Sometimes Dreams Do Come True...

It snowed for the first time in the 'Ham on Christmas Day!!! It was an historic event that my family, (and countless others), were able to witness!!

the windshield of my dad's car!

Narnia! lol

Really, How Great IS our GOD??

Tradition Breaking Has To Happen Sometime...

uh-oh.

We went to our annual Christmas Eve service at our church, (which was, as always, very good!), and then came back home to exchange gifts with each other. 

The night has just begun...

 

These are from pajama gram and very pretty!! 

Opening the package with anticipation of.... 

Pajama Jeans!!!! 

 But, that was short lived when my hips refused to let me wear them. :( 

And so, for the first time in the 20+ years of the tradition, I was the first person who couldn't wake up on Christmas morning wearing their new pajamas. 

Anyway, my dad got new gloves and a scarf...

Mom received a much needed pizza cutter and a new Michael W. Smith CD. 

And for Jason, an i*Tunes gift card. 

Jojo came in after being brainwashed with Alabama nonsense at a friends house for Christmas Eve dinner and opened his gift. 

And, Rachel, here is the matching pajama picture for you...

Stay tuned for Christmas Day! 

{Disclaimer: I was not in anyway compensated to write this post about Pajama Gram. My family just enjoys their pj's. }

"Here We Come A-Caroling..."

We had the opportunity to go caroling Christmas Eve Eve! ;) This is the first time I have gone caroling in awhile. It was fun to do it again!

The first house we went to we sang, talked, and laughed.

Those ladies really enjoyed it!

We then went to a nursing home and sang for a very sweet lady!!
I could have cried, but I refrained. 

At the last house, we all sang in this little, tiny hallway.

I had a good time visiting with friends afterwards! But, I think my favorite part is when we sing for the ladies or anybody, for that matter. ;)

Have a Joyful Christmas Everybody!! 

24!

"Then our mouth was filled with laughter,

and our tongue with shouts of joy;

then they said among the nations,

'The LORD has done great things for them.'"

The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad. "

 Psalm 126:2-3


Happy Birthday Jojo!! 

Four and Two

"There you were, standing on the corner of four and two...

But, then, you disappeared like the snow falling anew...

A blur you were for me to see ...

Just like Dad, you'd grow up too fast...

And then you would develop a 'tude saying you were, in fact, a "dude"...

And then there you were, by the garland so bright looking confused at the sight...

that I'd finally seen you...

at the corner of four and two."

I Wouldn't Change A Thing....

I can never say "Why?". 


It just won't happen. I just can't. 


Often times, as I am reading adoption stories, I think back to the time God led our family through the process. 


I remember the mounds of paperwork, meetings, and fingerprinting we had to do, not to mention standing in line getting our passports. 


I remember waiting in anticipation by praying, buying things with her name on it, waiting to travel to a foreign country to get her and to see the sites. 


I remember missing her when Christmas came around.


(these are the things I can relate to.)


But, I also remember getting the call. 


It was not just any ordinary call, but a heartbreaker. 


I don't remember much of my emotions that day. I forgot if I was crying or stunned. 


But, I kept saying that "God is preparing us for something bigger." I didn't know what the "bigger" was at the moment. I just knew he had something better in store for us. 


Sitting in a government glass on a cold March morning, I was reminded. (okay, maybe it sparked my remembrance.) In the months to come, I realized that...


I wouldn't have changed a thing. 

Not one. single. thing.

I just can't. 

Decorating The Christmas Tree

Every year there is always a debate on where to put the Christmas Tree. 

Two years ago, it was here. 

Last year, it was here.

This year the tree ended up in the Dining Room of our house. Go figure. 

Our dining room can manage crampness for a few weeks, though. 

One of our Christmas traditions is to buy an ornament wherever we go. or sometimes people give us ornaments that we hang too.

 For example, the one Jojo is holding in the picture was a teacher's gift to my mom when we studied American History. We let Jojo hang it as a reminder that he is in the USA now, not India. 

Another example, is when we go places like Guatemala.

This is a chicken bus like the one we rode in Guatemala.

Jason decorating the tree.

The Christmas tree all lit up!!! 

Picture time! :O

*I am glad to be on Christmas break! Today is my last day!! YAY!! Anyway, do y'all like the new look??*