If I was going to do a Christmas Card...

I couldn't get it together to do a Christmas card this year. I took this picture this morning so consider this our blog Christmas card!

Updates

Well, we are in a rest week from Birthdays. We've had one the past 2 weeks and Kate's is next week. We all have a bad cold so I guess we'll just lay low for a few days.

I had a doctor's appointment today and everything was great. We find out on January 5th whether this little baby is a boy or a girl. I can hardly wait! Only 22 days left!!! According to the poll on this blog, it's overwhelming that y'all think it's a girl. I actually did too, until today, and now I'm just confused again. The baby's heartbeat was 154 and that's what Henry's and Jack's heartbeat was at this point. The girl's were both in the 170s. The suspense is killing me now!!!!

The countdown is on!

Jack - 1 year old - December 9, 2010

To my baby son,

Today is your first birthday! I know time goes by quickly but I can't even remember our family without you. You are certainly adored by your sisters, especially Kate. I think she really thinks she is your mother sometimes. She is always looking out for you and loves you to pieces. And you love your brother and sisters. Every time they leave the room you are in you scream and crawl after them. You do NOT want to be left out of all the fun. I keep telling you that if you'd learn to walk, you could catch up but your content to crawl for now. One of my favorite things about you is that whenever I pick you up, you pat me on the back. It's like you are saying, "thank you." You've done that since you were about 6 months old. Oh, I love it. You are our first child who has actually liked milk and I think you'd be content to live off of that and bananas.

I want to tell you about your name. After Henry, I was pregnant with another baby before you, and miscarried. It was awful. I prayed and begged the Lord for you. I knew the Lord's ways were not ours and that He might not see fit to give me another baby; to give you to us. But He did. When you were a born and were a son, I knew I wanted your name to be John because it means, "God is gracious." In the Old Testament, there are several examples of people encountering the Lord in a meaningful way and those people would set up monuments to remind themselves of what the Lord had done to or for them. Now, God is always good and always gracious but I was reminded of His care and graciousness when He gave you to us. Your name is a reminder to me of what He has done. May I always be mindful of this and thankful beyond measure. I pray that the meaning of your name will not be hidden and known only to me, but that your life will be as a banner to show of the wonderful grace and mercy that comes from the Father.

All of my love now and forever,

Mommy

WAR EAGLE - BEAT BAMA

Our kids learn to say War Eagle as soon as they can talk. My sister Sarah stepped it up a little this year and taught the kids to say "WAR EAGLE - BEAT BAMA"!!!! That is after all, the point of every season right? During every game, we heard, "WAR EAGLE - BEAT BAMA!!!" We played LSU and it was "WAR EAGLE - BEAT BAMA!!!"

Well, we beat bama and had only 1 game to win and then we'd be off to the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!! It was against South Carolina. So last week I had the bright idea of teaching them to say something different. We were in the car and saw a blow up "Aubie" in someone's yard so I heard, "WAR EAGLE - BEAT BAMA!!!"

I said, "Just for this week, let's say "WAR EAGLE - BEAT THE GAMECOCKS."

I heard crickets in the back seat and then all at once, "WHAT DID YOU SAY??? What's a game cock?? A what?? What is that?? Mommy what??

I said, "OK. Well how about WAR EAGLE - BEAT SOUTH CAROLINA!!"

Claire and Henry started to say it but Kate said, "We've been there, that's where Hilton Head is. I like South Carolina."

So I just said, "Nevermind."

And the "WAR EAGLE - BEAT BAMA!!" cheer started again.

I think we'll just stick with that. I'd try to teach them "WAR EAGLE - BEAT THE DUCKS!!" but I'm pretty sure I would be met with, "But I like ducks! Why would you beat a duck?? Can we get a duck??"

And in case you missed the best play ever, here is it:

Can I get a "WAR EAGLE - BEAT BAMA" for that play???

Henry - 3 years old - 12/3/10

To my son on your third birthday,

Herny - how I love you! What joy you have brought into our family in the short time you have been with us. You are a treasure! You brought trucks and train, dirt and rocks into our house that was once full of dolls and princesses. You are kind and you are a boy and I can tell you have 2 big sisters. A few weeks ago you were playing outside and ran in to give me a rock that you said was just for me. (The girls bring me flowers all the time so I guess boys bring rocks.) After about the 15th rock of the day you said, "Mommy you need to put these rocks in a vase with water in them." I put the girls' flowers in water, so why wouldn't I put your rocks in water.

You are a smart boy and have learned many bible verse and the first 4 catechism questions. We have starting asking you to pray at lunch or during worship at night by yourself instead of repeating after us. Two weeks ago during your prayer you said, "Father, help me to love you." What joy that brought to my heart and I earnestly pray the Lord will draw you to Himself and you will love Him with all your heart, soul, strength and might. During that same prayer, you also said, "Please help Jack learn to obey Mommy." You're always thinking of others :) Last Sunday was your first week to come into worship with us and that was a great time for me. I love having you all in with us. We take you out right before the sermon but there were actually 2 songs that we sung that you knew so that was perfect.

When I ask who your best friend is, you say, "JACK"!! However, right now Claire is clearly your best friend. The 2 of you are peas in a pod and do almost everything together. Right now you seem to have similar personalities so I can't wait to see if that stays true. Jack is teaching you to share which is a wonderful thing. The girls never take your trains or rocks away from you but Jack will. I am just thrilled you have a brother and can't wait to see how the 2 of you relate once Jack is a little older.

You love Thomas the Train and the Wiggles. You love trucks and Crocs and actually have slept in your Crocs the past 2 days at nap time.

As tired as I am at the end of the day, I'm so glad you are all home with me. You will be sent out into the world soon enough so I am soaking in every minute of every age. It goes by too quickly.

Thanks for my rocks, keep them coming.

I will love you forever,

Mommy