Trying my hand at one of my mother's holiday traditions - caramel popcorn! From the reviews, it turned out good.
Our church had a Christmas Eve service (my favorite thing of the season) and they had a special story time for the children. Kirby of course had to sit facing the other kiddos and had to be right next to Anna Kate.
Growing up my parents always let us open one present that was sent to us from a good friend on Christmas Eve. I thought I would continue that tradition with our kids. Kirby Rose opened Ms. Sue's present ....
Kirby woke up to the sound of bells ringing and Santa's Ho Ho Hos ... he must have come to our house last! She was so excited singing Jingle Bells as she ran out of her room.
She didn't even pay attention to her presents ... she just wanted her bells to ring and sing.
She eventually noticed her stocking and all of the goodies inside that Santa left her ...
and Daddy helped her open it and
showed her how to use the goodies inside.
She eventually got in to the ripping open of the gifts.
So very thankful that Baby 2 is still baking in the oven - currently at 35 weeks! As I felt my baby move around on Christmas eve, I couldn't help but think about Mary riding a donkey for so many miles this pregnant thousands of years ago. My heart over joyed with thankfulness for Jesus being sent to us to die for our sins.
We were able to do Christmas day with the Patrick family - Shannon and Ken came down for a few days and Katherine, Jody and the kiddos came over to Ray and Kitty's. Anna Kate actually smiled for Lala!!
While waiting on everyone to gather around, the kids enjoyed their toys that are already at Granny's house.
Kirby had to wear her new pajama shirt from Granny and Daddy Ray. Along with her new boots they took her to pick out the day before.
Caleb and Porter got some fun new trucks and tractors - their farming operation is growing yearly.
The rocking P above our fire place was my gift to CR. This was a hard, hard present for me to hide. I have been "working on it" since September with a guy in Anderson. Secret phone calls to a man are hard to explain sometimes, but I did it without every lying! :) Then I had to bring it home in the trailer when we were visiting in Montgomery for Thanksgiving and hide it in our garage for almost a month. When you are married to someone who loves to peek, this was tough. For me, this gift is super special to our family. This is our heritage. This is the family brand that generations before us have used on their cattle. We are part of that big whole spectrum. To me it was just another part of me embracing this beautiful life that the Lord has blessed us with. Thankfully the day after Christmas was cold enough to enjoy a roaring fire in the fireplace to just take the whole scene in. Love my pioneer life that I never imagined, but can't imagine any other way!
Mom, dad, and Kyleigh (this was a surprise!!) traveled south on the 26th to celebrate Christmas with us. We waited until the morning of the 27th to do gifts so it was like Christmas morning all over again. Sweet Kyleigh walked Kirby out to see her daddy ....
who had a giant present peeking over his shoulder in his chair.
Here is proof that our daughter is being raised on the farm ... she is looking for the giraffe's teats. I am almost embarrassed to say this ... but, it tickled me to death at her awareness of the anatomy. She kept saying, "it's gone ... not there ...". Oh goodness.
Needless to say the life size guy was a hit - her cousin Brayleigh got one too and the cute stories of her adventure with discovering the animal are quite cute as well.
She also really enjoyed the bike they got her ...
all around our living room and through Grammy's legs!
Where is Kirby?
During the summer we went and visited with some friends in Montgomery at a splash park. There was a little girl there with an umbrella and all of the kids flocked to play with the umbrella instead of the water spouts. Perfect gift!
Aunt E and Uncle Ray got her a fun new farm style Uno game. It may be a little while before she understands how to play it, but for now she loves telling all of us the colors and what animals are on each ball. Cute game. :) Thanks Aunt E and Uncle Ray!
Yesterday we had to get out of the house - the dr said (see below) I could - and on our way home had to swing by Starbucks. We couldn't leave Kirby out, so she got chocolate milk with whip cream on top. She said, "I like it .... I like coffee!"
Baby #2 update
First of all, we are still baking! We have made it to 35 weeks and praising the Lord. Every day we get I feel more and more settled. I know many babies are born much sooner and are perfectly fine, but if we can keep tooter in the womb longer, I will! The medicine is still working it seems. I still have some contractions that come on strong and painful, but there is no consistency to them at all. On Monday and Tuesday I was definitely on my feet too much and picking up kiddos (oops) so I was pretty uncomfortable for a few days, but thankfully had some down time to put my feet up and rest.
Wednesday was my checkup. Not really any changes. He said to continue to rest but that I could get out if the contractions were still under control. He goes to the National Championship game on the 7th, so he wants me to stay on the medicine until then. Hahaha - I surely don't want to go into labor while he is out of town. I know there are other doctors fully capable, but you know - your doctor is just better. I especially feel this way when they are cutting me open. I go back on the 2nd first thing in the morning and should have a better idea as to when they may schedule a Csection. I delivered Kirby at 36 and 3 days, so from what we have discussed he doesn't want me to go much past 37 if still baking so we avoid some rupturing risks or having to fly to the hospital from an hour away.
My prayer is that each of you has had a very blessed Christmas season and that you remembered what it was all about - not allowing the hustle and bustle to overwhelm you or mask out the reason for it all. I pray that each of you has a very blessed 2013, that all is well and that you grow daily closer to our Maker. Stay close to those that mean so much to you and if you need to, rekindle an old friendship or reach out to someone who you need to make amends to. Thank you for being a part of my life and for praying for us.
"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8
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