Through A Child's Eyes

I am so excited, because I am experiencing Christmas through a child's eyes this year. While this is Hannah's third Christmas, she has been too young to show much interest in the past. This year, however, she is in awe of the sights, sounds, and smells she has already experienced in one week. She is like the Christmas decor detective. Whether we are waiting in line at the McDonald's drive through, strolling through Wal-mart, driving to church, or about our business in the home--if their is a Christmas decoration to be found, rest assured . . . Hannah will find it!!! When Hannah does spy Christmas lights, trees, etc., she will gleefully scream, "Wook mommy, Chwimas!" or "Mommy, I see a snowman! See him? See him?" or "Wook Mommy baby Jesus, I hold him." Between the enthusiasm in her voice and the sparkle in her eyes, I find myself as excited as she is.

Because Hannah is so excited about all things Christmas this year, we let her decorate her very own little tree. Hannah's tree is in her room, and it is decorated with things she picked out from the store and handmade snowflake ornaments from her Great-grandma Brooks. This tree has been up for a week now, and she still seems surprised every time she runs in her room and sees it. I will hear her scream down the hall, "Mommy Chwimas tree, wow! It's beautiful!"

As I watch expressions of awe and wonder cross Hannah's face over simple Christmas decorations, I find myself anxious to watch her as she begins to make connections and understand who Jesus is and the love God has shown by "sending His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him" (1 John 4:9). At the age of two, Hannah simply knows that Jesus is God's son, that He is the baby in all manger scenes, that Christmas is a celebration of His birth . . . but Jonathan and I pray and long for the day, when Hannah will know and believe that the baby born in the city of David is our "Savior, who is Christ the Lord"(Luke 2:11). I can't wait to experience the greatness of God through a child's eyes. I pray that as Hannah gets bigger, God will become bigger to her. One of my favorite quotes from "The Chronicles of Narnia" deals with this very thing. In Prince Caspian (the 4th book in the series), Lucy encounters Aslan after some time away from Narnia. Here is the interchange:

"Aslan," said Lucy, "you’re bigger."
"That is because you are older, little one," answered he.
"Not because you are?"
"I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger."

As I watch Hannah enjoy the seeming enormity of Christmas this year, it will be my prayer that I may be witness to the same reaction over Christ--that she will stand in awe of the fact that He is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6).

Hannah and Mommy put the tree together.


Hannah adds the finishing touches.


Tada!!!

The Last Of The Pictures

As you can imagine, we spent Saturday recovering from our Sea World adventure. We spent the day lounging and playing outside. The adults stayed up late Saturday night playing a fierce game of Beyond Balderdash--one of my favorite games!!!

Sunday was bittersweet. It was so nice to attend church together as a family, but I was sad all morning--knowing that our time together had come and gone. It always goes by so fast. After church, we inhaled our lunches, quickly changed clothes, and headed for the Miami airport. We arrived at the airport a little more than two hours early for their flight--leaving them enough time to check in and eat and leaving us enough time to get back to Clewiston for night church. You can imagine the shock we felt when we received a phone call from Matthew letting us know that their flight was delayed and they could be stuck until Tuesday. As it turns out, they flew out sometime around 10:30 p.m. and arrived safe and sound in their homes around 2:30 a.m. . . . a very reasonable hour (I'm sure you'll agree) for Matthew and Ruth Ann who both had to work that morning. YUK!!! But, praise God they weren't stuck until Tuesday.


Hannah watches everyone from the front porch. She is sporting her new Gamecock shirt from Grandma.

Hannah is joined by Philip and Raleigh.

2 baby bellies!!! I am now 27 weeks, and Kim has just started her 4th month. Just think, I still have 3 more months to grow!!! By the time Hannah was due, I looked like I was going to fall over. The exciting news is I only have 13 more weeks (10 until I am 37 weeks, which is technically the safe zone). The depressing news is I received an e-mail from baby center telling me I had 91 more days--I like the way 13 weeks sounds much better!!! It has been fun being pregnant with my sister-in-law again. These babies will be three months apart just like Hannah and Philip.

Sea World

Because we don't live near our nephew, and we hadn't seen him in almost a year, Jonathan and I wanted to do something very special for Philip. We decided to take him to Sea World. Jonathan and I had passes that did not expire until the end of the year, so we treated Jonathan's family to a day at Sea World. We have never gone to a theme park (of any sort) with his family and were very excited to share this experience with them.

We had a wonderful day!!! The weather was perfect, the kids were happy, and hey . . . we got to see Shamu! Philip and Hannah were very well behaved and lasted until 8 p.m. without a nap. Of course, they were both asleep before were even on the interstate.

Hannah and Daddy watch the dolphins.


Hannah and Grandma look at the penguins.


Philip and Uncle Jonathan enjoy the dolphin show.

Hannah and Grandma color while they wait for their lunch.

Philip cheers on Shamu.

Hannah and Philip wait patiently for the daddies to retrieve their strollers. They were so cute in their big sister and big brother t-shirts.

Hannah touches the cold ice in the Arctic exhibit.

Hannah and Philip get a closer look at the pretty fish.


Hannah riding in the spinning seashells--"tea pots" as she called them.


Hannah and Uncle Matthew watch a shark swim overhead.

A very sleepy Hannah prior to her second wind.


Holding hands while strolling.

Watching the Christmas water and lights show. The show ended with snow (snow looking bubbles) filling the air as it blew out from roof tops all around Sea World. It was really neat! Hannah was thrilled to catch the snow while riding on Daddy's shoulders.

Matthew, Kim, and Philip.


Our family.

Grandma and the kiddos.

Hannah and Daddy walk through the snow . . . it's there, I promise. I was sad it didn't show up on camera.

Thanksgiving '06

I know one person who was extra thankful on Thanksgiving . . . Grandma!!! Ruth Ann thoroughly enjoyed seeing her two grandchildren together over the Thanksgiving holiday.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day. The weather was beautiful. While I spent a large portion of the day in the kitchen, we did find time to play outside. We watched part of the parade and football, played darts, and ate LOTS of food!

Hannah and Philip playing baseball . . . Hannah has just pitched the ball past Philip and he's about to swing at her.

Hannah and Daddy playing "peek-a-boo" around the palm trees.

Silly cousins!

Nothing like a huge pregnant lady throwing darts!


Happy Thanksgiving!

Matthew, Philip, and Kim.

Hannah chows down on a turkey leg.

One Little, Two Little, No Little Indians

During the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving Hannah and I read books about the first Thanksgiving, and I talked to her about the Pilgrims and Native Americans. So, I thought it would be fun for Hannah and Philip to make feathered headdresses (to represent the Native Americans) as an easy craft on Thanksgiving. They did have fun making their headdresses, but when it came time to put them on for a picture, both kids were completely freaked out. I never knew a decorative headband with feathers could be so scary. Hannah finally warmed up to her "hat," as she called it, and wore it around the house after her bath.

Playing Together

Hannah and Philip had a really great time playing together. It was so cute to see them running around copying one another, laughing, and being silly. After a late night on Tuesday (returning from the airport, catching up, etc.), we enjoyed a relaxing Wednesday at home. We took the kids to the park after lunch and enjoyed one another's company, while Jonathan was at work. In the evening, we attended church, had a "sit down" family dinner, and of course . . . were entertained some more by the kids!

2 fake smiles.

Playing at the park.

Holding hands.