Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Christmas season came and went in a haze of work, things to do, helping Memaw deal with Cancer, and school.  I won't lie, I kind of missed Christmas this year.  The month of December was overly busy and constant and I didn't even get all of my Christmas decorations up.  In all honesty, I know that this is the season of life we are in, however, I hope I don't have many more Christmases as busy as this one was.

I had the wonderful privilege of leading worship at our church's women's event and one of the songs we sang was "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus."  Its been a very meaningful song to me this year.  Life is oppressive sometimes, we long for liberation, for a ticket "off the train," and Jesus' coming all those years ago is that very freedom. 

"From our fears and sins.....release us.  Let us find our rest in Thee!

Come Thou long expected KING!"

We came home from Thanksgiving in the mountains with so much Christmas expectation.  Evie loves to help with lights and wasted no time in donning her Santa hat and getting to work.

Speaking of lights.  Anyone else despise the stranded Christmas lights?  We purchased a bunch of lights last year only to find them not working this year.  Fantastic, so all of our decorating got put on hold until we purchased a long strand of LED lights for our tree.  We did finally get them and were able to put them up before Bob and I had to leave on a business trip.  Goodness.

One of our absolute favorite things during the holiday season is our Church's lights display and event.  We took Grandma and Grandpa one evening and thoroughly enjoyed our hayride through all of the lights and the cookies at the end. I am so grateful that our church does this every year.  Its such a fun event and really calls to mind the reason for the season.

We got a wonderful advent calendar this year and had a blast marching the star closer to the earth block and reading all of the stories in between.

Bob and I got introduced to cold plunging and I spent the month moving between Crossfit, Yoga, and our neighbors pool.  Its cold, no doubt, but a wonderful experience and so great on the body. Its also really challenging for the mind which simply reinforces, WE CAN DO HARD THINGS!

Ellie became one with the slopey couch as she does every year, but this year during some of the chilliest days I found her snuggled with blankets.  Sure I covered her, but the little thing also didn't leave.  Life of luxury for this pup. She's so special. 

Lily got a 3D printer from Grandma and Grandpa Longmire.  I am really looking forward to seeing what she will create.  I am seriously hoping she will make earrings and such.  She would have a built in client right here.

Our dear friend Jenna came into town for a super quick trip and we were so glad to be able to connect with her for minute.  Jenna is such a dear friend and we are so grateful for her presence in our life.

The girls and I had a girls only sleep over with the Allens and it was such a wonderful time to connect.  These guys have been travelling the country and we miss them.  So looking forward to visiting Costa Rica this summer with them.

We spent Christmas Eve and a few days after up in the mountains with Memaw and Papa.  It was so lovely to connect with new friends up there and have spend Christmas Eve with the Robbins following our Christmas Eve service. I love meeting more and more of my parents people up in the mountains.  The layers of relationships spanning years is something truly wonderful.

Christmas was so lovely and we just spent the day enjoying the beautiful weather, doing yoga, opening presents, playing nintendo, and learning Rummikub.

Oh all that and ATVing.  What a fun time we had.

The big hit this year was Memaw and Papas ATV. The girls absolutely love being able to drive it and thing they are Speedy Gonzalez.  One day I attempted to back the thing into the shed with the trailer attached and realized that I am whoefully inadequate at trailer backing.   So I put my big girl pants on, asked Bob for some direction, and spent an afternoon learning how to back a vehicle with a trailer.  Then I made Evie learn......since she REALLY loves it.  Good skills to have I say!

Christmas time is all about rest and the chilly mountains are the perfect spot for it. 

I found an awesome Crossfit gym and the girls got to spend an afternoon at the pool one day.

Evie got a Crunch Lab box for Christmas so a big highlight was building a disc shooter one day.  Even Papa got in on the action.

We had such a lovely time in the mountains and made some great memories.

Including a stop in Forest Lakes for a swim in the snow.  I stayed right in the car, but the girls got as cold and as wet as they possibly could.

Once down from the mountains we finished the year with Avatar: the Way of Water and a wonderful simple New Years Eve get together with a few of our favorites.  I am grateful for the people we know and the community we have.

Lily was shocked that I made it until well after midnight.  You know.....I was shocked too!

So Long 2022!

 

Longmire Family 2022

 Its that time of year...AGAIN!  That time of year that comes so swiftly and ushers out one season to make way for a new one.  I deeply love Christmas time and even though this year feels particularly busy and constant I am grateful and excited to say goodbye to 2022 and welcome in 2023.  There is so much to be hopeful about!

2022 has been filled with adventure and memory making. As our girls get older and more involved in all the things our time is even more full and constant.  It is most definitely the chauffeuring time of our lives.

Lily is 12 and practically a grown up.  This year we have seen her mature and come into her own by leaps and bounds.  She is a deeply sensitive and empathic soul who has become somewhat of a bosom friend.  

Lily joined the Arizona Desert Dolphins Competitive Synchro team this year and she is ALL IN.  With over 10 hours a week in the pool come rain or shine, she is learning the value of hardwork and the challenge of rising up.  She is on the 13 to 15 team and has been so committed to her sport.  We are proud of her and excited to watch her compete.  

