It feels good to sit here in the living room and be able to see the Christmas tree all lit up and decorated in our dining room.

We had a great time yesterday afternoon picking out a new (artificial) tree and bringing it home and setting it up and decorating. We knew our upcoming calendar-schedule and its over-filled nature, so we opted for an early setup this year and it’s a decision I think we’re all pleased with making!

It’s fun to watch the wide-eyes of Ella and Ezra as we get out the ornaments and decorations and get things set up – they do thoroughly enjoy getting the house prepped for the Christmas season!

For the past several years we’ve setup and decorated our family Christmas tree and shot a time lapse of the process.

2013 –

2012 –

2011 –

2010 –

2009 –

2008 –

2007 –
I wish I knew why I have no video from 2007. Not 100% sure we even did a time lapse in ’07.

2006 –

I can’t stop listening to this brand new song from Lacey Sturm that was a part of the My Hope broadcast from Billy Graham. The lyrics are a POWERFUL reminder of the undeserved mercy available through Jesus Christ!

Embedded video. If you can’t see it, click here.

The track, “Mercy Tree” is available on the album, “My Hope: Songs Inspired By The Message And Mission Of Billy Graham” here on Amazon.

Lyrics:

On a hill called Calvary
Stands an endless mercy tree
Every broken weary soul
Find your rest and be made whole

Stripes of blood that stain its frame
Shed to wash away our shame
From the scars pure love released
Salvation by the mercy tree

In the sky between two thieves
Hung the blameless Prince of Peace
Bruised and battered, scarred and scorned
Sacred head pierced by our thorns

“It is finished” was His cry
The perfect Lamb was crucified
The Sacrifice our victory
Our Savior chose the mercy tree

Hope went dark that violent day
The whole earth quaked at Love’s display
Three days silent in the ground
This Body born for Heaven’s crown

But on that bright and glorious day
When Heaven opened up the grave
He’s alive and risen indeed
Oh praise Him for the mercy tree

Death has died Love has won
Hallelujah Hallelujah
Jesus Christ has overcome
He has risen from the dead

Death has died Love has won
Hallelujah Hallelujah
Jesus Christ has overcome
He has risen from the dead

One day soon we’ll see His face
And every tear He’ll wipe away
No more pain or suffering
Oh praise Him for the mercy tree

Death has died Love has won
Hallelujah Hallelujah
Jesus Christ has overcome
He has risen from the dead

Death has died Love has won
Hallelujah Hallelujah
Jesus Christ has overcome
He has risen from the dead

On a hill called Calvary
Stands an endless mercy tree

We had such fun at the Maplewood pumpkin patch this past Saturday! I’m so glad I brought the GoPro along to capture some of the adventure from Ella’s and Ezra’s perspective.

Maplewood has a deal that you can pay $8 for everything you (as in: one person) can carry out of their pumpkin patch. I was up to the challenge and managed to carry our three largest pumpkins out on my own. We think we definitely saved some money because the other option was to use a cart and pay 39-cents per pound of cart-carried pumpkins!

This was our first pumpkin-picking adventure at Maplewood, but we’re already talking about going back again next year!

Embedded video – if you can’t see it, click here.