santa picture

Since this is Raegan's first Christmas I really wanted to get a picture of her with Santa. We were at a party last week and they had a Santa there. Anytime we would go near him she would hold onto me so tight so I knew it might be interesting trying to get a picture. Friday night we went to Fashion Island to get a picture with Santa. We got her all dressed up in her Christmas outfit and she was really happy all the way up until she saw him. I don't really need to explain what happened after that because the picture does it well.

happiness and joy

Over the last few weeks I have really been thinking about these two words and what they mean. What they mean for me, for our family and for others. I have been faced with the news of people becoming ill, people passing away, and marriages struggling. A few weeks ago I was talking to somebody about how God desires for us to be happy and they challenged my thinking in that. God doesn't promise us happiness, he promises that with his spirit in us we will have joy. In all of that I go back to God and remember that we are living in a time where Christ has come and he will come again. It's interesting that this is on my mind now as we are quickly approaching Christmas, a holiday that is celebrated because of the birth of our Christ, the savior of the world.

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." Luke 2:10

The good news is that God sent his son into this world to be among his people and ultimately to die for our sins and bridge the separation between God and humanity. He sent his son for me and for you and for every other person. Because of that we can live with the knowledge that we are saved and will live forever with Christ.

I have really been trying to remember this as we are going through the Christmas Season and am so thankful for all it means to me. When Christ lives in us we are filled with joy.

Family Pictures

Last week we had our wonderfully talented friend Shara take family pictures. She and her family just moved down here from Fresno. I met her through some ROCKHARBOR friends and have really enjoyed getting to know her the last few months. She has the sweetest family!

There are so many fun places to go in OC. We decided to go out into nature this time which was a bit interesting. It ended up being cold and super windy. Poor little Raegan's lips kept getting more and more purple as time went on. However, Shara took some amazing photos and we are so happy with how they turned out.

Here is one of my favorite family photos. Raegan wasn't too sure what was going on at this point!

This shot really captures Raegan's sweet smile and squinty eyes. I especially love those little teeth in there!

Lately Raegan has been really cuddly and I am so enjoying it! I was trying to warm her up a bit right here. Look at those eyes :)

Our little sweetie looking at her daddy.

Love.

thankful.

This post is coming a little late but the past couple weeks have been busy! This year we were able to travel out to Arizona for Thanksgiving to be with Jeff's side of the family. It was such a joy to see all the little cousins together ranging in age from Raegan who is 11 months to Laney who is 6. They were able to play a lot together! We went to the park, ate meals together, cooked, baked, and I read a lot of Harry Potter! Jeff and his sister Kaelyn also had surgery while we were there. Jeff on his shoulder and Kaelyn on her ankle. They spent a lot of quality time resting on the couch and watching football.

Here are some fun pictures of our time there.

Raegan and I at the park

Jeff, Laney, Noah and Caleb as Jeff was walking across the monkey bars with his arm in a sling. Scared us all just a bit!

Jeff and his Papa

Lincoln, Noah, Laney, Caleb and Raegan all in their new Christmas jammies!

There is so much I have to be thankful for. An amazing husband, beautiful daughter, wonderful family, supportive and caring friends, a great church, and a God who loves me more than I will ever know.