Special Delivery

This sweet girl arrived on the Friday before Christmas sent by my dear friend, Becca.

 Definitely a first for the boys ;)

 

Thank you Becca! I love her!

 This is a sneak peek at Sugarplum's bedding ;) Unless she is still in a crib! 

That following Sunday, Mason and I sat near a little girl who had brought a doll. She brushed the doll's hair the entire time. Not very gently, I might add. I think quite a bit of hair was left there. Mason and I shared a quiet chuckle when I whispered, "remind me to get Sugarplum a soft hair brush for her doll." Oh my heart, he loves Sugarplum! Did I mention he is quite the sales man? Sold 3 pairs of earrings to his teacher and a classmate who doesn't even have her ears pierced has asked to buy some ;)

Some Days

Some days, I panic about adding ONE more to our family.
Other days, ONE out of 143 million isn't enough.

Some days, the wait feels really long.
Other days, I remember the teenage orphans who still wait.

Some days, I want to go to China NOW.
Other days, I remember there is still a lot to do!
  
He KNOWS my days.  
Thankfully He LOVES ME regardless of my mindset or heart.
He never waivers.  

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding. 
In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
Proverbs 3:5-7

Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
    your faithfulness to the clouds. 
Psalm 36:5 

Constructing

He has been one very busy boy. 3 LEGO sets complete. Was kinda hoping they would keep him busy next week too ;)

Tub Toys

Ryan hit the jack pot in bath toys

Christmas Day night he enjoyed a long leisure soak all by himself

Somehow he ended up downstairs like this ;)
Afraid to miss too much of the party, I suppose.

Christmas Evening

Aunt Lissa and Uncle Alex arrived late afternoon for a third round of gift exchanges and dinner. 

(The second round was done over skype with EJ's dad and grandma)

My parents gave Alex this funny hunting game for the t.v., just so he didn't have to open all practical gifts ;)

 We had a yummy dinner. Not nearly as stressful as the butchering issues we had last year ;)

Silly Alex!

Lissa provided this year's birthday cake. Coconut-Pecan, YUM!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

On Christmas Eve, when I was saying goodnight to the very excited, older two, I asked them a question. I said, "how would you feel if it at your birthday party I handed out such great goodie bags to your guests that they forgot it was YOUR birthday?" They both understood what I was saying and I was thankful the Spirit gave us that moment ;)