Rae lost her first tooth!

Hi everyone! The big announcement of the day is that Raegan Elizabeth Long has officially lost her first tooth! She couldn't be happier with herself!! and we're all very happy for her. Enjoy the picture of her one-tooth-less smile!

It's Comin' on Christmas...

We have been enjoying this Christmas season immensely:) Christmas music plays as long as we're home, which is just lovely. Our house has been decorated since the day after Thanksgiving, and I'm so inspired as I look around the room. Also, this year we have begun a new family tradition. We're officially celebrating Advent.

I'm so happy to have incorporated this into our family culture. My mom always had us celebrate Advent in our home. I have such fond memories of this festivity. It's also a wonderful way to keep our focus on Christ's birth being the reason we celebrate Christmas, and be tied in to the historical catholic (meaning universal) church. We have so enjoyed the weeks of anticipation and expectation as we look forward to Christ's birth. The girls look forward to it every night! (It's so easy to do and makes a huge impact. I highly encourage you to look into it, if you're not already observing Advent, even more so if you have children.)

We made some baskets of goodies and went Christmas caroling last week, to a local assisted living center, and our neighbors. Our neighbors didn't know what to think and only one of them actually opened the door.......quite different from the poor neighborhoods we caroled in growing up where they were completely delighted to have carolers at their door. But the assisted living center was really wonderful, as I knew it would be. We even had some of our Shepard group join us - totaling about 30 people (8 adults, the rest were children). The children were the biggest hit, of course. I think they could have cared less about our singing. They were just so happy to see little ones dressed up in Christmas dresses giving them hugs and holding their hands. ...oh, what a blessing it is to serve, even in the smallest way.

It's comin' on Christmas...and I couldn't be happier about it...sick or not!! We are blessed and so thankful. God is good!

much love to all of our friends and family. We are praising our Lord and Savior for you this Christmas season and praying for a blessed holiday.

November recap

Unfortunately our family has been hit hard with sickness this fall. I believe the last time I went a long period without writing was because of sickness, and I must use the same excuse this time, as well. Being sick is such a bummer!!! We're a very affectionate family and we keep passing things back and forth to each other.

I must stop and praise the Lord, though, because we are so thankful to not be struggling with anything serious. We are so thankful for the too-many-to-count blessings the Lord has poured out on our family. This season of sickness has been a good excersize in remembering to "give thanks in EVERY circumstance". "...when the darkness closes in, Lord, still I will say Blessed Be Your Name!"

November was a whirlwind of Nutcracker activity! Raegan was in her first Nutcracker ballet the weekend after Thanksgiving. She played a mouse. The little mice stole the show! They were so cute! I've posted some pictures of her in her mouse costume, with her friend Megan, also in the show, and her with her two favorite professional performers, "Clara" and the "Sugar Plum Fairy".

Mrs. Haddad does a great job producing this show. She does it every year and brings in professional guest dancers for the key parts. It was a wonderful treat to be a part of. I got to help out back stage for two of the three performances. Mom was here and got to attend one of the performances, and our friends, the Wood family, were able to come, as well. You can see a picture of Ellie Wood with the girls.....SO cute. It was a great way to kick off the Christmas season!