...we had a family filled Christmas.

I am seriously behind on life…I've had "blogger's block" for a month now and have finally decided that posting new pictures is good enough…and it has still taken me 2 hours because I've been interrupted by a Zachary tantrum, a Jayden "it's not working" moment, and a gi-normous mess (Zachary broke into my bathroom and dumped the entire contents of my loose powder all over himself, the rugs, the cupboards, the counters)….just another day at the office.

The entire deGrassie clan arrived at our house on Christmas Eve.


We attended the evening service at our church, but were sure to get a seat in the back row in case an early exit was necessitated, which it was.

Uncle John was a tremendous help in entertaining and wearing out Jayden and Zachary. On Christmas morning he even helped them construct a fort of pillows and blankets.

Uncle Andrew provided the artistic entertainment and assisted Jayden with her first color-by-number.

Jayden received a number of ballet outfits and a new Disney Princess purse filled with makeup and clip on earrings.

Mima and Papa gave Zachary a remote controlled robot, which entertained all of us for a bit.

Much of our 3 day celebration involved lounging on the couch and eating See's chocolates.

Marty and I were on kitchen duty for all the meals – although Bucca di Beppo helped out with Christmas Eve dinner.

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After the last deGrassie had vacated our home we attempted a quick clean up and welcomed Marty's parents for Christmas round 2. Unfortunately I didn't take very many photos (lots of video) due to feeling under the weather.

But we had a wonderful time with Grandma and Grandpa who were a tremendous help to me, and they gave Zach and Jayden some amazing gifts --- Grandma made Jayden a gorgeous Princess dress and gloves, and Zachary got an electric Trash truck (trash day is his favorite day of the week). And they both were hooked up with their very own inflatable bounce house—super cool!

...we are acutely aware...

...that the last 2 installments on this blog seem to illuminate hypocrisy within our household.

How can we claim to be pursuing and advocating a self-sacrificing-Christmas/lifestyle for the blessing and Salvation of others in the midst of "adding more to our kingdom"?

This is a valid question; one that we ask ourselves.

And yet we go back to the fact that we laid our "plans" out prayerfully before the LORD; asking Him to completely halt them or move to complete them. And we've been amazed that the project has had a life of its own and are convinced that God can and has given us financial resources in order that we may employ people who need the money --invite them into our home and live out the Gospel in front of their eyes, pray for them and allow God's resources to flow from our hands into theirs.

We are also on our knees--- no, on our faces ----because we are blown away by God's Grace: His unmerited Grace that flowed from his very blood, saving us from our complete and utter depravity in order that we may stand before Him without fault or accusation; His daily Grace that enables and empowers us to do things far beyond our natural capabilities and inclinations so that we may use our mortal, simple lives to bring Him glory and honor; and His abundant temporal Grace that has blessed us in the natural realm of earthly matters, so that we are now called to abundantly provide for the blessing of our family, neighbors, community and world in order to make known the Gospel of God's Grace for sinners.

Matthew 22:37-39

Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.

And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

As we daily seek to KNOW God deeply and intimately through His word and the indwelling of His Holy Spirit, His specific will for our lives will take shape. And we anticipate a great invitation to take part in work and service that will bring the hope of the Gospel to people who are desperate for it.

We want to Love others. We want to give more of ourselves.

Sometimes we feel paralyzed to move into action because the needs are so great, or our schedules are so tight, or our kids are too young. But we commit to pray: that our hearts will be stirred up for the lost, the helpless, the hungry, the depressed, the injured, all those who need to know they have a Savior who has 1st loved them. And we commit to respond to whatever the LORD requires of our family.

Psalm 126:3

"The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."

…we’re a bit nuts.

Marty and I are busybodies. We thrive on activity and accomplishment. When the weekends come, we talk of lounging around, sleeping in, and catching a movie or two.

But the reality is that we never sleep in (due to early rising children), lounging makes us feel lazy, and if we have the extra time to see a movie we feel we should spend it doing something of value (like finishing an entire conversation with each other).

Thus we find ourselves amidst a bit of construction 4 days before my family arrives to celebrate the Birth of our Lord and Savior. This project has been in our mind for years, but was always spoken of as an eventuality.

That is until last Friday when Marty's study partner and his wife welcomed the birth of their first child. This meant that Marty would not be occupied with hours of study and would have a bit of free time.

Ahhh, what to do with free time? Naturally he decided to call our Contractor and schedule some home repairs and remodeling! And this past Monday morning the demo began and our 'eventual' project is now a reality.

All the major work will be done by Tuesday we have been assured...but our new couches may not arrive as promised. Nevertheless, we are grateful to be receiving such abundant "newness" this Christmas, and to be employing some folks who really need the extra work.

The progression…

...we can make Christmas about Christ.

Please visit www.adventconspiracy.org to learn more!!!!!!!

...Jayden had her 'formance'!

For 3 weeks Jayden diligently practiced the 2 songs she had been learning at preschool for the annual Christmas performance:

"Do You Hear the Christmas Bells?" to the tune of Have you Seen the Gingerbread Man?, and "My Love for Jesus" to the tune of Jesus Loves Me.

The most important part she'd say was to "remember to sing SO SO LOUD so that all the moms and dads and grandmas can hear us." Her teachers, Miss Mary and Miss Suk, said that because of her amazing projection and how well she remembered the words and motions during rehearsal she'd in the front row. J

Today was the Big Show and Jayden was super jazzed to be wearing her new "formance clothes".

She thought all the girls in her class looked gorgeous and complemented each one…here she and Taylor are admiring their own loveliness.

The entire class performed quite well. Only one little girl fled the stage and into her daddy's arms.

And Jayden sang oh so very loud; in fact she was quite possibly the only audible voice! She lit up the stage with confidence and joy and made us so very proud to call her our little girl.

... of LOVE

LOVE playgrounds at any mall – I delight to hear their joyful squeals as they skip and climb.

LOVE early mornings – I delight to watch them share and create games together.

LOVE Starbucks – I thoroughly enjoy having 2 dates for coffee, especially on a rainy day.

LOVE the freedom of childhood – My heart swells to see the carefree, life-lovin', bouts of dancing exuberance in our house and around the town.

LOVE Goldenspoon – I'm so thankful for a bounty of Costco babywipes.

LOVE my beautiful children – Looking at them I KNOW that God is the supreme Good, that God is the complete LOVE, that God's Grace Super-abounds.

Psalm 92:4

"For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD: I sing for joy at the works of your hands."

...Halloween was happy.

Jayden Malia dons Princess garb nearly every day of the week and wears her "clip clop" high heels all around town (see pix below). So to make Halloween dress up out of the ordinary she had to wait nearly a month to wear this Belle gown which we had given her for her Birthday.

Zachary went along with the program surprisingly well and was especially fond of his fire hat. Our neighbor, Mr. Darrell, is a Fire Captain and on occasion a fire truck will be parked outside his house for which Zach can hardly contain his excitement.By 6:00 Zach was ready to hit the hay so he never saw a single trick-or-treater. On the other hand Jayden was giddy 'tll 8:15 (waaaay past bed-time) and even collected candy from 4 of our friends houses. She had to sleep with her small bag of candy to keep it safe from Zachy.

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Jayden Malia's Daily Garb:

*****A very 'normal' trip to Ralphs

****Picking Mima up at the Simi Train Station