Gift #383- The Manger

So this might have taken a little bribing. Or maybe a lot of bribing. And the wise man might have wanted his box to say Franken-Scent instead of frankincense. The scene might have even gotten a little ugly when the angel got ticked off about wearing a halo and the shepherd captured Joseph with his hook. But the lovely picture above is how I will choose to remember it in my mind. :0)

Gift #382- Letters from Santa

Sam was so very relieved to learn that he was not on the "Naughty List."  ;)

Gift #381- Decked Halls

We literally Decked Our Halls this year! 

 How do you like our Duct Tape Christmas tree?

Our little Japanese Christmas tree.

Gift #380- Christmas Cookies

Sam and Macy love making and decorating Christmas cookies!  We have made quite a few this year to share with our community.  Which means that we have eaten quite a few as well!  Macy's new favorite song is the Christmas Cookie song on the Duck the Halls CD.  It is a duet with George Strait and Phil.  Her favorite line is...  "everytime she puts those cookies in the oven, there's fifteen minutes for some kissin' and huggin'.  She said that it is too bad that Miss Kay and Phil only get to hug while making Christmas cookies.  ;)

Gift #379- This little 3 month old!

December 14th 2013-  3 months old

November 14th 2013-  2 months old

Gift #378- A KING Sized Bed

This morning, I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude for this "King-Sized" bed.  I am thankful for the baby boy that came to occupy it.  I am thankful for the example of the mother that simply said "May it be to me as you have said."

Gift #377- Japanese Karooke

When in Japan, one MUST karaoke!  You will not regret it.  Ok.  You might regret it a little bit as you later wonder if you completely disrespected REO Speedwagon with your rendition of "Can't Fight This Feeling Anymore".  But, if you have good friends, they will swear that you nailed it and might even talk you into trying your hand at a little Lynyrd Skynyrd.  Sweet Home Alabama has never sounded so good!  Thankful for making fun memories in Japan!

Gift #376- A Pile of Dirty Dishes and some Potato Peel

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving again this year.  My ladies, along with 2 of Hank's Marines came over to share a big Thanksgiving lunch.  My tiny little living room was packed!  And I loved it.  We spent a few hours being lazy after our company left and then we went over to the Gordon's to have another full meal!  We ate again and played board games.  A good time was had by all.  There is so very much to be thankful for this year.  I am even thankful for the sink full of dishes and the potato peels!  It means that we had a house full of friends and a delicious meal to share together.

Gift #375- A Short Memory

So, this might not really be considered a gift to some, but Sam's short memory can sometimes be so very comical.  It defines him so well.  He can lock many interesting facts into his mind and keep them there forever.  But on Sunday, when he was supposed to remember to make the short trip from our front door to the chapel on his scooter, he got sidetracked and forgot what the goal was.  There was a little party at our thrift store which sits right between our house and the church.  This party had a bounce house.  I could probably just end the story right there and you would be able to guess what happened.  Well, I guess that the bounce house seemed much more appealing  than children's church, because that is where we finally found him half-an-hour after church started.  His explanation:  "I got distracted."   He certainly did.  Well, he got in trouble, but I really found myself smiling about the situation more than anything.  That was such a "Sam" thing to do.  He is such a unique and special kid.  Ok, that might be a kind way of saying that he is a hand-full.  But I sure do love that little boy of mine.

Gift #374- Sweet Smiles

Avery Grace started smiling several weeks ago, but these big smiles are starting to come more often and they light up her whole face.   She is really starting to "talk".  She has to try so hard to do it, but is getting better and better.  I love watching her reach these milestones.  But it also means that she is growing up.  When I was growing up, my mom had a framed poem in our house that read:

Cleaning and scrubbing can wait 'til tomorrow.
For babies grow up, we've learned to our sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs.  Dust go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.

I never really understood the words until I had children of my own.   I am doing my very best to remind myself that the cleaning and scrubbing can wait 'til tomorrow.  I don't want to miss one smile or one little word.  I want to rock her forever.

Gift #373- A Life-Long Friend

True Friends are never apart.  Maybe in distance, but not in heart.  

Happy 40th Birthday Joy.  I think you are right- 40 is the new 30.  

And you (we) are going to wear it well. When I get home, we must celebrate!