Gift #543- A Front Yard Football Game

Mimi and Papa came a few days after Christmas.  The boys had a nice time playing football out in the yard with Papa while Henry enjoyed his Mimi's good company.  We ended up sharing a stomach bug with our company!  I also gave Mimi a book as a Christmas gift that was inscribed to someone else!!!  I had purchased two of the same books and got them switched around!  I told Mimi that nothing says I love you and Merry Christmas more than the gift of the stomach bug and a book inscribed to someone else.  They were both very gracious and blamed the stomach bug on a pizza that we had eaten the night before.  They made it home safely and they promise that they will return.  I told them that it wouldn't hurt my feelings if they came bearing lysol and bleach.  :0)  Just so they come.  Thank you Mimi and Papa for making the trip and for the thoughtful Christmas gifts (and for being so gracious).  Memories made!

Gift #542- Learners Permits

So this happened today.  Where did the time go?  Jack drove me home from the DMV while I "entertained" him with stories about my memories of him as a baby.    Proud.

"I'll love you forever.  I'll like you for Always.  As long as I'm living my baby you'll be"

Gift #541- This 15-Year-Old

Happy Birthday to my favorite 15 year old!  I love you Jack.  You are a gift!

Gift #540- Christmas Morning

 Aside from the Christmas Eve service, I think that the early morning hours of Christmas before the house starts waking up is one of my favorite moments of each year.

 This is our first year with this kid!  What a bright little light he is!

Happy smiles all around!

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  Luke 2: 10-11

Gift #539- A Christmas Eve Service

Few things stir my heart as much as a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.  This year at the Baptist Church of Beaufort was no different.  I love singing the carols together.  I love seeing the church light up with the glow of candles.   I love exiting to the sound of happy church bells.  I love the happy faces and Christmas wishes shared.  I wish that every night was Christmas Eve!

Gift #538- This One-Year-Old

About this time of year, one year ago, I was meeting this little guy for the first time.  He brings so many smiles.  Happy Birthday Henry (or "Hi-eee" if you are Avery or "Hungry" if you are Bo)

Gift #537- 3 miles of Christmas Lights

So we decided to drive over to Charleston to see the Christmas lights.  It was a few days before Christmas and it just didn't feel like Christmas.  I think that it was because we were all still wearing shorts and flip flops.  We had a great drive over and enjoyed the 3 miles of lights.  The ride home, however, was completely insane.  Avery Grace and Henry cried non-stop.  Avery Grace vomited all over the car and we couldn't find a well-lit place to stop for miles.  It was bad to say the very least.  We finally pulled into the garage at home and Henry stopped crying immediately.  He actually had the nerve to start laughing!  And then we all sat for a minute and started laughing too.  We decided that this night was a memory that we would enjoy later down the road.  We also decided that we would probably skip the Charleston light show next year.  Josh said that we should skip every driving event until Henry and Avery Grace are teenagers.    I had to count it as a blessing because we are a few weeks out from it and thinking about it makes me laugh and laugh.