A prayer for the children

Have you heard the song "The Prayer of the Children"? It is one of my favorites. The melody is pleading and almost haunting. The words bring tears to my eyes. Most of the time I can't sing it with out choking up.

As I watched my little ones go off to school today I prayed for them, as I do every day. I pray that they will be protected from harm and evil and accident. I pray for their innocent minds to be guided in right paths and shielded from that which is wrong. And each day, when they return to my care, I thank the Lord for their safety and the privilege it is to be their mother.
 
Today is an emotional day for a lot of people. My heart aches for those parents and families who lost loved ones last Friday. I wish I could do something more. But if this reaches anyone who's heart is tender with pain and sorrow, may this song and my heartfelt sympathy bring you some comfort.

Love,
Annie

Gingerbread contest

Our local library has a gingerbread house contest every year. The only rules are that the creations have to be made by a family and EVERYONE has to help. We entered it a few years back. The kids had so much fun (and they won) that every year since, they've been begging to do it again.

We made it on Friday and Saturday. I made up the dough, Brett took care of design and construction, and the kids provided the ideas and accessorized it. We all stayed up way too late working on it. The next morning some friends came over to help us work on the decoration part. They got as excited as the kids and helped make it look way better than I would have had energy for.

I'm not sure this will be and every year tradition, but it was really fun! We've made individual gram cracker houses before and the kids do enjoy it... but there is something special about making something big and wonderful TOGETHER. My friend made just the front of the house for her kids to decorate. I thought that was a fun idea. Maybe that'll be next year's project.

Christmas creations and craziness

We're busy making Christmas gifts around here. (No pictures to share 'cause it might be for you). I grew up making Christmas gifts and I still love it. I think it takes work to give a good gift and even more work to make a good one. (No Laughing from you Melanie). But I love giving a gift that is one of a kind and has a little bit of 'me' in it.

I am even more excited that my kids are getting into the spirit of homemade Christmas. They are working hard to make things for each other, their teachers, friends and grandparents. It's more work for me, but the memories we make while 'making' are so fun.

So merry Christmas to you all as you fill the next couple weeks with fun.