Happy Birthday, Matthew!

Seventeen years ago today, the Lord blessed us with our first son.  Matthew has been a blessing to our family and a joy to raise.  He is loyal, generous,  and thoughtful.  He likes to please (especially his mom! :o) but, he also stands on his own two feet.  He is not one that is going to "follow the crowd"!  He is learning a lot about the real world with his new job.  He works at a feed and seed store with non-Christians.  He is learning that his life is a testimony without ever saying a word.  It has been neat to watch him grow spiritually in the last year.   

 

Lord, remind Matthew that You have

adopted him in love. Enable him to experience all the spiritual

blessings he has in Christ Jesus, especially Your measureless

love. May he act, speak, and think in ways fitting for a child of

God.

"That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,  may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—  to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:17-19
 

Christmas Pictures

Ok, this is the third time I have attempted to get these pictures on my blog!  The order is all messed up, but I am not going to try again!  I just wanted some of them stored on here.......... so this is it! :o)

 

 Matthew got lots of outdoor stuff for Christmas this year.

 We spent Christmas Eve at my sister's house.  We attempted to do things like my mom did them.  It was a sad night, but we made the best of it.

 Myles and Pa.

 Madeline and her cousin Carrington decorated Gingerbread cookies.

 At grandpa's house.

 Singing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus.  My mom always did a cake with the kids.

 The next pictures should have been first.  We went to see Christmas lights and a live Nativity the week before Christmas.

 Myles loves "Thomas"!

 Our children always swap presents the night before they open presents from us. It helps them remember who gave them what and it makes their swapping special.  I love watching how excited they are to give their gifts out.

 He is just slightly the center of attention. :o)

 Matthew bought this jewelry holder for Mariah.  It was sweet watching him pick it out for her and carry it through the store. :o)

 Matching hats from Madeline.

 Coming down to open presents the next morning.

 Thomas!!!

 Can you tell the boy loves trains!?!

 "I got Addy!"

Well, we made it through Christmas.  There were definitely some sad moments and I think we are all glad it is over. Christmas stuff is packed away, house cleaned, finished our painting and now we will wait for BABY!!!

Count down to baby...

I can't believe that I have less than six weeks to go!  Now that Christmas is over, I feel like I can concentrate on getting ready.  I have diapers and wipes and the blankets and clothes are washed, but no bed or name yet!

 Me being silly for my 34 week belly shots! :o)

We were with my dad for Christmas and he was trying to help us come up with a name.  It was so cute;  I don't remember him ever taking an interest in the naming of the other ones.  I wonder if I just talked to my mom about it and didn't ask him his opinion! :o)  Myles didn't have a name until after he was born.  It may be the same way this time!  If anyone has any wonderful name ideas you can leave a comment.  You will have to leave both boy and girl names since I am not telling the sex.   And of course, it has to start with the letter "M". :o)

Christmas 2012

Every year I dread trying to get a decent Christmas picture.  We used to try to do a family picture.  Now I am doing good just to get a shot of the kids!  The challenge is always the little one cooperating!  We started out and Myles wanted to do everything BUT stand still.  We hollered for Marc to come tend to him and this first picture is when he came walking back. :o)

 Check out his expressions.....

 Daddy starts being silly and Myles looks to see how Malachi reacts.  Monkey see, monkey do! :o)

 The one right above is my favorite

 We got a couple of decent shots and then we started to lose him again!

 

Yay!  We are done for 2012!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!

Myles

"Picture me, mama!"

(Inside out, backwards undershirt......... he dressed himself! :o)

More Christmas Happenings.....

We have been busy baking things that my mom would fix at Christmas time.  The other night I told Malachi that he could help me make M&M cookies.  By evening I was tired but he reminded me! :o)

 This is the first beater that Myles has gotten to lick!

 I think this "Dusties" recipe was my grandma's.  My mom always made them because my dad loved them.

 Candied pecans.......

Thankfully, every time we make something the girls like to take food to people!  Otherwise, we would all gain weight this month! :o)

 We had hundreds of pounds of pecans this year.  There are still more on the ground.  It is a blessing, but a lot of work!
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The girls had their Christmas piano recital last Saturday.  This was the first recital that McKenzie wasn't a student, just a teacher.  Madeline and Mariah both did a good job!  McKenzie has taken the girls and some of her students to the nursing home today to play and pass out cookies.  It is one of our favorite things to do at Christmas.  The littlest things mean a lot to the residents.