Christmas Day 2010

"Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!"

-2 Corinthians 9:15

It's easy to lose focus this time of the year.... to get caught up in the gifts, the food, the family, the friends, etc. etc. etc.  An added distraction for me this year was the hope/wonder of whether or not we would have a baby girl here celebrating with us or arriving in the midst of the celebration.  ((I'm pretty thankful she waited, but am praying the waiting is over soon -- hopefully my next blog will be an introduction of a sweet baby girl to our family)).

Back to the post at hand.... Todd & I really want Christmas to be about CHRIST for our boys.  We desire for them to grow up knowing the reason we celebrate is the GIFT we were given over 2000 years ago.  Even so, we do participate in LOTS of the typical holiday activities and enjoy doing so.  BUT first and foremost we try to make it a point to stop each day in December to read scriptures that surround the events of the birth of Jesus and remind the boys (& next year their sister too!) what Christmas and in reality, life is all about.  It was here, in the midst of scriptures that we began on Christmas morning.... reading of the awesome GIFT we received and reminding our boys what we are celebrating.

They are still too young to truly get it.  Yes, sometimes they can answer the questions right.... but you can tell by the look in their eyes what truly excites them during the Christmas season (the cookies, the lights, the gifts).  And I believe that's ok.... I anticipate a Christmas day down the road, maybe in 5 years, perhaps in 10 years, or maybe longer still  ((I do pray I am alive to witness it)) - where I will see their hearts humbled and their eyes focused on the true meaning, what the magic is all about.  Until then, we'll enjoy each season and pray that one day their hearts will open to a new understanding and that they will find that inexpressible joy we read about in Bible of the first Christmas so long ago.  ((In all honesty, I hope to experience this even more intensely myself in the years to come as well).

The pictures following fail to show much what I just mentioned being our top priority at Christmas, but they definitely do point to our 2nd priority of the season which is FAMILY (which is a whole different post that probably won't happen this year).

We are certainly blessed.

Christmas Eve Gift Exchange in Photos

After a lovely church service at Faith Bible (so fun to be back there for a visit) we headed to Mom & Dad's for our traditional Christmas Eve soup supper & gift exchange.

A blessed evening indeed....

A few of our favorite things.....

 { Decorating the tree }

{ Making Christmas Cookies }

 { Getting all dressed up }

{ Singing at Church }

{ Daily Advent Readings }

{ Gingerbread Trains }

{ Time with Family }

{ Time with Friends }

Such a fun time of the year.... such a great reason to celebrate.... all because of our Savior's birth.......

"'Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

   and they shall call his name Immanuel'

   (which means, God with us)"

Matthew 1:23

Trusting you & yours are enjoying the Christmas season as well!

Who grew more?

((my apologies for the unseasonal post, I meant to post it a few months back, but needed to "dig" out the old picture, so here it is))

Last year we planted some trees in our backyard and took the first picture below.  We decided to retake it this year (a little later obviously) to see the change in the trees and boys.   It's harder to tell than I thought it would be, but it would still be fun to see what you think!

2009

2010

A)  Carter
B)  Turner
C)  Left Tree
D)  Right Tree

Let me know what you think!

Preschool Christmas Program

Tonight we attended Carter's first school Christmas program - what a hoot!  We loved seeing the little ones up there - some shouting out loudly, some barely moving/singing at all, some quietly singing along (which seemed to be Carter's category).  Hard to believe we've moved in the stage of not only preschool - but school activities - life will never be the same!!  And I have to admit, I think it's going to be fun (for the most part!).

Another proud momma moment!

Going to the Dentist

A few weeks after Daddy's new office opening, the boys were able to get their turn in the chair!  They were both overly excited to get their teeth cleaned and seemed to enjoy the process (doesn't hurt that Daddy has nice TV's with cartoons to watch while he works on their teeth!). 

Of course, it was necessary to document the experience....

Cheers to oral health care!!

Nursery Makeover: Take Two

Just an update to let you all know the walls are painted, crib is up, bedding is ready (less the quilt which is still in production), and the day is getting closer and closer!!  

Here's a sneak peek at the nursery... more pics to come once the walls aren't so bare!!!!

I also wanted to share this sweet blanket below.  Over Thanksgiving we were at Todd's parents and my mother-in-law gave me a TON of extra fabric she had and this sweet vintage print with coordinating pink fleece was begging me to turn it into a blanket for our baby girl!!

36 weeks today.... getting pretty anxious to meet her!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

‎"Enter his gates with thanksgiving,and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!" Psalm 100:4

We have so, so much to be thankful for.
We acknowledge it all comes from above.


May you truly give thanks this holiday week - to the One who is the author, creator, sustainer of all things.


Happy Thanksgiving!

Love,
the Hohlens

Budding Artist

Carter continues to enjoy drawing and really any sort of art.  Yesterday he began drawing people.  Here are his first two "people" pictures.  




The first he says is of Mommy, Daddy, Carter & Turner with Mamie.  Mamie, Daddy & Teba are wrestling (which I will add has never happened in real life!  The Mamie part that is!)  I think my favorite part of this one is his sun in the sky!

The second picture is of Papa and the boys in his workshop.  According to Carter, Papa is the one of the left that "looks like a bug but he's not".  

I am loving this age and seeing him create- I am anxious to see if his love for art will continue as he grows!

One proud momma,