Christmas Trains at the Museum

We had so many wonderful times with family this month. Granny and Grandpa spent some time with us when they came down for a very special event in R's life (more about that in my next post!) and we all enjoyed our time with them. They took the boys and Mike to the children's museum to see the Christmas train display and everyone had a great time. S and I stayed home so she wouldn't miss the all-important nap time, but we heard all about their fun day when the boys got home. Thank you Granny and Grandpa for our museum membership ~one of the best gifts ever!

This smile says it all! HA loves him some trains. 

Grandpa treated everyone to lunch from Subway,
 and R was even able to join them
 during her lunch break from her special event.
 More later about where R spent her very long and productive day :)

Best buddies, with trains as far as the eye can see.

HA, Grandpa, and HW

S is always happy after her good nap

Merry Christmas!

Back row: HA, age 9  and R, age 13

Front row: HW, age 9 and S, age 3

Why adopt? Xiaoyun answers best.

Amazing Xiaoyun is fourteen years old. She was adopted just a few months ago, right before she aged out of the system in China and became permanently unavailable for adoption. Thankfully Xiaoyun is HOME with her family and getting the medical help she needs for her scoliosis and learning just how much God loves her. But she knows that many still wait for a family to love them. And she knows what it feels like to wait ~ every child deserves a family of her own!

Giving Thanks ~ More Family

We had a fun time visiting my sweet grandmother (we all call her Mom) at the center where she lives. The kids played music, sang, and hugged on the residents there. I'm very thankful they are comfortable around older people, and I am thankful our whole family was able to spend our Thanksgiving afternoon visiting this special lady who is so precious to me.

HW and HA played their whole song list, while Mom tapped her foot
 to the music and clapped after each song.

S made her rounds and loved on each resident. They love to see her coming!

Mike was helping S get tuned up to sing for Mom. She sang a solo of
 "I Wandered Today to the Hill, Maggie" and Mom remembered it!

Mom and me and S

S singing her song

The next day we enjoyed time with lots more family at Gram and DDon's house. The food was great, the conversation was good, and it was such a blessing to be together. We love you all! We have so much for which to be thankful.

The kids' table

The big kids' table

The three amigos

Cousin J getting some love from S

When the fun was finally all over, this is where I found S.

Giving Thanks ~ Family

We are so thankful for all the people who love us and our children. There is a whole lot of love going on in our big ol' family, and we thank the good Lord for the blessing of each and every person.

We really enjoyed celebrating our early Christmas with Granny and Grandpa, Marla, Mandy, and Drew. As always, there was lots of good food (delicious tamales, compliments of Granny!) good fellowship, and good fun.  The house was full of laughter and love. We love you all.

"Thank you for helping me be a cowgirl, Granny!"

HW, S, Grandpa, HA

Since the boys are into Legos, Granny has become an expert.

Isn't this a beautiful Ethiopian doll for my beautiful dolly?

HA

HW and S

I love HA and R's faces ~ they were so excited for S when she opened her gift.

One of R's cute handcrafted gifts for Aunt Marla

HW

"See how cute I am, Grandpa?"

Fun!

Giving Thanks ~ Friends

We had a wonderful Fall Festival with our friends and neighbors this autumn. The kids had so much fun with their games and races and contests, and the adults had just as much fun laughing at the kids. I only have a few pictures to show for all our fun, because much of the party went on way after dark.  We shared hot dogs and apple cider and all kinds of treats, then we topped off the evening with s'mores. We sorely missed a couple of our dear friends who were under the weather! Thank you, dear Lord, for friends who love us.

A Psalm of Thanksgiving

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD,

 all ye lands.

Serve the LORD with gladness:

 come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the LORD he is God:

 it is he that hath made us,

 and not we ourselves;

 we are his people,

 and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,

 and into his courts with praise:

 be thankful unto him,

 and bless his name.

For the LORD is good;

 his mercy is everlasting;

 and his truth endureth to all generations.