Christmas 2009

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is going to church on Christmas Eve. This time of worship always helps me center my heart on the real reason for the Season...the birth of our Savior. Here are the kids as we are about to leave.

I always like to get at least one picture of the tree...

Look whom we ran into at church? Auntie Renee! She always makes Asher smile.

Asher woke up extra early to see what Santa had left for him...a bike! (Just like he promised at a Dickens of a Christmas!)

...and legos from Mema and Granddaddy...

...and a leapster from Mom and Dad! Asher loved playing with Judah's when we were in Uganda. This gift was money!

Here we are about to eat our traditional cinnamon rolls for breakfast...not really sure why we eat cinnamon rolls other than the fact that the kids love them.

The hit of the morning, however, was the wii from Mimi and Pepaw. The whole family loves it!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Visions of Sugarplums...

...or at least gingerbread! A few days ago, Asher and Sylvie decorated some cookies. Take a look!

Can you see Sylvie's precious apron? It was a Christmas gift from her namesake, Sylvia Page. Sylvia always sends the most thoughtful and the cutest gifts!

We will decorate a few more cookies tomorrow...just in time for Santa!

Asher's Surgery

Asher had minor surgery this morning to repair his umbilical hernia. I will confess, though, that it did not feel minor to this mommy! The doctor said that the hole in Asher's stomach was 2.5 centimeters wide! Does that sound minor?

We had planned all along for both Danny and me to take Asher to the hospital, but alas the stomach bug hit our house this week, and I had to stay home with some of our other sick children. Danny was a trooper and left the house at 5:30 in the morning all by his lonesome. He even remembered to take the camera. Check out these pictures of our little guy: he is amazing! We are so proud of him!

Asher arrives at Children's Hospital

A little pre-surgery playtime!

Asher doesn't look too sure about this surgery thing...

And he's off!

Check out the yellow socks...they even let Asher bring them home!

Look at that precious baby boy!

Welcome home, Asher! Hope you feel better soon!

Asher's Preschool Christmas Program

Asher had his Christmas program yesterday. It was so fun to see him with his new friends. First, the class played "Silent Night" with the hand bells.


Then they sang several songs, including "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."



Asher and one of his friends Lilly...

Notice that Asher's teachers painted baby Jesus black...too funny!

Dickens of a Christmas

We took Asher and the rest of the kids to a Dickens of a Christmas, a festival in downtown Franklin. We had fun eating chestnuts that had been roasted on an open fire as well as sugar plums and other various treats. We also had the opportunity to introduce Asher to some of Dickens' endearing characters. First, we met the man himself, Ebenezer Scrooge.

Next, we met Jacob Marley. Unfortunately, Asher was not a big fan of this character, and he refused to have his picture taken with him.

After being visited by Marley, we happened upon the Ghost of Christmas Past. Did you know he had a wife?

Next in the story and in our visit was the Ghost of Christmas Present.
Who knew that he too had a wife?

Asher was doing really well with the picture taking until we happened upon the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Once again, he did not want to have hispicture taken. Do you blame him?

Lo and behold, we ran into Santa Claus himself. Asher told him that he wanted a bike for Christmas. Santa assured Asher that he had been a good boy and could certainly expect a bike under the tree...priceless!

To end our day, we took a carriage ride around the town square.

We had fun enjoying Victorian England and the story of A Christmas Carol. In the words of Tiny Tim, "God bless us everyone!" And may the God of all grace and mercy bless you and yours this Christmas!

Thanksgiving 2009

Road to Asher

Danny and I shared our adoption story at church a few weeks ago, and we wanted to show a video that encapsulated all that God had taught us and all that we had experienced through this amazing journey. A friend of the family (thank you, Mikey!) put this video together for us. It will forever serve as a testimony to the fact that God is a Redeemer...He is not only redeeming Asher from a life of hopelessness, but He is redeeming all of us Kecks in exactly the same way! If there is one thing that we have learned through our journey, it is this: we are no different than the orphan or the widow...we just have more stuff. I am so thankful that God is redeeming me just as he is redeeming Asher: by the blood of Jesus. I hope you enjoy the video!

One Little, Two Little...

My two little Indians, Sylvie and Asher!

Sylvie and Mrs. Craig at Indian Day

Mary Ellis, Sylvie, and Stevie Joy


Asher and Daddy at Asher's Thanksgiving Feast

Asher and Daddy surprise Mommy during school.

Asher sings "Ten Little Indians"

Welcome Home, Josie Love!

We were so excited to meet Josie Love at the airport! She looked great! Josie had on the cutest monogrammed dress. When someone mentioned it to Mike, he responded, "She has a name...she has a name." I understand what he means: this precious girl, the "least of these," now has a forever home and family. She has a name! And she is beautiful!