I’ve surrendered part of my sunny kitchen counter to future hopes of tomatoes and radishes, zinnias and marigolds. It still amazes me that tiny seeds can yield a seedling, and then a large plant with flowers and maybe edible fruits and vegetables. A little moisture, a little sunshine, and there they go, the seedlings unfurl their leaves towards the light. Livia tends to these babies with great care as well and it’s fun to watch her excitement at the new life.

Spring is all about new life. I found myself explaining to Liv the difference between Easter Sunday and our Easter/spring celebrations of bunnies and eggs. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve loosened up about a lot of things, but I still believe it’s very important to teach my child the importance of Christ’s resurrection apart from the hoopla of colorful eggs and chocolate. Some folks do their egg hunts and baskets on the first day of spring to separate the concepts for their children (great idea, by the way). So far we separate them by repeated conversations about Jesus’ death and resurrection—and by holding our egg hunts on a day other than Resurrection Sunday (thanks, Grandma and Grandpa!).

Livia learned the real purpose of the cross as I explained Jesus’ death to her. It’s amazing how the cross has become something we talk about and refer to with casual ease, and yet it was an instrument for a horrific death for criminals in the past. As a Christian, I can see a certain beauty to the cross in the same way I can refer to tomorrow as “Good” Friday. Still, I struggled with sadness as I explained how the Son of God was hung on a cross to die. At times in parenting, you wonder if you’re explaining too much. But Liv grasped the concepts in a very easy way and moved on to laugh out loud at a silly picture of Doubting Thomas pointing at Jesus’ scarred hands. We talk more about Thomas’ gaping mouth now than we do the cross. LOL.

Bring on the bunnies and eggs—we certainly have fun with them. Come Sunday we’ll be celebrating the resurrection of Christ and the truth that our awesome God has conquered sin and death.

Last year was the first time Livia handed out little Valentines cards to her classmates. It was so darn cute to see the teeny Incredibles cards and envelopes we found at Target. She received a few really creative handmade items last year as well—and I was inspired to make something at home this year. So before we get too far from V-Day, here’s some of the craftiness we came up with this year. (Next year I’d like to try hanging hearts and heart-shaped pancakes.)

The recipe for shortbread hearts can be found on Needs More Butter, our community dinner recipe blog.

I took the ruler idea from the Family Fun website, which has quite a few cute V-Day card options. Since Livia was sick and missed the Valentines party at school, I just might be able to make this sweet gift come together for her teacher as a belated Valentine.

**I should point out that finding six-inch rulers is far more challenging than it should be. If you think ahead and order online, you should be fine. If you want to be like me, I recommend buying four rulers from Hobby Lobby, then driving to Target, Michaels and ShopKo before returning to Hobby Lobby and giving up your perfectionism just a small bit in order to buy five more (gasp!) non-matching six-inch rulers. I ended up thinking about a certain preschooler’s Valentines far more than any adult ever should. Don’t be like me; buy online.

I could not have been happier with a special delivery to my door yesterday and here are the reasons why. 1) My husband gave me this delightful gift. 2) I love chocolate truffles, and 3) these phenomenal chocolates are handmade by my very talented friend Elaine Cranford.

Aren’t they beautiful? They are, honestly, the best chocolates I’ve ever eaten. Divine.

For more information on these truffles, check out Zola Chocolates.

Though I missed running into Tanya H. and Tara M. and their respective families at the store this morning, I still managed to shop alongside Renae, Joie and Brook AND run into my high school psychology teacher (Mr. Mac for fellow LSE friends). Yes, Target is the place to be on New Year’s Eve.

I put a few items back on the shelf after deciding they weren’t really necessary, but also picked up some evergreen garland for 75% off. I loves me a good bargain and I think my house will benefit from a little extra pizzazz next Christmas. Livia, who loves to curl up in my cart thereby forcing all groceries to crowd off to the sides or be delegated to the bottom of the cart, became covered in the garland, but for some inexplicable reason didn’t mind. Turns out a fellow shopper thought I was talking myself through the aisles because she couldn’t see Liv under my purchases. It was funny… but maybe you had to be there.

