Our Christmas Card

Here it is...

our Christmas card this year.

Right here on your computer screen.

As likely as it would be that we were too lazy to send them out, that isn't the case.

As likely as it would be that we were being cheap by not sending them out, that isn't the case.

As likely as it would be that we were too late to make mailing them worth the effort, that isn't the case.

This year, we just chose different.

As a family, we've decided to make some changes with purpose.

And one of those involved our Christmas cards.

...and this is coming from a girl who loves Christmas cards and all the beautiful, sentimental things they embody...

We decided to take the large small sum of money that we would use in printing cards and mailing them to make a small large difference in the life of a person. 

Actually a family. Or two.

We chose to buy a water filter for a family on the other side of the world so that parents can give their children the gift of clean, drinkable water this Christmas.

 Somewhere, the is a mother who loves her children, much like me.  

She wants good for them, much like me.  

She wants health for them, much like me.  

And clean water, unlike me.  

You see, I give my children water each day. 

 It's clean.  

I've never worried otherwise. 

Now, that mother can give her child(ren) and her husband and herself clean water. 

It's a small gift from me: a wealthy girl in a wealthy country.

But its a big gift for her: a impoverished woman in a poverty-stricken country.

Really, this is nothing big.  Nothing new.  Many of you do things like this each day.  I'm not trying to act like we are any different or receive any praise.  It's really not about me.  But in it not being about me (huh?), I really wanted to be able to show off my family.
This is a win, win for me: utilize technology to send you love and use our financial resources elsewhere.

So as our family and friends, we want to say thank you for loving us so much that we feel free to love others as we've been called.
If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has not pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? {1 John 3:17}

And maybe if you feel led, you could buy a water filter {or two}, or sheep, or a blanket, as well.  Because wouldn't it be fun to be part of the group that takes what the Lord has given us and distributes it all over the world?

Hoping you have a wonderful Christmas. Much love to you.


Celebrating,
Brad, Ashley, Noah, Kayt and Emery

Our photo was taken by my ever talented brother, Blake.  You should use him, too. 

Advent: Simple and Focused

This year, for the season of Advent, I attempted to break some of the truths of Jesus coming into bite-sized portions for us to address, in detail, as a family.  For 12 days, we will focus on one principle for a two-day period.  Only choosing six is also build in grace for Brad and I, knowing that we may need more time for one truth or may have nightly interferences.  

Mind you, this is really basic.  And it doesn't just cover the anticipation of Christ's arrival like many advent activities, but also His life.  That was just what I chose, based on the ages of our children and wanting to talk through the entire prophecy and it's fulfillment. 

I found pre-drawn pictures online that we are using, but I don't know where I found them, I didn't document the link. Darn.  But, you could have your children draw a picture along with each lesson, search for clip art to use, or do something all together different.   This is the most simple, basic way that I could come up with and it will give me a launching pad for years to come. My guess is that we will not do Advent exactly the same way any two years in a row.  There are also many great children's books out there to use. I just chose to use what we already had.  

Day 1:

Prophecy

Telling of something to come

Give an example of prophecy and let each person do it. Prophets throughout scripture told the people of a great gift to come and people waited with anticipation on this gift. 

Isaiah 9:6-7

Isaiah 11:1-2

Color the stump with the shoot

Day 2:

Preparation

Everything was set in perfect place for Christs coming. God was preparing the world for it's savior. 

John 1:1-9

Color the world

Day 3:

Proclamation

The angels proclaimed the good news

Luke 1:26-38

Color Mary and Joseph

Day 4:

Jesus' Birth

Remember Jesus’ Birth

Luke 2:1-7

Color the cradle

Day 5:

Jesus Life and Now

Jesus came to allow us to know him and know his father.  He left the Holy Spirit behind to teach us and speak His truth to our hearts

John 20:31

Color the heart

Day 6:

Jesus to come

Jesus is the light of the world and he will come again

John 8:12

Color the star

We will hang ours with twine on a simple 'tree' made of branches from our yard that will serve as our table's center piece.  More beauty in the representation than the item. 

There you have it. 

Simple and focused. 

Two words I hope hold true for my life.  

25 Days to Remember

This is our family's Christmas countdown calendar!  

And it's full of fun family activities that I thought I would share. 

