waking up.

Santa + Mrs. Claus visited us at the Bargeron Bungalow again this year! We left them cookies + milk, and woke up to goodies in our stockings before the sun came up. We were blessed with much more than we deserved, but my most favorite part, as usual, was waking up next to the best man ever created. I'm tellin' y'all, every day is like Christmas with Teesh as my husband. We were both spoiled, and our hearts were overwhelmed with love from our Father. Each year gets better, and I have no doubt that next Christmas + next year will be even more consumed with His favor.

Farewell, twenty-thirteen. You've been better to us than we hoped you'd be, and we're grateful for every blessing you sent our way. See ya soon, twenty-fourteen!

Love,

t + a

last stop.

Merry Christmas from mommy + her kiddos!

"What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal..."

-Agnes M. Pahro

family tradition.

Never could I ever love a group of people more, and yet I already know I'll love them more tomorrow than I love them today. Christmas Eve wouldn't be the same if it didn't conclude with my Phillips clan. A different year, but always the same awesomeness.

plus two.

Add two more Hendersons to the equation, and there's even more goodness than before. Time with family does wonders for the soul, especially at Christmas.

christmas with the hendersons.

Nope, there's nothing like Christmas Eve on Landwood Avenue.

christmas hiking.

We stayed close to home for this hiking excursion, travelling only fifteen minutes down the road to Paris Mountain State Park. It wasn't supposed to rain until later that afternoon, but it came earlier than expected: about ten minutes after we hit the trails. We'd never hiked in the rain before, which made it that much more exciting. You know, I'm always wanting to add + cross off items to our bucket list, and that morning was a two-for-one special. Four miles in the rain is good for the soul, especially when you're hiking with such good company.

Our last adventure in creation for twenty-thirteen was just as I'd hoped it would be: saturated in the goodness of our Creator. I'm already looking forward to all the trails, both new + old, that we'll trek upon next year!

mary's song.

And Mary said: 

'My soul glorifies the Lord

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior

for he has been mindful

of the humble state of his servant.

From not on all generations will call me

blessed,

for the Mighty One has done great

things for me--

holy is his name,

His mercy extends to those who fear him,

from generation to generation.

He has performed mighty deeds with his

arm;

he has scattered those who are proud in

their inmost thoughts.

He has brought down rulers from their

thrones

but has lifted up the humble.

He has filled the hungry with good things

but has sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,

remembering to be merciful

to Abraham and his descendants forever,

even as he said to our fathers.'

(Luke 1:46-55)

Today, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. My prayer for this day, as every other day, is that we would sing to the King just as Mary did right before she was blessed with a son. May we open our eyes to see the beauty He has bestowed upon us + open our ears to hear the sound of His voice + open our hands to receive His gift of grace + open our hearts to embrace His everlasting love + open our mouths to share the Good News: "For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). Let us rejoice over this beautiful truth: God sent His Son to us so that we might be saved through Him (John 3:17). Jesus has come to rescue us!

Merry Christmas, friends + family!
May you be blessed in the favor of our Lord Jesus Christ on this day, as well as every other day He permits you to walk along this breath-taking earth He created for us.

christmas eve.

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hope that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

Merry Christmas Eve, friends! Santa comes tonight!

christmas with my kiddos.

Nobody does Christmas like Ms. Anna's class does Christmas, folks. Only two sleeps until Santa comes!