Merry Christmas To All, And To All A Good Night!

We are very fortunate to get to celebrate with most all of our family members at one time or another throughout Christmas. Which does make a busy few days. We usually spread out the festivities, thank goodness (I wouldn't survive it if we didn't)!!

So, this was our "Santa Baby" before we went to Big Mama's on Christmas Eve. Big Mama's house seemed to get much smaller this year...either that or we have grown!

And here are the kids on Christmas morning at our house! Triston was not surprised to see what Santa brought him because he woke up before all of us and came in the living room and saw all the gifts! Oh, 8-year-old boys!!

Presley got Triston a field goal kicker toy. He used to have one and it broke so we thought a new one was in order!

Presley preferred eating the wrapping paper as to ripping it off!

But as you can see there is a trend here...she eats everything!

But when Poppa is here she cooperates! She got a new high chair from Nana and Poppa but I am pretty sure she did not open it the rest of the way!

Triston got this cool new beanie hat that has a mohawk on it. It is actually supposed to be turned around the other way but what fun would that be?!

We also went to Grandma and Grandpa's (Daniel's parents) yesterday and the kids got a lot of cool stuff there, too. What better time for one set of my rechargeable batteries to die but at Christmas time?! So, I did not get many pictures of that.

But today we are on our way to my grandmother's for our extended family to celebrate. My aunts and uncles and cousins (and their dogs!) will all be in town. So, we get to do this all over again!! And tomorrow...we rest!!

Satan, you are not welcome here...not now, not ever!

Satan, I vanquish you from this place, from this family. You will not steal our joy this Christmas season. We will still celebrate with thankful hearts that our Savior was born.

So, go ahead, steal Daniel's job from him.

Weaken my dad with bronchitis and sinusitis.

Bring on the not-so-great results from the medical test my brother had. Put him in the hospital with pneumonia, just do it.

But you will NOT bring us down! Yes, we may feel weary. But the good news is the battle is already fought and won. And victory is on our side! You can test us with your trite bumps in the road but we have already conquered you.

So, just know this much you are not the Light of the World, or the Messiah, or the King of Kings. And no matter how much "stuff" you force upon us two days before Christmas you are not welcome here!

The Baby that Never Cries...

...cried when she met Santa for the first time!

I Couldn't Be More Proud

Of...

These people, of course

And...

This team, for their first win!

Even...

My *ahem* masterpiece of a cookie pie for our Christmas party!

And last but not least...

Ok, ok, I know I still do not have any pictures of the Middle Devils. But I promise to have some before the season expires! But minues the coaches technical last week this season has been incredible so far. And just ask one of those players about "heart" and prepare to see some tears!

Feverish and Frantic

It was 12:00 A.M. central standard time. I was awakened by a small whimper, followed by a increasingly louder cry. I knew the cry from experience. It was a wide awake cry. It was a painful cry. So, I found my way down the hallway to the nursery. I went to retrieve my baby girl. Upon retrieval? Complete shock!

It actually hurt me to touch her. She was fiery hot. So hot, that even at midnight, I had to check to see what her temperature was. My lethargic little girl lay on her changing table and waited with me for the results. The beep sounded and there it was. If I had not seen it with my own two eyes I would still not believe it, 104.3. Her neck burned as it laid on the crease of my arm while I tried to feed my snotty nose baby.

The bottle didn't last long because she just couldn't breathe. So, I did as I have been doing the last few days, I laid her burning hot head on my shoulder and rocked her back to sleep. As I rocked, it broke my heart just feeling the heat coming from her, now, 13 pound body. So, I did as any mother in this situation would do. I began to pray.

I begged God to heal her. I pleaded with Him to protect her. I found myself wanting to reason with Him. "God you brought her through open heart surgery. She is Your child but give me more time to grow with her and learn with her. God heal her and protect her."

As I prayed it dawned on me. This is a "mother's prayer". Simple but sincere. Strong but vulnerable. Selfless but selfish. I wished and still wish for Presley to feel better. To not have pain or suffering. Just like my mom has done and still does for me, her only daughter. So, no, there is no more fever of 104 but, Lord please heal her and protect her.