My Christmas Letter 2007

Has anyone else started to notice that time is going by much quicker as we get older? Thank goodness I have the children to help me keep track of everything.

As I write, the children are all outside playing together. The weather is unusually warm, although it is predicted to be in the 40’s this weekend.

Sarah (12) and Trey (almost 11) are keeping an eye on everyone while still having some fun themselves. Bobby (9) is playing keep-away with William (almost 7) and Jeffrey (5). I think they are trying to keep Jeffrey’s whistle away from him which I’m sure will please the neighbors!

Rebekah (9 months) is sitting in her stroller watching all the fun. Though she is quiet now, she does like to comment when things get quiet. That usually means she is blowing raspberries during the sermon on Sunday morning!

John will be home soon from his job doing remodeling work for Magnolia Construction. He still enjoys building things and likes the challenge of each project being different from the last. Unfortunately, his knee that he injured in high school is not doing well under the strain of being on his feet every day. Since we have no insurance to cover knee replacement surgery, we are praying that God will provide a new career for John to support the family while being off his feet. The good news is his knee has not kept him from playing the drums in our church praise band.

Some of our favorite moments from the past year – For me, it was when the doctor said, "It’s a girl!" Jeffrey says it was staying at the Blairs’ house while I was in the hospital having Rebekah. For Trey, it was riding Acrophobia at Six Flags over Georgia while Bobby’s favorite ride was Mindbender, even though he kept his eyes closed most of the ride. William enjoyed chasing the seagulls when we went for a day trip to Folly Beach, near Charleston. Sarah’s favorite moment was the first time she held Rebekah in the hospital.

I pray your year was filled with precious memories and your Christmas is filled with the joy of knowing that "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

12 of the Joys of our Great, Big Family

1. Mom: Here are the joys of our great big family:
Youngest: They each and everyone love me!


2. Here are the joys of our great big family:
Always kids to play with,
And they each and everyone love me.

3. Here are the joys of our great big family:
Lots of hand-me-downs,
Always kids to play with,
And they each and everyone love me.

4. Here are the joys of our great big family:
Help with my schoolwork,
Lots of hand-me-downs,
Always kids to play with,
And they each and everyone love me.

5. Here are the joys of our great big family:
Lining up for the loo,
Help with my schoolwork,
Lots of hand-me-downs,
Always kids to play with,
And they each and everyone love me.

6. Here are the joys of our great big family:
Keeping track of socks,
Waiting for the loo,
Help with my schoolwork,
Lots of hand-me-downs,
Always kids to play with,
And they each and everyone love me.

7. Here are the joys of our great big family:
Rocking the new baby
I can’t find my socks.
Still waiting for the loo!
Help with my schoolwork,
Lots of hand-me-downs,
Always kids to play with,
And they each and everyone love me.

8. Here are the joys of our great, big family:
Never peace and quiet
Rocking the new baby
Have you seen my socks?
I still need the loo!
Help with my schoolwork,
Lots of hand-me-downs,
Always kids to play with,
And they each and everyone love me.

9. Here are the joys of our great, big family:
Who ate all the food?
Never peace and quiet
Rocking the new baby
Aren’t those my socks?
Hurry up in the loo!
Help with my schoolwork,
Lots of hand-me-downs,
Always kids to play with,
And they each and everyone love me.

10. Here are the joys of our great, big family:
Sharing my toys,
Who ate all the food?
Never peace and quiet
Rocking the new baby
Does anyone have socks?
Did you fall in the loo?
Help with my schoolwork,
Lots of hand-me-downs,
Always kids to play with,
And they each and everyone love me.

11. Here are the joys of our great, big family:
Driving the big van,
Sharing my toys,
Who ate all the food?
Can I please have peace and quiet!
(very quietly!)Rocking the new baby
( Muttering)What’s up with the socks?
(To the person next to them)But I really need the loo!
(Rest, same as usual) Help with my schoolwork,
Lots of hand-me-downs,
Always kids to play with,
And they each and everyone love me.

12. Here are the joys of our great, big family:
Kissing good-night,
Driving the big van,
Sharing my toys,
Who ate all the food?
Never peace and quiet
Rocking the new baby
I’ll go without socks,
Finally getting in the loo!
Help with my schoolwork,
Lots of hand-me-downs,
Always kids to play with,
And they each and everyone love me.