Harriet's baptism

Harriet was baptized when my brother and his family was in town. It was a really nice morning that included Sunday worship at the church we all grew up at, family pictures, a little luncheon and her super special baptism service led by her grandpa Paul. We had promised Elsie that she could wear her Frozen dress for the baptism as a compromise because she wanted to wear it the whole morning but we knew she needed to wear something a little less spectacular for family pictures. But it was fitting, I thought. Baptism is all about proclaiming that we recognize that Harriet is God's kid and we promise to raise her to know her Creator, hear His voice and to know Jesus as her Savior. She is a daughter of the king...which makes us all princes and princesses. 

This blog as become so fun for me to look back at Ivar and Elsie's special milestones. Here is the post I wrote for Elsie's baptism. And the post I wrote about our decision to have our babies both baptized and dedicated.

harrington family christmas

Based on my pictures from our five days together, it would seem we sledded most of the time. But actually, I just recognizing that I have a thing for sledding pictures. They're colorful, bright, happy and it appears that I have taken more pictures from the two times I was with the kids when they went sledding than all the other events. (But don't worry Mom! I have more and I'll post them next...)

You may have noticed that when my brother and his family come to town we stop everything and hang out. It's the best. I love that family so much, and soak up every second together. And now that my kids are getting a little older I have the joy of watching them interact with their cousins. And their cousins are so good to them. They helped them while sledding, played camping, included them while playing jailbreak and I am so grateful for every one.

I decided to call this slight change of elevation in our field Aunt 'n' Uncle Mountain because it required an aunt or an uncle to get each kid's sled moving in the right direction. :)

groves family christmas

2015 was a HUGE year for the Groves clan. Jack graduated high school and started at Evangel University. Madi graduated college and married Chace. Sara released one incredible new album and Troy is breaking fundraising records for International Justice Mission. Our family had a new baby and built a new barn. Kirby, Toby and Ruby got a new puppy. Marlene and Madison celebrated 50 years of marriage. And Josie got her drivers license!

Jack is super talented at making videos and put this one together after our annual Stocking Day (full details here) on Christmas Day. This video is an awesome visual of how family-centered that day really is. Be sure to watch for Hattie on the couch near the end, and all the visitors she has as the rest of us were packing up.

hello 2016!

The new year is here, and I'm hoping to get caught up a bit. This morning I took down the Christmas tree and I had two very sad kids. They thought it could stay up until next Christmas and I was clearly stomping on their joy for not hearing them out. But their protest was symbolic of how great of a Christmas we had. It was packed full of family time and our hearts are full. In the past week we have had the Groves Christmas, the Harrington Christmas, Harriet's baptism, a visit from my Uncle Mark, an outing to see Star Wars followed by an all family sleepover at my mom's, the clan out to our farm and last night we rang in the 9:00 new year at a friend's house where there were four babies under 3 months! 

And now we're here: January 1st.

Usually on the last day of the year I post my favorite annual blog post, The Best Of post. But that hasn't gotten done. I'm about half way through sorting through the (tens of?) thousands of pictures we took in 2015. And the rest is just going to take a bit of time, though I still plan on posting in January. I love working on that post as much as I love publishing it. It's fun to process the year through every single picture.

And I've been thinking about my one-little-word for the year. I loved my word from last year and sincerely lived into that word. And I think I've landed on my word for the next 365 days and am eager to share.

So that's my little new years update. I'll be back with christmas pictures, 2015 best of pics and my one-little word. Eventually.

Happy New Year!

JOY to the world

Tonight as we walked into our church, Harriet wailed and cried. She was still angry that we had put her in that blasted car seat. She is not a fan of the car and protests every minute of every drive. We entered loudly, but I realized quickly that the church was silent. The service had just begun, the doors to the sanctuary still open, and as I walked by the sanctuary with my screaming baby, trying to get to the nursery so I could close the door, the congregation sat in silence. 

Hattie was fine as soon as she was out of her car seat and when we got into the service our pastor was talking about the 400 years of silence when God's people did not hear from God. The 400 years where there was not a prophet speaking, no signs and wonders, nothing. And then, of all things to break the silence, a baby cried out. 

He is here. God is with us. Emmanuel. 

There are only a few Christmas' when you get to hold a baby in your arms. But this was one for me. As I held Hattie I thought about how bizarre of a beginning this Christmas story really is. A baby. Born to be our bridge back to God. Babies are so unpredictable. Hattie had tummy cramps and winced throughout the service, crying out once in a while. Jesus was a baby like this. Mary had to stand and bounce him, too. 

We sang carols, read scripture and again tried to wrap our mortal minds around the wonder of it all.