It’s been an emotionally tough week. A few days ago, one of the Leigh’s families we are closest to lost their precious little boy, who was the same age as Grayson. I’m still caught between shock and sadness- for them, and for our community. It’s been a definite reality check that this is what we are also living with, and this is our future too. We will miss little K so much.

K and G, 2 years old

Is Christmas here yet? Good grief, this month is dragging on forever. Thankfully, the holiday season this year hasn’t been too stressful: I didn’t do Christmas cards, which surprisingly, I’m totally fine with. I ordered almost every gift with one tap on my Amazon Prime app, and we’ve kept Christmas events and “stuff” to a minimum. But, ahh, I’m still over it. Or maybe I’m just sooo over 2016 and ready for a fresh start to the new year.

Most of us aren’t feeling great today- could be because it’s 30 degrees one day and 78 the next (insert eye roll emoji). That on top of no school, no schedule, and too much sugar…again, let’s get this season over with.

I do have a few things I want to share that are making me think, laugh, and cry from pure sweetness.

1. My sister in law sent me the link to her pastor’s sermon from last Sunday (it’s the Proclamation, the third section of recorded content). I’ve listened to it 4 times. So, so good. Since the election, I’ve been wrestling a lot with my faith and who I actually believe Jesus to be. This sermon dives into the “whitewashing” of Jesus and how a lot of times we relate to him to fit our context instead of actually learning and relating to him in the context that is the truth- who he actually was. Listen to it. It’s only 12 minutes long and worth your time.

2. This is silly and inappropriate, but made me laugh so hard. (If you are easily offended, skip this one). It does make me think- not only were Mary, Joseph and Jesus not white, the birth of Christ wasn’t as peaceful and serene as our nativity scenes portray.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Nv-Fj816Vs]

3. My sweet girl (who will be FOUR next month, but insists that she is turning seven) learned “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” for her preschool Christmas program. I’m so proud of her and impressed that she can sing it so well. Precious little angel (sometimes).

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reDY9SnxmUo]