disease," is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed."

No one should have to suffer this fate, but it is especially devastating to a young father as active and involved in his kids’ life as Jarrod. In the year we’ve lived here, I’ve seen Jarrod walking around normally playing with his 3 year old daughter outside every day, happily working in the yard with Melissa in the evenings, to limping, to needing a walker, to now having to use a non-motorized wheelchair and being unable to hold his toddler or new baby.  He is always kind and affable, despite his condition. His wife, Melissa, never complains, never asks for help, is always smiling and cheerful, despite having a toddler, a brand new baby, a full time, stressful job, insane medical expenses and a paralyzed husband.  I can’t think of anyone more deserving of a helping hand.

Jarrod’s brothers in the fire department and the Texas Red Dirt Road show are holding a Texas country benefit concert for him.

For additional info, to make a donation or for contact info, visit the Mansfield FireFighters Association page at www.MFFA3599.org. "

I literally cannot imagine going down this road.  It totally puts all of life into perspective.  Please keep this Texas family in your prayers as well as our dear friends, the Ziemkes in California.  The holidays are so very special, and also so very hard for so many who love and have so much to lose.  Thank God that he is here…

Rose’s little buddy, Katie, had the cutest birthday party on Sunday!  This picture is so cool… Katie and Rose were playing and then Katie leaned over, picked up her first card off of one of her presents and opened it all by herself! 

Granpapa and Kay Kay took Noelle and Mike to the Nutcracker this weekend!

Noelle was so excited to meet some of the dancers!

This was a very special night for sweet Noelle!

We had a blast at Noelle’s Christmas pj party at school!  Here she is with her friend Jacob after they just finished decorating ornaments!

Landry and Noelle are ready for the break – lol!

They decorated cookies and had a book exchange… earlier in the day they watched Polar Express… Noelle really enjoyed her last day of school! 

Anna Kate had a blast decorating cookies and seeing Santa with friends on Friday!

Anna Kate and Ava shared a chair and ate more icing than they put on their cookies!

Chris had fun loving on baby Rose!  Gretchen held Rose up to take a picture with the big girls, and she was smiling so big… she knew she was doing something special!