The kids excitedly open the corresponding card each morning... it's the first thing they do when they crawl out of bed.
This is what each of our cards say:

1- Make a chain to count down the days until Jesus birth

2- Fancy Dress Dinner: Choose your own fancy attire for a fun family dinner

3- Make Christmas Cookies (make extra)

4- Package and take cookies to the neighbors

5-Make snowflakes to decorate the windows

6- Sing and Dance to Christmas music... you choose the tunes

7- Write 10 things you are thankful for and post it where everyone can see

8- Candlelight Bubble Bath

9- Read "Let it Snow" and play with snow inside! (snow=shaving cream)

10- Go to Pop and DeDe's to help them with a chore

11- Shop for our Angel Tree family

12- Make Christmas Cards for 3 friends

13- Play musical chairs to Christmas music

14- Do something kind for someone today

15- Go out to dinner and go visit Santa (this is Emery's birthday so it will be a fun night out for us)

16- Have popcorn and play a board game

17- Make edible gifts for the birds and squirrels to hang from the trees in the backyard

18- Have hot chocolate and read a Christmas story by the fire

19- Watch a movie from the tent in the living room

20- Go look at lights! (and get a special Christmas drink)

21- Use your money from December chores to go buy Christmas gifts for your family

22- Go out to breakfast! (I was planning to do breakfast in bed, but our friend, P, comes to clean that day so we will be going out instead)

23- Wrap and decorate your Christmas gifts (this year we are wrapping all gifts in brown craft paper/paper bags and the kids get to decorate them)

24-Birthday party for Jesus! Make special treats to take to your family. We will be making these.

25- Spend time as a family thanking God for the greatest gift, his son!

And that is what we, the Ingram Gang, will be doing in the days leading up to Christmas Day.

Of course this is created around our schedule.  Brad and I have several parties this month, so on those days... the less time consuming activities.  I put most outings on the weekends so that we can block time for them.  The actives are basically the same, but the nights have changed from what we did last year. 

For me, I made a run to Dollar Tree earlier in the week and purchased the following:

-shaving cream

-construction paper

-bubble bath

-pretzels

I had everything else on hand

This is just a great way for us to ensure special family time (during a season that has the potential to be overly busy) as we talk to our children and help them prepare for the coming birth, advent... if you will.  

This week our family verse is Luke 3:4 "Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight"

And that is what we plan to do:  

remember the gift that brought grace and mercy packaged in flesh.

Sharing laughs and conversation with my family is just one of the ways I can live in a state of remembrance.

I have also planned out Advent activities for the 12 days leading up to Christmas that I can share if anyone is interested.  This will be our first season to do an Advent tree and evening devotions.  Brad and I agreed on 12 in the days right before Christmas Day because of the age and attention span of our children.  Maybe someday soon, we will use the entire Advent season.  

Happy Month of Preparing the Way!

Four Years with Our Pure Hearted

September 25, 2007... a beauty entered the world so gracefully.  She really did.  My labor with her was easy (or at least looking back it seems so) and only fitting for a tiny 7lb 13oz jewel. 

And this year, we celebrated four years with her. 

Kayt means pure hearted and she is its epitome.  She is tender, nurturing, kind, happy, spunky, smart, and compelling.  She brings so much joy to those who love her.  And is the perfect middle child for our family. 

 Kayt has waited so patiently for months to be one year closer in age to her brother and join so many of her four year old friends.  She could hardly contain the excitement as her days of celebration approached.  We asked four friends to join us as we played up our love for all things girlie. 

She was up by 6:30 in anticipation for her "date day."

She passed the time by drawing. 

 Having a car full of 3, 4, and 5 year old girls is quite an adventure, believe me. 

 

They loved their pampering: 

 But Kayt did not enjoy being asked about her cast.  She really doesn't like to talk about how she fell from the monkey bar platform at pre-school and broke her arm two weeks ago.  She would rather just ignore the whole ordeal. 

 Kayt doesn't love attention.  It is evident to Brad and I that she will serve behind the scenes, never wanting credit.  

But we love making much of her!

 Because she means much to us. 

Pretty tiny toes: 

  And glittery, sweet fingers: 

 Lunch at her favorite four year old appropriate joint: 

 This type of celebration fits her personality so well.  Small, simple, and surrounded by her favorites. 

Working with her healing arm: 

 And ice cream for all gals involved: 

 A trail of sweet girls who are growing up to know Jesus and His love for them.  Praying for world changers among them. 

 Later in the evening, she and I ventured out for a specific, special present.  She needed to wear this.  We ended our shopping excursion with dinner at Abuelos with her Pappy (my dad). 

 Saturday, we cheered on Bubba in his first soccer game.  

Go, Raptors!

 

Followed by a family cook-out, Rapunzel cupcakes, ice cream and presents galore! 

And of course, more shopping.  

 I just cannot get enough of this girl. 

It is so fun having her as my daughter. And motherhood if fun with pink and glitter and bows. More fun that I ever knew.  

 Kayt Emerson, you've graced my life and filled it to the brim.  

I love you, I love you, I love you, sweet treasure!

Our bug. 

