Gift #549- A Trip to Panama City

After being away so long, Hank wanted to get home to see family.  He took Sam and Avery Grace along with him.  They are all having such a great time.  Sam spent the day with 2 of his cousins yesterday and took a lot of pictures of their remote control cars.  I think that he is hinting to me, because he keeps sending me pictures like this:

Avery Grace is having a great time also.  Apparently she is eating her way across the city.  

Her new favorite- fried shrimp and deer sausage!  

Have fun with your dad kiddos!

Gift #548- A New Reason to Celebrate

This year we can add a new celebration to our calendar-  Chinese New Year!  This is the biggest celebration in China.  It is a celebration of Spring.  It is the beginning of a new lunar year.  2016 is the year of the Monkey.  Bo is actually a Tiger, but if you were born in the years 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956, 1944, 1932, or 1920, then this is your year!  In China, the people celebrate together as a family on the eve of the Lunar New Year.  They eat noodles for long life and greens for prosperity.  They eat mandarin oranges for happiness.  The oranges are eaten in pairs for good luck.  The number eight is considered lucky so bowls are filled with 8 oranges or 8 flowers for decoration.   We are very happy to have a new reason to celebrate this year.  Bo, you are the gift!

Bo eating his noodles for long life!  :0)

 Our friend, Shauw Chin gave Bo some very special treats! 

On Lunar New Year, Chinese children are traditionally given red envelopes with money inside!

Gift #547- Chocolate Faces

Henry is finally old enough to lick the spoon!  And he apparently loves it!

Gift #546- Daddy's Home!

Won't be long now.  

The hangar doors opened and the maintenance guys told us that they are on their way!

 They landed!  And all of the kids went running!  

Bo made it first.  He was so very happy.  Sam was a close second!

 And we are together again.

Gift #545- This Dynamic Duo

Happy Double-Digit Birthday Sam and Macy.  10 Years Old!  Macy made her very own lemon cake!  It turned out so pretty.  Sam's wouldn't come out of the pan, so we just crumbled it up and turned it into a bowl cake.  It tasted just as good!  I am so proud of these two and can't wait to watch them grow and see all of the amazing things that they will do in this new year.  I love you Sam and Macy!

Gift #544- A Tear-Free Sunday

We are going on about 16 weeks of Henry tears at the church nursery.  But today---  NO TEARS!  I am so very thankful for Ms. Audrey and Mr. Alan who love this boy so very well.  These two have been a blessing for many years now- they kept Sam and Macy in the nursery when they were babies!

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!