A Little This... AND A Little That

Hey, Guys!

Happy New Year's Eve Eve!

Just so you know, I've been working on a blog post the entire month of December. In fact, I saved the eight page (and still growing) post in a safe place until the year 2021.

Tonight, I'm just going to share a few pics of our December with short captions...

Give you a list of what I've got planned for A Simple Life in 2021 (as always, it is subject to change)...

And leave you with a little wisdom from the Word I came across in a devotion this month.

So here we go...

Mike and I still go to Pine Hill Farms every year a day or so after Thanksgiving, but it is no longer a "mandatory" tradition. If anyone wants to come, they are welcome!

We ride the wagon, run amongst the trees, pet the dogs, drink hot chocolate, etc., etc., etc.

Stress-free and fun.

Melia hosts a Sibling Christmas Cookie Party each year, and fortunately, everyone was able to attend. (Roxie took this pic.)

Mike and I had the Grandtots while their parents played, and they decorated their own cookies...

Molded and decorated Play-Doh Christmas trees...

And enjoyed a short, brisk walk up and down the street to get some of the "wiggles" out of their systems.

The next six pics are from our Christmas Eve Brunch. Things can change in an instant, but thankfully, we were able to still get together.

Like so many others, some of our family Christmas gatherings/parties had to be cancelled because of COVID, but we are incredibly grateful for the times we were able to be with our immediate family.

Two more little things (and one pretty big thing)...

This little one was determined to destroy the Nativity Scene every time she was put on the floor.

And...

The Eggnog Cream Filled Doughnut from Krispy Kreme was truly one of the best things that happened during the month of December, 2020.

Last, but not least, our church's live Nativity Drive-Thru (Gardendale First Baptist Church) was incredible.

Melia and Austin drove with RT and Judith, and Mike and I followed behind with sleeping Eden and ME.

I especially loved RT's answer when I asked, "Do you remember where we went last night?"

"Yes! I went to Bethlehem with my cousins!"

It was an unforgettable experience for me, so I can only imagine how real it felt to the kids. Excellent!

All right...

On to A Simple Life in 2021.

1. I still want to finish up the Maine trip.

2. I plan to have a minimum of two posts per month (but I'm going to try for three or four).

3. I want to continue with the usual family stuff, but I also want to write about a few things which have been on my mind and heart these last few months, so there should be some new "Headings" as the year progresses.

4. A Simple Life won't go on forever, of course, but I still have a few things to do before it is time to say good-bye, I think.

Finally, this is what I wanted to share from my December devotions. I LOVE reading Unwrapping the Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp each year, and if you don't already have this beautiful Advent book, I hope you get it before next December 1.

"We don't have to stumble around in the dark, because Jesus is running the world. We don't have to be scared of the dark, because Jesus is our forever Light.

"Jesus is our Light in the dark that we could never light with a match or flick on with a switch - Jesus is the Light we can only find.

"Just like Christmas - Christmas can only be found.

"Christmas cannot be bought in a store. Christmas cannot be created in the kitchen. Christmas cannot be made by hand, lit up, set out, dreamed up. Christmas can only be found - right there in the manger."

In the year 2020, there were times I stumbled around and times I was scared. There were times I tried to buy, bake or make Christmas special or magical for those around me.

With two little sentences, this devotion made me remember what I already knew...

"Jesus is the Light we can only find," and "Christmas can only be found right there in the manger."

As always, thank you very much for stopping by and spending some time with me.

I will be back soon with my first post of 2021!

Sincerely,

The Hopefully Still Somewhat Enchanting Belinda