The Birth of our Savior

The last few weeks I have been reading through the gospels, focusing on the birth of Jesus. I thought it would be a good way to getting in the Christmas frame of mind...the correct frame of mind. One thing that has really amazed is the simplicity, the trust, the blind faith that everything is going to be okay. Mary and Joseph so simply accepted what was coming, they believed in what the angels said and knew that God would provide.

Its hard for me to comprehend. Personally, I think I would freak out. I mean having God's child...I think I would flip! Yet, Mary accepts this...and Joseph...look at him. He thinks of divorcing Mary (slight freak out, I think) and instead the angle tells him to marry her and trust that the baby is God's. Amazing. I cannot even imagine but I am glad it happened.

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

Luke 2:11

Being thankful....

We have so much to be thankful for and it often gets lost in the holiday craziness. I am trying more and more to see the good in my life and focus on the blessings God has given Brandon and I. Especially, during this time of year I think its important to give thanks where it is due!

God has blessed us with...

a beautiful place to live

each other

wonderful friends

delicious food

 health

jobs that we enjoy

wonderful family that love us

Christmas joy and decorations

Really the list goes on and on. I am just so thankful for all the blessings He has given us, most importantly our salvation. 

Merry Christmas!

Chickpeas...Yum

Yes, chickpeas! Chickpeas, please! So yummy they deserve their own post.

We made fried chickpeas since our favorite neighborhood restaurant took them off the menu. I dont blame them though...they try to keep the menu seasonal and new. check them out if you are in the Seattle area.

 http://serafinaseattle.com/cicchetti/

We made our own...and like i said, Yum!

 all fried up

                                    Tasty!                                    

Gone :(

Beatiful Weekend

This past weekend was wonderful! The weather on Saturday could not have been better. Sunny skies, warm temps (in the 50's), no rain...its was great. Who would have thought it was December!

We started Saturday off with a hike with the JH kids (thanks Pastor M for tagging along!)

We hiked Rattlesnake Ridge which overlooks a beautiful like and is surrounded by other mountains. By the time we got to the top we were sweating but the view was well worth it!

Amazing, right?

Saturday evening, we headed over to C.K's for a Christmas get together. Brandon made some pork buns and they were a huge hit.

Also, Brandon and J decided to match for the occasion! So cute :)

And of course, the rain returned on Sunday and the Packers lost.

I guess that's the way it goes...

Christmas Cheer

I am looking forward to some many things and so many of them are great blessings in my life! So I think they deserve to be listed out!

faith, celebrating the birth of our savior

family 

time with family!

christmas at the K's

christmas in michigan

christmas in illinois

three christmases...who could ask for better ;)

cookies!

time off from work 

snow...hopefully just the right amount!

good food (which is never lacking)

friends...both new and old

walking downtown Chicago at Christmas time

candle lite churches

watching white christmas, elf, christmas story...so good!

oh the list could go on, and on, and on....

by the way 10 days to Christmas!

Christmas Happenings...

We

christmas cards have arrived and are going out!

sunny winter afternoons

trees on the way home 

ugly Christmas sweaters!

new knife ;)

triple ginger chewy cookies...yum

pretty trees

fresh crab

setting sun

its beginning to feel like Christmas!

It's coming...

Christmas that is....

I am excited! How about you?

picture is of a huge tree downtown :)