Christmas Eve...

Christmas Eve this year was spent relaxing as a family and hanging around the house most of the day.  We finished up all our Advent Calendars (Lego one for each kid, Advents from Uncle Don/Aunt Robin Parks,  candy cane countdown, and star calendar), baked chocolate chip cookies for Santa, made a casserole for breakfast on Christmas, sang carols, watched Santa on the Santa Tracker, and opened one gift each.  Cade received an EduScience crystal growing set and Caelin loved her Chubby Puppies play set.  In the late afternoon, we got dressed and were ready for the candlelight service at CFBC.  We enjoyed time at church singing songs with the candles.  After the service, we went to Uncle Christopher and Aunt Heather’s house for a tamale/Mexican dinner.  When we got home, we quickly sprinkled Oats on the lawn for the reindeer, left out the cookies for Santa, and then Daddy read us "T'was the Night Before Christmas" as a tradition.  Being with family is always the best part of this time of year.  Although, we hope that this time of year reminds everyone for the real reason of the season…the birth of our Savior.  Merry CHRISTmas everyone!

Jingle's last visits

Jingle stayed creative this last week with her antics: brought us a nativity game, reminded us to read Christmas books together, went zip lining through our living room, spelled “I love you” in Legos, rode in the car to Round Rock, brought cookie decorating surprises, made funny faces on all the cousins pictures in Round Rock, covered Cade/Caelin in stickers while sleeping, played with the new puppy supplies we received, and gave the kids “Elf poo” for the movies.  On her final night tonight, she left letters for each kid and decorated their hallway with lights.  I have to admit, we are sad this is her last night with us since she will follow Santa home on Christmas Eve night.  We have truly enjoyed all the fun times and loved the laughter from the kids each morning as they run to find her.  Just another piece of “magic” this time of year.  See ya next year Jingle! 

Daddy

 This time of year will always be hard for me.  Missing Daddy is a daily struggle still.  This time of year is for family to be together, which always stings a bit.  I always notice that empty chair, missing phone call, or see the families eating dinner together.  I wish I could have that last hug again.  I wish he could see Cade and Caelin and how much they have grown.  I wish I could hear him say he is proud of me.  So many things "I wish" for and I know reality is that it will never happen.  Through the tears, a few friends shared with me a song for missing loved ones at Christmas time.  I am grateful that I see this time of year different now.  Christmas is a celebration of the coming of our Savior.  I do believe that with all my heart.  While we enjoy celebrating with family, it is more about us celebrating our Savior.  Knowing this, I have come to realize that MY DADDY gets to be face to face with this miracle who we celebrate.  We celebrate on Earth and yet...how can I long for my Daddy to be with me if he is sitting next to the man we are celebrating!  How amazing is that thought?!  

So, while I miss and love you Daddy more than ever...have fun celebrating Jesus’ birthday with him in person.  I love you.

Meet Mama Daisy

We had such a blessed weekend with family. However, we couldn't resist one last surprise for the kids. Charles and I have been praying with heavy hearts about a new fur baby for our family. No animal could ever replace Baylor in our lives. He was simply perfect and brought more happiness than one could ever anticipate. God's timing is perfect though and as always, our prayers were answered! Today we met Daisy and her sweet family on their farm outside of Waco (yes...everything in our life drives us back to Waco). Daisy is a 4 year old standard poodle and fixing to deliver her pups in about a week! The anticipated due date is Dec 28th which is my sister's birthday.  To tell the kids, we gave them "hints"/gifts along the road trip (a veterinary care set, dog toy, etc). They guessed we were going to Petco to look at animals. Ha! For their last few gifts, we stopped on the Baylor campus and let them open the bag. Inside the bag was a leash, collar, and puppy shampoo. They FINALLY figured it out and started screaming! They were so funny. I am blessed that they get to see the progress of the pregnant Mommy and the baby phase. We spent the rest of the afternoon on the farm laying with all the animals (sheep, donkey, ponies, horse, chickens, Guineas, playing with her precious son Noah, and climbing on the hay.  The owner, Ms. Sarah said we are welcome to come soon after the birth so the kids can see the pups. Our family couldn't be more excited to start preparing for our newest member.  So...Hall party of soon to be 7 (don't forget we have 2 crabs), ha!