Merry Christmas Stoney

I am in my warm home, with my children who have everything they need and most of what they want, and with my lovely wife close by (who is everything I need and want), celebrating Christmas and trying hard to remember the reason for the season amid the frantic pace of this culture.

In the middle of it all, I miss. I miss Stoney. He always knows what to say, always knows what to do, always makes you feel like a king, always makes the occasion and takes the event to another level. He is not warm. He is not with his wife. He is a long way from his home. Because he is...I am enjoying the holidays.

I can't begin to understand all that he and his are doing, going through, enduring, protecting, and making possible. I am thankful, but still way too self-centered. I am amazed, but still way too distracted. I am remembering, but still so preoccupied. I am so far removed from the cold, the danger, the sacrifice, the courage, the honor...but not from the missing. Today I am missing a brother, a hero, a friend.

So from a warm house in Texas, from a sister, three little nieces and me, Merry Christmas Stoney. There is no one like you. You are such a blessing.

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

Snowman

For Christmas, Micah would like,
"a little toy snowman.
The kind that is this tall and
frozen in a block of ice. The kind that
you can sit outside and melt and then you
can take it out of the ball of ice and play
with it. The kind that is kind of like plastic
but not too much and it is a toy. And it is this big."



Duh-you know the kind.

Sledding

This is Trinity's snow hill. She went sledding down it over and over. Too bad we have to pay for snow down in these parts.

Frosty

Micah would only get near Frosty if her Daddy was near.

Pumps

Trinity has just informed everyone who might get her a Christmas gift that, for Christmas this year,


she would like...

are you ready...


i am quite surprised...






RED LEATHER PUMPS.

WHAT?

Poor Ol' St. Nick

We were much too much for him to handle...

Snow Princess

She was much more frightening in person.

Rudolph

Micah was so proud she won this stuffed Rudolph at Six Flags. I threatened the lady so she would let Micah and I be the sole competitors in the game; therefore, Micah got 1st place, I got 2nd, and everyone was happy...even Rudolph.

Hiding

Ever feel like your hiding place isn't good enough? I constantly feel like I am hiding behind a tree that is way too skinny. It's wonderful that, when you're a kid--young and innocent and not at all privy to the ways of the world--a skinny tree makes the perfect hiding place. And in that hiding place, to you, not a person on the earth would be able to find you. Wish I had such faith in skinny trees.

Say What?

Things I didn't think I would say today:


"Stools are used to climb ON the potty, not IN the potty."

"Don't share the granola bar with the dog."

"Get off the windowsill."

"Please don't wipe your snot on me."

"On the count of three, you better be off the potty."

"Quit jumping on the cereal."

"Let's climb under the table for fun."

"Are you throwing up?"

"Where are your socks? That is the third pair you have lost today."

"Children cannot use bleach products."

"Let me check your ear."

The worst one of the day:
"Get out of the toilet."

Thankful

I am thankful for Thanksgiving.
I am thankful for my family and friends.
I am thankful I got to see so much of them this season.
I am thankful for another year of life.
I am thankful that I live in a free and safe country with so much opportunity.
I am thankful that God loves me despite my many weaknesses.
I am thankful for my incredible husband and children.

I am thankful my kids don't permanently look like this.


Micah, Emory, Trinity with Rinnah, Selah