Christmas....it was only a month ago

Since I posted Thanksgiving photos a month late it only seemed appropriate that I post Christmas a month late too...

This year we spent our "official" Christmas with the Campbell family. Christmas really lasted about a week for us because we house hopped between all the grandparents, but it was fun and we are thankful to have so many family members close by. Unfortunately with all the driving/packing/unpacking, I didn't take any pictures except for Christmas with the Campbells. Sorry to my family, you guys got the boot. I promise we love you. Next year maybe you'll get in a photo or two :)

This is Lucy's chair that Mimi got her for Christmas. She LOVES it. Like seriously. Climbing all over it all the time. It rocks too so she enjoys that.

Christmas Eve, trying to pose in front of the tree. This is the best we could get.

Sweet cousins. They love each other. It was really neat this year getting to watch them play because they seem so much closer in age than they ever have before. They're both in the "toddler" phase, which was a challenge at some times, but also really fun.

Watching cartoons. Most likely Elmo was involved.

I had to work on Christmas Eve (boo!) but I made it just in time to go to the Christmas Eve service at our church. The kids sat in this year since they didn't provide nursery, which was interesting, but they actually did better than expected. Mind you though, our expectations weren't that high. After the service Mrs. Campbell cooks her traditional dinner, which was amazing as usual, then we took pictures and let the kids open their Christmas pjs....a tradition in both mine and Mark's family.

Newlyweds! This is their first Christmas together, how cute.

The set up Christmas morning. They got way too much stuff :)

The obligatory stair picture before we "come on down". It's never attractive but we do it anyway.

Lucy was the first one in....

Doin a little jig to the Christmas music.

This is the car Mark and I got her. She LOVES it. It was the first thing she ran to Christmas morning.

The vacuum cleaner was also a big hit. Wish it sucked up dog hair.

Look how big he looks here! Opening up some trucks...

Both kids loved the kitchen. Lucy's pouring some coffee here.

Giving Heidi some Christmas love.

After opening presents, we headed our separate ways to do Christmas lunches/presents with other sides of the family. We came back to the Campbell's that night and spent the next day with them. Mrs. C got them matching aprons so we decided to give baking a shot with the kiddos....

Lucy was more interested in the spice rack.

All in all, it was a blessed Christmas and although it took us past New Years to recover, it was a lot of fun. Lucy got so many new things I had to pack two bins full of her old toys. One goes in the attic, the other goes to consignment! Sorry again this post was so late, but maybe it will bring back some fond Christmas memories for you :)

January 27, 2010

I haven't really made this common knowledge, but back in July 2009 we lost a baby. Today would have been my due date. Right after I miscarried, a sweet friend sent this to me, I have it taped to the mirror in our bathroom:

"My Father's way my twist and turn,

My heart may throb and ache,

But in my soul I'm glad I know

He maketh no mistake.

My cherished plans may go astray,

My hopes may fade away,

But still I'll trust my Lord to lead

For He doth know the way.

Tho' night be dark and it may seem

That day will never break;

I'll pin my faith, my all in Him

He maketh no mistake.

There's so much now I cannot see,

My eyesight's far too dim,

But come what may, I'll simply trust

And leave it all to Him

For by and by the mist will lift

And plain it all He'll make,

Through all the way, tho' dark to me,

He made not one mistake"

(A.M. Overton)

We mourn today, but we rejoice in the future that God has for our family and we trust His perfect plan. Thank you to everyone who sent a card, made a phone call, or said a prayer. It means everything.

Grrrrr...

I'm trying to upload the bazillion pictures we took from Christmas but the camera died and therefore won't upload, hence the growling. I did find some old pictures of Lucy from before Christmas that I think really capture her growing personality and toddleresque antics. She makes me laugh out loud literally everyday. Lucy and I have been really buddy-buddy lately since Mark is in Birmingham pretty much all month long. It's a very difficult season in our life, as we are trying to transition out of a job, deal with how this distance is putting a strain on our marriage, and parent a very dominant and energetic toddler. But God is still good, and He continues to be faithful to our family. We trust in His timing, with everything in our lives, and at times that can be both a source of frustration and relief.

The Lord has blessed us with an amazing small group from our church. I can't speak highly enough of them. Mark and I have always made an excuse not to join one, and now finally in this crazy time in our lives we decided to be a part of a small group and we couldn't be more pleased. It has been a refuge for us, a safe place to share our struggles and just fellowship with other couples. We thank God for placing them in our lives. It's funny the way He works things out....

So Christmas pics will come soon I promise. Until then, if you're ever in Newnan and wanna hang out, gimme a call, cuz Lucy and I are bored to death, Haha just kidding. No but seriously, call me.

Being silly

She found some reading glasses (possibly belonging to one of the grandparents)

Oh how I love this sweet girl