Prior to my last post, I neglected to mention that we did attend the Christmas Eve service at the church.  This is one of my favorite times, however for whatever reason a six year old needs, Mark decided that being a shepherd was not so cool after all.  He would have rather been Batman.  He did come around in the end but by then Momma had put away the camera in frustration.  I think it was a combination of being tired and too hot which lead to the photos that follow.  By the end of the evening he was as happy as he is usually, but only after he had removed the rather warm costume that I had made for him last year.  So here are my littles being the wonderful children that they are...an angel and a rather unhappy shepherd.

 There's Mark giving his Momma the "black stink eye".
 Have you ever seen such a pretty little angel?
 Look Momma, I have "rainbow fairy wings"..."no honey you are a beautiful angel..."no Momma I am a fairy"..."Ok, let me tell you the story again...Who came to tell us about baby Jesus being born?"..."The angels"..."Right...so what are you?"  "A fairy angel!"..."Yes Marissa...you can be a fairy angel"...sigh.
 See the tiny little social butterflies!  What beautiful little girls!
 Mark looks like he is thinking...how did I get volunteered into this!  Such a different face than from last year.
 See a tiny smile creeping into his face.  He was starting to find his grove at last!
There is our little Marissa snaping her brand new hair band in half!  That's our Marissa!  She is so beautiful but could care less. By the end of the evening this little beauty was ready to get home and dream about the arrival of Santa and presents! We are so blessed to claim these children as our own!
Hope is a star that shines in the night.  Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth.  Joy is a song that welcomes the dawn, Love is a flame that burns in our heart.  When God is a child there's joy in our song.  The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid. (Brian Wren 1985)
Merry Christmas my beloved children, may you always feel the hope, the peace, the joy and the flame of love that brings us together on this most wonderous evening!