CLICK HERE FOR THOUSANDS OF FREE BLOGGER TEMPLATES »

Thursday, December 27, 2007

GOTCHA !!! Three Years Ago Today


It's hard to believe that this little muffin has been in our arms for three whole years. WOW!! I just can't remember life without her. I really can but I don't really know if I was REALLY living until I became her Daddy. Even now as I write this she is running by me asking me if I am ready to play on the computer with her. How can I say no. So this will be short. Just know that for anyone waiting on their little bundles of joy, it will be here before you know it. It is worth the wait.
Happy New Year!!

Sunday, December 23, 2007

The "W" in Christmas



The following is a story that was emailed to me. I loved it and it touched my heart so much that I wanted to share it with you. I don't know whom should receive credit for this story so if you know who you are, thank you for your willingness to share your story with so many.


And may I take this time to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and may your Christmas be filled with love and remembering of all the love given by so many all year long.


Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.



My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six year old. For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant." I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.



So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.



Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment - songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title. Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads.



Those in the front row- center stage - held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love."



The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down - totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W". The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W".



Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together. A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities. For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:




C H R I S T W A S L O V E



And, I believe, He still is.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

"I don't care who you are, get your reindeer off my roof!"


Wow, what a difference a year makes. I was just writing an update that Shelley asked me to write to remember our "Gotcha Day" for Lili. I was thinking as I was writing that I was using all of my "blog energy" (thank you I have coined a new phrase) to enter stuff for her blog and what would I write for my blog. Then it occurred to me, no one reads this stuff but us anyway. It's almost like a big glorified email back and forth. But blah de blah.

I guess that brings me to the opening title. "I don't care who you are, get your reindeer off of my roof". That was what Carolyn used to always say to us this time of year, whenever we would call we could count on hearing that. She loved that saying and we loved hearing her say it. I sure would love to hear it again. I will have to wait. Along with my mother's comments on our blogs. You can be sure that both of our mother's would have been reading our blogs on a regular basis. They loved us so and our little girls too. I mourn that Aly and Lili will not have the benefit of them being around while they grow up to be young ladies.

This time of year is always hard for folks who have lost loved ones in the past year. Shelley was speaking to her very good friends Mom recently. Her friend Linda, went to be with the Lord this past year and her little 11 year old son has to now grow up without a Mommy. These are questions I will have to remember to ask the Lord one day. I know His ways are best and He is sovereign but still...

Anyway, if you read this, please remember us in your prayers. We miss our Mommies too. I guess you never really get over it. If yours is still with you, make it a point to hug her a little longer and spend time with her. You just never know what is going to happen this next year.

Merry Christmas!!
David

Reading to my little beauties.

More of my beauties.




Tuesday, December 4, 2007

You Better Watch Out...

Greetings from our castle to yours. We pray you have a wonderful holiday season and we hope to get our Christmas letter/cards out soon. Until then, I will just tide you over with an updated picture of my heart. Pretty darn healthy wouldn't you agree? Just an unbelieveable example of God's magnificent creativity. What a joy to be their Daddy. I wish I did it better. I am gonna get there. At least they know beyond all else that I love them and there Mother. Everything else is well, blah de blah. I love saying that, blah dee blah blah. And you know, blah de blah blah blah. Really, when you get down to it that is really all there is. Just some saying. Blah de blah could just as well mean, I love you. It really is in the way you say it. I could prove that to you with my dog. All I have to do is just lift the pitch of my voice and smile a bit and talk like an idiot and say "blah de blah blah" and she will just wiggle and shake and have an endorphin attack.

ANYWAY. Here we are again at the holidays. Last year for us the holidays were spent in China, well at least Christmas. We were there getting our youngest blessing. Lili. What a joy and tremendous life saver she has been this past year. I don't know why God choose to bless us with these two little wonderful lives but we are so blessed to be their parents.

Here are a few pictures just for me. I mean you. Well you know, blah de blah.

Are these two little China angels or what?!!!
Celebrating our Lili's 2nd birthday.

I LUVVVVV Icing!!
Practicing for the "Rubber Ducky" Rodeo
Devoted Sisters
Well, that's a little bit of heaven right here on earth. And don't we need that!! Blah de blah.
Don't work to hard and don't shop too much. Love, laugh and live like there's no tomorrow. I wish I could to that. Maybe I will...tomorrow.
Love ,
David