The Real Reason for the Season

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman word. And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up form the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was expecting a child.

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An Angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified. But the angel said to them. "Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people" Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manager

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying "Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace to men on whom his favor rests" When the angels had left them and gone into heaven the shepherds said to on another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this that has happened, which the Lord has told us about"

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

This is a belated Christmas Greeting, but this story can be told and held in our hearts everyday. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

XOXO -
Sandi

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The Gift

I LOVE getting gifts. That might sounds selfish, but I do. I love the element of surprise. The thought that somebody else thought of you enough to get a gift for you, wrap it up, and give it to you. I think this lady is my inspiration.

See this is the surprise look. The "I can't believe this is mine!" look.

This is the thoughtful look. The "Awe, somebody thought of me and got me a gift" look.

This looks tops it all of, you know you have gave good gift if you get this look. The "I'm going to cry because I am so blessed. I am so blessed and don't deserve any of this. My family is so good to me" look. Classic.

This is the "I was minding my own business waiting to open my gifts, when my sister told me to get up and stand next to my mother to take a picture. Good grief" look. You might not be able to tell by their face, but they are excited and they want to be here. I promise.

XOXO - Sandi

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Superman, Spongebog, Power Ranger and a Chef, Oh My!

Happy Halloween Everyone! I know I'm a little behind, but better late than never, and with Halloween pictures they can never be late.
I had a special delivery at work today. He is a cute little blonde boy. Very happy to get candy, not so much on getting his picture taken.

Every year we go to Grandma's house and sit with her and look for all the trick or treaters. Here is what came through the door.

A Power Ranger - his special power? Being able to eat three pieces of candy before his mom or dad can notice.
A chef - His specialty is being able to sneak to the candy dish without drawing attention to himself.

Sponge bob - Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? He loves him some crabby patties aka. Halloween Candy.

Spiderman - His special power - Confusing people by thinking he is looking through his mask, when really he is looking underneath.

A puppy named Roscoe. Looking cute, is all the costume he needs.

Here is the whole crew together. Also, including the pumpkins that have been carved. A truly terrifying group isn't it?

XOXO- Sandi

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Kids and Pumpkins

I was talking to my friend Amy about carving pumpkins and she had said that she has never carved pumpkins before. That is all I needed to hear. The carving party began. Our spirits were high. We were going to have a blast. This was also Garrett's first time also. His interest only lasted for a little bit though. As seen here.

Adam and I started carving as well..I had bought the same saw kit as I did for the kids in my family. My brute of a husband proceeded to break both saws so we had to resort to kitchen knives.
As an experience carver such as my self,I didn't need to have a saw. All I needed was elbow grease. Garrett at this point has lost interest in the pumpkins and started finding enjoyment of his own.
We are still carving....
Garrett has moved onto Rosoce. He was a great toy to play with.
And still carving....
The problem with Roscoe and Garrett was that Garrett thought Roscoe could understand him. When Garrett said come here Roscoe, he did, but then wanted to jump on Garrett and play with him. So this friendly hold was more of a death grip. Maybe not death grip but a firm, don't move grip.
At this point we thought the saw might work without the handle, not so much though.

Adam is the first one done, of course he had the advantage of not one, but two saws.
His pumpkin.
The finished products. Yeah!!
Garrett and the pumpkins. It's like he never left the carving process. Good times.

XOXO - Sandi

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Good Times at the Light's House

If you are going to be part of our family this is the kind of stuff you grow to expect. My mom is one of a kind. She gets wacky ideas like freezing a glove and then putting it in punch. In other families people might find this odd in my family the only thing questioned is "Is that a latex glove because I'm allergic to latex?" But it was not, so it is safe to drink the punch. Close call.

Myself on the other hand am nothing like my mother and do not go above and beyond, like getting pumpkins for the kids and their own kits to carve those pumpkins. Then also make sure that Justin who is too young to carve, has his own special pumpkin kit. Like I said I am nothing like my mother. Ha
My sister in law Sara? What can I say, there is one in every family. I'm not sure what she is doing. She adds a flare that no one else can.

These two boys are hard at work. They have plan and they are going to follow it through.

This little fella, he was so happy to have a pumpkin saw that he had to carve two faces: a happy one and a scary one and was well on his third face before the saw was taken away.

This little guy was on top of the world. He had his own pumpkin and his own faces that he could stick in the pumpkin. He didn't need no stinkin' saw.

The finished product. A man and a plan. What more could you need.

This girl is a perfectionist. After everyone was done she was still sawing away to create that perfect pumpkin.

Steven had a little help from his dad to make this pumpkin. It didn't matter. Another man with a plan. Unstoppable.

These were Justin's finished products. Easy, cute and simple. If only everything in life could be like that.

XOXO - Sandi

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Today's MY Day

Today is My Day! I am three years old today! I love my mom and dad, my truck, blue boots, and my neighbor's donkey sweet pea. Because it's my day I get to have a party and invite friends and family over to celebrate! I love having my cousins around to play with me.

Also because it is my day I get to have cake! Everybody sings to me and I get to blow my candle out.
I love my backpack! Opening up gifts are the best! My day is perfect.

Nope I was wrong, now it is perfect! My day is complete when I can put bottle cap glasses on, my mittens, my red superman shorts on and pull them up to my armpits. And what can you say about it? Nothing cause remember it is MY Day!

Thoughts and comments are those of the author. Not Garrett or his parents. In fact maybe I should have consulted with the parents before I posted the pictures. This is my disclosure.

XOXO- Sandi

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It's Fall Y'all

Every year our church has a barn party. We were lucky enough this year to host it at our house. After a VERY long day of getting ready for it, it was time to reap what we had sown.My brother Scott had grown a rather large garden this year and he had graciously donated all his pumpkins to use for decorations. His only request was that he got his largest pumpkin back. He was pretty proud of it. So we treated it like a baby. It took all Adam had to carry it, weighing around 50 pounds and everything.


Kayla stopped by after work and asked if she could help and after I jumped for joy so excited for another helper I gladly accepted. Her main job was to make a sign. A sign that would tell our friends from Church where to turn to get to our house. I think she succeeded. She didn't want to take a picture by herself so she called Missi to her side to provide support.
After some hot dogs and playing in the hay, it was time for the hayride. People bundled up and held on as Adam took off with his truck going through creeks with water and hills that had to be climbed. We only had one phone call from the trailer telling Adam to slow down. He was so proud.

It was a great time. Everybody loved spending the night in the country and breathing the fresh air. We enjoyed hosting and hope to do it again next year!

That's it for now. Oh and one more picture to enjoy!

XOXO- Sandi

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