December 26, 2011
Christmas was a glorious mess of Russ’s, Bebbs and Stewarts. Â A great mix of the families we share life with – in our homes and at church. Gifts from all to the children and a few from grown ups to other grown ups too (rule breakers, you know who you are)!
Angel and Braylon had a GREAT time sharing cousins’, aunts’, uncles, parents’ & grandparents’ time & their love. It was extra special to have Rick & Jan drive up here from southern California. We sure missed them.
Bray actually opened up a huge Red Bull drink cooler (from uncle Jeremy) which he’ll either use as a storage container in his room or a place for caffeine-free drinks to chill. Another thing he loves is a personalized ATM machine that will keep his money and help him save…complete with debit card and sound effects. He’s now donning a cool gray Gap hoodie & Texas Longhorn beenie. Braylon is super excited to listen to new Christian rap CD by Lecrae, play with a hand carved-slingshot I got him from Ka Nee Tah…and he is just nuts over his dad’s sweet gift of an iPod Touch docking station/alarm clock with mini-remote! He’s been needing his own alarm clock for months.
Baby sis got plenty too, including a doggie calendar from SANTA (yes, she’s definitely a believer!), footie-jammies (I love footie-jammies), a Hello Kitty sheet set & pillow from Gamma & Papa Bob, and – of course, a sweet 2-story Barbie Beach House from Papa Rick & Granny. Here’s a pretty entertaining video of her playing w/it ~Â http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z-ac8jh-ac&feature=youtu.be ~ WHAT a SILLY girl.
They are both SO obviously distinctly their own gender ~ no confusion in this home for sure.
We loved every minute of this holiday. Even the crazy minutes with all the kids running around. They love each other and it’s pretty apparent.
God has been so good to us.  Not just in providing steady income and benefits. But providing atmospheres where love and kindness easily grow, providing health, friendship, a blossoming marriage, peace even when there is conflict or insecurity, and opportunities for us to hear Him speak to us. He gives us His words of wisdom, He sheds light on truth, and truth is setting us free from wrong ways of thinking.
He’s provided us life, overflowing.
We are so blessed to be able to hear from our loving Father who knit us together & is still, very consistently concerned with all we go through in life. Material things are fine. But these are the kind of gifts that amaze me most.
Daddy got me my New Wedding Ring (on order) & a personalized coffee mug!
