MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas everyone! We have had a busy weekend of last minute shopping, Dad playing the drums on Sunday, and Mom doing preschool large group with "Miss Candy Cane" for both services. We had a wonderful Christmas Eve yesterday. Never dull, as seems to be the usual atmosphere around here. After a leisurely morning, Mom and Dad had a mad-wrapping session while Emily was napping, and the big girls were quite busy with Christmas secrets in Kirsten's room. Not the first present was wrapped until yesterday! We then attended Christmas Eve service at Mountain, which was just what I needed to stop the busyness of the day and really focus on the true meaning of Christmas. We then had a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner together (of course, this after racing to the Lindung's home down the street whose burglar alarm was going off because the Burnhams, setting up the Christmas surprise, forgot the code to the system). Ah well, dinner was rather uneventul anyway. Then the girls got ready for the traditional Christmas Eve dance with Daddy around the tree. This year we decided to forego the usual "slow music" CD they dance to, and just chose to go with whatever was on the radio. Kirsten ended up dancing with Daddy to "Feliz Navidad", which of course made Emily want to run in circles around Kirsten and Daddy, all the time clutching in her sticky little fingers, her "3 dollar" ($20 bill) that she just received in the mail from her Aunt B, laughing hysterically. So of course, Hannah had to join in the fun. This morning was a fun-filled, chaotic normal Christmas morning, after being awakened by Kirsten at 6:30 (after repeated threats last night, 6:30 the absolute earliest). Emily quickly caught on to what Christmas morning was all about for the first time this year. In her very 2-year old way, she intricately unwrapped her gifts, handing every tiny shred of paper to Mommy, one piece at a time. Here are a few pictures of Christmas Eve and The O'Steen Christmas Chaos! Kirsten "I can't BELIEVE you got me a cell phone!" Emily "I like cars-mamie" (AKA- Lightning McQueen). Hannah "Thank you, thank you, thank you for my video I-pod" (the sweetie). Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas.

The O'Steen Snowball Fight!

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The latest session!

Here is a peek at the last session I did!

The Twelve Days of Christmas

The gift-opening has officially begun at our house! Nana and Papa began a tradition 12 years ago that my girls look forward to all year. On the 12 days leading up until Christmas, each girl opens a very small gift from Nana and Papa. Today was the day they were able to open their first gift! This year we have had a different focus on our gift-giving. The girls have taken quite an interest this year in comparing their own Christmas wish lists to those who are much less fortunate. Hannah especially has been humbled by the thought of how far her money can go for children in other parts of the world. She so willingly gave up her own spending money so that other children can have food and shelter and schooling opportunities. Hannah even told us she doesn't want anything for Christmas this year. I have always marveled at those parents who are able to give their children only three gifts, just like baby Jesus received. That has always been my goal, but my selfishness always takes over and I buy more for my kids than I set out to. I pray that this Christmas season, their hearts will be touched to reach out to those less fortunate, and realize how very blessed we all are. It is so much more blessed to give than to receive.

Operation Christmas Child

Hey everyone! Just wanted to share a few pictures of a recent trip I took to Charlotte, NC. We went to the distribution warehouse for Samaritan's Purse, Operation Christmas Child. One of the five distribution centers in the nation where all those shoeboxes we fill get ready to be sent overseas! It was an amazing opportunity. We truly felt like the hands and feet of Jesus as we worked. It was incredible to go through these boxes that had been packed with such love and see how so many lives were going to be touched through these gifts. What an honor to be a small part of such a wonderful ministry.

My First Official Session!

Today was my very first official session! WOW - it was so wonderful!! Why is it ten thousand times easier to take pictures of other peoples kids? I equate taking pictures of my own kids much like going to the dentist, after the fact you are really glad you did it, but the process can be incredibly painful. These little girls were every photographers dream! First of all, it was about 34 degrees outside, and they never once complained! We even had their coats off here and there (very briefly, we promise). They were so incredibly compliant, so sweet, so much fun - and of course, the cutest things you ever did see!! What a pleasure my first session was - maybe I actually CAN do this!!! :)