"Death is Not Dying:A Faith that Saves"

Through one of the blogs I follow I came across this very inspiring testimony of a 37 year old wife and mother who was diagnosed with terminal cancer. While sharing her "story" at her church's women's retreat she stated, "Cancer does not define me. Neither does being a wife or a mother. All these things are part of who I am but they do not define me. What defines me is my relationship with Jesus." Three months later, she went home to be with the Lord. Here's the link to see the video and hear her amazing story: Death is Not Dying.

The Falkins' Band

After dinner tonight, Tim overheard Anna count "1 and a 2 and a 1, 2, 3" followed by the sound of guitar playing and singing coming from John Caden's room. He grabbed the video camera and secretly recorded Anna and John Caden having "worship practice" (as Anna later informed us). A little more practice and they should be able to join Tim in leading worship on Sunday mornings, don't you think?? :)

Christmas Day

“God has given a son to us…His name will be Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God…Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Every Christmas I read this reminder that came in a card several years ago:
If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Savior.
Who would come for us when we were so lost in our sin? No one else but Jesus.
Who would seek us when we were so far away from His heart? No one else but Jesus.
Who would die for us when we were so unresponsive to His love? No one else but Jesus.

This Christmas may our hearts know, rest and rejoice in the love that Christ--our Emmanuel--our "God with us" has for us.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve dinner with family, a candlelight service, one last ride to see Christmas lights and a living nativity, staying up late to assemble train table and rail/road set, and prayers for a silent night after a busy fun-filled day.

Gingerbread House

Notice John Caden is missing from these pictures. Definitely not a project for a hungry little boy! We had to quickly find a "better option" for him. :)

Christmas at the Avenue

Cookies, Lights, and Trains, Oh My!

Actually, "Oh Wow" has become John Caden's favorite saying lately. From making Christmas cookies with Granna to...

... looking at Christmas lights, our kids are loving every minute of the Christmas season.

After dinner, baths, and Advent we surprised the kids tonight by putting them in the car in their PJ's and taking a drive to see the "Lights of Life" at Life University in Marietta.

After seeing the jumping reindeer, big Christmas trees, and bright presents, Anna brought tears to my eyes when we drove by the nativity scene. When she saw it, she literally screamed with excitement, "John Caden, Look!!! Here's the one with the true meaning of Christmas!!! It's not about the presents it's about Baby Jesus being born!" Wow---I would say Boz the Bear's A WowieBOZowee Christmas is definitely having an impact! Hopefully, along with our Advent celebration at church and home, right? :) Not to mention the fact that she has picked out the same three books every night for her bedtime reading for the whole month of December that do a great job of portraying the Christmas story. (Saint Nicholas The Real Story of the Christmas Legend, My Merry Christmas and the real reason for Christmas joy, and Christmas in the Manger).

Just as a side note of how sweet God was to our family tonight, as we were rounding the corner of a railroad crossing close to our home, knowing how excited John Caden gets over trains and railroad tracks, Tim mentioned to the kids that we were about to get to go "Bump, bump over the train track." Much to the kids' delight a train came just as we drove up to the crossing and the kids were able to watch the crossing gates come down and see the engine, boxcars, and caboose pass by. It was as if God sent that train just at the right time for our family to enjoy. Oh the little things that mean so much to kids! (I can remember before having kids how having to stop for a train seemed like such a nuisance and now I see it as a sweet blessing from God??!! Kids sure turn your world upside down!). :)

Christmas Cards

We have a special sleigh on the kitchen island for all of our Christmas cards to go into. Checking the mail and putting the cards into the sleigh has become one of Anna's favorite things to do this year. How cute it was when she commented, "Jesus sure is getting a lot of cards for his Birthday this year Mommy!"

Anna's School Christmas Program

Anna's class performing in Chapel

Tim playing & singing Christmas songs with Anna's class

Anna loved her Daddy coming into her class and playing his guitar. I having a feeling that one day she might not be quite as excited to have him come. :(


Enjoying cookie cake


Anna and her teacher Mrs. Moore


Anna and friend Izzie

Merry Christmas From Our Family To Yours!

Make a Smilebox greeting

More Atlantic Station Pictures

I had to add these pictures my sister sent. They do a great job capturing the awe of our little ones as they looked up at the big tree in Central Park of Atlantic Station.

A Night Out on the Town

Actually, it wasn't just a night but a whole weekend of Christmas fun. We started Friday afternoon by meeting my sister and her family for a ride on the Pink Pig at Lenox.

Anna and cousin Alyssa

We then went and saw the Christmas lights and "snow" at Atlantic Station.

And then to end our evening we were invited to attend The Army Ground Forces Band's Holiday Concert at the Cobb Energy Center.

Hmmm...too much fun for someone for one day??? This is how we all felt when we arrived home at 10:30 that night.

We started over on Saturday by bundling up and heading out to the Kennesaw Christmas Parade.

Our friends Mark, Lindsey, and "Little Boy Andrew" as Anna calls him braved the cold with us.

The live reindeer are always our favorite!

And to end out the weekend on Saturday evening we had our first extended family Christmas gathering.

John Caden & Poppa



Great Grandmother Nannie & Grandkids