Merry White Christmas

I can't believe Christmas has come and gone already. I have had a week long events of family Christmas parties beginning last Sunday. My Mom's side of the family all came down to the ranch for a feast of food and an annual hay ride. Monday night we had just my family (my siblings, nieces, and nephews) for dinner and exchange of gifts. Tuesday & Wednesday I ran around with my Mom to do last minute shopping. Thursday it began to SNOW!! There were periods of time that it was a white out. I couldn't believe it. It definitely makes the holiday complete! Thursday afternoon my parents (& brother) exchanged gifts between us and then headed to town for the Christmas Eve service at church. Afterwards we went over to JJ's house for dinner, made a fire, and got the kids settled down so Santa could come! 

Christmas Day was great! We had a wonderful morning opening gifts and being with the family. As the day went on we pulled out some old family Christmas videos of when I was little. We all laughed so much at each other whether it was the clothes we were wearing, things we said, or the thick texan accent we inherited. One thing we loved most about watching those videos is the heritage of faith that we have been blessed to grow up in. A few of my Grandparents died when I was young so I never really knew them; however, watching these videos has made me appreciate so many more things about my family. 

Pictures from Christmas...

The kids walking in and playing with their presents...

my family enjoying the morning 

and little Joshua digging in his stocking

My beautiful sister JJ

The morning the Lord blessed us with...a WHITE CHRISTMAS

The building of the snowman begins...

  

and it continues...

Here is the life size snowman..the kids were so excited! 

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas enjoying your family, but also celebrating the gift of Jesus Christ. He has come to give us life. He has come to redeem us. He has come to establish Himself in us for others. He has come to make much of Himself. I am overwhelmed with God's love for us and the greatest sacrifice anyone could ever do for another. Praying that you all are doing well and are filled with the hope that comes from Jesus Christ!

He's Home...

Last Thursday my Dad had to have a few more tests run before the Doctors would release him to eat. After a long couple of days waiting around for the "okay", he was given the "go ahead" Thursday evening to drink and eat. Now this was the first time he was able to drink anything (even water) or eat anything since Thanksgiving...so it was a long 8 days for him. Anyways, he was so happy and encouraged to get some positive news, but especially to actually be able to eat some food. The next day (Friday) he was released from the hospital!!! YAY...he was so overjoyed that he almost started crying when he came home. If you want to read more on the "homecoming" of Dad, check out His blog...www.teamjanszen.blogspot.com 

Dad's 1st drink of water/juice...we were so excited!! 

At my sister's house Friday night for Jesse's (my nephew) birthday! 

This was his first "at home" meal since being release from the hospital earlier that day

Thank you all for praying for him!! The Lord spoke to all of us in various ways in the last few days he was in the hospital..so thank you!! God is good and we praise Him for the sweet victory!!

Many Blessings!