Happy New Year

What a blessing!

And a whole lot of silliness!

We kind of got a hat theme going!My sister and brother in-law with baby Eden!

The whole gang on Christmas Day

Great Grandma and Puddin Toes!

Eden's first horsy ride. It whinnied, nodded its head and swished its tail. Dan and I couldn't resist this cute pony at Costco. So silly!
Christmas Eve was a much more elegant affair. We went to dinner with the gang at Red Lobster. We than attended a candlelight service at church, followed by an evening of fun and games at my daughters in-laws.


Nana enjoying all her girls!


Thank you Father for blessings to numerous to count!

Have a Blessed Holiday

The Rutherford's 2007

I won!

I opened my email up this morning and to my surprise I found out that I had become a winner on a fellow blogger's Christmas Tour Home give away. Check out my goodies at Enigma Artist!
What a fun way to begin my weekend!
Thanks Enigma Artist!

Christmas Tour of Homes

Click Here for my personal tour. Than grab your favorite cup of tea, mug of cider, hot chocolate, latté, what ever your preference, and settle down for a great tour of over 300 bloggers Christmas Tours of their homes. Thanks BooMama!

Wise Men seek

The Presentation

Prof. M.M.Ninan

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6&7

Announcement to Shepherds

Prof. M.M.Ninan

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:8-14

Visit of Shepherds

Prof. M.M.Ninan

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. Luke 2:15-17

Visit of the Wise Men

Prof. M.M.Ninan

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. Mat 2:1&2 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Mat 2:9-11

a midnight clear

The Annunciation

Prof. M.M.Ninan

In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth
to a virgin engaged to be married to a man descended from David. His name was Joseph, and the virgin's name, Mary.
Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her: Good morning! You're beautiful with God's beauty, Beautiful inside and out! God be with you.
She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that.
But the angel assured her, "Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you:
You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus.
He will be great, be called 'Son of the Highest.' The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David;
He will rule Jacob's house forever-- no end, ever, to his kingdom."
Mary said to the angel, "But how? I've never slept with a man."
The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Highest hover over you; Therefore, the child you bring to birth will be called Holy, Son of God.
"And did you know that your cousin Elizabeth conceived a son, old as she is? Everyone called her barren, and here she is six months' pregnant!
Nothing, you see, is impossible with God."
And Mary said, Yes, I see it all now: I'm the Lord's maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say. Then the angel left her.
Mary didn't waste a minute. She got up and traveled to a town in Judah in the hill country,

Luke 1;26-39

Flight to Egypt

Prof. M.M.Ninan

About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire.
This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for.
So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there.
He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.

Luke 2:1-5

The Word Became Flesh

Prof. M.M.Ninan

While they were there, the time came for her to give birth.
She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.

Luke 2:6&7

Can I help?

The Good Samaritan

Prof. M.M.Ninan

That is the question I want to ask this season. Help me remember Lord. For every sales person, every mom, every single, every youth, every co-laborer, every brother, every sister, every person I encounter, especially during this season...

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will
fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2

Everyone is hiding something, and it's not because they're deceptive. It's just that some wounds are too private. When your husband is being insensitive and uncaring the pain can be too deep to discuss. When your wife wounds you with acid words you're crushed inside but you can't show it. So you both go off, lick your wounds and try to avoid the comments and questions of others. Is that where you are today struggling with something too painful to talk about? If so, realise that others are too! Their anger is a symptom. Their aloofness just hides their fear of being known and maybe rejected because they've been hurt before.
Jesus saw the best in the worst of people and went out of His way to be gracious to them. Do you remember how He treated the woman 'caught in the act' of adultery (John 8)? Public exposure! Can you imagine the depth of her shame? Yet Jesus saw someone worth saving, loved her, lifted her and gave her the strength to do better. You are called to do that too! So remind yourself today that others are going through things you don't know about. They're crying tears you don't see and feeling isolated in ways you can't imagine. Don't be a burden; be a burden-bearer! Indeed you may be the only one who crosses their path today.

Taken from UCB Word for Today. Free issues are available here for the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Gal 6:2-4 Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law.
If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.
Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others.

To be or not to be, Fake Tree Dilemma part II

Extra's for the Tour ;>) Thanks Boo Mama

Thanks to all for the feed back. It has been fun and interesting to hear your opinions and advise. Apparently my family is not the only family weighting this matter. There are the die hard real tree lovers. I am hearing you strong and clear, Sis and Ty. Then there are those that choose a simple solution, buy one simple fake tree, no worries. My big mistake, based on this thought process was, if I buy a fake tree, it has to be the best fake tree on the planet, nine feet tall, and 1800 lights later, I think that was the wrong direction to go ;>) Smaller fake trees seem to be working for most people, big fake tree @$#%@ not a good idea. See 24 hour update.
Sooooo do you want to know what we decided? It was funny because on Sunday morning when the eighteen year old woke up and saw us putting the big tree back in the box (and yes it was easier going back in, but woe to the next person that will have to fluff that baby up again) and saw our sad frustration. We told her our dilemma. We were trying to make it easier and less stressful on the both of us, by choosing a fake tree. She said simple solution, why don’t you have Josh, her big strong older brother, get the tree for you. What a smart girl we have raised. I think I have found a new tradition. Josh and I made a luncheon date. I feed the boy; boy helped me buy a real Christmas tree. Hauled it home, put it in the stand, and helped me hose it down outside and get it cleaned off. That night all we had to do was bring the tree in the house, only four feet from our back patio, and dah da, new Christmas tradition. The guy at the tree lot was great too. He basically gave me a nine foot tree, cut off one foot, and sold it to me for the six foot price. So I have a lovely eight foot real tree. I can’t help it guys I am a sucker for a big tree.
So here are some pictures of the tree and the final decorating of the house.


Oh,one more discovery, I found the best smelling candle for those of you with fake trees and miss the scent. It is by Yankee Candles, Mediterranean Cypres. It has more scent than our real tree.....

First, big strong cute son!

Tree in stand and cleaned up

Real tree, decorated and done!!!!!

My oh so beautiful, Christmas Orchid that I fell in love with!

Tree all aglow.