Wonder ~ Best Shot Monday

I think this sufficiently wraps up my Christmas picture fun…whew!  I know it’s a year away, but I can already imagine how much I’ll miss his “babyness” when his noticeably leaner hands tear into the wrapped gifts next Christmas.  I love the concentration and peace on his face.  Considering the surrounding chaos, it’s especially adorable.

Presents

What could it be? I can almost hear him making a thousand different guesses. 

Calder and Dad

Beyond the gifts, the goodies, and the guy with the big white beard…there’s greatness to this holiday that I cannot wait to share.  Someday, my sweet boy, that same look of awe and wonder will cross your face when you realize the magnitude of the greatest gift that is yours for the taking.

Christmas Wonder

BSM – Love the Eyes

I had the pleasure of riding to and from the UP in the backseat with Little Man – I know, I’m a dork, but I don’t yet trust either C. or X. to be alone in the backseat together. In any case, it gave me ample opportunities to take several pictures and learn different features with my new camera. I thought this was just too cute!

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Click the picture if you want to see it bigger!

Home Sweet Home

It’s funny because we just finished a series called Home for the Holidays at church, and last week our pastor talked about how there are so many instances when we desperately long for the comfort and familiarity of home.  The message went on to explain that even though our earthly homes may not be perfect, we have a heavenly Father waiting to welcome us with open arms into His heavenly home…

I’m always amazed by God’s timing and how He allows me to hear exactly what I need, at precisely the moment I need to hear it.  We just settled in tonight around 7:30 after spending four days celebrating the holidays with Garth’s family.  It was fantastic to feel the energy of a big family Christmas, see C. getting lots of good Gma and Gpa time, sit back and relax and share food and fun with each other.

Yet, each night I was reminded that sleepless nights weren’t quite a thing of the past.  I grew evermore fearful of what sort of crying, fussing, out-right refusals to sleep we would encounter.  I’m sure it has something to do with the top tooth which made it’s debut on Wednesday morning, among the other variables that differed from his normal routine.  Thanks to the help of my fabulous hubby, we survived with only a few tears shed and one dose of children’s Tylenol (the last night of course!)

Even though the bedtime wasn’t back to “normal” yet tonight, there’s something refreshing about returning home after time away.  As I think about these last hours of 2007, make my resolution list for 2008, the idea of “home” will certainly be in my thoughts.

Four Years Ago

I promised to love you, to cherish you, to honor and respect you.  I vowed to constantly show you my love and faithfulness regardless of our circumstances.  We’ve had ups and downs, ins and outs and we’re still here…still strong…still loving.

I love knowing that we’re committed to making this work.  And on this day – this day that I dreamed about when you slipped that ring on my finger – as we celebrate with family, kiss our child goodnight and share a furtive smile which communicates those ever important said (and unsaid) messages, I am reminded that a love like ours is rare and precious.

Whatever life throws our way, I know I’ll survive because I’ve got you by my side.  You continue to amaze me with the depth of your love, your resolve and your earnest heart, ever-searching for God’s will.

Happy anniversary!

I love you, Babe!

Ready, set…sleep!

As promised, I hopped rolled out of bed this morning to get the final items packed so we could begin our journey northward to visit with hubby’s family.  To be honest, I was mildly disappointed by our 6:11am departure time…I really wanted to be out the door right on time.

Calder was a magnificent traveler, yet again, and my sweetheart was one heck of a chauffeur!  Our stop about an hour in was necessary on many levels – stock up on the much needed baby food and give G. a chance to wake up seeing as how the three of us in the car (mom, baby and dog) were all snoozin’ very soundly!

We’ve had a lovely day of laughter, treats (someone please move the cookie tray away from me!), family and fun!  Did I mention we had a few treats too?  Seriously…I brought several to add to the mix and there were plenty already here!

After our marathon nap on the drive, I highly doubted a great afternoon nap for Little Man.  Yet I was pleasantly surprised.  Following the lunch bustle, he settled in nicely for a good 2 hours.  I assumed my position on the couch with the good book from my stocking and made it a whopping 3 pages before I too gave in to sleep!

I even missed good-byes with Gretchen who will be living in the DR again until July!  Hopefully she’ll forgive me!!  It must have been needed because I’m feeling pretty great tonight!  Maybe that’s the answer to coping with the stress of teaching…a daily nap!  I’ll let you know if I figure out how to work that in!