and then the squeals and giggles and shouts and laughter rang throughout the house...

After opening her first present...Hailey soon tired of the whole ordeal.

She didn't want to OPEN any more presents she only wanted to PLAY with the one she had already opened.

 ALL morning long!!!

Everyone had something to keep them busy!

The excitement of the morning soon gave way to the quietness of the afternoon.

This lil one had very little energy left to spend...on anything!!!

Naps all around helped us get ready for our yummy Christmas dinner.

We had prepared the kids as best we could for how this Christmas would play out.

Having made a significant life change in the middle of the year...we had not planned on there being many presents under the tree.

But several close friends and family decided otherwise...and blessed us tremendously.

As a family, we spent the afternoon reflecting on all the blessings God had poured out to us throughout the year.

A new calling...with close friends to encourage and support us.

A new ministry...with sufficient provision.

A new book...with an impacting message.

But the same sweet Savior to carry us through it all!

We are truly humbled at the abundance of God's gifts given to us.

With the ultimate gift wrapped in a manger.
This was Christmas...because of Christ.

 A fallen world. A world blinded to their need for a Savior. A world pervaded with evil and darkness.

We want it to be beautiful...exciting...perfect.

Through the busyness of this next week...the excitement...the disappointments...

the  presents...the anticipation...the joy...the grief...

may you move from the shadows...to the substance.

Which is CHRIST.

My cousin Zana and I share a LOVE for anything British.

British countryside. British literature. British tea shops. British period dramas.

And definitely British stately homes. 

So naturally...while she was here we made a stop at the Biltmore House in Asheville.

It's not British....but it's the closest to it in America!

The last time I had been here it was snowy and blustery...so we weren't able to see the grounds.

But on this trip...the sun was shining...the leaves blazing...and the sights breathtaking!

Meandering up and down the trails...exploring the wooden bridges...just letting the beauty of God's creation seep deep down inside of me, I was overwhelmed with His goodness and His splendor.

I would have been content to just sit...and be still...and know that He is God.

But alas...there was so much more to see and do!!!

Zana and I tend to be quite silly when we are with each other...

and at times probably even embarrassed the kids a bit...but it was fun!

After we had our fill of the grounds, Zana treated us to fill our bellies.

We aren't used to such fancy digs...

so we had to scrounge up our manners and try hard not to put her to shame! :-)

The house and grounds were completely decked out for Christmas...and while we were eating dinner...there were many people scurrying around the house lighting a plethora of candles.

Unfortunately...there were no photos allowed...but try and picture the most beautiful home you've ever seen...even more beautiful!!

There were carolers set in the front foyer and their echoes filled the entire home...

serenading us from room to room.

It was definitely an enchanting evening...filling us with Christmas cheer and anticipation for the season ahead.

Sadly it was the last evening we had with Zana...

but we're hoping it will fill her with fond memories that draw her back to see us again!!!

Hailey and Jackson planted themselves on the bridge...

content to wave, cheer and talk to anyone that could hear over the roar of the rapids.

 Though we didn't buy a pass for the lil ones...they did venture a bit of rock climbing...

Zana has had a fear of heights and yet every obstacle she met head on

...challenging herself and putting her fears to the test!

Thankfully, she needed a little bit of help on the MegaZip and I graciously obliged her!

Swooping down the line, with the wind whipping my hair, screaming at the top of my lungs, the kids cheering me on just reminded me all the more why I LOVE the great outdoors!!!