Cousins, Christmas and Christ.

I have some of the best cousins anyone could ask for! I found this quote.

It makes me smile! Here is a picture of all my cousins on my moms side. Actually it's a picture of me, my 6 siblings and our 7 cousins on my moms side.

We had a fun Christmas. Every year we cousins draw each others name at thanksgiving and play secret santa at Christmas! I drew my cousin Stephen. I drew him last year too. He got the same gift as last year. Jeans and a T-shirt. I dont think he minded. When we get older some how jeans, shirts, underwear and socks become exciting. Probably because we have gotten to the age where our parents make us get our own clothes. They are no longer freely provided. So now we are more grateful when we do receive clothing. It's a good thing really. And then again maybe that little theory only applies to me. Moving on. Here Stephen and I are after Christmas morning.

And here are all my girls. This one is from Thanksgiving we are blessed we all get to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas together!

Some of our Chrismas included Apples to Apples. An AMAZING magical card trick from the amazing, beautiful Michaela.

It also included garlic mashed potatoes(my favorite) a silly string fight, a dog fight, some frisbee in the road, A LOT OF SPARKLING GIFTS, a "Merry Christmas Laura! :)" text, making a blanket with Aunt Vanessa and Aunt Alice along with some good talks.

some aprons made by mom and some socks hand knit by our amazing Mi-mi

Here is Mi-mi in the middle.

and a Happy Birthday song to Jesus. Thank you Jesus for such a beautiful blessed Christmas week! :)

So Much Hope.

Ann Voskamp has a way with words that whenever I read what she has to say, I usually cry. Here is a quote from her blog. "And Christ comes and cracks into this world and the carapace of our hurting hearts, and we can hear Him coming: "I came in unexpected ways the first time and I will come again in the hour you think not, so trim your wick, you there in the impossible dark, and light an unexpected flame regardless, and be ready with impossible hope — for I am coming again."