Below is Bradie the Ballerina 3/4. By the final installment, she was not so crazy about me putting that hair in a bun. This is also my version of Beth Moore :) I greatly admire that woman. It was not easy to channel the Texas teasing skills, but thanks to some trusty AquaNet, I managed. "Turn to one another and say 'Girlfriend... do your homework!'"

All dressed up for the preschool Christmas program. It was adorable of course, and hysterical. From the singing that is shouting to the kid in the back that looked like he was having his mug shots snapped, I giggled until my eyes watered. Bradie is so very sweet. She did her singing and signing with such passion, her little face knit into what I call the Bradie Brow- those who know her intimately know this look of compassion. It rends me every time.

And lastly our Charlie Brown tree. No really. On the price sheet at the Troop 43's Christmas Tree lot, there is listed "Charlies, $15" I told the lad to take me to those... and here we found this EIGHT foot Christmas tree for 15 bucks! Spindly and a little silly but perfect for how I roll.

Christmas is not about a beautiful hundred dollar tree (which is like half our budget...hello!) It is about Almighty God HUMBLING himself to take on flesh for OUR good. The Incarnation simply astounds me. It's no wonder the event inspires this

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Man I have tears in my eyes just reading this. Christmas changed everything. Amen!