The Walnut Acre Weekly - Christmas Decorating and More

I'm a little late again with this weekly update but I guess it's better late than never. 

WORDS TO LIVE BY

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.
Psalm 100:4

TODAY'S QUOTE

Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul. 
Henry Ward Beecher

FUR, FINS, FEATHERS AND FOUR FOOTED FRIENDS

Amanda's dog stole her piece of pizza. Amanda caught her at it and as punishment fed it to the cat (named Puppy) while Pepper watched.

HOMESCHOOL

SOME OF THE RESOURCES WE USED THIS WEEK

Austin and Amanda

Scripture Reading: Monday - John 6, Tuesday - John 14,  Wednesday - John 15, Thursday - Deuteronomy 18.

Michael
    

AROUND THE HOUSE

Decorating for Christmas has been the theme of our week. 

Michael did some decorating with berries and evergreens we found on some of our walks to the creek. 

All three kids worked together on the tree and also several places in the house. 

OUT AND ABOUT

We were out and about quite a bit this week. 

Sunday we had church in the morning and then I had choir practice in the afternoon. Austin was at a friends house for the afternoon and the rest of us were at my sister's. She had a birthday party for three of her crew so their was lots of fun and excitement. 

We were home most of both Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday one of the kids had an appointment and then we were at church for the evening. Between dinner and class Michael and some of the other kids (big and little) like to shoot baskets. 

Thursday evening we were at my sister's for dinner. Here Charity was trying to show Ericka how to play some chords on the guitar.

Later in the evening we went for a drive to look at Christmas lights and then Jay treated us to ice cream. Austin ended up with two ice cream cones because Amanda didn't want hers. Michael looks grumpy but I think he was getting tired. He finished his quickly and was just sitting there waiting for everyone else to finish. Even though he looks a bit grouchy we had a wonderful fun evening.

Saturday was a really busy day. We started out by going to a community breakfast. They served pancakes and sausage and a choice of orange juice, milk, or coffee. I really liked these prayer cards they had on the tables.

From the breakfast we went to our church for the final practice for the Christmas cantata. 

Then in the evening we went to the Christmas parade in our little town. It was a beautiful balmy evening that felt more like Springtime than Christmas. But it was nice that we could watch the parade without freezing. There were lots of interesting floats, cars, dancers,  dressed up people and dogs and horses. And there was SO much candy for the kids!

AND MORE

This week Michael has been wanting to walk back to the creek instead of going for bike rides so we walked back there several days. It has been so warm this week and it was nice to just sit in the sun while he played. 

READING AROUND THE WEB

Women, We Have So Much Power at The End In Mind

How Satan Confuses Women to Disable the Church at The Better Mom

What To Do When You Don't Know What To Do at Michael Hyatt

WEEKLY DEALS

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WHY I WRITE THE WALNUT ACRE CHRONICLES

LINKING HERE

WEDNESDAY - Wake Up Wednesday, Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop, Homemaking Linkup, Women With Intention, Ladies Collective Linkup THURSDAY - I Choose Joy, Create It Thursday, Little Things Thursday, SHINE Blog Hop FRIDAY - Friendship Friday, NO RULES Weekend Blog Party, Home Matters SATURDAY - My Favorite Things

The Walnut Acre Daily - Christmas Photos

Amanda was excited Christmas Eve and spent a long time analyzing the gifts under the tree,

Christmas morning brought all the usual excitement and chaos.

This was one of my favorite moments! michael has been really, really wanting a karaoke machine and the look on his face when he opened his was priceless. He yelled so loud that I thought at first he was upset about something but it was just excitement.

Later in the day my side of the family was together for the traditional Christmas brunch.  We had a good day together cooking, playing, laughing, talking, and opening gifts.

Charity and Amanda baked pies. This was Amanda's first pie but Charity is quite a good pie baker and teacher - all the pies were wonderful.

This was our first Christmas since my mom went to be with Jesus and there were some hard moments, but there was also the joy on knowing we could be here for each other, celebrate the birth of Jesus together and know that she is having a wonderful Christmas in Heaven.