I shot this photo during the DPP. Renae usually wears bright outerwear that always looked cheery. I love these gloves and I love it that Renae is always willing to drive us to Target. Because, I must admit, I make an excellent passenger. : )

Happy birthday, Jesus. We wanted to bake you a cake, really we did, but at the end of the day a piece of divinity (no pun intended) made by Renae will have to suffice.

I’ve decided that wrapping my mind around the Incarnation, the way God became man to rescue us from sin and depravity, is far too much to understand in the one small day of December 25—or the entire Advent season for that matter. Praising God is a 365 day kind of thing. So tomorrow I’ll wake up and continue to ponder the treasure of Jesus in my heart. This Christmas season has given me a lot to ponder. There have been wonderful meals shared with parents and siblings, sweet plates of goodies from neighbors, communion and Christmas choruses with Redeemer and Zion, funny and charming new Livia moments, thoughtful presents and loving actions from my husband, and even a letter to the editor (the first one) in today’s paper that brought tears to my eyes. The birth of our Savior and the generosity found in this season of gift-giving have meshed together in something resembling joy and peace—and for that I am grateful on this holy night.

When my two year old niece starts reading my blog (next year perhaps?), then I won’t talk about her Christmas presents in a public forum. Until then…

You would not believe how difficult it is to find a decent Noah’s Ark book! I picked up a cute Little People Noah’s Ark set for my niece and decided to find a book to accompany it. First stop, a locally owned bookstore—no luck. Next stop, the dreaded Christian book store (I dread it, but seriously, it does have plenty of lovely books, and Jesus bookmarks, and Jesus bumper stickers, and Jesus pencils). No go. I found cheesy, cheeseball, terrible little books that were either ridiculous or totally gloom-and-doom. Next up was Barnes and Noble where I actually ordered a book by Sally Lloyd Jones who wrote the aforementioned and highly recommended Jesus Storybook Bible. The book makes up in a memorable, sing-song way what it lacks in retelling the actual biblical story, but it’s fun and really cute—and too expensive for my purposes. Fortunately B&N doesn’t make you purchase what you order if you don’t want it. Enter Walmart and their rack of Golden Books. I had given up on the book idea when I spied the one in the photo.

One trip to Walmart: $98.67 and a headache
One Golden Book: $2.50
A decent Noah’s Art story for my beautiful niece who likes to read: priceless.

I went back and forth between a close-up of glittery ornaments and a picture that would forever remind of me Christmas 2008. You can tell which one won out. My brother Andrew arrived in town today and my parents welcomed the entire fam over for pot roast (yum). I really enjoyed the time spent with my family. As each year passes I think I enjoy their company more and more. I appreciate the time to connect with Adam and Kristin—even though we live an hour away, the distance feels greater sometimes. I love seeing my niece Madeleine in action; as always listening to her two year old vocabulary is hilarious and cute. Liv and Madeleine make quite a pair. Though they both confess great love for each other, tonight didn’t see great amount of love (or toys) shared. Enter reality, eh? The photo shows what it’s like when you wind up two girls and toss them on a large bed (sorry, Mom, I forgot the beds were antiques!), and then Uncle Andrew commences with the wrestling. We all enjoy having Andrew around… What is there to say? He’s a fun guy and livens up the whole house. My folks are really great hosts—I try to emulate them when I have people over. Their food is always delicious, their home is always clean, and I feel like I can be myself there. The grandchildren get crazy and make messes, we kids get pretty competitive when a game is at stake, but Mom and Dad seem to take it in stride.

The night together came to a close when the little girls were extra sleepy and the drives home loomed before us. Now even our own house is quiet as Liv is tucked under a multitude of covers in an attempt to stay warm as temps slide below 0. It’s Christmas time. Family is nearby. Gifts, wrapped and unwrapped, are strewn about the living room. Visions of sugar plums—or a ham, as it’s what I’m preparing for a holiday dinner—are beginning their dance.