Welcoming the New Year

Tonight, we will go to my friend Katie's house for a couple of hours for food and fellowship. I am glad we can go as a family.

Earlier today I played for a New Years Eve wedding. That was different..but it went well.

Tomorrow, we plan on eating at Rich's parents' house, and I am sure we will have a wonderful time there.

A post here shows some of my goals... I should also mention that Rich and I would very much like to record another cd, but it will take hours of practice time, which is hard to come by here, with two very active kids. Actually, if we could create a more upbeat cd and then a Christmas one at the same time, that would be even better. We have a list of songs already for each cd...now, prayer for the means to produce them is a vital thing!

Christmas at the Russells

We had the Snyder families over at our house for breakfast Christmas morning. It was a wonderful time! Everyone pitched in with the food, so it was not stressful for me. What a yummy meal we had!

Then, Richard had to go off to work..a sad thing but we knew this was his holiday to work.

The kids and I then went over to the Simplican grandparents' house, where we proceeded to have more food and more gift opening..and the beloved coffee punch!

I will have to journal more about this wonderful day later, but so much happens on these special holidays, I need a quiet time to post.

Christmas Eve was a tender time...I enjoyed playing a classical style piano prelude at our church, and then truly enjoyed sitting with my husband and kids during the service. I decided not to play the piano during the service and it was fine with the other music people. Someone else was able to fill in, thankfully.

The most special thing for me was singing Silent Night, and having Ella right beside me, with her face sweetly looking at the lit candle I held..

Thank you, Lord, for such a wonderful and calm Christmas. It was truly a blessing. Last Christmas was not a delightful one, as some depression settled in fiercely on that day, but with many prayers, I believe, it was different this year.

Ohhh I forgot to mention our wonderful time with my brother and his family on Saturday. The girls (cousins) played and were having so much fun. Philip was a hit with his hair again. I will not cut those curls yet!

My mom had prepared a fine meal and we feasted like royalty!

Even Megan and Molly were there to join in on the Christmas celebration. They are such sweet girls. I wish we could see them more often.

Color Wheel

My recent scrapbooking magazine had an article about colors. It was very enlightening. I just have to comment!

First, I will state what my family members' favorite colors are.

Richard's favorite color is green.

Mine ARE browns and tans, and cream.

Ella loves yellow with a passion!

Philip, I think, loves orange. He really takes to anything orange, especially a few of his favorite outfits.

So, Green, according to this article, represents a balanced metabolic system.

Neutral colors are comforting, stable, prtective, and reliability...even going into sophistication, if they are darker.

Yellow is for self confidence and optimism.

Orange represents joy, more than any other color. Also, playfulness and stimulating.

Interestingly, these colors really fit our personalities. Green was my former favorite color..through high school and college. It change after having kids, which I am assuming, after reading this article, that I am not metabolically stable..and this is no suprise! On the otherhand, my husband is so level headed and even keeled, I think it is such an interesting match!

Ella is so energetic and loves life. She is a leader..yellow fits her perfectly.

Philip is an "old soul." He is comforting and very much a joyful child as well. But yes, playful. And sweet.

Other colors in a nutshell: red is fiery and bold; pastels/white are pure, clean, and innocent...and tender. Purple is associated with royalty and wisdom..and the angelic nature of children.

Chop Went the Ax, Down Came the Tree!

Oh how sweet was our little girl's preschool program today!

She sang right along to most everything and had so many adorable expressions. The funniest thing for me (and believe me, the row I was in laughed A LOT) was the song about 5 Lonely Christmas Trees. When I was Ella's age, I cried when my brother sang that song for HIS Christmas program! And here Ella was, seeing with a mighty gusto I never saw her use with any song she has every sung! How sweet!

Grandpa came to see her program, as well as mommy, daddy, and great grandparents' Snyder.

We loved it and were truly proud of her. And were so impressed again by her teacher and assistants. Each child received a present from the school...the girls got a Dora doll! This is Ella's first Dora doll..well, wait that's not true...she has a miniature one, but this is a soft one, and came with a comb and her backpack, of course! A wonderful little gift for the preschool girls! The boys all received a neat noisy car....so glad we got a silent doll!

Monday's Events

...were pretty good. Ella enjoyed her evening at the Movies for the first time!

Daddy had the day off!

And Buddy got to play outside!

Mommy got to sleep in!

Kodak got some attention!

Jingle Bells

New Christmas Card

Photograph taken today at Williamsport Chapel...I think our son's hair got a little too much wind!

O Christmas Tree

O Christmas Tree, where art thou lovely branches?

Still no tree here...

Oh, except for Ella and Philip's little table top tree in the living room.

What an odd thing to do..have no tree...well, hopefully we'll have one up tomorrow, during Rich's day off!

God surely answered my prayer for positive thoughts on my pictures, or at least smooth transition for returning photos to customers. Thank you, Lord!

I hope to concentrate on more digital scrapbooking for Christmas the next couple of days, and work up a nice little book for next weekend.

I recently purchased a gingerbread house kit, on behalf of Aunt Marsha, for Ella. She is so excited to create her house, but she is going to have to wait until later this week....teeheee!

Our friend, Joe, just gave me one of the sweetest gifts..the Father/Son willow tree figurine, for my birthday and Christmas. I could not believe it...I told Rich..see, he really does think highly of you although he teases you like a brother! What a thoughtful gesture...

Well, tomorrow I plan on taking Ella to see Charlotte's Web..with our friend, Kimmy, too.

Yesterday, we went to see Disney On Ice, with a few other families. All our tickets were purchased by someone from our church! We saw a bit of Pinnochio, 101 Dalmations, Lilo and Stitch, and best of all, the Little Mermaid. Ella was enthralled with the Little Mermaid...she is one of her favorites.

Today, Rich and I played at my parents' church again. The blessing always remains there for us. What a welcoming group of people and welcoming chapel! My dad preached on the "magnification" of the birth of Jesus, and how all the events leading up to His birth magnified the Lord. What a refreshing sermon!

Post Birthday Thoughts

I am loving the Psalms these days. Some things have been putting me under a lot of pressure and burdening my heart and mind. God's word truly helps. And prayers.

Ella and Grandma made Mommy cupcakes for her birthday. Richard purchased a willow tree angel for me...the love of learning...I love it and was so suprised.

Philip is speaking more sentences and words than EVER. It is truly amazing.

The little kids' (aka 3 year old special) on Sunday went well. I was so nervous to lead it, but it worked out well and we had plenty of younguns!

My photoshoots on Saturday were interesting. I did not totally please the one family, and I am praying desperately, yes desperately, that their photographs are miraculously blessed by the Lord when they return to me. I am afraid of my mail right now. I believe that it was just a tough photoshoot and you'll have those. I am trying not to take it personally.

Every other photoshoot I have had, including three to four of them this past week, have been great. It's hard to learn, and be positive.

I thank the Lord for Richie, who has been truly supportive through this weekend and through even today, when I have emotionally lost it over several stressors.

Thank you Lord, for family, friends, and dear children and a dear husband!

Cards and Pages

Friends' Pics

3 Month Old Autumn Grace

Elijah from church

Katie and Anthony's Autumn Grace!

Focus...

This post is a reminder to focus on the season's most wonderful gift...Jesus.

Lord, let us remember who you are, and what was given to us on Christmas day, as we celebrate Jesus' birth. Let it be apparent to our children and children's friends the reason for the season..through us.

And, Lord, give us wisdom to focus on what is right and true and peaceful during this month of December.

In Jesus' name,
Amen

Festivities