Powell Christmas in Springfield

The 7th celebration of Christmas was on New Year's Eve at my (Julie) sister's house in Springfield, MO. We are so blessed by family. Here are some shots of the crew.

our holiday from work

We have been blessed with an abundance of family love this season. Starting Dec. 17th and through today, we have celebrated christmas many times over, each gathering has its fond memories. Mostly this year on nic's side, the family shifted present focus to littler kiddos. We had an exciting gift-opening time with nieces and nephews. It was a joy to see the their excitements when opening a dust buster to "un-dust" the house, their very own gift cards, book sets, bean bag chairs, "this reminded me of you gifts", and fashion forward attire. The energy in that house just kept building. 

We then moved to food and extended family gatherings. Santa visited us at Grammy's (extended Kline) gathering, kids were crying in confusion and Santa lost weight this year evidenced by his trouser malfunction (thanks uncle Chuck!). Stringers gathered around more food. Singers gathered around a delicious taco bar and XBox Kinnect. The present Bob Kline clan consumed desserts, coffee, hot chocolate, and well dressed sugar cookies. In all, we grabbed quick moments with all too often unseen family members. I failed to take photos, I know lots were taken. If you are reading this and you have them, send them, or else...

In between social gatherings we took down our Christmas decor a little early, stripped popcorn plaster off our living room/dining room ceiling, painted our baseboards white, and painted the walls a lovely "Missouri Bluffs" color from Nell Hills all while jamming out to Super Bass by Nicki Manaj. Boom daboom boom boom daboom baby...great song. Highly recommend it when painting. Here is the current state of our abode.

We are so close to being done, one more living room coat, a few touch ups, add crown molding, and move back in. We worked hard during the day and were thankful for the social gatherings to give our bodies a break.

We also got precious moments with dear friends who were in town for Christmas. We spent the morning catching up over coffee and then talked the night away over dinner and dessert. Glad we took a breath to capture a photo memory. Miss you guys.

The abridged version of our 2011 Christmas in Kansas City: 6 family Christmas gatherings down and one more to go, Neosho loves to eat paint, Nic learned how to dress classier from the above parties, and taking your own family photo can be stressful. 

More Christmas cheer this weekend with the Powell family! 

Family photos

Oh what fun we have at the holidays.

mom and her sisters

cousin's kids got a hold of the ipad. :)

silly video watching.

Thanksgiving Photo

At the Fansher farm in Garden City, KS

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advent season

questions in my mind lately. am i just going through the motions? memorizing my way through life? do i know Him? do i understand Him? do i know what He loves? do i know what He hates? can i let go of control? approval? 

i've heard a couple of christmas songs lately and the lyrics have reminded me what the christmas season is all about. on my drive home today it was the last verse of silent night.

silent night, holy night

son of God, loves pure light

radiant beams from Thy holy face

with the dawn of redeeming grace

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

i often think about what life was like back then, when Jesus was born. God's people were expecting a king by the world's definition, one to rescue them and make all their problems go away. but God sent a baby, his Son. you see, the world is broken, humanity is broken, things aren't as they should be, we still have plenty of problems, we are sinful, and because of it, we can't stand in the presence of a holy God. but on that holy night, God sent his Son to redeem humanity to Himself. the dawn of redeeming grace. Jesus was born, He lived the perfect life we should've live, and died on the cross taking all God's wrath to pay for our sin, all of it, none of His wrath is left for us, and calls us to believe, to trust Him. have faith my child, you've been redeemed, reconciled to your Father.

advent. the four sundays leading up to christmas. it's a season to prepare our hearts to celebrate the coming of our savior at christmas and his promise to come again to bring it to completion.

'tis the season.