looking for a hill.

Dear Ian,

As a little girl, I grew up at the bottom of a small hill. It never really felt {small}, but as I look at it while driving by now, it's barely a speed bump.  {not really} ... but it's definitely not a "hill" that one would dream of sledding on.

My sister and I did sled on it though - every time we had a chance - when there just enough snow that the pavement was gone, we were there.  It was perfect.  Not too steep, but not too flat.  Just the way I find myself hoping life to be. {not very realistic - I know}

The things I remember most quickly about the hill aren't all the successful runs on our sleds, but the crashes.  The fat lip, concussion, "there probably wasn't enough snow" type of crashes.  The kind that almost make it so you don't ever want to sled again for fear of getting hurt.

I've lived a lot of my life thinking about how things have bruised or injured me ... which is often keeping me from doing some of the most amazing things.  And just when I get enough courage to give it a go again, something happens.  I flip on a tube, I about knock myself out, I crash with other people, and I collide with unmovable objects ... I live. Yes, I live. Life is supposed to be about crashes sometimes.

I never really thought about sledding as something to love, but here we are, trying to give our own children a taste of how good, how necessary, how important it is to try things that might even scare you a bit.  Trying things, stepping on, holding on, with a trust that the person who told you to try it, the person who told you it would be ok, the person that's cheering for you  ... that they really know what they're talking about.

There wasn't really a hill on Christmas day, but there was snow.  Enough snow that we had the opportunity to get the boys on their sleds, where they could be pushed into flakes of winter with gusto and enthusiasm.  I watched from behind my camera with a smile - because I like "flat" ... I like "predictable" ... I like that even though they weren't "sailing" down a hill, they were still trying.  And "trying" is half of succeeding.

Thank you for embracing the hills in life with me, and for teaching our boys that life isn't always flat.  Thank you for being willing to ride with them down crazy hills that may lead to nowhere, even when you know you might eat a mouthful of powdery snow.  Thank you for being "whimsy" when you need to be most.

I love you for living this life with me.  This life that isn't always full of snow, but when it is, dancing with me in it.  This life that isn't always in focus, but brings so much joy.  This life that goes with every Hallmark card in America.  "Life is a special occasion" is being lived by us.

I think our boys will remember this snowy wonderland for a very long time.  Not because of the amazing hills or fabulous weather, but for the fact you tried so very hard to find them a hill on the flattest of roads.  You pushed them, cheered them, and rode right with them.  That is what life is about.  Not the fluff, not the picture-perfect, not the ski resort, but so much more about finding out how to live well right where we're at.

Loving you for your sometimes hidden "whimsy" ~

Lindsay

just the {4} of us.

Dear boys,

  I've tried to give you a love for stockings that my Grandma gave to me, and so far, it's worked.  You left Santa a plate of cookies & a glass of milk on Christmas Eve, but when morning came, you were totally content laying with me in bed while your dad fed.  In fact, it was probably close to 9:00 when we finally got around to seeing if Santa had been there & the "presents" were not even really the focus.  Mission accomplished.

There isn't a real roller coaster of emotions when you're not consumed with the "stuff."  Oh, don't get me wrong, you love presents & you were thrilled to have boxes of all sizes to open, but there wasn't a "I didn't get what I asked for."  And for that, I'm eternally grateful.  I pray that it stays this way forever.

I know you won't be this size forever, and excavators won't always be on the top of the list, but I pray that you can remember how to be simple.

Because really, simple is the most beautiful way of living your life.

Rejoicing in opportunities to see beauty for what it really is, and celebrating Cooper Farms hats found in the tree.

Drinking hot cocoa covered with marshmallows is something I want to do with you from now until forever.

Along with waiting in anticipation for the greatness in every wrapped gift - big or small.

We simplified a lot this year ... and as your dad & I watched you open your gifts, it was clear  that less really is more.  Less stuff = More peace.

Lesson learned. And just in case you were wondering, it is a lesson that will be repeated - over and over ... and over again.

Thank you for loving life & the little things as much as we do ~ it's the best gift you could ever give us.

With hopes for a year where Christmas lasts the whole year through,

Mom

fortunately fortunate.

Dear Panda Inn Chinese Buffet,

For the 2nd year in a row we've spent Christmas Eve with you.  The food has been tasty, the service has been good, and the fortunes have been reminders of who we truly are.

We don't go out to dinner much.  These pictures are probably proof of that.

Thank you for giving us a place where the food kept coming - along with goofy faces & genuine smiles - plate, after plate, after plate.

God was with us at the booth near the entrance as we enjoyed our meal & time together.

He was with us as we celebrated His birth in a uniquely odd, but totally "right" fashion.

He was with us as we opened our fortunes & read them aloud - smiling and even giggling at their "truth."

I hope the next time we have dinner with you, you see that same sparkle you saw tonight in each of our eyes.

That sparkle of hope.

That sparkle of joy.

That sparkle that says we're {fortunately fortunate} because God Came Near.

May you know how important you are in the lives of us at Christmas.

Not because of any special decorations or fancy food, but because of your ordinary, simple way of being that place where we are focused on each other and the gift we have in You - and nothing else.

With appreciation for your business hours on Christmas Eve,

Ian, Lindsay, Mason & Mack

"country" Christmas.

Dear Ian,

This was the best family gathering we've had in "forever."  I don't even know where to start as I look back through the pictures, smiling - and even laughing out-loud - remembering all the good parts of the day. {goodness unwrapped & shared in so many, many ways} In fact, there really weren't any bad parts.  Unbelievable.

We decided to offer to host Christmas with your family this year & even we {which really means I} had the intention of caroling and a hay-ride, intermixed with snacking, gift opening, trap shooting, and game playing.

The thing that happens with us though, is that we're really quite horrible about sticking to our original plan.  Maybe that's why this year seemed to be so perfect?!  No agenda, no stress, just all of us together for an entire day. Just doing what we do best ... living & laughing ... and loving a whole lot.

Morgan opening something "one direction" and squealing in delight ... notice Josh plugging his ear.

ready, set, open!

two sets of crazy eyes

the lovely ladies

family photo opp. # 27 of the day

Add caption

Mack's own MACK truck

books with the boys' names in them were treasures this year

the "blessed" Brownings

the "kid" table.

It's Ian on a lamp!

the toilet wreath

the shirt everyone wanted

Better Luck ... Let 'er Buck

no words necessary

JP dreaming of Margarita-ville!

Express Personnel, this is Shannon!  

Red Solo Cup at its finest!

The day was amazing actually.  Not just because of the gifts, not just because of all the wonderful food, and not because of any special agenda we followed.  It was just what it was supposed to be..

Time together - celebrating life & all of its goodness ... and rejoicing in the fact you were more relaxed than any of us had witnessed in years .

Life is a {special occasion} ... and we're living proof.

Thank you for loving the real reason we celebrate Christmas almost as much as I do ... this year was one worth repeating.

With hopes of more magical days with family & continued memories made with you,

Lindsay