Macy's Here!!!

Well, Macy is punctual! She arrived Monday, January 12, which was her due date! I started having minor contractions that morning. Summer came over and took care of Brinton and Lucy. When we got to the hospital I kept having contractions, but after a while they slowed down - what!? So they started potossin (sp?) and she came within a couple of hours. She weighed 8lbs. 5oz. and was 21". She's the biggest of my babies... Once again I opted to have a natural birth (no epidural) and was so glad when she was delivered :) We are so thankful everything went smoothly and that she is a healthy baby. Thank you for all of your prayers for us!

Brinton's new bed and Merry Christmas

May I just say that my dad is very talented. He can build and fix almost anything. We had been talking about getting a bed for Brinton since he's slept on a mattress on a floor for over a year now. My dad said he could build him one for Christmas. Well that sounded great to us! But he didn't just build a bed. He made a baseball bed with a shadowbox sort of thing. It had bats, cardinals, pictures, hats, gloves, etc inside the casing. It also has a built-in nightlight at the top. Brinton loved it! Thanks Grandad!

Brinton looking at the stuff inside

He didn't want to pose

My dad and mom came to our house this Christmas :) Since traveling for me was not an option. We had a fun time opening presents and just relaxing and spending time together. My kids love their mimi and grandad.

Excuse me, I'll have to call you back later.

Headphones from great-grandmother

Dancing, Dancing!

Brinton enjoyed putting on the Christmas hat, turning Christmas music on, and dancing like a crazy man! Lucy joined in on the fun, too. They were so funny and cute and it really tired him out!

I'm dancing...

I just liked his hair in this one.

We're slowing down

It's so hard being a performer.

Go and make disciples of all nations...

THE GREAT COMMISSION...How often do we think of this commandment from our Lord? Especially when we are actually talking about other nations and not just our own. I know I am guilty of not thinking of it near enough...but man has it hit me full force.

I have been meaning to do this for a couple weeks now, but have not been able to sit down and put my thoughts together. A lot of you know my sister, Jill and her husband and two kids left for Rwanda, Africa on December 2 to do mission work there. They will be there for a minimum of 5 years. I, as the rest of my family, am so glad they are doing the Lord's work and that their kids will be able to grow up serving the Lord in such a special way. But a part of me wants to be able to bring them home whenever I want. That's the selfish and human part of us. I know the Lord has put upon their hearts the people/orphans of the genecide that happened over 10 years ago in that country. I love them dearly, and even though I will miss them more than I can say, will miss watching firsthand Fred and sweet baby Tess grow, learn and experience so many things, I will know that life is not about us and our wants and needs, but ultimately making disciples for our Lord and Savior.

Please pray for my sister's family and their team as often as you can. For their safety, learning the language, culture shock (as it sets in), the people of Rwanda and for us here in the states who will be missing them.

Chris, Jill, Fred and Tess - Thank you for giving up so much to give others so much! We love you!

Lucy and Tess

The grandkids

This girl is in love with her cousin, Fred

Tess with her Aunt Kaylee at the airport -

did I really let them take her with them on the plane?

Brinton's 3rd birthday party

I know this is a bit late - what a surprise :) We had a small, and last minute, party for Brinton for his birthday. The Brentwood tournament is always this weekend and Devan has to be at the gym Thurs, Fri and Sat. We weren't really sure what we were going to do, so we just decided to have a few friends come eat cake and them play outside. Brinton loved it! I made him a Diego cake (next time I will not pick one with so many different colors - I thought about just finishing him with the same color late Friday night :) It did drive me a little batty, but I was happy to do it for my little boy.
Diego - Boy am I glad that's over :)

My friends

Yummy...

Our family :)

Can it be, my boy is 3?!

Well, I can't believe it, but my little Brinton turned 3 today! It's hard to imagine that 3 years ago I gave birth to this beautiful little guy. In just three years he has brought his dad and me (and so many others) such joy! I can't imagine my life without him. He is so sensitive to the things going on around him. He loves people and wants everyone to be his friend. He loves wrestling with his dad and Lucy. He loves his sister and is so helpful and watchful of her. I love watching him play with her, go get her milk, etc for her from the fridge and say, "Here ya go, Lucy, you want your milk?" I love the way he sometimes will crawl in our bed in the early morning hours to sleep with us for a few hours. I love watching him with his daddy, listening to Devan tell him stories at night. I've walked by his room several times at night and listened to him pray and Devan pray with him, then Brinton will say, "Will you tell me a story and then after that a bible story?" Devan will ask what story from the bible he wants to hear or he'll tell him a new one. What a blessing for B to have a daddy like his. I love when he hugs me or puts his arm around my back like he sees Devan do and then just grin at me. I love watching him play with his cousins and know how much he will miss them when they go to Africa in a couple of weeks. I know he'll cry and wonder why they are so far away, but what an example of faith his aunt and uncle will be to him as he grows up and listens to stories from them. I love watching him with his grandparents; how he wants to sleep with them when he's there and have them read books and books until I am sure they are worn out. I love watching him play with his friends and knowing that there are so many people in his life that love him and are so good to him. I am so blessed that he is healthy and, for the most part, a well-behaved child. I could go on and on, but as most of you know I usually don't blog this much...

"Thank you God, for putting this amazing little boy in my life. For letting me take care of him, love him, hold him, pray for him, and share him. Please help me to be a good example and mother to him all of his life. Let him walk with you all of his days so he can be with You forever. You have blessed our family so much and we are thankful!"

Sweet, Baby!

1 year

2 years

3 years

Dora and Diego

Well, here are my cute Dora and Diego. I am happy to say these costumes were CHEAP. After borrowing vests, rescue packs, Pam sewing some awesome Dora shorts, the total cost for me was about $ 8. YAY! We went to the church for trick-a-treat a trunk and had a great time with our friends!

Dora and Diego ready for action!

Check out the 'packs

Lucy kept wanting to hand suckers to everyone/anyone.
It's her new game to just keep getting stuff and handing it to you :)

My snuggle partner

Ohh, light...This pic is dark - but I put it in here just to show you how bright
her shorts were. No getting lost!

Meggie and Lucy being entertained by Haley