Grinch Be Gone!

Have you ever noticed that when you think mean-spirited thoughts, your heart truly feels smaller. Thankfully, I exorcised my grinchy demon yesterday. It's not entirely in my character to be such a curmudgeon (though Craig might disagree), and at this time of the year, especially, I like to concentrate on expanding, rather than contracting, my heart.

To that end, this will be a picture post. Images that have made my heart grow in the last week.


My parents brought me the remains of my grandmother's sewing supplies, including the spools of thread pictured above. I've been sewing a lot lately. I made Whitney a book for Christmas, and I sewed the girls a clown costume and doctors scrubs for their dress up chest. I also made my sister a little something for Christmas. I felt my grandmother's presence as I threaded the needle and sewed gifts for my loved ones. Heart expanding, indeed.



This isn't the best photo. Grace is using her staged smile. I love it because she's pointing to her certificate of achievement. She's been taking a tumbling class since August. At 4:45 every Monday, her dad comes home early to accompany her. Love that girl. Love her dad. Heart feeling huge.



This is the gingerbread house that my mom and Grace constructed (thanks, Grammy). If your heart doesn't expand when you watch your own parent with your child then you are a grinch through and through.



Here are the girls and Craig in front of our tree. Grace is dressed for her Christmas program. Her line for the play was "H is for heavenly host" and she sang "Away in a Manger" and "We wish you a Merry Christmas" louder than any other kid in her class. I glanced over at one point to see tears well in Craig's eyes. Heart nearly bursting.

That's my week in review. My parents and brother arrive sometime today, and my sister will come tomorrow. Grace and I will bake a few more cookies this afternoon and then I think we'll all spend some time staring at the tree. Hearts full. Merry. Merry.