She has an amazing group of friends both in church and at school and the general consensus is that "Lily is amazing." We know.  This last year she had her first experience in musical theatre and LOVED it.  She has already been cast in next Spring's musical (of which I am co- directing) and is going to be phenomenal.  She still plays the violin, loves to jump on the trampoline with her sister, is becoming the cool teenager, and wears all of my clothes.  We are the same height, and that is quickly going to change.  

She got braces this year and is quickly growing up.  The beauty of the Lord shines around her and her faith is strong and bold.  She is known as the "girl who always asks questions at church," and she is a joy to be around.  

Evie, the Bee, the one and only Evie Frances is growing up fire.  Pure, bold, passionate fire, and honestly we love it.  Evie loves in a way that is unmatched and we are so grateful that she is ours.

This year has been a big year of growing and she is finishing the year at a brand new school.  I am so grateful that we made the move because she ADORES her new school and is absolutely thriving, growing, and LOVING to learn.  Thank you Jesus!  Evie started dive this year and absolutely loves it.  Bob is particularly hoping that it will stick, and I am just thrilled that we are using her fearless-go-upside-down skills in other ways than gymnastics.  She is still an avid tumbler and if you want to find her, chances are high she is attempting wild moves on the trampoline.....most with huge success.  

She also chopped her hair off and shaved part of her head this year. I LOVE IT, and it fits her personality so perfectly. She has had a checkerboard, a spider web, and a snowflake shaved onto her head and it is so much fun to watch her wear it with confidence and beauty.  Just like her Momma. She is a special little girl, full of laughter and hope, and she also gives the best hugs.  Evie is a kid who I can confidently say was never meant to fit a mold...and how wonderful for the world that she doesn't. Her spirit, tenacity, power, and voice are super powers and I know that the power of the Lord rests within her.  He is not afraid...and neither is Evie Frances.

Bob's biggest item of note this year, and the one I know he would want me to mention first, is that he installed solar for us!  It has been a massive undertaking and one that he has had to gain and apply a significant amount of knowledge.  He has done it and we are now a family with a semi electric mini van and solar panels to fill it.  His dream of lowering our energy cost and putting the sun to work is well on its way to reality and I am so proud of him.  Its been a fun challenge for him to be sure.  

He is still wildly successful at PSPC and works from home.  His travel has slowly ramped up again following COVID which is a nice break from our small office space.  He still teaches 3rd grade Sunday School at our church and is so committed to pouring Jesus into the kids.  They all love him, but lets face it, what's not to love.  This year he tackled a couple of running goals and is slowly gearing himself up to potentially do a 100 mile race for his 40th birthday next year.  He golfs any chance he gets and seems to always find a project to work on.  

I am finishing out a wildly busy and successful year of photography.  Its such a joy for me to take pictures.  Its a gift and I deeply treasure everyone who hires me.  

I continue to work for PSPC in my "spare time" and find great joy in working next to my husband on the daily.  Its a great work environment.  This year I hung up my running shoes and found my way back to a Crossfit Gym.  I have absolutely LOVED getting strong again and Crossfit Raidho has been a fantastic home.  Sky is the limit for me and I am EXCITED to see what kind of strength 2023 will bring me.  I'm hoping some new muscles too!  

I am still an avid yogi and am utterly thrilled to be a student next spring in the 200 hour YTT (yoga teacher training) semester at Exhale.  Its time and I am ready to grow in my yoga practice.  I turned 40 this year to an incredible surprise party thrown by my loving husband and several of my dearest friends.  I am at peace with my body and life and age is truly a beautiful thing.  My 40s are setting up to be some of my best.  

We had so many wonderful adventures this year starting with our purchase of a brand new mini van.  Man we love that thing, and the space we have has opened up our family to the world of road tripping.  This past summer we spent 12 days on the road seeing all sorts of National Parks.  Our favorite by general consensus was ZION National Park and the Narrows hike through the river although Bryce Canyon really tied for first.  We also loved Arches and Mesa Verde.  We stopped in Ouray, CO for an adventure and made the best memories.  This fall we went to New Mexico and saw Carlsbad Caverns and its bats (amazing), the Guadaloupe Mountains, and of course the White Sands National Park where all of these lovely photos were taken.  Our earth is spectacular and we are so excited to continue exploring it.

One of our highlights this summer was the chance to celebrate Grandpa Steve's retirement in Florida.  It is always such a joy to get all of our families together with cousins and Aunts and Uncles.  Time and life have us all far apart, but the time spent together is such a joy.

As we leave 2022 I want to remind you of a few things.  

Jesus loves you, so richly, so deeply, so completely.  He is always on your team and His joy over you is unmatched.

No matter what 2023 brings you know that you can do hard things.  You are light, and might, and the Divine rests in you.

Be bold, be brave, be unafraid, love hard, and wide, and big. Give freely, let go of more, and lean into discomfort.  Be a light in the darkness, a safe haven for others, and a beacon of hope for the world.

Shalom my friends, and may the joy of the coming King give you peace.

The Longmires.