Hey y'all! :)
It feels like i haven't posted forever!!! It really hasn't been that long, but i guess so much has happened that it just feels longer. Well, I'm back now! I only have 3 things to talk about.

1: Christmas
This. Was. The. Best. Christmas. Ever.
Well, the above said statement only will hold true for 362 more days, because every Christmas just gets better and better. But this Christmas was especially special. 
-It was Yonas and Isaiah's first Christmas EVER. Ethiopia doesn't celebrate Christmas, so it was both of their first Christmases. It was A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E to watch them open presents and sing Christmas songs, and it was such a blessing to see them discover Christmas. Christmas is my absolute favorite time of the year, and i hope they learned to love it as much as i do. :)
-This Christmas seemed kind of laid back. Most of our time was spent drinking hot cocoa and talking with our Grandparents. What i mean by that is just that we didn't go anywhere... because i don't think anything with our family could be considered laid back. Honestly, i think my siblings have a secret stash of caffeine. They have SO much energy!!! Haha. Oh, i love my family so much.
-A lot of our friends felt the need to lavishly pour out their love on us...in the form of cookies. We still have a bazillion left. They are delicious. The cookies, i mean, not our friends. Although I'm sure they would taste good too because they are just so sweet!!! *cheesy alert!*
-Also, through most of Christmas day and Christmas Eve, i had the Christmas song by Flyleaf stuck in my head, In my humble opinion, it is the best Christmas song ever created. Although it lacks that "holiday cheer" sound, its amazing lyrical content makes up for it. by. far. 

"A frightened virgin teenage girl
Receives a message that defies the laws of this world
All she can do is weep and nod
She's to bring into this world the Son of God
A star appears fulfilling ancient prophecy
There's an ounce of fear as wise men follow faithfully
The Virgin Mary brings forth the human savior
And this future king sleeps soundly in the manger
Soundly in the manger
Tonight He is born so one day He can die
To heal hearts that are torn and live the perfect life
So He hang upon a cross and we can take His life
So we can live as sinners
And He can pay the price
Tonight He is born so one day he can die
But He will rise again
God's angels sound their trumpets
And blow their horns
Tonight the long awaited savior is to be born
The goodness bound by Satan it has been torn
With this baby's precious brow ready for thorns" 

 Anyways, it was just a really great song to have running through my head all day. It kept me focused on the real meaning of Christmas, the day we celebrate Jesus' birth. :)

 I had a good Christmas, I hope yours was every bit as awesome as mine! 

2: Broomball Party.

Last night, our church got together and had a broomball party. 

Hence, the title "Broomball Party" of this section of my post. 

Sadly, I didn't play very much broomball, so i can't say that i had a part in "team 2"'s triumphant win.  

And, quite frankly, my team probably won because i wasn't playing. Lets just say I was born lacking in the "broomball skills" department. I blame this completely and totally on my parents. ;)

But I still had a great time. I love my friends very much. Despite all of their flaws. Just kidding.

God really has blessed me with amazing friends. They are so sweet and loving and funny and awesome!!! Y'all know who you are. :) 

3: A video.

I stumbled on this video today. It really hit home for me. 

This video is the essence of what i want my life to be about. It just got me thinking about what it really means to take up your cross and follow Him. My life is NOT my own, and I have to stop thinking that it is.  I have to be willing to give up everything for Him. 

Also, what it means to be truly beautiful.

Girls totally get fed the whole self-esteem agenda on a daily basis, when really, our identity is found in Christ, and the way Jesus sees us is the only thing that matters. 

Girls, watch this...its truth.

And now, I am off to go finish building an epic snow fort with the kiddos.  :)

Trying to live my life for His glory today,  

Hailey❤