At age four, Kayt loves to read, paint, color, sing, and play with her dolls.  She especially loves all things princess.  She has naturally assumed the roles of caretaker and nurturer for Emmy Claire and encourager and confidante for Noah.  She giggles constantly and easily.  She doesn't take herself too seriously. She has an incredible memory and an extensive vocabulary.  She finds comfort in her Meme ~blanket~ and is a daddy's girl through and through.  She loves being surrounded by her few closest friends. She falls asleep easily, typically after reading herself a story (after our family story time).  She wakes early and happily.  She loves breakfast and rarely eats bread.  She loves broccoli, carrots, peaches, grapes, and Cheez-its.  She does not like sports near as much as her siblings, but loves to be their cheerleader on the sideline.  She is adored by her Daddy, Bubba, grandpas, and uncles... they are all smitten by her.  The ladies in her life, myself included, love for her to be around.  

Kayt lights any room! 

She has a mysterious, gentle, quiet beauty that is deeply embedded in her.  

Kayt, you are more precious than you know.  

Your daddy and I marvel and anticipate all you will become! 

Happy 4th Birthday, Lovely!

Five Stars for a Five Year Old

We celebrated Noah over the weekend.  He turned FIVE Saturday, which was much anticipated.  Something about becoming a five-year-old has been a big milestone for us all.  He was SO excited leading up to his birthday and is still relishing in his new year of life.  With each thing we do, he says, "that was my first time to ___ as a five year old.  And it was really cool!"  --go to church, go to pre-school, ride his bike, etc--  

I know you other mothers understand this... it is so fun to live out exciting milestones with your children.  Seeing his heart alive brings added life to mine. 

I know you think there aren't many more things I could say about my sweet son that I haven't already said at some point on this blog, but you are oh-so-wrong! :)  I could write a post about each of my children for the rest of my life and never run out of things to say.  They are that unique and that special to me.  They intrigue me to the core.  

When I sat down to write a post celebrating my Noah in words, one strong thing came to mind:

his love for work!

  

I have watched this love blossom in Noah's life over the past year. 

He is a hard worker and he loves to be busy with purpose.  

He gives his full attention to detail and precision.  He often spends entire days (literally) working.  He thrives in spending hours upon hours digging, planting and grooming our yard with his dad or Pop.  

And I've notices that this all is most true when he is working with his hands and he is outside.  

I've marveled time and again how the Lord really does create man to work and provide because I've seen this come to life in Noah.  

It isn't a strain for Noah, he thrives on it.  

 Of course, he enjoys his breaks and the cool snacks he works so hard for. Ha. 

But I've also been amazed by his initiative to work.  He shovels, rakes, takes out trash, sets the table, moves rocks, all on his own.  He sees a need and attempts to take care of it without so much as a word from anyone.  

I snuck this picture recently just to keep for myself for years to come, but decided to post it here so that I could be blessed each time I see this post.  Most mornings, Noah rises early with his Daddy to have coffee and study scripture.  I can't tell you what it does to my heart and my love for the Lord to walk into our dining room and see this.  The Lord is giving Noah a hunger for the Word.  This process is causing new parts in me to rise up in awe of the power of the Holy Spirit.  That, and it makes me love these TWO boys in even deeper ways.  What a sweet father my children have.

I thought I would throw this picture in for good measure.  This was my boy's recent first trip to the dentist.  He was so nervous and so brave.  Everything inside of him wanted to cry and fall in my arms, I saw it written all over his face.  But he didn't.  And I admire him for that.  I'm watching my little boy grow into a big boy on a daily basis.  

I find myself daily amazed at the maturity taking place before my very eyes.

This boy of ours, he is such a joy!

I'm blessed to be his mother.

Happy 5th Birthday, Noah Hudson!

The Ingram Christmas of 2010

A few random pictures from our Christmas fun.  

Most are from my phone, thus the poor quality and blurriness.  

Fun in action...

Just Lookin' All Put Together

is what we've been up to.

That, and the mess taking place in the background of Noah's picture. 

Noah who will be FOUR in two weeks, not three like I said in my previous post. Obviously my subconscious is having a hard time dealing with the idea of my oldest turning four.  Obviously. 

Double Vision

One of my many favorite things about having two children of the same gender is this...

(E)

It is fun to let Emery wear outfits that used to belong to her older sister.

It brings back so many sweet, sweet memories.   

(K)

These pictures were taken exactly two years apart.  

Emery is three months old & Kayt was (almost) six months old.  

(E)

I also love how Emery weighs the same at three months (13.3 lbs) as Kayt did at six months (13.8 lbs). 

Kayt was my tiny girl and Emmy is my chunky monkey. 

(K)

It has worked out perfectly because now they were the same clothing at the same time which makes them resemble even more.  

I found this too. 

Old house. Long hair. Baby girl number one. 

Look how far we've come!